Where in the World is Jason?!

 

Jason is in Chicago.

Back in February, after filling out hundreds of job applications, cover letters, and resume adjustments, I accepted a Video & Digital Media internship at IES Abroad’s Chicago headquarters. IES Abroad is a study abroad organization that focuses, first and foremost, on the student experience. “Our profoundly passionate team of study abroad professionals believes in creating once-in-a-lifetime educational adventures that transcend expectations. Our goal is to rock the world of some 9,500 study abroad students annually. We believe so strongly in the power of our programs, that we provide more than $5 million in scholarships year after year.” While applying for various positions with IES, the student-driven aspect of the organization appealed to me, as the organization that I studied with did so little to guide me, and so many others, through the study abroad process. The sentence that really got me interested in this organization, however, was this one: “We're not ashamed to admit, we're a little bit obsessed with study abroad.” Anyone that has heard me talk in the last five years knows that this rings tremendously true for me.

During my 12-week internship, I found a sense of home at IES, working for a company whose mission I believed in, meshed well with me, and was in my desired industry (one that is small and difficult to break into). Very quickly, it was clear to me that I had to do everything in my power not to leave at the end of my 12-week term.

Just before the completion of my internship, I had the opportunity to interview for a permanent, full-time role as a Global Enrollment Management Specialist. The very next day, I arrived to work with an offer letter waiting for me. It goes without saying… I accepted.

I started my new position at a shiny, new, and much bigger desk at the beginning of May, following a celebratory, two-week vacation to New Orleans and Florida. In my new position, I have transitioned from the Marketing Department to the Global Enrollment Management (or GEM) department. To put the complicated title into simple words: my department manages financial aid, visa processing, and the behind the scenes logistics of application pieces from the time students apply, to the time they leave for their program. My role in particular is to manage these things (minus financial aid) for our Barcelona, Buenos Aires, and Santiago locations.

From February to June, I made the 75-minute trek to Chicago’s Loop from Orland Park, where I’d been living. Ultimately, though, once Michael and I were both comfortable in full-time positions, we decided it was time to make the move into the city. After a competitive search for a nice and affordable apartment in a good area, we settled on a second-story, two-bedroom apartment in Lakeview, where we are just steps away from a next-door bar and restaurant, and within a few-minutes’ walk of public transportation, festivals, night life, and all other essentials. And to sweeten the deal even more, the second bedroom is occupied by my long-time best friend, Brittany.

No More Traveling, Eh?

Do you know me? You can’t have a travel blog if you don’t travel. Thanks to my organization’s nature, and our generous benefits package, travel is basically encouraged. So, this September, I’ll be popping by la tour Eiffel, then grabbing a quick beer at Oktoberfest!