Maya’s Summer Internship in London

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Eager to follow in the footsteps of a college student who interned abroad in England? We recently caught up with AIFS Abroad participant Maya from the University of Utah, who spent her summer interning abroad in the metropolitan city of London. 

Read on to learn more about Maya’s internship experience with AIFS Abroad and the impact of being an international intern in England. 

Choosing When & Where to Intern Abroad 

Deciding where and when you should study or intern abroad depends on a range of factors, including your academic track and personal preferences. Hear Maya explain why she chose to intern abroad in London: 

“I have wanted to go to London for ages, so it seemed fitting. I would highly recommend it; it was a great city and very welcoming to new people.” 

Some students have academic requirements that prevent them from interning abroad during the fall or spring semester. Other students, like Maya, are student athletes, so they need to be on campus during the school year. In these cases, a summer program is the perfect solution: 

“I chose summer due to being a student athlete year-round. Summer was my only free term. The vibe was amazing—great weather, people, things to do, etc.” 

Why Intern Abroad? 

There are so many reasons to intern abroad! Interning abroad can help you grow your technical skillset, gain professional experience, and stand out to future employers, all while you live in an exciting international city and soak up the local culture. It’s also an excellent opportunity to build soft skills such as cross-cultural communication, problem-solving, teamwork, and adaptability—which are highly valued in a professional environment. Hear why Maya decided an intern abroad program was right for her: 

“I chose to intern abroad because I wanted to step outside my comfort zone, gain a global perspective, and experience how my field operates in an international setting.” 

Internship Experience 

AIFS Abroad participants are guaranteed an internship in one of their approved career fields once they’re accepted to the program—ensuring they gain experience that’s aligned with their professional goals. Below, Maya describes her fashion marketing/PR internship in London: 

“I was placed with… a creative production company specializing in marketing, branding, and digital media. As a Marketing & Communications Intern, I contributed to projects that ranged from social media strategy to content creation. My responsibilities included drafting and scheduling posts, assisting with brand campaigns, conducting market research, and supporting internal communications. I also had the chance to collaborate with the creative team on brainstorming sessions, which gave me firsthand experience in how ideas develop from concept to execution in a fast-paced, professional environment.” 

Professional Development 

When you intern abroad, you’ll develop new skills and hone your existing ones, preparing you for future positions in a range of career fields. Many internships also offer events and opportunities for professional development, as Maya’s internship did: 

“One highlight was working at the Jimmy Choo Academy show, where I gained firsthand experience in event coordination and saw how high-profile fashion and media events operate behind the scenes. In addition to that, I connected with colleagues across different departments at [my company], attended team meetings where I contributed ideas, and networked with other young professionals in London. These opportunities not only strengthened my skills but also gave me valuable connections and insight into how creative industries operate on a global scale.” 

Housing 

All AIFS Abroad programs include housing. Hear Maya describe her experience living in a shared apartment with other AIFS Abroad internship program participants: 

“During my program, I lived in a shared apartment with other students… in the program. The setup gave me both independence and a built-in community, since I was surrounded by peers who were also adjusting to living and working in London. The location was convenient, with easy access to public transportation, grocery stores, and local restaurants, which made exploring the city much easier.” 

Making Friends Abroad 

Many study and intern abroad participants worry about making friends during their program. Fortunately, AIFS Abroad programs include a number of social and cultural activities, along with trips and excursions, that help participants meet one another and form friendships early on. Listen to Maya describe her experience making friends in London: 

“I didn’t know anyone in my program before applying… which was a little intimidating at first, but it ended up being one of the best parts of the experience. Making friends happened naturally since everyone was in the same situation and eager to connect. From orientation to group outings, there were plenty of opportunities to bond, and living in shared housing made it easy to build close relationships quickly.” 

Trips & Excursions 

Every AIFS Abroad program includes trips and excursions that take you around your host city and country. Below, Maya describes her two favorite adventures with AIFS Abroad: 

“My favorite excursion with AIFS Abroad was the trip to Stonehenge and Bath. Visiting Stonehenge was surreal—it’s one of those places you always see in photos, but standing there in person and imagining its history was unforgettable. Afterward, exploring Bath was equally fascinating… What made the trip even better was experiencing it alongside other students in my program.” 

Cultural Experiences Abroad 

Wherever you choose to intern abroad, you can enjoy authentic cultural experiences that are unique to your host country and city. In the diverse city of London, you can experience a wide variety of cultural influences all in one place by visiting some the city’s famous markets. These markets often host hundreds of stalls where people from around the world come together to sell food, art, and other goods. Maya visited the Borough Market and Camden Market in London; below, she explains what makes these places so special: 

“I loved being surrounded by so many different cultures in one place and getting to try new foods, hear different accents, and interact with local vendors.” 

Personal & Professional Growth 

An internship abroad is an opportunity to expand your horizons—both in your personal life and your professional future. Hear how Maya’s internship in London helped her grow personally and professionally: 

“Interning abroad pushed me to grow in so many ways. Personally, I became more independent and confident by navigating a new city, adapting to a different culture, and learning how to handle challenges on my own… Professionally, working in an international setting strengthened my adaptability, teamwork, and communication skills while also giving me valuable hands-on experience in marketing and media.” 

Are you a student or recent graduate ready to take the leap and join an AIFS Abroad internship program like Maya did in London? We’d love to help you start your journey! 

Here at AIFS Abroad, we know a thing or two about helping college students and pre-professionals study and intern abroad. Our programs are incredibly inclusive, which takes a lot of the stress out of planning. From coordinating your housing to providing things like cultural and social activities, excursions, comprehensive insurance, 24/7 emergency support, on-site staff, and more, you’ll take comfort in knowing you’ll have support throughout your entire experience abroad.