As a language student a year abroad teaching, studying or working is a compulsory part of my degree. I knew this when I applied for the course but when the time actually came and the reality of leaving sank in my only thought was panic. You want me to leave my family and friends for a whole year… really?? Yes, really.

Ok, well I knew that I don’t ever want to be a teacher so that was teaching assistant posts crossed off the list. I decided to try and apply for a work placement and internships and if nothing came around I would study at a German university. Never in a million years did I think I would get anything. I had practically no previous experience and being a pure language student I couldn’t imagine any business would want to hire me. So when I got a call back from the Siemens Marketing and Communications sector in Germany asking for an interview I was taken aback. I never though I would get the job but an interview is an interview and all experience helps so I thought I’d at least give it a go with nothing to lose! I couldn’t believe it when I received a call the next day to say I had the job! There were brief moments of happiness and excitement until the next wave of panic came over me.

I can’t work for an international business in Germany, a different language, with important people and for one WHOLE year! Well what was I worrying about? Apparently Germans don’t bite after all and my placement gave me opportunities to travel across Germany and Europe, get involved in big projects, events and to network with people from all over the world. At the end I was offered a placement working for Siemens in Mexico City over the summer for 2 months. Before I knew it I had said yes and was at the Mexican embassy in Frankfurt collecting my visa. Then there it was again, the brief moments of elation followed by sudden panic… what am I thinking?? I can’t do this!! But sure enough as I find myself coming to the end of 15 months spent traveling and working I can honestly say despite any homesickness, struggles or problems I have had over the year, it was all worth it. As I begin to look at applying for graduate schemes and career opportunities I have a much clearer idea of what it is I want to do and have a hell of a lot more to write about than if I were applying a year ago.

So my message to you – the panic fades. Throw yourself in the deep end and just go for it. At the end of the day you will be glad you did it. If somebody told me a year ago I would be in Mexico City right now I would have laughed out loud. Who knows where you might end up!