CESR Student Assistant Experiences Colombia

By Jamie Green
CESR Student Assistant

What an adventurous, challenging, and rewarding experience this summer was for me! Being an Accounting and Spanish for the Professions student, I had the opportunity to intern with an Accounting firm specializing in IFRS (International Financial Reporting Standards) Consulting in Bogota, Colombia for three months. The work was extremely interesting and a bit difficult, especially considering it was 100% in Spanish, but I know that the experience and skills I gained while in Bogota are crucial to my future as a successful businesswoman and Accountant.

Not only did I learn technical skills like Excel and accounting standards, but I also took in the full Colombian culture. I lived with the owners of the firm and their two children—one 4-year old boy and a 3-month old baby girl. From being woken up by crying at 3am (don’t worry, I brought ear plugs) to teaching the boy animal names in English, I learned a lot of family values and cultural quirks of a beautiful country. When I was not working, I was able to travel a bit around Columbia and spend time playing with the kids. I visited a friend of mine in Medellin, my sister and I went to the Caribbean beaches in Santa Marta and Cartagena, and I went to a handful of the small towns surrounding Bogota to take in the full “Colombian vibe.” The Colombian people (as a generalization) are some of the most friendly, helpful, and passionate people I’ve ever met, especially when they were doing so well in the World Cup!

In those few months in Colombia, I learned more about myself, thought about what I want out of my future, and gained a greater appreciation for the Leeds School of Business and the organizations I am involved in within. I cannot stress enough how unique of an experience it was, and I urge any student to seek out any international experiences, especially some sort of internship because not only do you gain an immense appreciation for a different people and culture, but you learn crucial skills that will set you apart.

This experience would not have been possible without the support of my family and friends, a Leeds Professor, and the incredible people of Global GAAP.

Study Abroad with Leeds

Traveling abroad is a great way to experience new cultures and help you grow as a student and as an individual. Have you ever thought about studying abroad? Leeds now offers global experiences all over the world. Click here to explore Leeds' global seminars and internships.