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Alumni Interview with Bertrand Fonteyn

Here's what it's like to go on a BEST Programs program!

Bertrand Fonteyn
Bertrand FonteynParticipated in 2014Intern Abroad | Russia

Bertrand is from Belgium, where he studied Art History and Slavic Languages. He has worked in Thailand as an English teacher, in China as an English teacher (university level), and in Kazakhstan as an English and French teacher (university level). Bertrand is currently working in Serbia as a cultural attaché.

What inspired you to go abroad? 

I always wanted to have an international career.

Why did you choose Best Programs? 

It was recommended to me by a paired organization based in my country (Belgium).

What was your favorite part about St. Petersburg? 

Living in the very heart of SPB was a lifetime opportunity I'm glad I was able to experience.

Pushkin House in St. Petersburg

Pushkin House in St. Petersburg

What made your experience abroad unique? 

Saint Petersburg is a beautiful city full of culture, everywhere you look. 

How was the local staff support throughout your program? 

Excellently! Anna was very supportive in all aspects from the first day to the very end of my stay.

What's one thing you wish you would have done differently? 

That's a hard one really. I was truly very happy with all aspects of my experience in SPB.

Describe a typical day in the life of your program. 

I’d walk to the job in the morning through the beautiful SPB center (amazing churches, canals, breathtaking buildings). I would then spend the morning at work - I was doing an internship at the SPB Chamber of Commerce. I would eat lunch out.

Afternoons were varied: either I was invited to some events organized by the Chamber, or I had it free with recommendations about things to visit in order to broaden my cultural experience. Sometimes I went back to the office when we had a busy period.

At the end of the day, I’d walk back home, and have a drink on the way. Evenings were very often spent out as there is always plenty of things to do in SPB, whether it's sport, cultural events, parties, theater, evening walks.

What did you enjoy doing in your free time? 

Museums, theater (dirt cheap), walks in and around the city, and small one day trips nearby.

What was your accommodation like? What did you like best about it? 

A big apartment in which I had my own room.  It was quite nice, well taken care of, and mostly super central (300 meters from the Hermitage Museum).

What is one thing every participant should know before participating in your program? 

It's definitely recommended to know at least a bit of Russian before going there. Also, mind the SPB weather if you go in winter; it's so humid that you feel your bones freezing. Plus, you have black days (and white nights in summer, which can also be quite confusing).

Now that you're home, how has your program abroad impacted your life? 

The point is that I'm not at home, I had the international career I wanted to have and I believe this internship helped it happen. 

Would you recommend Best Programs to others? Why? 

Definitely, for different reasons. There was great support from the staff with visas, accommodation, airport pickup, etc. There are also a wide choice of internships, depending on your interest. And lastly, you have the possibility to have some Russian high level courses at the beginning of your stay - great help!

Hermitage Museum in St. Petersburg

The Hermitage Museum view from the river

What was the hardest part about interning abroad?

Catching the rhythm of St Petersburg, at work and in general. The people there are quite fast-paced, it is a challenge to get used to it.

What surprised you most about Russia?

The interpersonal communication. People can be quite straightforward, I believe it’s partly due to their language itself (very short sentences that don’t bother with what we think is elementary politeness in English).

What is one thing you wish you would have known before interning abroad in Russia?

Maybe I would have found it useful to be briefed about the team, where I would do my internship - that is knowing who is who. Of course, that was explained to me when I joined the team, but at first glance, they all seemed to have a friendly non-hierarchical relationship, which was a bit confusing - them again, it’s a cultural difference.

If you could intern abroad again, where would you go?

I’d be tempted by a location in Africa - that would be my next challenge.

What do you feel the biggest benefit of interning abroad is?

It’s definitely the ability to integrate a culturally different working environment with all that this implies - communication, systems, and professional relationships.

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