When I first accepted my internship at Sunderland Software City, I knew it would be a valuable opportunity to gain professional experience abroad. What I didn't expect was how much it would challenge me, push me outside my comfort zone, and completely change the way I see marketing, communication, and myself.
Moving to another country for an internship is exciting, but it also comes with a lot of uncertainty. New people, a different culture, a new workplace, and the pressure of speaking another language every day can feel overwhelming at first. Looking back now, those challenges became some of the most rewarding parts of the experience.
Joining the Communications Team
From my very first day, I was welcomed into the Communications Team by people who genuinely wanted me to learn and develop. That immediately made a difference. Although I was nervous at the beginning, I quickly realised that Sunderland Software City was the kind of workplace where questions were encouraged, ideas were valued, and learning was part of the process.
Throughout my internship, I worked on a wide range of marketing and communication projects. Every week brought something different, which meant there was never really a "typical" day. Some days were dedicated to content planning, while others involved filming interviews, writing blogs, creating social media campaigns, analysing engagement or preparing for upcoming events. That variety is what made the experience so enjoyable.
Preparing for TechNExt
A large part of my internship focused on TechNExt, the North East's technology festival bringing together thousands of people from across the region's tech ecosystem.
When I first joined the team, preparations for the festival were already well underway, but as the event got closer, the pace increased significantly. It was fascinating to see how much planning, organisation and communication happens behind a large-scale event. My role involved creating promotional content across multiple social media platforms, helping increase awareness of speakers, sponsors, fringe events and festival activities. I also contributed to writing website articles, producing video content, designing visual assets and supporting campaigns that encouraged people to attend. Seeing content that I had created published across Sunderland Software City's channels was incredibly rewarding. Knowing that my work was helping promote one of the region's biggest technology festivals gave me a real sense of purpose and responsibility.
Taking on New Responsibilities
One of the things I appreciated most was how quickly my responsibilities evolved. At first, I focused on understanding the organisation's tone of voice, branding and communication style. Before creating anything, I wanted to understand who we were speaking to and how Sunderland Software City communicated with its audience.
As my confidence grew, I was trusted with increasingly independent projects. I planned social media content, created promotional videos, edited interviews, wrote blog articles, developed graphics and analysed campaign performance. I also had the opportunity to interview speakers, sponsors and professionals involved in TechNExt, which was something I had never experienced before. Those interviews pushed me outside my comfort zone. Standing behind a camera, asking questions and helping people feel comfortable on screen required communication skills that university simply cannot teach. Every interview became a chance to improve my confidence and professionalism.
Learning Beyond Marketing
Although my internship was centred around marketing and communications, I learned much more than technical skills. Working in a small, collaborative team meant that I was involved in conversations about strategy, event planning, partnerships and campaign decisions. Rather than simply completing tasks, I was encouraged to understand why we were doing them and what impact they could have. This helped me develop a much broader understanding of how marketing supports an organisation's objectives. I also discovered the importance of flexibility. Priorities could change quickly, especially during the weeks leading up to TechNExt. Learning how to adapt, reorganise my workload and stay calm under pressure became one of the biggest lessons from my internship.
Stepping Outside My Comfort Zone
One of the biggest personal challenges was working entirely in English. Although I had studied English at university and previously spent time abroad, communicating every day in a professional environment was completely different. Meetings, informal conversations, interviews and creative discussions all required confidence, quick thinking and the ability to express ideas clearly.
There were moments when I questioned myself. Sometimes I worried that my English wasn't good enough or that I wasn't contributing as much as I wanted. Thankfully, those doubts never lasted long. The encouragement and constructive feedback I received from the team allowed me to become more confident every week. By the end of my placement, I was contributing ideas during meetings, leading parts of projects and communicating much more naturally with colleagues. Looking back, that personal development is probably the achievement I am most proud of.
The People Behind the Experience
No internship is defined only by the work itself, what made this experience so memorable were the people I had the opportunity to work alongside. My manager, Natasha Bowers, continuously encouraged me to challenge myself while providing the support I needed whenever I encountered difficulties. Her feedback always helped me improve, and she created an environment where learning felt motivating rather than intimidating.
I was also fortunate to work closely with Kai Pitt Richardson and the entire Sunderland Software City team. Everyone was approachable, welcoming and genuinely invested in helping me develop both professionally and personally. Whether we were brainstorming ideas, filming content, preparing for events or simply having lunch together, the atmosphere always felt collaborative and supportive. It never felt like I was "just the intern." Instead, I genuinely felt like part of the team.
Looking Back
When I compare the person who walked into Sunderland Software City on the first day with the person who left several months later, the difference is remarkable. This internship strengthened my marketing and communication skills, improved my confidence in professional English, taught me how to create content with purpose, and showed me what it means to work within a creative and supportive team. More importantly, it confirmed the type of career I want to pursue.
Working on TechNExt showed me how exciting marketing can be when creativity, technology and people come together around a common goal. It also reinforced my ambition to continue building a career in digital marketing and communications within an international environment. Some opportunities teach you new skills, others change the way you see yourself. For me, this internship did both, and it is an experience I will carry with me throughout my career.
And for all of this, thank you, Sunderland Software City. Thank you for believing in me, supporting my growth, and giving me an experience that I will always carry with me.
