Name: Authentica
Brand: Authentica
SKU: 49170
Rating: 9.25 (8 reviews)


<h3>What inspired you to travel abroad?</h3><p>My program at Ivey Business School in Canada had an international internship (called Ivey Global Lab) component that was required to complete the program. Our internship options were broken down by country, which included: Vietnam, India, and Peru.</p><p>I chose Vietnam because I had done quite a bit of travelling prior to starting the program, excluding Asia, so I thought it would be a good opportunity to expand my horizons. Further, I had a background in HR consulting previous to starting my master&rsquo;s program and one of the companies in Vietnam was an HR training company, so naturally I thought it would be a good fit.</p><figure class="awesome-image centered" style=""><img style="" src="http://www5.goabroad.com/images/interviews/michael-chappus1-1604363224.jpg" alt="Interns in Vietnam with hosts"><figcaption class="caption"><p>The Ivey team with our client MCG and the Authentica team.</p><p></p></figcaption></figure><h3>Why did you choose Authentica?</h3><p>Authentica partnered with Ivey Business School to onboard and support all students participating in the Ivey Global Lab across all three countries. To my knowledge at the time, one of the founders of Authentica was an Ivey HBA alumnus, which added a solid amount of credibility to their service offerings.</p><p>As such, my introduction to Authentica was in the pre-trip phase, when Authentica prepped us comprehensively for our business projects and cultural experiences in each of our countries.</p><h3>What was your favorite part about Vietnam?</h3><p>I was stationed in Hanoi, Vietnam for the duration of my international internship. Hanoi is a very exciting city with great food, amazing nightlife, friendly people, and full of culture and history. What I enjoyed most were the people, due to their hospitable and friendly nature.</p><p>Further, the downtown core of Hanoi is full of expats from around the world, which fosters a truly international environment, while already being a greatly different cultural experience to North America.</p><h3>What made your experience abroad extraordinary?</h3><p>The business project itself was extremely rewarding in the sense that my team and I worked hard on our recommendations and genuinely cared about delivering solid solutions for our clients during the internship.</p><p>My team and I grew very close over the eight weeks, along with many of our co-workers at the company we consulted for. Congruently, I enjoyed being in a city and country that was so different from my home country. Having been able to spend a successful eight weeks abroad in a drastically different environment was very gratifying.</p><h3>How did the local program staff support you throughout your program?</h3><p>The local staff were very adamant about helping us adjust to Hanoi as a city and Vietnam culturally. They were passionate about their food and culture and wanted nothing more but to share that with us.</p><p>They organized several gatherings for us to tour the city, they accompanied us on weekend trips in Vietnam outside of Hanoi, and even organized one of the most amazing hikes I have ever been on. They were truly our go-to's throughout the trip whenever we had logistical questions about places to eat, entertainment, getting around the city, and even signing up for fitness centres.</p><h3>What's one thing you wish you would have done differently during your time abroad?</h3><p>I wish I would have travelled more on the weekends. Vietnam is such a beautiful country and I only ended up travelling two out of the eight weekends I spent there, and one of the weekends I went to Thailand.</p><p>Other than Hanoi and Da Nang, I really didn't take advantage of the incredible travel destinations Vietnam has to offer that are easily accessible over weekend trips. Consequently, I actually plan on going back to Vietnam in the near future in order to see more of the country, specifically the Northern parts of Vietnam.<br></p><figure class="awesome-image centered" style=""><img style="" src="http://www5.goabroad.com/images/interviews/michael-chappus2-1604363352.jpg" alt="International interns in Vietnam at a manufacturing company"><figcaption class="caption"><p>The Ivey team presenting cultural integration strategies at a Vietnamese manufacturing company.</p><p></p></figcaption></figure><h3>Describe what a typical day in your life abroad looked like.</h3><p>If we start on Monday, I would wake up around 6:45 a.m. to eat breakfast and get ready. By 8:00 a.m. every student participating in the Ivey Global Lab would embark on our daily shuttle, which was parked outside of the hotel we were staying in and took us to our internships. We would typically get into our company by 8:20 a.m. and started work for 8:30 a.m.</p><p>Our team typically had a daily morning meeting to set goals for the day. At lunch our team of three would eat in the Old Quarter of Hanoi, which is the beautiful, French colonial, historic district of the city.</p><p>Following lunch we would work until 5:30 p.m., which typically included check up calls with Authentica representatives guiding our business project and meetings with our client. Following the end of the work day we would get into the shuttle to be brought back to our hotel.</p><p>From the hotel I would grab my gym clothes and walk over to the gym, just a block away from our hotel, with my roommate. Following the gym we would typically go out for dinner in the expat district within walking distance, then return to our hotel and get ready for the next day.