After my time at the language school, I moved to Munich to begin the next phase of my summer. I worked for a company called Menschen für Menschen, a Human Development NGO that specialized in project work in Ethiopia. They worked directly with an Ethiopian office, who actually overlooked and implemented the project designs, which my office designs and collects funding for. Their office is right in the heart of Munich, and I could easily take the U-Bahn directly to and from work each day—which was easily a highlight! My internship position was in the Fundraising and Communications department, where I worked closely with my supervisor and the digital marketing team. Aside from that, I also had the opportunity to closely work with federal fundraising documents, project proposals, and project assessment profiles. I was able to see the inner workings of a globally scoped non-profit organization, which will evidently assist me in my studies as an International Studies and Leadership student. Not only were my tasks thrilling, but my colleagues were such a supportive team and a key factor to the success and enjoyment of my experience. My office primarily spoke German, so I got to fully immerse myself in the language and culture in a supportive environment. As their first American intern and German student, the language barrier added a level of challenge to the general onboarding of a summer intern. Their patience and understanding were the perfect supplement to the change of solo living in an international city that I was also handling, which made the transition easier than imagined.

It takes a lot of courage to undergo this number of transitions as a junior in college, but everyone in my group handled it with patience and grace. Evidently the summer had its challenges and moments of uncertainty. I have never lived alone before, let alone in a city where I did not know anyone. It was a summer of growth, and I encourage everyone to take the leap and take that risk! Deep down I knew this was something I have always wanted to do, and that inner desire helped me power through the uncertain, hard moments. I ended this summer with a larger sense of confidence in myself and purpose in the professional world, and I truly believe that it changed the trajectory of my life after college. Now, I have the desire and determination to eventually travel back to Germany to obtain a postgraduate degree and continue establishing a home there for myself!