This summer, we had the pleasure of welcoming Isabella McClintock to the Checkin Apartments team as our digital marketing intern. Joining us from The Ohio State University, Isabella came to London through the AES global study abroad programme and spent eight weeks immersed in the world of serviced apartments, marketing, and partner relations.
Right from the start, Isabella approached every task with energy, a curious mind, and a new perspective. She quickly got stuck into a range of tasks—from updating property listings and crafting blog content to supporting social media and learning the ins and outs of digital marketing strategy. It’s been fantastic to watch her grow in confidence, gain hands-on industry experience, and contribute meaningfully to our projects.
Now, as Isabella’s internship draws to a close, we’re sad to see her go but incredibly proud of all she’s accomplished. Her professionalism, creativity, and organised approach have made a real impact, and we’re excited to see where her talents take her next.
In this post, Isabella reflects on her time in London—from navigating the Tube and tackling CRM systems, to exploring museums, parks, and even Wimbledon. Read on to discover what it’s like to intern abroad, live in London, and work behind the scenes at Checkin Apartments.
Why I Wanted to Intern in London:
The first time I visited London was a few years ago on a family holiday, and from the moment I arrived, I knew I wanted to come back. I was immediately captivated by the city’s rich history, bustling culture, and remarkable architecture. It felt surreal to see centuries-old landmarks standing side by side with modern skyscrapers. Although I’ve travelled to many places, nowhere left such a lasting impression on me as London.
I found everything endlessly fascinating and couldn’t help imagining what it would be like to live there. Each morning, riding the Tube alongside commuters, I pictured myself as one of them on my way to work. When we explored quieter, more residential areas, I’d pick out the houses I could see myself living in. London had completely charmed me, and I left with a strong desire to return.
Before starting university, I knew I wanted to study abroad at some point during my degree. When I discovered a programme that offered international internships, I knew it was exactly what I was looking for, and seeing that London was one of the locations made the decision even easier. In the autumn of my second year, I applied to the programme, and a few months later, I was thrilled to learn I had been accepted. The thought of returning to London to live and work filled me with excitement and a sense of adventure I couldn’t wait to begin.
Me in front of the Tower of London when I visited for the first time in 2023.
My Experience:
Before this internship, I had no professional experience and felt nervous because I had no idea what to expect. None of my friends or classmates had done an internship–especially not abroad–so I didn’t have anyone to turn to for advice. When I arrived in London and began speaking with others in my cohort, I was relieved to learn that for many of us, this would be our first internship experience.
Over the past eight weeks, I’ve learned so much. I came in knowing very little about marketing and nothing at all about partner relations. However, after spending weeks working in both areas, I now have a much clearer sense of each.
Some of the tasks I’ve completed include creating and updating website listings for the various properties featured on our website. I started by making sure that unit types were accurate and up to date, and later progressed to creating new listings from scratch. This involved uploading apartment images and providing detailed information about amenities and unit features.
I also worked on social media content across various platforms, wrote blog posts, and created landing pages. One thing that surprised me was how much background research and preparation is required to create an effective post. I hadn’t realised that something as simple as the timing of a post or email could significantly affect how well it performs. I also gained exposure to tools like Google Analytics to track performance and was amazed by how much data is collected and analysed behind the scenes.
On the partner relations side, one of the most important skills I developed was organisation. Every detail on the website also needs to be reflected in our CRM system, and maintaining this consistency taught me a lot about database management. I found this particular CRM more intuitive and easier to navigate than others I’ve used in the past. What I especially appreciated was that everyone on the team used the same system, so any updates I made were immediately visible and helpful to others. That gave me a real sense of connection with the broader team.
One part of the experience that I was especially excited about was office life. I had always been curious to see what working in an office was really like, and whether it resembled what’s shown on TV. Getting to be a part of it (including all the coffee and snacks!) made the entire experience even more enjoyable and rewarding.
What Else I Did:
Outside of work, I had the chance to travel and explore so many incredible places. I took day trips to cities like Canterbury, Cambridge, Brighton, and Oxford. In London, I visited all the major museums, including the British Museum, Natural History Museum, V&A, and the National Gallery. I also explored historic landmarks such as the Tower of London, St. Paul’s Cathedral, and Kensington Palace.
Me at the Canterbury Cathedral–the oldest one in England!
Some beautiful impressionist paintings from the National Gallery.
A stormy Oxford, perfect for amplifying the Harry Potter vibe that flows throughout the city.
Spending time in London’s parks was another highlight. Sometimes it felt like I had stepped out of the city entirely. My favourite was Holland Park, home to the beautiful Kyoto Garden. Of course, the food scene was an experience in itself, and trying all the trending food spots around the city was so much fun (spoiler: they lived up to the hype).
Kyoto Garden.
Some of the most memorable things that I did here was attending Wimbledon. I joined the queue in the early hours of the morning and stayed until the sun had set–it was truly unforgettable. I also took full advantage of being in one of the world’s largest theatre districts by attending several West End shows, which made for perfect after-work outings. As a bonus, I even took a short trip to Amsterdam, which gave me the chance to explore a different culture and added a fun change of pace from life in London.
While I didn’t get Centre Court tickets, I was able to snap a quick picture of Djokovic and Kecmanovic.
This was my first time seeing Les Misérables, and it ended up being my favourite out of all the shows I attended.
My friends and I in Amsterdam.
Tips for Future Interns:
- Don’t be afraid to ask questions. You’re not expected to know everything right away, so asking thoughtful questions shows that you’re engaged and eager to learn.
- Maintain a list of tasks you’ve completed or skills you’ve picked up. It’ll come in handy when updating your CV or preparing for future interviews.
- If you finish something early, offer to help with another task or ask if there’s something new you can take on. Being proactive shows initiative and a willingness to grow.
- Be open to feedback, as you are there to learn and feedback is one of the most valuable tools for improvement.
- Build relationships with your team, as networking and genuine relationships can lead to mentorship or future opportunities.
- If something interests you, speak up! Showing curiosity about the work around you is a great way to learn.
- It’s okay to make mistakes. What matters most if learning from them and keep moving forward.
If you are Interning Abroad:
- Say yes to new experiences. Explore the city, try local food, and take advantage of opportunities outside of work. These moments often become your favourite memories.
- Documenting your time abroad makes it easier to reflect and look back on later. I loved taking pictures of everything and anything.
- Working in a new country can feel overwhelming at times, but by stepping outside of your comfort zone is where the real growth happens.
Overall, this internship has been an invaluable learning experience, both professionally and personally. It pushed me out of my comfort zone, allowed me to develop new skills, and gave me a deeper understanding of the working world. Beyond the work itself, living and exploring London enriched my time here in ways I never expected. I’m grateful for the opportunity to have worked with some of the kindest and supportive people, and I’m excited to carry what I’ve learned during my time here into my future career.
Me in front of Tower Bridge–one of my favourite landmarks.
