Tell me something about Atlanta - Internship in Sept. (versus, vacation) - Georgia (GA) - Page 4 - City-Data Forum

stillinthesouth · 05-31-2014, 12:37 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by AnsleyPark

An internship can influence the rest of your life. A fun time likely not. Big picture, folks. Big picture.

Yes, good point. The OP stated: "I have also found a company in Sydney, Australia. They are willing to host me as well. However, the company in Atlanta looks more professional and have given me a better idea about the internship."

Of course, the quality of the company and the type of internship are very important considerations. If the Atlanta internship appears to be with a better company and the organization is offering the possibility of a full-time job following completion of the internship, those factors certainly trump considerations about which place is more fun to visit.

Can the OP tell us where the Atlanta company is located? That would help us provide advice on places to live, etc.

arjay57 · 05-31-2014, 02:18 PM

One thing to bear in mind is that the risk of being attacked by a shark is much lower here in Atlanta.

I think you'd have a great time in Atlanta, although Sydney definitely has its charms.

I'd love to be 21 and have the options you are contemplating. You wouldn't go wrong in either place.

sedimenjerry · 05-31-2014, 08:07 PM

A friend did study abroad in Sydney back in January and loved it. She found it very easy to get around with public transit. But your schedule with an internship could differ. Sydney is certainly a great place but you do have to keep in mind what's best for your professional future and it sounds like the gig in Atlanta may be better. You could always visit Sydney in the future. After all, you're doing an internship, not taking a vacation.

Psykomonkee · 06-01-2014, 01:55 AM

I'm from Atlanta, but have been to Sydney a few times...

If this were strictly for pleasure, I'd choose Sydney all day and every day. That's a no brainer. Not even close.
Sydney is a FAR more interesting, cooler, more cosmopolitan, more fun place to be. No contest. If I could, I would live there...

HOWEVER, from what you've said, and this being a career move, it sounds smarter to take Atlanta. Being in the US & Atlanta in MARKETING will set you up better. Unfortunately, Atlanta isn't quite the city Sydney is yet, but it's not so bad that taking the apparently better, MORE PROFESSIONAL opportunity isn't worth it. Forget trying to choose the better city, and always go with the better opportunity.
And to enjoy yourself, make sure to travel away from Atlanta on your down time. Get to Miami, New Orleans, Helen, Gatlinburg, DC, etc...

If the smarter, more professional opportunity isn't your top priority in choosing, and you'd just rather be in a more fun place, head to Sydney and don't look back... You may never want to leave...

go-getta-J · 06-01-2014, 06:54 PM

Sydney. You're a young guy and you have an opportunity to work in a world-class coastal city. Who says you can't build a professional career in Sydney? Much like Atlanta, it is an economic powerhouse but I think Sydney ranks way higher than Atlanta in terms of cultural offerings and big city amenities.

Atlanta is a fine city but you might find it slow-paced and suburban for someone your age. It's not a coastal city (nearest beaches are 5 hours away driving). You will definitely need a car to get around unless you live in the Midtown/Buckhead areas. But If you're dead-set on travelling the U.S. then Atlanta will make a great "home-base"

Just depends on what sort of lifestyle you're seeking....if you're the jet-setter type then go with Atlanta. If you want to immerse yourself in big city life then Sydney.

Gerben · 06-02-2014, 12:07 AM

Hello everyone,

Thanks so much for all of your reply's. I haven't had a lot of time to read them all but I will very soon.

The company has let me know that they can not host me. It's kind of a surprise to me, because I had the idea that they were willing to host me right away. I think I might have misunderstood whether they were going to host me or not.

Now I have Sydney left. I'm still looking for internships in the U.S., but as many of you said, Sydney is a great city as well. Atlanta and Sydney are so different. While I think I am more of the settling kind of student, I think in the end I'm going for Sydney to experience ''big'' city life for once in my life.

Before accepting the opportunity in Sydney I will still be looking for a internship in the U.S. just to be sure about this. I still have some time to consider where I will be going.

I'd like to thank everyone for their reply. I really appreciate it!

Regards,
Gerben

Gerben · 06-02-2014, 12:16 AM

The thing that gets me going about Atlanta is in fact it's good location to see more of America.

The company I originally had in mind was located in the East of Atlanta, but not far from the center. I do not know what the exact name of the ''neighbourhood'' is. I was planning on hiring a car or cycling while I was there. (Yes, people from the Netherlands cycle, A LOT.)

I understand that for a lot of people I seem crazy for not going for Sydney right away. However, I think of this opportunity as a work experience kind of thing. After work there's always time to travel and see more of the country I am in, but the internship comes in first place. If you look at it from the other hand this is a chance to just gain some life experience before the ''serious'' life starts for me.

As I have written before, I will still be searching for an internship company that might be better than the company in Sydney.
If Sydney is the only thing left I will go for Sydney and have a wonderful time, no doubt. Just want to be sure about this step in my career.

Newsboy · 06-02-2014, 12:28 AM

TO THE OP: You should go to whichever city offers the best internship opportunity, and which ultimately will have the greatest benefit to your career.

Think on it this way: If you had the choice between clerking for a firm in a big city with lots to do, or working hands-on on projects for a similar firm in a smaller town, you'd take the small town. Not that either are small towns, of course. Metro Atlanta is in fact larger than Metro Sydney.

Good luck in your decision!

Gerben · 06-02-2014, 12:32 AM

I think so too @Newsboy. I think I will continue searching for the best internship opportunity and not for the city. I've got Sydney now as an opportunity in case I am not able to find a good internship. The internship in Sydney is not bad, it's just not the sector I would like to work in.

Newsboy · 06-02-2014, 12:57 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Gerben

I think so too @Newsboy. I think I will continue searching for the best internship opportunity and not for the city. I've got Sydney now as an opportunity in case I am not able to find a good internship. The internship in Sydney is not bad, it's just not the sector I would like to work in.