</p><h3>What did you enjoy doing in your free time abroad?</h3><p>On weekends I participated in a soccer league hosted by co-workers at the company we were consulting for. Soccer typically happened twice a week, once during the week and once on weekends. This was an incredible experience as I built solid friendships with players on my team who I still keep in contact with to this day through social media.</p><p>Further, it was a great way to see first hand how people around my age were living in hanoi, what their occupations were, their different education levels, and their hobbies and interests.</p><h3>What type of accommodation did you have? What did you like best about it?</h3><p>We stayed in an apartment-style hotel that specialized in hosting temporary expats. Our apartment had two rooms, one bathroom, kitchen, living room, and balcony for three people. I split one of the rooms with my roommate and the other roommate had a room to herself.</p><p>All of the Ivey Global Lab participants stayed in the same hotel in Hanoi, which was a really fun experience. I enjoyed the location of our hotel as it was close to the gym and expat complex that had a lot of great food options and a movie theatre.</p><h3>What is one thing every future participant should know about your program before their program begins?</h3><p>The program isn't without adversity and it's truly what you make it. It was a huge adjustment for me to change environments so drastically from North America, and at times it was difficult to live in Hanoi due to the fast-paced life they endure.</p><p>However, sticking it out, forming the bonds I did, getting to deliver great solutions for our client, and getting to experience Asia for the first time made it completely worth it. Vietnam's a special place and it was truly a trip of a lifetime.</p><p>I also found it helpful to surround myself with others who were also being positive about the experience and doing their best to make the most out of their time there.</p><h3>Would you recommend Authentica to others? Why?</h3><p>One hundred percent! I've been asked multiple times for feedback on Authentica's services now, and each time I say that I have no negative feedback to give. The experience and their support was exceptional.</p><p>The eight weeks with Authentica completely transformed my outlook on how to identify and solve business problems and has guided how I approach business projects ever since. Authentica helped build my business education foundation which positively influenced the following semesters of my Masters in International Business.<br></p><p>Since then, I have brought the skills I developed during the Ivey Global Lab to both of my academic exchanges in Europe.</p><h3>What do you feel the biggest benefit of traveling abroad is?</h3><p>In one word, clarity. As cheesy as that sounds, each time I've travelled, I've come back more confident and highly motivated to accomplish goals I've set out for myself. After coming back from Vietnam I was eager to travel more, I was eager to meet new people from different countries, I found clarity in the type of work I want to do after I graduate, and I felt more confident than ever to take on challenges that have previously felt beyond my scope.</p><p>My semester abroad in Portugal following my Ivey Global Lab experience ended up being the best semester of my life. I largely have my experience in Vietnam to thank for that for helping me build the necessary foundation to embark on my exchange open-mindedly and enthusiastically.</p><figure class="awesome-image centered" style=""><img style="" src="http://www5.goabroad.com/images/interviews/michael-chappus3-1604363276.jpg" alt="Tourists eating street food with locals in Vietnam"><figcaption class="caption"><p>Some of the Ivey Global Lab students eating street food in Hanoi with our co-workers</p><p></p></figcaption></figure><h3>Now that you're home, how has your time abroad impacted your life?</h3><p>Having travelled so much in such a short period of time and in light of the global pandemic, I feel like I have the time to really accomplish the numerous goals I set out for myself while travelling.&nbsp;</p><p>Now that I've realized I have a passion for marketing, I am completing the CPG (consumer packaged goods) bootcamp online while networking with employers that have strong brand management departments. Having gained that clarity while abroad has really set my direction while being home for now.<br></p><p>Further, I know that I want to work for an MNE that offers opportunities to travel abroad, which has strongly guided my networking strategy.</p><h3>What does meaningful travel mean to you?</h3><p>To have learned something new about myself, is how I would define meaningful travel. Throughout my experiences travelling I have learned that despite making mistakes and not always enjoying myself, I remain resilient and eager to make the most out of my experience.&nbsp;</p><p>This is something I've carried forward with me throughout my personal and professional life, and it's something I can always rely on when times are difficult. This is something I truly learned while travelling and that I am reminded of while travelling.</p><p>If someone could walk away from an international experience having learned something positive about themselves they can use as a resource going forward, then that's a meaningful experience.</p>


