First-Day Nerves, Instant Belonging
I am filled with gratitude as I sit writing this on my final Monday in the Xross Connect office. As I gaze out our office window overlooking the wonderful city I have come to call home, I am reminded of my first day. I remember walking to work through the bustling streets of Sevilla, not knowing what to expect. I was an American in a foreign country, nervous to meet my new boss and to start my first Internship. Little did I know, what I would find when I got to work would be so much more than just another professional experience. The Xross Connect team treated us interns like family right from the start.
Reflecting on my experience, I realize how instrumental my time with the Xross Connect team was to my growth, both personally and professionally. Working for a boutique marketing agency like Xross Connect felt like working with your friends on projects that you are passionate about. We were given the freedom to complete projects how we wanted and subsequently learned, grew, and reiterated our solutions according to the critiques of our team.
Hands-On Marketing: Brand, Web, Data & Social
I got hands-on experience cultivating and implementing a brand image, doing market research, website design, data analysis, social media marketing, and blog post writing. The Xross Connect team was eager to help us learn. They were invested in our career goals and interested in how their knowledge could help us accrue relevant skills. This is what I mean when I say our team felt like a family. It was a personal and focused environment where expectations were high and so was the level of support.
Beyond the Office: Travel That Changed My Perspective
My experience in Sevilla and on my travels around Europe was just as important to my growth as the professional experience I gained in the office. Experiencing different cultures and meeting new people changed my perspective on life. I am leaving Spain humbled by my travels and curious to experience more new places. In the short six weeks I have been here, I have created unforgettable memories and met unforgettable people. Coming to Spain and working for Xross Connect was one of the best decisions I have ever made.
Taking the Leap: Why I Chose Seville
Coming to Sevilla from the US for an unpaid internship is a risk. Moving to another country alone is difficult and poses many challenges. I factored all this into my decision to come to Xross Connect. Now that my time here is coming to an end, I know firsthand the mental and physical toll an adventure as ambitious as this takes on the mind and body. Balance, ambition, purpose, and peace. These are the lessons that emerged from the hardships I faced while being here. I can promise that if you decide to come to Seville and intern here, it will be an experience whose transformative impact will be felt in all aspects of your life.
Lessons I’m Bringing Home: Balance, Ambition, Purpose, Peace
Our lives become a result of the decisions we make. If you are brave and interested in learning about international cultures and gaining relevant professional experience in the marketing industry, the Xross Connect summer internship can be a defining moment for you. It marked the start of a new chapter in my fledgling marketing career. I am immensely grateful to Lawton, Josh, and Krystle for all they have taught me during my time here.
