Ranch Practicum – A Place to Gain Valuable Experiences
For someone who studies International Business Management, a Ranch practicum might appear as an odd choice to gain work experience. Working in an area seemingly unrelated to my studies in a remote, wilderness setting without any cell service seemed to be contrary. Also, could you even consider a ranch to be a serious business? Would I really have the opportunity to gain work experience? Those were thoughts that crossed my mind before I applied for my practicum at the Ranch. But I did apply and here are my reasons for why I applied:
Going abroad
I enjoy travelling and discovering new places which is one of the reasons I chose to study International Business Management; to have the possibility of working abroad. Therefore, my plan originally was to do a semester abroad during my studies, but due to financial reasons it was not possible for me. So, when I had to do my obligatory practicum for my studies, I knew that this is my opportunity for going abroad. At first, I was only looking at practicums in the USA as I had spent a year during high school in Texas and I wanted to be able to visit my host family and friends there. When I came across the job posting for the Ranch, the fact that it was located in Canada made me hesitate. But quickly I realized that there wouldn`t be much of a difference between being in Seattle or Vancouver. Both would give me the opportunity to plan in a stop in Texas during my travels.
Not being alone
When I was looking at job postings in the USA, most were for big companies in big cities. For me, a girl from the countryside, this seemed frightening. I was thinking of the fact that I was going alone and the people I would have the most contact with would be the ones working with me. But from my experience, a lot of people like to separate their job from their private life, including colleagues from friends. So, I was afraid that living alone in a big city could be very lonely. The Ranch, therefore, seemed to be a much better place to live, as all the staff would live together on the Ranch. And the impressions I could gain from the website presented the image of a supportive community which I can only approve of now, after my stay at the Ranch. I found a sense of belonging, became part of the community, had security and was able to make my own contributions.
Money
I think every student knows the struggle of keeping the expenses low. Going abroad for a practicum, however, is not very helpful for this. In the contrary, it raises them extremely as I would have to pay not only for my flat back home, but also for a new one abroad. Also, I would need to book a flight which can be really expensive as well. And as a practicum student, you normally receive no payment, because you`ll gain important work experience. With the Ranch providing so many opportunities, mostly all additional expenses of going abroad were covered. The only thing left was the flight and a small fee for room and board. This way I was able to afford my stay abroad.
Experience
The last but also most important reason were the experiences I would gain during my stay. For me, I didn`t really know what to expect before coming for my Ranch practicum. But the unknown was already something that lured me out of my comfort zone as I normally like my things all planned out. I was seeking work experience, but the Ranch practicum program offers so much more when you are willing to participate and to go out of your comfort zone. I was able to trust myself again and to gain new self-confidence as each task challenged me to become better every time. If you want to learn something, you are the one who can make it happen. There are no restrictions, only support. So, if you are ready to overcome your self-limitations, the Ranch practicum is the right opportunity to gain valuable experiences.
By Lea D, Germany
