Making Every Day at My Internship in Paris Count
Adjusting My Expectations
Before beginning my internship in Paris, there were a lot of unknowns. My internship could be fully in-person or hybrid (mostly in-person with a few remote hours each week). There was a chance of having to commute up to an hour one way, or I might be able to walk to the workspace every day. What I did know, however, was that everyone’s experiences would be different and depend on their internship placement! And, I knew I wanted to make the most out of my experience in Paris, during my internship and in my time off.
My internship schedule ended up being fully in-person on Mondays, Tuesdays, and Thursdays from 10am to 6pm, and my commute was about one hour each way. This meant that I had four days off each week, which I was very grateful for, because the days I worked felt quite long!
During my first week, as I was still getting used to things, I found that when I came straight home after being in the office, I was simply too tired and unmotivated to leave the apartment. I would eat dinner, maybe do some yoga, read, and go to bed. Honestly, that sounds like a great evening to me—but I was in Paris! I knew I'd look back and wish I had pushed myself, even on days I worked all day.
So, I made it a goal to do things before and after work, as much as possible, to make the most out of my experience. Now this did take some effort; I had to wake up earlier and try my hardest to not go straight home after being in the office. But, it was well worth it! So, here are some of the ways I would make the most out of a full internship day (including while at my internship!) and some ideas for others to implement during their internships.
Starting the Day with Intention
One way I made my days interning feel like more than just work was by waking up early. I did different things each time. Sometimes, I would go to a coffee shop for a cappuccino and pain au chocolat. Other times, I would meet a friend in the courtyard of our apartment building for a quick yoga session. These were really simple things to implement to make me feel productive before even arriving at the office.
Pre-internship coffee date with my roommate!
Making the Commute Part of the Experience
I also tried to make the commute enjoyable! I honestly really liked taking the metro every morning. It’s a great place to people watch. I also used the time to read! I love reading, but it was a bit hard to find time to read while abroad as much as I do at home. Utilizing my commute was a great solution. Otherwise, I probably would have just been on my phone.
Making the Most of My Internship
Once I arrived at the office, I wanted to make sure I was making the most of my internship, too - not just my time outside of the office. I had the opportunity to be a Marketing Intern at SlimPYX, a photo frame company in Paris. It was such a great learning experience for me. I got to improve their website, edit fun videos for social media, and create photo compositions. I was even able to use my own photos for marketing materials, which was a wonderful creative outlet!
A photo composition using photos from a trip to Greece with my friends
During our CEA CAPA Global Internship Course, our professor emphasized that we would get out of the experience what we put into it. I took that advice to heart and really pushed myself to learn as much as possible and make as many connections as possible, both personal and professional.
Professionally, this meant speaking as much French as I could with my boss, asking my coworkers graphic design questions, and looking for opportunities to take initiative by learning a new skill.
Creating photo compositions with my coworker
Personally, I really enjoyed taking my lunch breaks with my coworkers. I have two French coworkers, one from Ukraine, and one American who is also in the CEA CAPA program! I am an introvert, and I initially looked forward to having some alone time to recharge and relax during lunch. But, getting to know these girls during our lunch breaks was the sweetest unexpected gift! We frequently tried new lunch spots, explored the area, and sat in pretty parks talking. We became friends, and I’m thankful I stepped out of my comfort zone to connect with them! Socializing with them in the middle of the day also helped me take mental breaks.
This was a beautiful park near the office that my coworkers and I would take our lunch to.
Exploring Paris After an Internship Day
After an internship day, I could not go straight home. If I did, I really wouldn’t leave! Of course, sometimes I needed a good, relaxing evening in. On these days I usually grabbed groceries and maybe cleaned the apartment a bit before fully hibernating. But, when I had the energy, I tried to make plans for after being in the office. This truly helped me so much. I really enjoyed my internship, but it could feel a bit draining if I felt like all I did on a certain day was work. On those days, I was especially thankful that the sun didn’t set in Paris in the summer until after 9:30pm!
I loved admiring the beautiful architecture in Paris.
I loved going to a park afterward to walk, journal, or draw. My favorites are Parc Monceau or Jardins du Luxembourg. I also discovered that certain museums, like Musée d’Orsay, have extended hours on certain days, so wandering around a museum was also a great post-office activity! I also loved meeting my friends for dinner and cards in the evening. French people really do eat dinner quite late compared to what we’re used to in the US, so this was the perfect way to end a long day.
Parc Monceau - one of my favorite ways to spend an evening after interning!
I loved going to dinner (and dessert, of course) with friends to end the night.
Looking Back
At first, I was a bit worried about having a fully in-person internship with a long commute. I honestly thought it was the worst-case scenario, but I ended up loving it. I got so much out of my internship because I spent so much time learning from my boss and coworkers. I did my best to take advantage of every moment—down to the time on the metro! I am proud for pushing myself to make the most out of my long internship days, and I hope this might encourage someone to do the same!
