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Hannah Blank

About My Study Abroad Program

Major/Minor: Computer Science
Program: API Dublin Internship
Location: Dublin, Ireland
Email: hannahru@live.unc.edu
Term: Summer 2019

 

Why did you choose to study abroad and how did you select your program?
I have always loved to travel, and when I first got to Carolina I knew I wanted to take part in their study abroad program. Later on, I was worried I would not have enough time in my school schedule to study abroad, since I had declared my major in the beginning of my junior year. With that in mind, I was set on finding programs in the summer. However, I also knew that I wanted to have an internship this summer in order to build to my resume. I looked through all the opportunities that the study abroad program offered in the summer for my particular major, and I found the perfect fit doing an internship abroad with API. I choose the Dublin location, because I had never been to Ireland before and was interested in traveling there.

 

What did you learn about yourself?
I learned that I can really succeed in the real world. With no previous work experience outside of school, I was concerned that I may not meet certain expectations in some areas at my internship. However, I accomplished even more than I had imagined.

 

What is one of your favorite memories from your program?
My coworkers threw a surprise 4th of July party on the rooftop of our office for myself and the other abroad intern since we were missing the celebrations back home. They even printed out little American flags and glued them on to coffee stirrers to hand out to everyone. It was their first 4th of July, and we all just had the best time.

 

What advice do you have for future study abroad students?
I advise you to really enjoy the time you have abroad. Your time there will go by faster than you think, and it is so worth it to go out and explore.

 

Would you do it again?
Absolutely

 

How did your study abroad experience prepare you for your future career?
My study abroad experience has now become a huge part of my resume. I am interested in having a future career in cyber security, and now after being an ethical hacker at an artificial intelligence company in Ireland, I have experience I can talk about with future employers.

Memories