I was walking down the street. It was a sunny tuesday of July, in the beautiful city by the bay. I was on my way to grab the second bus to go to work, and then it struck me. Market street continuing until it reached the sea, surrounded by Skycrapers filled with financial offices. Cables above the ground, enabling buses to go around the city. Bicycles and cars flirting with each others like two individuals testing each others' nerves while staying seemingly passive.
The sun was already high in the sky, enlightening this spectacle of life happening before my very eyes. I had made it. I was in San Francisco, something that I swore to myself to accomplish exactly 4 years ago. And I felt good. I felt like I somehow belonged here. I felt like something deep inside of me was finally right.
Something had changed inside of me: I had finally found at least one place to call home that was not linked to my parent's decision and lifestyle. My first real shock of being independent and autonomous in at least a certain way.
And subconsciously realizing the obvious, I made another promise to myself: in 5 years, no matter what would have happened by then, I will be back! 5 years after my internship, is my deadline. 5 years to give me time to finish my current degree (Bachelor of Arts in Digital Media) and then do something else, either continuing my studies, getting a job, or starting a company. It will all depend on the opportunity that I have.
The only FIXED thing in time is to come back to San Francisco in 5 years maximum, so before Summer 2017 (because I really don't believe in this 20.12.2012 crap!)
There, you have it, my epiphany.
I love you with all my heart San Francisco, and writing you a love letter could take years and several books. But I'll come back for you. Somehow, I'll come back...
It’s been very interesting to live in this house… There are so many different people with different cultures and background that we could nearly make our own United Nations and debates… And having lived there for over two weeks now, I realize a few things about travelling and the way most people tend to see things abroad.
Some of the people I’m living with are adapting, some of them are missing home, some of them are more hybrid, but for most of them, the same method seems to be responsible for whether or not they are happy or not, in this environment.
Let’s start with a personal statement. It may sound like bragging, or showing off, but here it is: I never really had a real life problem. Nothing where either my life was in danger or I was in a lot of trouble. I’ve never gotten in a fight, and I’m the first one to lower my head and discreetly walk in the streets, with my headphones on, because I know that in this day & age, people are easily angered or ready to jump on you, for any possible reason… The saddest thing is, they don’t even have a reason most of the time: it’s been heard times and times again, but an odd look can be enough to startled a random individual in the streets, and it might be happening everyday, closer to you than you may think.
So there’s absolutely no need to panic, but there are obviously a few safety measures to take when you are on your own, and even more in a foreign country by yourself.
But as I’m starting my third year away from home, in a different continent where my relatives would take a minimum of nearly 24 hours to get here, in case of an emergency, I know that I don’t need luxury. I can live ‘cheap’. I am perfectly fine with eating ramen noodles on a daily basis if I know that I have to, just like all i need to sleep would be some sort of flat ground, a piece of soft anything to use as a pillow, and clothes to use as a blanket.
I can live without an iPod, a laptop and a full-framed poster of the latest indie band.
Having these material things can help you, entertain you, but at the end of the day, you don’t NEED all of these. Let’s add to this thinking that even though I was lucky enough to have material and financial support pretty much all my life:
I can be honest about it
I received an education in which I know that I can live without it, no matter what society says about me.
What I’m trying to say is that my comfort-zone can be reduced to the minimum. And that’s where I’m trying to go. A place where ideally ‘home is where the heart is’ and where I don’t need to recreate what I’ve been calling home all these years.
So going back to my introduction, I see people around me who have moved from home and become Homesick very easily. I completely understand. But I found it interesting that in order to feel like home, instead of making the most of the possibilities and opportunities, people try to constantly re-create their own comfort zone. And they won’t feel good until they have managed this.
Some people look for local food, or decorate their rooms with something that reminds them of home. Pictures, even.
And sometimes, what they need to feel like home, is simply a universal human of not being lonely. Sometimes they are ready to leave and go back home, and then a human presence make them realize that it’s not so bad after all.
It takes time.
Some of them don’t always realize because they have been busy moving-in, adapting, and working in this new environment. Usually this group of people realizes too late and tends to be struck with reality and regrets.
Some of us manage to adapt and be happy fairly easily, trying to make the most of whatever piece of happiness is given to us.
And some of us complain, all the time, whether they are home or abroad, about the current state of things not being like it should be. Just like the stereotypes of old people not coping with the modern age we live in. Which, if you ARE old, can make sense. After all, we have made incredible things…
My advises, if you are willing to listen to the 20-years-old-travelling-french-geek, are the following:
Keep your eyes opened
Keep your mind opened even more
Make the most of what is given to you, may it be opportunities, food, accommodation, or even advises.
Listen more
Don't be scared to ask questions to local people about the culture
Eat local, rather than looking for a local Cheeseburger/Fries/Coke combo.
Make sure that, even though you use technology a lot, you can still work things out by yourself, in case you are lost/alone/lacking your oh-so-trendy new rainbow-colored iPhone 'with sprinkles on top'.