Michael Chappus-McCendie

Check out this GoAbroad Interview with Michael Chappus-McCendie who participated in Authentica program.

Michael Chappus-McCendie | Authentica Alumni Interview

Michael Chappus-McCendie - 2019 Program Participant

Exploring Climate Change Solutions in South Korea: A 2-week experiential learning program in South Korea that explores the country's climate action initiatives. Experience South Korea's progress in renewable energy, green infrastructure, and eco-friendly practices firsthand. Through interactive sessions and site visits, evaluate the advancement of UN SDGs and climate solutions.

Explore South Korea's commitment to sustainability through renewable energy, green infrastructure, and eco-friendly practices. Gain insight into climate change solutions, policy frameworks, and community engagement models. Through interactive sessions and site visits, evaluate sustainable development goals and enhance your skills as agents of positive change. Join us for a transformative immersion into environmental consciousness, policy innovation, and community resilience in South Korea's captivating landscape.

Registration fee is US$2,470 which includes hotel, airport transfers, transportation, and more. The program will run from June 22 to July 5, 2024 with an application deadline on April 15, 2024. Sign-up now!

Exploring Climate Change Solutions in South Korea

Diversity and Inclusion in Spanish Sports Culture: A 2-week experiential learning program awaits in Spain, a renowned global sports powerhouse. Explore Spain's inclusive sports culture, celebrating achievements in paralympic sports and LGBTQ+ inclusivity. From football to tennis and cycling, discover the nation's commitment to the principle that sports should be accessible to everyone.

This programme will expose you to the broader social and cultural context of sports in Spain, allowing you to experience Spanish sports culture firsthand. You will engage with leading firms in innovation, sports performance, and health, and meet experts on identity and sports in Spain. You will also interact with disability sport organisations to understand aspects of inclusiveness.

Registration fee is US$2,950 which includes hotel, airport transfers, transportation, and more. The program will run from June 22 to July 5, 2024 with an application deadline on April 15, 2024. Sign-up now!


Diversity and Inclusion in Spanish Sports Culture (Summer)

UK's Rich Heritage is a 2-week experiential learning program that explores the diverse culinary arts and hospitality in the UK. From traditional delicacies to innovative culinary practices, explore the vibrant mosaic of cultural influences that shape British food culture. Engage in hands-on workshops, collaborative projects, and expert sessions for an enriching educational journey through the flavors of the UK.

Learn the operational and marketing strategies of food markets, restaurants, and street food businesses. Throughout the 2-week culinary study abroad programme, you will sample a variety of cuisines, learn to prepare select dishes through hands-on cooking workshops, and network with food experts to gain insights on the UK’s innovative food practices. Additionally, you will also learn how sustainable practices in food production and distribution can contribute to global efforts such as responsible consumption and zero hunger.

Registration fee is US$3,290 which includes hotel, airport transfers, transportation, and more. The program will run from June 22 to July 5, 2024 with an application deadline on April 15, 2024. Sign-up now!



Savouring UK's Rich Heritage, Embark on a Culinary Journey

Authentica

Corporate Pirates

Authentica is a fast-growing experiential travel learning company that enriches lives by planning and delivering engaging content with efficient logistics for academic, affinity and special interest groups. We work largely with universities primarily from the United States, Canada, and Australia for study abroad travel experiences across India and various countries in Asia. We are continuously expanding our offerings to new countries, delivering more programs for our current academic partners and embracing the opportunity to serve new academic partners. Our goal is to enrich each participant on all four dimensions of well-being – physical, emotional, intellectual, and spiritual – through the experiences we curate for them. Our mission is to enrich lives – one person, one community and one ...

