There’s one word no college student wants to hear right now: internships. Luckily, this isn’t another article talking about how to get one, be professional, post-grad, or any of that. This is about adjusting. If you are still working your job from high school over the summer, that is perfectly fine. Don’t let yourself succumb to the pressure of LinkedIn announcements; you are still doing great.
However, for those of you who did happen to land an internship in a city where you aren’t so familiar, this is for you!
Recently, a friend of mine has been networking almost daily for a Summer 2027 internship (yay investment banking). The number of times I’ve heard, “Wait, I have a call — I’ll be right back,” is insane. Finally, she landed an internship. But instead of a sigh of relief, there was a new form of anxiety to come. My friend would be located smack dab in St. Louis. Absolutely no shade to this city — it seems wonderful and has many great things to offer. But with all of her friends being in Chicago, New York, or Boston, she wasn’t sure what she was supposed to do. Should she look for a roommate? Get an apartment alone? What would she do for fun? All of these thoughts ended with her doomscrolling, searching “Activities to do in St. Louis,” “Best neighborhoods of St. Louis,” “Top restaurants in St. Louis.” It just seems unfair after all that work of networking, applying, and talking, you would still be this stressed after you got the job.
If you are in this position of going to a new city, whether your friends are coming or not, here’s how to make the transition easier.
First step, give yourself some grace. Don’t immediately start looking into housing or finding people going there; take some time to congratulate yourself! If there’s one fault among college students, it’s that we don’t celebrate our achievements enough. You are juggling schoolwork, job searching, club involvement, and a social life, all while never having enough in your bank account.
Next up, use social media to your advantage. This will be a huge factor throughout this entire process. Social media is probably the best tour guide you will have. Try to track down students from your school who may be going to that city as well. This can be word of mouth, through your company, LinkedIn, or even Fizz. It’s always nice to have a familiar face!
Even if you don’t find anyone, one of the most helpful ways of finding housing is on Facebook. I recommend joining Facebook housing, subletting, or roommate groups of a college within that city. Many students who have houses or apartments leave during the summer, and you will likely find many people looking for roommates during their internship as well. This is also a fun way to meet new people from other universities or cities. Your new roommate could end up being your best friend during that summer!
Reiterating what I said before, social media is your most powerful tool in discovering a new city. Try to think about what you generally enjoy, such as hobbies, interests, or favorite pastimes. Then just Google it! Find places to play pickleball or try new coffee flavors. This can really help you feel at home and comfortable in a not-so-familiar place.
Along with just personal interests, you can also make friends by stepping out of your comfort zone. If your internship or job has other workers close to your age or in a similar situation, try to break the ice. Talk about where you are from, why you chose this position, and what your future goals are. Hopefully, after a few introductory conversations, you can ask to grab lunch one day!
My last piece of advice is not to let the anxiety get to you. It’s so nerve-wracking to just be away from home, especially alone in a city you’ve never been to. Don’t think of all the “what ifs.” You should really just take it one step at a time and remind yourself that you got here! It’s already so impressive you’ve landed this position. Finding activities or fun things to do outside of work is the fun part. You get to learn so much in a new environment and really grow as an individual.
I hope my guide has both eased your worries and excited you about an amazing opportunity ahead!