My amazing experience in Miami
What is a life without adventures? Boring, I’d say.
It’s already one month since I have returned home, in Tirana. I just came back from one of the most amazing adventures of my life. Don’t get me wrong, it wasn’t a holiday trip. It was what I’d call “a lifetime experience”. Let me show you shortly what that was.
Last year, I applied for an MIP scholarship at AADF. I had heard my friends, former MIP fellows, saying remarkable words for this organization and the program, which even though was new, was very promising. Turned out they were absolutely right. I remember the first day I went to AADF. From the front desk girl, to the CEO everyone was so kind with me which made me feel happy and privileged to be there.
After successfully completing all the application procedures and interviews I was one of the few lucky ones who were granted the opportunity for a six-month internship in USA. I was so excited that I cannot describe with words!
My adventure stared in June 2019. Not knowing at that time how lucky I was, I earned the opportunity to do the internship at Aon in Miami, Florida. For the ones who don’t know well, Aon is the leading global provider of risk management, insurance and reinsurance brokerage and human resources solutions and outsourcing services. Or as the football lovers may easily identify, Aon is the main supporter of Manchester United.
My experience at Aon turned out to be a blast. I had the opportunity to meet the most amazing people from different parts of the world. They helped me to develop my knowledge not only in the professional way but also on the cultural, gastronomical, historical, and the most important, on the human side. Even though I went there with the goal to enhance my professional skills, something that actually happened, in the end I was more than happy to learn even more than I was expecting.
It was there were I felt the true meaning of the “group spirit”. I met the most professional coworkers from whom I learned that the foundation of a successful career was to be humble, never forget to show your human side and to put your heart in everything you do. In the end, what matters the most is the relationship you build with humans, not the one with computers. My days stared with a big happy smile and ended even better. That city embraced me, and I loved it. They had told me all kind of stories before going to America. Some adored it, and others weren’t that happy. I guess I was lucky enough to meet the right people and enjoy this experience to the fullest.
The team I was working with was mainly focused on working with the Latin America countries. As part of AGCN, I worked with multinational companies by providing our services to them, but at the same time I had the opportunity to do so many other things with all the Aon Miami team. The team was always organizing different social activities that I was more than happy to join. I had the opportunity to do different volunteering, cleaning parks, join and help in the organization of the 13th Aon Annual Leukemia & Lymphoma Fundraiser, the “Annual Puttapalooza Championship” and many, many other activities in the office and outside that are countless.
What is great about MIP Program is that you have the possibility to do an Executive Education. I chose to further develop my knowledge in the financial field at Harvard Business School. Now I understand why that school is one of the best schools in the world. Surrounded by a group of highly motivated and talented people, the program on Leveraging Fintech Innovation to Grow and Compete was inspiring and full of new innovative ideas. After an intensive week of discussions, sharing ideas and learning new things, the future of Fintech looks bright!
Livings in a small country like Albania, this kind of opportunities look hard to get and sometimes might even seem unreal. But the truth is that nothing can be hard to get as long as you work for it and believe in yourself. Fortunately AADF has open calls and opportunities to offer all the young talented people in Albania twice per year. So anyone, who wants to make a change, not only in their life but also in the future of our country, I highly recommend to at least try themselves and apply for an opportunity and be part of one of the best programs offered in our country.
Now I’m back home. It’s a kind of bitter-sweet mixed feelings. I feel a bit nostalgic for the time I spent there, the people I met, the experiences I had, but on the other side I am happy to share all these with the others. I really wish, in the future, I’ll hear more beautiful stories and experiences in this blog, same as me and the other fellows have shared!
Kestrina Ramallari
