Ramon Dijkstra
Tell us a bit about yourself.
“My name is Ramon Dijkstra. I am 22 years old. I graduated with a master’s in Artificial Intelligence from the University of Amsterdam in July 2022. Two months later, I started my placement as a Machine Learning Engineer intern at Skillsoft in Boston.”
Congratulations on graduating! When did you begin considering an internship in the US? And how did you manage to line up an internship immediately after graduating?
“I first thought about doing an internship in the US years ago but started to actively search for possibilities in the summer of 2021. I completed my minor in Singapore in 2019, which then inspired me to find my first post-graduation position in the US.
I knew I wanted to do an internship in the US after finishing my master’s, so made this a priority. In the final months of my study program, I was busy writing my thesis, applying to Internships in the Valley, and researching companies in the US. I would designate 30 minutes to 1 hour of internship searching every day before I transitioned to writing my thesis. It was hard work and I was very busy, but it definitely paid off!”
What was your motivation for applying to Internships in the Valley?
“Throughout my studies, I became more and more interested in experiencing life in the US for a year. Silicon Valley is the tech hub of the world and I was very curious about living in that kind of driven environment. Internships in the Valley has strong connections in the Bay Area, which motivated me to join the program. The biggest benefit of this program is that they provide full support for obtaining a J-1 visa. Acquiring a visa to work in the US is very difficult and with the help of Internships in the Valley, the process was made much easier.”
How would you compare life in Boston vs. Amsterdam?
“Boston is an awesome city! Every day is very vivid and lively but the weekends are definitely the most fun. I live on the North End, which can be considered part of the city center. I recommend other students to also live in or near the city center as the suburbs can be very quiet. Compared to Amsterdam, I feel that Boston has far less cultural diversity. However, it’s a great opportunity to immerse yourself and explore the real American culture.”
And, what about American vs. Dutch work culture?
“The Dutch and American work cultures are very different. In the Netherlands, we like to be straightforward and to the point, make decisions quickly, and try to progress as soon as possible. In the US, there is much more time spent on discussions. I’ve also found it easy for new employees to speak up and have their opinions be respected by the rest of the team.”
Tell us about your recent trip to Chicago.
“Chicago was at the top of my list for a weekend getaway. It was a 3-hour flight from Boston and I stayed in the city for five days. On the weekdays, I was lucky enough to be able to work remotely from a cafe. Chicago is a very walkable city with a lot of beautiful architecture. I highly recommend other interns on the East Coast to visit Chicago, even just for a couple of days!”
“In the US, I’ve found it easy for new employees to speak up and have their opinions heard and respected by the rest of the team.
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