Alexis Voelkel @ HolyScreen Media Spring 25

Background

I have a background in English and pursue a minor in media and public releations. I’ve always had a strong connection to storytelling, media, and content production. Ever since I was a kid, I’ve loved reading, and it’s sparked my interest in how that sort of content gets produced. From there, I developed an interest in film as well and would catch myself analyzing films even when I wasn’t in class. That’s why I chose my internship at HolyScreen Media where I could learn what goes on behind the scenes of producing films and the logistics behind shooting days. 

Internship

I had the opportunity to work as an intern at the multimedia film production company HolyScreen Media. My tasks throughout my internship included researching potential topics for upcoming series, obtaining and returning props needed for filming days, and brainstorming and coordinating social media posts. While that doesn’t cover everything I was assigned, those were my core tasks throughout the semester. It was a hands-on experience that gave me a real look at what goes into producing content.  I mostly worked independently to develop new ideas and presented them to my mentors at the end of the day. The biggest projects I worked on were presentations with information and graphics on whatever series they were pitching at the time.

Takeaways

The intership was truly an eye opening experience, and I’m eager to continue my career in storytelling and the media and content production industry.

My main takeaways of my internship is that all ideas are worth mentioning, even if it isn’t fully formed, you can still develop it as you go. Communication is always key to having a smooth relationship with your boss and coworkers and you can also produce better work when you ask questions and are fully aware of what is being asked of you. Also, it’s okay to make mistakes, everyone’s human and there’s a solution to everything.

Advice for future Vienna Plus students

My advice to a future Vienna Plus student considering this internship is to come in with a positive, ready-to-learn attitude. There’s a lot of uncertainty when starting a new role in a new country, especially if you don’t speak the language, but growth comes from stepping outside of your comfort zone. Be open to challenges, ask questions, and take initiative. You’re not expected to know everything, your supervisors know you're there to learn and will support you along the way. Be open-minded and flexible, both in your internship and in everyday life in Vienna. Embrace the cultural differences, try new things, and don’t be afraid to make mistakes. 

Jazmin Pantoja @ Sprachencafé by Station Wien (now Wiener Hilfswerk) Fall 23

Background

I am currently a senior at DePaul University majoring in Sociology, my field of study focuses on systems of power concerning culture and human behavior. My family escaped poverty and migrated to America when I was a child, I experienced the struggle of assimilation firsthand, and I became interested in the concept of migration from a global perspective. Through these experiences, I have become familiar with, my belief, in the necessity of constituent services in a city, such as Wiener. I was most interested in this internship because it offered a glimpse into the global community Vienna houses, rather than the image that is often portrayed in the media: white, wealthy, and generationally native to the city. 

Internship

Right from the start, I immediately felt welcome at my mentor. Station Wien is a non-for-profit organization that focuses on providing various community services to people with a history of flight or migration. My roles were at the Sprachencafe project under the mentorship of Ms. Anna Schwendinger. I hosted an English and a Spanish language table, helping adults practice their language skills and ask questions in a relaxed and non-classroom environment.

Takeaways

My biggest takeaways have been connecting with people, hearing their stories and goals, and seeing their language learning progress. I made some of the most meaningful friendships at Station Wien, and it weighs heavy on my heart to part paths with them. However, as I look into my future career decisions, I am planning on applying for my Teaching As a Foreign Language (TAFL) certificate and applying to teaching instructing jobs here in Vienna. Hopefully, one day soon, I can live a full circle moment from ESL student to ESL teacher, and maybe reconnect with my friends here in Wien.