Why did you choose to complete an Internship?

I chose to do an internship because I needed to go abroad to complete my program. I felt like an internship abroad would be more beneficial than just studying abroad so I chose to go abroad in Australia.

What have you learned the most during your internship?

The most I have learned from this internship is how to understand and work with other people. I have learned that people come from a lot of different backgrounds so they will have different ways of thinking apart from your own. This is good when it comes to solving problems and can be the biggest challenge when communicating with other people. So understanding this I now feel better prepared for when I am actually employed.

What benefits do you feel AI contributed to your internship and time in Australia?

AI was able to benefit me with amazing times and great adventures. The planned trips and always trying to stay in touch with us whenever we needed help was the best for making you feel at home, or at least make you feel like you were adopted by some Aussie parents. This was very comforting and helped to contribute to not feeling as home sick. The good times and adventures benefited me by keeping me motivated to work through the week eager for the weekend with AI.

What advice would you give future interns?

The best advice I would give future interns is to focus on each day that is at hand and to not worry about the future. If you worry about the future or how long you have to stay it will make the trip even longer. So go out and enjoy each day and try your best to get the most from your work experience. If you do this you get the most experience from your trip, and it will help to make the time go by quicker.

What do you enjoy most about Australia?

I enjoyed the absolute beauty that Australia has. From the people, the land, and the animals all of Australia was beautiful to see. Australia has a huge diversity in its culture and you can really feel it by just going down the street. You will see so many different people, but all will have the same Aussie smile that seems to be contagious over here. The land is bright and colourful from the misty mountains all the way down to the gorgeous beaches with a beautiful sunset behind it. The animals are so adorable and amazing, holding a koala was the highlight of my trip.

Why did you decide to do your internship in Australia?

I chose Australia so to get the opportunity to work in an innovative country and gain invaluable experiences that will benefit me in many aspects of my life. Here I had the chance to boost my knowledge in the Civil Engineering industry, and form my skills and qualifications in an integrated way. Besides, it was a unique way to broaden my horizons by getting involved with the Australian way of life, meet interesting people and discover new cultures and traditions.

What made this experience unique and special?

There is nothing more exciting than living and working in the no. 1 holiday destination in Australia. In Gold Coast, you always have the option to relax on the beach after a tedious day at work or why not try some surfing right before the sunset! Undoubtedly, working in a city where construction is thriving due to the upcoming Commonwealth Games, is something really special.

How has this experience impacted your future?

I believe that after this experience my future will be much brighter. Working and living abroad, especially in a progressive country like Australia, equipped me with important tools and knowledge and helped me master new skills. I am more than sure that this 6-month adventure will definitely help me in every aspect of my life.

What was the highlight of your experience?

Surely, you don’t experience every day Christmas holidays under the hot summer sun or next to the beach enjoying some ice cream! And of course you are not used to see surfin’ Santas! Or what about the unforgettable NYE fireworks celebration in Sydney? Definitely, that was a highlight.

What advice you would offer someone considering interning abroad in Australia?

Before I arrive in Australia, everybody was telling me to be aware of the fierce sun and to always use sunscreen, hat and sunglasses. My answer was: NO WORRIES! I am coming from Greece! I am used to it! Absolutely wrong. The sun here can be quite dangerous, but of course, with the appropriate equipment you have nothing to worry about.

"During this internship, I have been given the opportunity to complete different tasks among different projects such as doing take-off and tendering for demolition and civil projects, and closely contact with labours and subcontractors to monitor the progress of demolition project carry on in Brisbane city.

Since the difference between our own country culture and Australian culture, it is essential to get oneself well prepared before entering the society in Australia. Such as, language is a critical and fundamental element to assist with your daily life, as well as soft skills and technical skills will be the necessary ability to build your life in Australia."

"The best aspects of my internship included learning management and interpersonal skills which I can apply later in my career. To me, these are skills you cannot learn in the classroom, and are more important than any equations or technical skills, because the old saying goes "you get hired for your technical skills and fired for your people skills."
The people of Australia are very friendly and approachable, and when you are at a pub they will invite you to play a game of pool and have a drink with them. 
My advice for future interns would be to come in with an open mind, and to make friends with your coworkers. Eat lunch with them, interact with them, and be friendly. Learn about the standard you are held to at work, and meet and exceed that standard. Also, network, because you never know if your company is expanding worldwide."

"Before applying for this internship program, I was hesitant because I wasn't sure if the large financial investment would pay off. However, now that it is my last week I've finally realized what a great decision it was to intern in Sydney. Not only have I gained a tremendous amount of technical skill, but I have also improved my social skills. Many students underestimate the value of having and being able to show that one has experience working with people. During my time here, I've found that this skill is invaluable. Company recruiters look for people who can work well with others. Sure, technical skill is important, but ultimately, you won't be doing your job alone. Besides pumping up my resume, these eight weeks have also opened my eyes to other cultures. Mostly through restaurant food, I've fallen in love with learning about these cultures and I dream of someday traveling to their birth places. If anything, the biggest thing I will take away from this trip is a yearning to see the world."

"I was glad to be part of this research group, I have a good relationship with the staff members and my supervisor, they have taken many approaches at mentoring me, also they give me a lot of responsibilities because they trust in my abilities, value my input and care about me as an individual, they are amazing.
I have gained more experience, confidence, and self-dependence within this internship.
I had the opportunity to work in the field and admire amazing scenarios in Australia, also I observed wildlife in its habitat such as Koalas, Kangaroos ( a lot), Wallabies, Deer, fox, echidnas, and variety of birds."
 

"Completing an internship helps you to visualize your career path and it is also the best way to explore various career options. It helps you to build a good network, make new connections and improve the communication in a professional environment. 

Australian internship played a significant role throughout this internship. My Supervisor helped me a lot with my resume and interview preparation. In addition, keeping an eye on my progress on a weekly basis was a wonderful thing, which motivated me to complete my tasks in an efficient way and pushed me to look forward to another challenge."