Moving across the world can be intimidating, but gaining a new perspective has always been important to me. I’ve long dreamed of experiencing life beyond my small hometown of Glasgow, Kentucky—but I never imagined that dream would lead me to an internship at a castle. Choosing to spend a semester at Harlaxton College was not a decision I made lightly, and neither was accepting the role of an intern for American Friends of Belvoir Castle. What started as a straightforward opportunity quickly turned into one of the most transformative chapters of my life—an experience I will always carry with gratitude.

Upon applying for a semester at Harlaxton College, I got accepted about one month later and I was ecstatic. I was even more ecstatic when I got an email detailing an internship with American Friends of Belvoir Castle where I would be able to work with social media, which sounded like a dream as a Public relation major. I was also drawn in when I knew I would be able to receive a scholarship that American Friends of Belvoir castle would pay for my flight to the UK as well as my work visa. Applying for this incredible opportunity was a no brainer in my eyes. 

After I inquired about the internship I got an email detailing a time for an interview. After interviewing with Harlaxton College’s Dean Holly Carter I was even more excited in hopes I would receive the internship. I was emailed the next day congratulating me on receiving the internship. I could not wait to get started! Who wouldn’t want to work at a castle in the English countryside?!

I arrived at Harlaxton college and was greeted with an email about how I would be working with Jay Leese, who also splits his time between Harlaxton and Belvoir Castle doing grant writing. Jay was also the person who had given me my tour of the student spaces at Harlaxton so I was excited to be getting to work with him. My team consisting of Jay, Lou, Nicola, and I met at Harlaxton College so that I could meet everyone and schedule a time to come visit Belvoir castle. 

The next couple weeks were a blur of school, work, new friends, and new experiences. I was then able to start my internship at Belvoir Castle where Nicola, the Development Director picked me up at Harlaxton and took me to Belvoir Castle. I was stunned driving up to the castle. I couldn’t believe this was a home as well as just a stunning place. 

I met Ruth, the sweetest lady who works at the front desk. She gave me a tour of Belvoir Castle – Ruth is still the person I go to when I need to gather content and knowledge of the Belvoir Castle history. Ruth helps me with taking me all throughout the castle. I take pictures and videos, as well as give me caption ideas by providing me with all the history each room in the castle possesses. 

One of my most favorite things about my internship is being able to make connections and get to know the lives of everyone on my team. Nicola picks me up and takes me to Belvoir castle every week and it is always fun recapping my travel weekends with her. I tell her all about climbing Arthur’s seat in Edinburgh, Scotland; watching the Eiffel Tower sparkle at night; riding a forest coaster through Wales; cliff jumping in Malta; and everything in between. When I visit places Nicola has been she gives the best recommendations for me to take back to Harlaxton and tell all my friends about. Nicola was the person who told me about the Paris Seine River Cruise because she used to be a tour guide in Paris. This ended up being my FAVORITE thing I did in Paris! She also gave me so many Italian recommendations for when my mom visited me in Italy for our Spring Break. I owe many of the wonderful experiences I have had here to Nicola! 

When Nicola and I arrive at Belvoir Castle weekly we typically meet with Lou and Jay about current projects and things we are all working on. After this, we go our separate ways and cracking on with the work that needs to be done for the day (cracking is a word that Jay and Nicola taught me to use). At this point depending on what we discuss in the meeting I will walk around with Ruth, gather content, work on the website, and make some posts. After a day at the castle for work Nicola will take me back to Harlaxton in time for dinner in the refectory with all of my friends. I have the rest of the week to do bits and bobs (also a British saying that Jay taught me) of other things for American Friends of Belvoir Castle before I am off somewhere new on the weekend. 

The opportunity of being an intern for American Friends of Belvoir Castle hasn’t always been easy, but it has always proven to be rewarding. I have learned how to work with different cultures, as knowing how to interview a Duchess was never something I was familiar with beforehand. I have learned more about building a social media page and marketing, how to create a strategy and execute, how to liaise with others on a team, and so much more. However, I have undoubtedly also learned how to be independent living on my own, and working at a place I had little to no knowledge of when I left the United States. I have learned so much about myself  – particularly how much I actually do love an afternoon Yorkshire tea with milk and sugar!

All in all, I’m incredibly grateful for this opportunity and for everyone who supported me along the way. Working as an intern for the American Friends of Belvoir Castle has been one of the coolest and most rewarding experiences I have gotten to do abroad. While going to Harlaxton alone was incredible, I can honestly say that being an intern with AFoBC has enhanced my study abroad experience even more. Getting to be part of something so special while living overseas reminded me just how much growth can happen when you step outside your comfort zone.