Alumni Interview with Juliana Connors

Here's what it's like to go on a Roots Interns program!

What inspired you to travel abroad?

It was a long road to choosing to spend time abroad. Mostly, I was inspired by wanting to contribute to a cause meaningful to me and to see more of the world. I’m American and after Trump’s election I took a hard look at the work I was doing and decided it was time for a change. I also read a few books, randomly, about or placed in Africa (novels and books about development). Both really sparked my interest in experiencing Africa and in participating in more meaningful work.

Why did you choose  Intern Abroad?

I chose my program for a few reasons. First, I selected the program for the opportunity to gain experience with content writing and digital marketing. I was looking to make a career change and thought I could apply my interest in writing towards digital marketing and content production. I chose the specific program, because I loved the mission of empowering students through art and expression. I think fostering creative pursuits is a very important part of education and also a way to find purpose and joy.

What was your favorite part about South Africa?

It's so hard to pick one favorite part! Cape Town is a beautiful place with so much to experience - art, the outdoors, you name it. I guess what I most enjoyed was the youthful, creative energy of the city. There is so much possibility in Cape Town. Everywhere people are creating, whether adding to the vibrant art scene or working in the development space, ideas are always flowing. It’s an exciting space to be in, I found it very inspiring to be surrounded by so many creators.

What made your experience abroad extraordinary?

The people I met were what made my time abroad exceptional. I met so many interesting, inspiring people from all over the world. Including so many people doing great work in their communities. I also made some wonderful friendships during my time abroad, friends that I’m still in touch with today. I didn’t expect to make lasting relationships from a short time aboard, so that made the experience extra special. I was fortunate to find people I really connected with and found a home with.

How did the local program staff support you throughout your program?

The local staff were supportive in every way. From the moment I arrived, it was easy to settle in. I felt safe and I had all the resources I needed. There was also a great support system. Despite being so far from home, I felt like part of a community. It was easy to meet people and make friends from the co-working space either other volunteers or locals working out of the same space. The office was a great hub - there were always people to meet or events to participate in.

What's one thing you wish you would have done differently during your time abroad?

I wish I had been more enterprising in my volunteer program. I really enjoyed my work, but in hindsight, I think I could have been more proactive and creative. I often got caught up in the travel and social experiences (which are also important). I think I had a good balance, but the time with my volunteer program went by so fast and I missed the work when it was over. I wish I had spent more time before my program to generate ideas about how to make the experience my own.

Describe what a typical day in your life abroad looked like.

I'm not sure there was a typical day. I often spent the day working in the office, but would frequently be out of the office on projects. I would spend my evenings enjoying the city in a number of ways - spending time with friends, enjoying the outdoors, attending events in town. I also had the opportunity to spend several weeks traveling to other parts of the country. I volunteered for events outside of the city and went on holiday with a friend. There was so much to see and do, every day brought something different.

What did you enjoy doing in your free time abroad?

One of my favorite things to do in Cape Town was exploring the live music scene. It's such a creative place with so many local artists, great music venues and a huge music festival scene. I still follow a lot of musicians that I first heard playing live shows in town or at a festival. I also love the ocean! So, I enjoyed taking advantage of living so close to the water. On weekends, I liked going to the seaside towns and swimming in the tidal pools or watching the sunset over the water.

What type of accommodation did you have? What did you like best about it?

I shared a house with other young professionals from all over the world, some were travelers or students and others were living in Cape Town full-time. I was lucky with the housemates I found. Our house also had a great outdoor space where we’d often have friends over for parties or dinners. The house was also in a great location, I could walk to the office and to most places around town. My accommodation and my housemates definitely contributed to my experience and quality of life abroad.

What is one thing every future participant should know about your program before their program begins?

I think future participants should know that the time goes by so fast! Future participants should go into their program with an idea of what they're looking to get out of the experience, both from their program and their time abroad. There is so much opportunity to make your experience your own, but the time goes by so quickly. Find out as much as you can about the organization you’ll be working with and think about what you can bring to the program as well as what you hope to take away.

Would you recommend  Intern Abroad to others? Why?

Yes, of course, I would recommend the program! It was a wonderful experience personally and professionally. For me, the program was a perfect combination of working in the office and working on projects. I could spend time writing and working on the marketing aspect, then go out and actually experience the work the program was doing. The program is great for someone who is passionate about art and education and who likes a mix of hands-on work and digital work/office time.

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

I think traveling abroad helps people expand their minds and see the world differently. It challenges us to consider who we are in the eyes of new people. I find it remarkable how experiencing other cultures shows us that, despite outward differences, we often have more in common than we’d expect. We all work to provide for ourselves and our loved ones. We all have causes and passions that are important to us. We all like to laugh and enjoy ourselves and the people around us.

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

My life has changed a lot since my time abroad. I left my job training horses to travel and volunteer abroad, which led to me entering a new line of work. After writing content during my program abroad, I started a freelance content writing job with a content agency. I then transitioned into working as an account manager with a digital marketing agency. Beyond my work life, I've also discovered a lot about myself - I'm pursuing interests and passions that were sparked from my time abroad.

What does meaningful travel mean to you?

For me, meaningful travel has meant pushing my boundaries. My experience abroad came at a transitional time in my life and I often had to push myself. Traveling is exciting, but it can also be challenging. In addition to being abroad, I was also in the midst of a career change. My professional life felt unstable, but I pushed myself outside of my comfort zone and grew from my experiences. I made lasting friendships and gained experience that helped me move forward with a new career.