These advises are general rules of thumb to enjoying traveling, becoming a better individual and feeling good about yourself, but also improve the look that people have on you. I’m hoping that you’ll recognize yourself in these portraits, and I hope that the next time you’re far-away from home, you’ll enjoy and avoid regretting to learn something new.
So in case you haven’t heard, these days, I’ve applied to two different companies in the Social Media industry to get an internship next year.
The first one? <a title=“Seesmic” href=“http://seesmic.com”>Seesmic</a>, a company that created a really good Social Media Management tool to get your feeds from most social networks in one place. So who’s the second one? <a title=“iCrossing” href=“http://icrossing.co.uk”>iCrossing</a>, a global digital marketing agency that has offices all over the world. As I’m writing these lines, I want to point out that none of these companies have accepted me yet, but it seems likely that both do offer me a position as an intern. An easy question is simply: How did I get as far as I am today?
First of all, let’s keep in mind that I’m not a genius who graduated from High-School at 14, I didn’t start my first company at 18, and I never had any computing classes until I attended University in September 2009. So what are the things that you need:
1. Being the best is only optional
I’m certainly not the student with the best grades at University, and also in High School. I’m rather average. I’ve been average my whole life so far. But I am studying an area that I’m passionate about. It even annoys my girlfriend at times. I’m not even working yet I’m a Social Media junkie.
You don’t need to be the best at everything. You need to step out of the crowd, and you need to show that you know something about the area you’re interested in. Experience or skills for a job are not what matter the most. In my case, I know that I’m looking for a 12-months internship. The company has a long time with me, so they have enough time to give me an adequate training and to help me learn how to do my job. What they are really looking for is someone who can bring something to their company.
2. Scream, Get The Word Out, and Listen
If you want to step out of the crowd, you need a way to express yourself. In the Digital World, it’s now ridiculously easy, as you have several ways to do this: a website, a facebook page, a twitter account, hell, even without a website you can do this : an <a title=“About.me Tibz Thibault Lemaitre” href=“http://about.me/thibaultlemaitre">About.Me</a> page or <a title=“Flavors Me” href=“http://flavors.me”>Flavors.me</a> account is more than enough!
Yet the best way is definitely a blog. A blog helps you give your personal insight on a definite topic that appeals to you. It also shows that you know how to express yourself and most importantly, that you know how to WRITE (and read) PROPERLY. In France we have a huge problem with people being less able to read, because of several things (NB: Instant Messaging and Texting being the most common reasons, even though we now have free texts everywhere, so there is no longer a reason to slash words)
Also, a blog shows that you’re not afraid of taking sides in a debate, that you’re not afraid of ‘speaking’ your mind. It shows off your personality. This is important to an employer. To this, you can add anything that make you stand out of the crowd, like a portfolio if you’re into design, or just anything you can think of that is accessible, visible, and demonstrates your set of skills.
3. Do It Yourself and don't wait on the world.
When comes the time to applying for a position, you must not be afraid to make things happen for yourself. Go send emails, interact with Twitter users and send Direct Messages to agencies. No one is going to look for you, but you can make yourself visible. Contacting a company shows off two things: first, it shows that you’re able to take initiatives. Secondly, it shows that you have an interest towards the company, its industry, and shows off your motivation regarding the area.
In my case, I directly contacted <a title=“Loïc Le Meur” href=“https://about.me/loic">Loïc Le Meur</a> from <a title=“Seesmic” href=“http://seesmic.com”>Seesmic</a>, and <a title=“Mark Higginson” href=“http://twitter.com/#!/markhgn">Mark Higginson</a> from <a title=“iCrossing” href=“http://iCrossing.co.uk”>iCrossing</a>. I didn’t know if they had any position, but I explained my current situation and asked if they had any availability and if they were interested. I made sure to send them links to my <a title=“iTibz: website” href="/">website</a>, and <a title=“Tibz.co contact & social” href="/contact”>social networking</a> page. Once they contacted me back, I made sure to keep in touch with them. If they didn’t answered after a bit of time, I’d make sure they hadn’t forgotten me.
So go ahead: contact people from companies in which you are interested. Use LinkedIn, companies' blogs, twitter account… There are just so many ways to get in touch with people today!
Bonus: Interview Tip.
You've made it to this point. Well Done!
I don’t really have a lot of experience with interviews, but my local barber actually gave the best advice regarding an interview.
It’s very simple, but what you have to do, is to include something with your CV when you present yourself to the employer. For example think about a creative business card or a pen with your website written on it, anything will do. The point is that by the end of the day, when the recruiter is done with several interviews, chances are that he will still be fidgeting with your pen. Before he leaves the office, he will remember you, you are nearly guaranteed not to be yet another name on a pile of CVs.
Most of us students at the University of Brighton are trying to apply for a placement. It’s not too late but those who haven’t started yet need to spend some serious time on it.
Are you guys applying for an industrial placement/internship? Did these advices help you in any way? Do you have anything to add? The comments are opened to any feedback or suggestion. Let me know what you think.
