Reflection
What would be remiss not to say is the support I got from my team, especially my manager who since day one was there to help me adjust to the new environment, support me in projects, and teach me her amazing management skills. What I appreciate a lot about this role and my team, is the opportunity they gave me to be very independent in the decision-making, the project planning, and the communication with different stakeholders. They trusted me and created a safe place for me to grow and learn.
Most Valuable Aspects of This Experience
Life Outside Work? That’s an even more fun part. What I enjoyed the most outside of work was to discover every little neighborhood of Paris, to observe the people, their habits, and the way they stand in the situations, and compare it with Canada, and other parts of the world I’ve traveled to. For example, growing up in Greece I was so used to a stressful driving experience in the streets that I thought I could survive in any city outside Athens. I was fooling myself because I had never driven in the chaotic rush hour of Paris. Another big difference I noticed between Vancouver and Paris was of course the nature aspect of the city. Don’t get me wrong, Paris has beautiful parks all along the city. However, I missed the unique natural surroundings of the west coast and my everyday contact with the sea. Nonetheless, the amazing croissants, the vibrant neighborhoods, the incredible taste of fashion, and the outstanding architecture of Paris balanced things out within me.
In my day-to-day life in the city, I loved the opportunity I had to practice my French, to speak like a native. I loved the lunches at the office that brought me closer to French culture, and the Tuesday sports class with my manager. The team bonding drinks after work, my constant failure at the “guess the song” game, and the best, most creative All-Hands Meeting I have ever been to.
One thing I would advise anyone who wants to apply for an international co-op abroad is to just do it! Even when it sounds big and scary I have to tell you that the scariest thing is not to do it. Trust me, you’ll come back so much richer from the amazing experiences you’ll get. You’ll come back stronger because you made it! You’ll see the world outside of the comfort of your daily life as a student, a world that has so much to offer- I promise. You’ll come back a different person, with a new perspective, more international, and new skills that will sculpt who you are, and where you stand professionally and personally. You'll come back and your phone will ring, and you'll hear from the other side of the line the voices of the friends you made, and spent months living, and experiencing Parisian life together telling you how much they miss you. You'll always have this 'family' to go back to...
Advice for Future Students
From my experience, the key to an international co-op position is first good research, and second, a well-written resume that will stand out. Not necessarily because of your impressive previous experience, but instead the skills and the diversity you bring to the table. Of course, let’s not forget to connect with people and be curious. Do you know someone who works for your future dream company? Connect with them! Ask questions, ask tips, be curious, and learn their day-to-day agenda, does this agenda align with you and your future goals? Then, plan your next steps!
Good luck, and don’t forget to dream big, and plan bigger :))
