My internship journey: from study abroad to teaching in Greece

Hi, my name is Maria, and I am a Marketing and Digital Experience Graduate Intern here at York St John University. My journey at YSJ started with my BA (Hons) in Korean, TESOL & Linguistics. One of the most exciting aspects of my course was the opportunity to study abroad for a year and complete an internship. So let me take you on my internship journey from studying abroad to teaching in Greece.

For my third year, I had the incredible opportunity to study in Seoul, South Korea. Going abroad during 2021, in the midst of the COVID-19 pandemic, brought many unexpected challenges. Restrictions made it difficult to fully experience the vibrant culture and academic life of Seoul. Additionally, visa limitations made securing an internship in South Korea particularly challenging.

Due to these difficulties, I made the decision to return to Greece earlier than planned and find an internship opportunity there. Coming back to my home country allowed me to gain valuable professional experience while still making the most of my international education.

I secured a three-month internship at a language academy in Corinth, a historic city just an hour away from Athens. During my time there, I had the rewarding experience of teaching both Korean and English as second languages to Greek native speakers.

Teaching was a completely new challenge for me, and I quickly learned how to adapt my knowledge of linguistics and language acquisition to a real classroom setting. Working with students from different age groups and language backgrounds gave me a deeper understanding of how language learning varies between individuals. I developed lesson plans, created engaging activities, and learned how to manage a classroom environment effectively.

Beyond teaching, I also gained experience in translating educational materials between Korean, English, and Greek. This required a strong understanding of linguistic nuances and cultural differences to ensure accuracy and clarity. Additionally, I developed administrative skills through organizing lesson schedules, managing student records, and assisting in communication between teachers, students, and parents.

This internship was an invaluable experience that helped me develop essential skills such as communication, adaptability, and leadership. Teaching reinforced my ability to explain complex linguistic concepts in a clear and accessible way, a skill that continues to benefit me in my current marketing role. Additionally, this experience deepened my appreciation for language learning and cross-cultural communication.

The experience also played a crucial role in preparing me for further studies, particularly the CELTA (Certificate in Teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages). Through hands-on teaching practice and exposure to various teaching methodologies, I gained the confidence and foundational skills necessary to pursue this qualification in the future.

Reflecting on my journey, I am grateful for the challenges and opportunities that came with my study abroad year and internship. While my path took unexpected turns, each experience shaped my personal and professional growth. Now, as a marketing intern at YSJ, I continue to apply the skills I developed during my studies and internship, proving that every experience—no matter how different from our initial plans—can be valuable in shaping our future.

For anyone considering studying abroad or pursuing an internship, my advice is to stay open to new possibilities. Challenges may arise, but the experience you gain will be worth it in the end.

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To find out more about working and volunteering opportunities here at YSJ, read Georgie’s blog where she shares her transformative research internship over the summer.