Route J-1

By SunJeong Lee, Client Relations Officer, Cultural Vistas

A version of this blog post was originally published on the Cultural Vistas Blog

J-1 exchange visitors are taking some time to tell us how the Exchange Visitor Program changed their perspectives about America. This week we will discuss how exchange visitors are discovering strength in vulnerability.

J-1 alumna Alina Rafikova, who participated in the Fulbright and Muskie programs, shared this photo from her experience exploring America.

What if I don’t fit in? What if I fail? These thoughts might come to mind while preparing to live and intern abroad – whether in the United States or as Americans headed overseas. It is only natural to feel a mix of anxiety, excitement, and fear when you face a new challenge. But, it’s important to let yourself be vulnerable.

Getting out of your comfort zone will push you to seek new solutions to problems. As a J-1 intern from Naples, Italy offered, it can be “an amazing experience that helps you be more independent. You will grow stronger and more resilient as you explore your new habitat.”

In fact, studies show living abroad can lead to increased creativity and problem-solving skills. Daring yourself to learn and grow in new environments will teach you to be resourceful. Afterward, you will come out of the experience more self-aware than before. We see examples and hear this sentiment in our work almost every single day.

Estefania, J-1 intern from Mexico

“At my host company, I was designated as the leader of a project which helped the company improve processes. Developing the project was quite meaningful for me because I could apply my problem solving skills and my supervisor was always coaching and guiding me to accomplish the goals set. This project gave me a lot of empowerment, which made me gain more confidence and independence. All in all, my internship in Texas has granted me the opportunity to learn about the American Business culture, that will be of great help when I go back to Mexico to start my own project,” says Estefania, an intern from Tampico, Mexico.

Joana, J-1 intern from Portugal

Joana, a J-1 intern from Portugal, spoke to the lasting professional and personal development benefits of her U.S. training program: “I have learned how to work more efficiently in a team and the importance of checking regularly goals and progress in our research as we go along. It is important is to make sure that the roles of each person are well defined in the team. This is an extremely valuable experience since in academia we have not so many opportunities to work in collaborations that offer us this type of skills. This experience will be useful for my future career when working in other companies but also to help me finish my PhD, since it has provided me with skills to keep my objectives in check that will help me be faster in my research.”

Next week J-1s will tell us how their exchange experience is helping them build lifelong friendships and networks.

Categories: Program Spotlight