Who I am?

Hi! My name's Adriana Alonso. I am a 23-year-old student from Barcelona, Spain. I’ve already finished my degree of journalism at Abat Oliba CEU's University in Barcelona. Now I am currently working on my second degree in Mass Communication here in the state of New York at Iona College.

 

In Spain, I’ve worked as an intern and as a journalist in different media outlets and companies conducting various business model; for example, I have experience working on a magazine with the layout design, as a press officer in various companies developing press releases, articles, calls for media coverage, database, audiovisual reports, and more (in TV, in radio, and at a newspaper doing articles, reports, reporter, camera assistant, editing and production). Additionally, I have experience in companies as an assistant manager and marketing assistant. Other skills include Microsoft Office Word (2005), Microsoft Excel (2006), Microsoft Power Point(2007), InDesign (2013), PhotoShop (2013) and Final Cut Pro (2013).



 


On my most adventurous side, I love skiing, skydiving scuba diving. 

 


Also, I have been awarded with the Antarctic Award San Telmo, as part of the seventh edition of the Antarctic Awards of Science, Technology and Environment for Young Scientists. I traveled to the Antarctic Continent in March 2014 to develop an historical investigation transmitting it daily by social networks. 


 
 

When I finished my 4-year degree in Spain, my University gave me a scholarship to do one year more in United States to get a double bachelor. Where? At Iona College. 

 

Iona College is a private Catholic college located in New Rochelle, NY, a 25-minute train ride north of Manhattan. 
So I'm here in my senior year, as a Mass Communication major doing my fifth year. I will graduate on May 16 this year, and I'll receive my double bachelor: American and Spanish degrees in journalism. 

 









Acclimating myself to English-only classes was not super challenging for me because I had already taken numerous English classes in the University of Abat Oliba CEU.  












What really challenged me was adapting to the timing of lunch and dinner here in America because in Spain we eat lunch and dinner about 3 hours after the normal serving times in the U.S. Adjusting to the weather was another challenge (the SNOW and COLD in the winter) has been surprising! 

Additional changes in my life included the    food, customs, lifestyle, language, and communication expressions. Even though I have had challenges, I have enjoyed all of them.

As I have learned thorough my life and in my formal education, we all are from the same planet, so gradually we must all learn to live and get along together.






What really bothered me more, in terms of job, internships, and working as a journalist was could I do an internship? What happens when I finish my bachelor degree? Can I make my OPT year?



With the help of Jerry Martin, from the International Department, and the wonderful professors and staff in the Mass Communication Department, I could start my internship at the College Marketing and Communications (MarCom) department of Iona College. Working in fun raising, marketing, school magazine, Website, and many more tasks in relation to mass media and communication has been exciting and challenging. 


 



Want to know how it goes? What things can make an international student prosper during their internship?

As I said nothing is impossible, and with this blog, I will prove it. 

If we are true journalists, we are anywhere and everywhere in the world.

See you in the next post!

AAGG