Interview Sina
We spoke to Sina Rautmann about her experience as an intern at One Challenge International in Colorado Springs, USA. She found this position through friends who work there.
What did you do on your stay abroad? What were your tasks?
I worked as an intern at OC International. There I got to learn about the work in a ministry organization and help out with media/public relations tasks. For example, I redesigned parts of the website, took pictures for the blog, uploaded content to the website and created the monthly newsletters for all missionaries.
What were your tasks?
I redesigned parts of the website, took pictures for the blog, uploaded content to the website and created the monthly newsletters for all missionaries.
How did the application process work?
I did not have to apply since my friends have worked at OC International for many years now and got me the internship.
Did you have to apply for a visa? If so, how did the visa application process work?
I signed up online for the esta tourist visa. It was an easy process and I did not have to go to an embassy.
How did you arrange your accommodation and what was it like?
I stayed with my friends. The first weeks I slept in the office of my friend where they have a guest sleeping couch. Then one of their daughters left for university and I moved into her room for the rest of my stay.
What was your accommodation like?
The first weeks I slept in the office of my friend where they have a guest sleeping couch. Then one of their daughters left for university and I moved into her room for the rest of my stay.
What was the cost of living life?
I had to pay the gas for the car that my friends lent me and that I used a lot to visit friends in the area or to go sight seeing on the weekends. But besides that, all other costs were optional since my friends didn't make me pay for food or accommodation. I sometimes ran some errands for the family, invited them out for dinner or bought some treats like their favorite, more expensive ice cream.
What were your initial impressions of the USA?
It's a huge country and without a car you are basically in a fix. Public transportation is rare so you definitely need a car! But I love the USA and the people living there. I was welcomed where ever I went. People were very kind and helpful.
With time, what cultural differences did you observe?
Everything is bigger! Starting with the milk (2.5L - 5L bottles) but also other products in the store. But people need it, for the supermarkets are often a long drive away if you don't live close to a city. If you have to drive 30 min to get to a store you WILL buy in advance and plan ahead. If you forgot something it's time to improvise. Going back to the store for a missing item isn't worth the time and money for gas.
Eating out isn't the same relaxing and communicative event like in Germany, where you would sit and stay after you ate just to talk, maybe drink a cappuccino and enjoy the company of your friends. You only stay at the restaurant/bar as long as you consume and then leave. Time is money and if you don't consume you will cost the waiter a lot of money, since he could seat and serve other people at your table that would eat and pay a tip.
Neighborhoods aren't the same either. People drive home, drive into their garage and close the door. You rarely see people on the streets and your street is just the place where you live, but not where you make friends. Friendships are acquired in your church, your school/university, your sports clubs or other leisure time activity groups, and your workplace. Since Americans move within the country way more often (for different reasons), they don't bind to a certain neighborhood but with people that they like because of similar interests. This is why most people end up with friends in many states. They visit each other from time to time to spend several days with each other.
Did you miss anything from Germany while you were away?
Sauna and the Autobahn, but besides that I wasn't missing anything at all.
Which must-see destinations would you recommend?
Go to Colorado in the beginning of the fall to see the aspen trees turn golden. Take a ride with the Cog Rail up to Pikes Peak and enjoy the view. I'd also recommend the hike up 'The Incline', an extreme mountain path that will challenge you, but you will be proud after you've reached the top (only recommend if you don't have knee problems!)
The Cliff Houses - ruins of an old Indian tribe - are also worth seeing as well as the cave of the winds. Other recommendable destinations are:
- Manitou Springs
- Red Rock Canyon
- Garden of the Gods
- Old Town Colorado
- Eleven Mile Resevoir
- Hiking in Cheyenne Mountain
What effect did the internship have on your teaching/English skills?
Since I was fluent in English before the stay, I wasn't experiencing that many differences for my English skills. I got to find some minor pronunciation mistakes that I was able to work on during my stay.
Since one of my friends is a teacher I was able to spend a day at her school and at a different school where her friend is the principal. I got to see the different classroom settings and discovered some teaching methods that I wasn't familiar with. Especially in the field of morning routines I was able to find some interesting and cute ideas. I think I might introduce some of the practices to my own class later.
How did you find your position?
"Vitamin-B" ;-) I have many friends in Colorado.