Authentica is a fast-growing experiential travel learning company that enriches lives by planning and delivering engaging content with efficient logistics for academic, affinity and special interest groups. We work largely with universities primarily from the United States, Canada, and Australia for study abroad travel experiences across India and various countries in Asia. We are continuously expanding our offerings to new countries, delivering more programs for our current academic partners and embracing the opportunity to serve new academic partners. Our goal is to enrich each participant on all four dimensions of well-being – physical, emotional, intellectual, and spiritual – through the experiences we curate for them. Our mission is to enrich lives – one person, one community and one amazing travel experience at a time.

Authentica is a fast-growing experiential travel learning company that enriches lives by planning and delivering engaging content with efficient logistics for academic, affinity and special interest groups. We work largely with universities primarily from the United States, Canada, and Australia for study abroad travel experiences across India and various countries in Asia. We are continuously exp...

I had a great time during the program

South Korea

Intern Abroad

Study Abroad

Home

Providers

I had the incredible opportunity to participate in the study abroad program with Authentica, and it truly became a transformative experience in my life. Throughout my journey, I balanced my academic pursuits with personal growth, immersing myself in new cultures and ideas. The Program Manager, Sanhita, played a pivotal role in this adventure; her expertise and support made every step of the process seamless and enjoyable. Her dedication to ensuring a memorable experience for all participants was evident, and I am grateful for her guidance along the way.I had a chance to participate in the study abroad program with Authentica, and it was my life-changing moment. I have lived my life along with my studies. The Program Manager, Sanhita, is very good.

A great learning experience

During my internship in Kochi, India, myself and my peers were able to give a meaningful deliverable to the client.  I learned a lot working on a new, interesting strategy project and was able to develop a great working relationship with my peers and clients.  It was extremely interesting working in a different culture and environment.

Valuable experience

My experience in Vietnam is something that I cannot compare to any other job. Not only was I working on a high-level strategy project with a large company, but I was also fully immersed in the culture and became comfortable living in a new country. 

My coworkers were incredibly friendly and would take us to local restaurants and events which made the experience even more enjoyable as a whole.

Now, I use this experience as a way to differentiate myself from other candidates when applying to jobs as my international experience is so much more interesting compared to the work I would be doing locally.

Great experience in India

I had one of the most memorable internship placements in Pune India with two of my classmates. The placement was exciting, we had a lot of autonomy and our results were taken seriously and included into the master plan. We we’re treated generously with afternoon chai and lunch time gatherings with co workers, and even sent on a trip by the CEO to the south of India to conduct market research. I learned a lot during the placement and would recommend the experience to others.

Great learning experience!

As a part of my university course, I completed my internship in India. It was an amazing experience overall, especially working abroad for the first time and experiencing the culture in India. Authentica made sure we had the best experience, be it our socials or support throughout our project. They make every effort to make your experience extremely comfortable and valuable, I highly recommend it!

The best internship I’ve ever got!

The internship that I got from Authentica was the most memorable one. 

The program is well designed from the pre-departure stage, including abroad culture and social introductions. 

During my internship, the company that I interned in was fit for me, and Ravi (from Authentica) has always given me and my teammates great timely help.

The abroad internship is challenging in different ways, but the Omni-directional help assisted my team to finish the project and go beyond our expectations.

The best way to experience a new culture!

I had an amazing experience with Authentica! Throughout my 2-month experience they fully supported myself and my teammates. With weekly check-ins, in country liaisons, and monthly dinners, Authentica made sure that we felt comfortable. They were able to navigate good accommodations and even better work placements.

Amazing personal and professional growth!

The internship organized by Authentica was a life changing experience for me. The host company was incredibly warm and accommodating and my supervisor turned out to be a great mentor as well. The project itself was cutting edge and I learnt a ton! The team-based nature of the internship meant that not only is it about project success, but it is also about being a better team player. Overall, a well-designed and superbly executed program - would highly recommend for any aspiring global professional!

Authentica

Why choose Authentica?

Authentica Reviews

Overall Rating

Total Reviews

I had a great time during the program

Authentica Programs

Interviews