It’s been a fun ride here at ICON. I’ve worked on various projects with clients such as the Universität St.Gallen, Universität Luzern (still in the works) and SIGMA ALDRICH … my #1 client ;). I’ve learned A LOT. Each project has helped me grow more and more and for that I am so thankful. It’s kind of scary (yet exciting) now that my time here is coming to an end. 2 WEEKS! Where did the time go?? Now what? Well, that’s the beauty of it … no where but UP. I am going to miss the beautiful land of the Swiss! I’ve made some pretty awesome friends that I will have the pleasure of knowing for the rest of my days and I am excited to see where everyone’s path will lead them. I’ve traveled to some amazing cities rich with history and character. I’d have to say Salzburg was one of my favs … for the hills were alive!! Next on the list would have to be our bike trip to Lindau, Germany. Everyone should experience that adventure.

I came into this thinking to myself “What if I don’t have what it takes?” Nonsense. Absolute nonsense. We are our own worst critic. It was a tough transition in the beginning, but I love challenges … if I get knocked down, I come right back up fighting for more! This has been an all-around amazing growing experience and it’s only the beginning. Until we meet again … Auf Wiedersehen! 

I’m ready for what lies ahead …

So many doors to choose from …

Is that a job I see??

If someone told me 7 months ago I’d be in Switzerland working on making my dream happen, I’d probably would have told them, “You’re quite the comedian, I wish that were a reality!” Little did I know what was in store for me.

My last spring semester at UNF came to an end in April and I was getting ready to enjoy my summer - which also meant doing an independent study to build my portfolio. I wasn’t upset that I had to take a class during the summer, in fact I was quite excited because I got to choose what I wanted to learn about. The subject was self promotion. I spent the hot, Florida summer days building a website and creating a “brand identity” for myself. I started emailing and hand delivering my resumes to agencies over the greater Jacksonville area in hopes of finding an internship for my last semester - which would determine if I would graduate. Weeks went by with no responses and hope started to fly out the window. Exactly one week before the internship deadline I got an email from the Dalton Agency asking if I was still interested! Heck yes!

Skipping ahead - I started at Dalton in August, which seems like yesterday. I learned so much there and I am so thankful for being able to intern for such a great agency! Three months flew by and graduation was staring me in the face. I had ideas of what I wanted to do, but knew the job market wasn’t hot and contemplated portfolio school in Atlanta if I couldn’t find a job right away. Spending an extra 40k on a book was my absolute last resort.

I was checking out an advertising job blog a couple of weeks before my graduation to see if anything was a possibility for my next step. I was scrolling down the page when I came across “Graphic Design Internship in Switzerland with relocation assistance.” Hmmmmm, bingoooo. My thoughts were, “Why not apply? What do I have to lose? Nothing.” So, I applied … thinking to myself it would be just another resume lost in the deep email abyss. Little did I know.

On my commute to work 4 days later - exactly one week before my graduation - I got an email from a Mrs. Lombardi asking if I would be interested in an interview. I had no reaction but a blank stare. Then, I got to work and told my coworkers. Their responses are what woke me up! OH CRAP!! OH CRAP!! I got an interview … in Switzerland?! BAHHHHH! Ok, I got this … right? Ok, yep.

I woke up super early the day of my interview and drove to a place with great reception - my house was the only place my cellular device did not work … how convenient. The phone rang, I answered and 30 minutes later the conversation ended with, “We’ll let you know by Monday!” Needless to say, I spent the weekend with a million thoughts running through my head.

“Should I go? Should I stay and find a job? What if I don’t get it? What if I DO get it?! Oh crap, that means I would leave in a month!! OH, I should just stay. NO. What?! GOO! What if I am not good enough? What if I get there and I am in over my head?!!<—My weekend in a nut shell.

Graduated that Friday - which I was late for and ended up on the wrong side. Typical story in my book. Not that I’m late for things, but Murphy’s Law comes into action when I least expect it! Saturday and Sunday passed - and Monday came …

Got the email on my way to work yet again. “Congrats, we’d like to offer you the position!” Same reaction as before - blank stare. Got to work and went about by business until my coworker Shea said “What’s up Kitty Kat?” My response: “I’m moving to Switzerland.”  We rejoiced and the news sunk in … I was going to Switzerland … in one month … to start my path to my career!!

Fast forwarding a smidgeon - at my month and half mark here in Gais, Switzerland. I’ve come along way since my first week. I am so happy I listened to by gut and made the decision to cross the pond!

I’ve met some awesome people,

ate some awesome chocolate, hopped over to Germany for a beer or two, or three   - who’s counting …

reunited with a childhood friend …

and have learned so much at ICON!!!

Being here has broken me of my stubbornness (which is weakness in disguise) when it comes to corporate design. Ask me how far the Sigma Aldrich logo should be from the right, bottom edge? 10 mm. Ask me how long the logo should be? 47mm. What should the body text font size be? 9 over 11. Piece-a-cake. Smooth as butta. Sigma, you owe me a job.

I know things work out for the better. Things happen for a reason. It’s up to us to make our decisions. Even though Switzerland wasn’t where I pictured myself being, I took that spontaneous leap and I finally got a piece of the pie!

I have finally fully adjusted to the Swiss life. I am not going to lie, it was a rough beginning - being away from friends and family is not easy. I was super exited to flee the country and live abroad … something I have always dreamed of doing. However, I didn’t realize the hard work that would be involved. But, I love a challenge. “If you had to choose one word that would describe you, what word would that be?” Driven. I never give up, I never surrender. I am so thankful for that drive inside me - the gift that God gave me. I hate the question “What if?” Drives me crazy. I love to take chances, even when I know they will be difficult - we only live once mind you … once! This experience has tought me so much about my profession and myself, and for that I am grateful and excited to see what is to come. Until next time, 

This past weekend, my fellow icon buddies and myself hopped a train to Lugano - located in southern Switzerland on the northern border of Italy. One word to some this place up … beautiful! The train ride was fun. We spent the majority of the time debating if we should get a room or not. Keep in mind, the temperature for the night was well in the 20s. We originally decided to wing it and see where the night would take us … but after some deeper thought we called the hostel back to make a reservation. Alas, they had booked the rest of the rooms. We called our boss, Lori, who was able to find us a place! We spent Saturday and Sunday walking around the city as much as possible. My favorite place was the Olive path - it was lined with grape and olive vines and rose bushes. I can’t even imagine what it would look like during the summer time. =) We spent about 2 hours people watching in the park while waiting for our train back to St. Gallen. Switzerland = awesome place to people watch. I would love to go back some day soon!

Well, I traveled over 5,000 miles and my clumsiness followed me. Last night I missed the 27 train and waited for the 57 train - which came after I started walking to the next train stop because it was late. Got to the next train stop and waited 20 minutes. Train pulled up, I walked up to the door, pushed the button and the door didn’t open. Neither did the other one. Realized I was on the wrong side of the train and started running down the side of it to cross the tracks to get on the other side. Jumped down the gutter and jumped up - while running - to the platform. Lost my footing and fell half way on the tracks and sidewalk. Some guys starting rushing over to me while speaking Italian. I assured them I was alright and boarded the train while they proceeded to charm me with their English. Oh, what another day in the life of a Kat.