{"id":20531,"date":"2024-12-09T11:02:57","date_gmt":"2024-12-09T17:02:57","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/international.missouri.edu\/studyabroad\/?p=20531"},"modified":"2024-12-09T11:02:57","modified_gmt":"2024-12-09T17:02:57","slug":"just-like-a-movie","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/international.missouri.edu\/studyabroad\/2024\/12\/09\/just-like-a-movie\/","title":{"rendered":"Just like a movie"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

Some things you just don\u2019t know until you do.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

In this final post of my reflection series, I want to share more about my internship in London with IES Abroad and offer some takeaways for anyone planning to study or work abroad. My time here wasn\u2019t just about professional growth or academic fulfillment \u2013 it was a full immersion into a new way of living, learning and dreaming.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\n\"IMG_2055_Original\"<\/a>\n<\/div>
At the center of London<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

I\u2019m currently wrapping up my final semester here at Mizzou, where I\u2019m pursuing a degree in international business management. My aspiration is to leverage this background into a career in the film industry, particularly in HR-related functions such as production management, commissioning, contracts, compliance, location management, and \u2013 most notably \u2013 talent management. For me, storytelling is the ultimate way to connect with others, and my heart for people aligns seamlessly with my passion for film. Together, they form the foundation of my dream career \u2013 one filled with variety, trailblazing, and community.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

After serving as the sponsorship coordinator for the True\/False Film Festival earlier this year, I sought out more hands-on experience in the field. I didn\u2019t choose International Business just for the title \u2013 it\u2019s always been about expanding my knowledge across borders \u2013 so London became the perfect place to take this next step.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\n\n\n\n
\n\"IMG_1660_202\"<\/a>\n<\/div>
Speaking with my boss at the talent agency<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

I worked as a talent agent assistant at a mid-tier local agency under the direct guidance of its founder, which was nothing short of an absolute blessing. The agency had a reputation for landing its clients roles in major feature films, TV shows, and West End productions. My role gave me an inside look into the world of talent management \u2013 a field that operates far differently from the structured environments I\u2019ve encountered in other industries. Talent representation relies heavily on discretion and relationships, lending full credence to the saying, \u201cIt\u2019s not what you know, it\u2019s who you know.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\n\"IMG_4844\"<\/a>\n<\/div>
A great networking opportunity for my boss and me to meet two casting directors while supporting our client at The O2 for Mamma Mia! The Party<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

On a personal level, this internship was a turning point. I set firm boundaries, challenging my tendency to overextend myself and rejecting the notion \u2013 so often perpetuated in American culture \u2013 that success requires exhaustive effort. I discovered that I thrive in roles where I can exercise creative leadership and enjoy a balance of autonomy and collaboration. But London itself was just as much a teacher as the internship. The city\u2019s slower work pace gave me space to reflect deeply on my goals, while its vibrant energy contrasted with the familiarity of my hometown. The combination of professional and cultural experiences challenged me to consider how I want to shape my life and career.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\n\"IMG_2285_Original\"<\/a>\n<\/div>
At Tower Bridge, sending my first photo home to the family<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

And that\u2019s where the essence of this post lies: put yourself out there.<\/em> Your network is one of your greatest assets, and every opportunity \u2013 big or small \u2013 is a chance for growth. While abroad, take time to pause and assess. Could this city become a new home? What aspects of yourself does it bring out? What new habits or hobbies are you discovering? How do you build friendships? How is your routine building? What desires for your career or lifestyle are being reshaped? These reflections often reveal truths with long-term implications, connecting to greater questions about your vision and purpose in life. Know this: purpose is tied to function.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

For me, living in London felt like stepping into a movie \u2013 a compelling, spontaneous, introspective plotline with all the makings of a blockbuster. And while the city\u2019s magic remained, my expectations were certainly tempered over time. Yet, that cinematic feeling of life unfolding never left me. And that\u2019s what we\u2019re all living \u2013 a documentary of our own making, shaped by our choices and how we respond to them. Our audience? Everyone we encounter. So step out boldly \u2013 not just in new countries but in your every day.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\n\"Screenshot_202024_11_25_20at_2010.33.50_E2_80_AFPM\"<\/a>\n<\/div>
Enjoying a food tour organized by IES with lifelong friends I made during the program <\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

May the Lord bless and protect you as you navigate this journey called life and seek to understand who you are beyond the borders of the United States!<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\n\n\n\n

Learn more about this blogger\u2019s study abroad program: Global Internships<\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

Some things you just don\u2019t know until you do. In this final post of my reflection series, I want to share more about my internship in London with IES Abroad and offer some takeaways for anyone planning to study or work abroad. My time here wasn\u2019t just about professional growth or academic fulfillment \u2013 it […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":56,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"footnotes":""},"categories":[7],"tags":[195],"class_list":["post-20531","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-blog","tag-united-kingdom"],"acf":[],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/international.missouri.edu\/studyabroad\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/20531","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/international.missouri.edu\/studyabroad\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/international.missouri.edu\/studyabroad\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/international.missouri.edu\/studyabroad\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/56"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/international.missouri.edu\/studyabroad\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=20531"}],"version-history":[{"count":4,"href":"https:\/\/international.missouri.edu\/studyabroad\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/20531\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":20543,"href":"https:\/\/international.missouri.edu\/studyabroad\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/20531\/revisions\/20543"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/international.missouri.edu\/studyabroad\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=20531"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/international.missouri.edu\/studyabroad\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=20531"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/international.missouri.edu\/studyabroad\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=20531"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}