Best Experience Ever - A Giant Step! by Monica Nava

Below is Monica Nava's brief description of how traveling abroad effected her life tremendously and how her path in life was ultimately changed for best!

"On December 2009 I was on holidays in Australia, immediately I fell in love with the people, landscapes and lifestyles. After that I decided to make an internship, I wanted to be part of this life, learn more about their culture and people and having the opportunity to work in a different continent in my field of study. I also wanted to have the opportunity to be more independent and do things on my own.

So, on April 2010 I was able to come to Sydney and start my 6 month internship in The Defectors, a small marketing agency. Being a Graphic Designer working on a Marketing Agency is one of the best options as they work with many different clients with different wants and needs. Since the beginning my boss and co-workers were really nice to me and were eager to help me learn as much as I could, and they were also really interested in learning from my past working experience in Mexico.

It´s really easy to love life in Sydney, people are really nice and welcoming. It is a multicultural country, I have met people from all around the world, and learn about their cultures and traditions. When we are far from home, as we don´t have our families near, friends become an essential part of life, and I can honestly say that I have met really good friends in this time. People love to hang out, go to pubs, have BBQs, going to the beach and having outdoor activities.

Landscapes are amazing, beaches are beautiful, I enjoy simple things in here, taking the ferry to Manly beach, walking on the Botanic Gardens or Centennial Park, having coffee in front of the Opera House and Harbour bridge, etc.

In Australia people love cultural and outdoor activities, so summer is the best time to be here! I had the opportunity to be at the Sydney Festival, where music, dance, family, theatre, talks, films and visual arts get together, it was awesome!

While I was in my last months of the internship, I was offered a sponsorship by The Defectors, so, after the 6 month internship my working visa was approved for me to stay 4 more years!

The internship was definitely the best experience ever, it was a giant step to get me closer to reaching my dreams."