I completed a three-month internship at LINK Communication in 2025. I’m originally from Finland, where I study Swedish as my major, with minors in Business Economics and Media & Communication. I undertook this placement alongside my master’s studies. I saw this opportunity as an excellent way to gain relevant work experience while abroad and experiencing a different culture. I also wanted to explore whether this is a field I would like to pursue in the future.
A typical day for me starts at 9 a.m. I commute from Leeds city centre to LINK’s office in Pudsey, West Leeds. I then set up my workspace, grab something to drink, turn on my computer, check my emails, and either continue with an ongoing task from the previous day or get introduced to a new assignment. Around noon, I usually take my lunch break, though it is flexible and can be taken at any time, with a half-hour break from my work and desk. My workday generally ends around 5 p.m., after which I take the bus back to Leeds city centre. Fortunately, there are frequent and convenient bus connections, so missing a bus is not a problem.
During my internship, I became confident in using HubSpot for various CRM tasks. HubSpot works similarly to a digital contact database, where you can store contact information, create segmented lists, and design newsletters. Most of my tasks involved building contact lists, organising groups of clients, and formatting newsletters using HubSpot’s built in tools.
This helped support LINK’s communication with both clients and prospects.
During your internship, you may get the opportunity to attend different types of events or trade shows. I had the chance to experience this myself during my internship. At the end of September, we travelled to London to visit the food trade show Lunch! This year’s theme focused on ready-made meals and food that can be prepared quickly. It was a very educational and inspiring experience.
My main task during the trade show was to take notes on the people we met, collect contact details, and summarise our conversations. This made it easier to remember key information later when initiating customer relationships and potential collaborations.
I used Leonardo AI to create visual concepts for potential clients we engaged with during the trade show. These visuals served as blueprints for sampling activations, including sampling carts, branded stands, and gazebos. I also produced AI- generated promotional videos, which were later edited in CapCut and tailored to different retail chains.
A crucial part of this process was carefully developing detailed and well-structured prompts together with the team. This ensured that the generated visuals and videos were as accurate, realistic, and high-quality as possible.
I assisted in updating the company website by reviewing and ensuring the accuracy of the information, adjusting the layout structure, and editing existing content. I also formatted this blog post. In addition to writing the text itself, I was responsible for constructing the blog page at the same time, which allowed me to learn about the different building blocks and components used in web design.
I lived in central Leeds, an industrial city in northern England. I stayed in a neighbourhood called Headingley, which is well known for its strong student culture; many students live there. You also can’t miss the universities in the city; several of them are centrally located and are a major point of pride for Leeds.
I found my accommodation through a rental platform called SpareRoom. There, you can rent for both shorter and longer periods and choose between individual rooms or entire apartments. I rented a room in a private house. Rent is sometimes listed weekly and sometimes monthly, so make sure to double-check what applies when you’re comparing prices. The basic rent for a room in Leeds typically starts at around £500/pcm upwards. Some landlords require you to have a guarantor and a deposit is usually required. Be sure to read the terms carefully before signing a contract. You can also choose to rent student accommodation, such as from Unipol or Redbrick Properties. However, make sure to check whether you qualify, especially if you are coming from abroad.
During my autumn–winter internship, I quickly realised that experiencing life outside the office was just as valuable as the work I was doing. Exploring new places helped me recharge, gain perspective, and make the most of my time abroad. Whether it was a spontaneous day trip after a busy week or a weekend getaway with friends, each journey added something unique to my overall internship experience.
I highly recommend taking advantage of how easy it is to travel around the UK. Below, I’ve listed some of the destinations I visited; places full of history, culture, and small surprises that made my time here even more memorable.
York is one of England’s most beautifully preserved historic cities, known for its Roman foundations, medieval streets, and the impressive York Minster. During my visits, I spent a lot of time around The Shambles – the narrow, crooked street said to have inspired Diagon Alley in the Harry Potter books. The city is surrounded by ancient walls that you can walk along for great views of the old town. York also has plenty of cosy pubs and unique cafés, including a cat café that I really enjoyed. The city is full of themed walking tours about its rich past, from Vikings to Victorian history to ghost stories. On my most recent visit, I also explored the Christmas market, which added an especially charming atmosphere to the already picturesque city.
Scarborough and Robin Hood’s Bay are two coastal towns offering classic British seaside scenery. Scarborough is known for its long promenade, dramatic cliffs, and historic castle overlooking the water. When we visited, we walked along the beach and explored the castle ruins, where at Robin Hood’s Bay, strong waves sometimes crashed up against the walls in a spectacular way. Robin Hood’s Bay is smaller and more picturesque, with steep winding streets leading down to the sea. The area is popular among hikers because of the nearby cliffs and trails, including parts of the famous Cleveland Way. We went for a hike along the coastline and were met with stunning views of the North Sea. Although these towns are at their best in the summer, they are lovely to visit year-round — and enjoying fish and chips by the sea is an absolute must.
Edinburgh, the capital of Scotland, is a city full of history, culture, and dramatic architecture. When we visited, we stayed in a hostel, which turned out to be much nicer than I had expected. We explored several well-known sights, including the statue of Greyfriars Bobby, the loyal dog who has become a symbol of devotion and local folklore. The city is alive with music, and it’s not uncommon to hear bagpipes as you walk through the streets. We also visited Edinburgh Castle and climbed the large hill known as Arthur’s Seat, which offers breathtaking views of the city. One of the highlights was the National Museum of Scotland — an enormous, free museum with exhibitions ranging from science and technology to history and fashion. We also stepped into a cathedral where a orchestra happened to be rehearsing, adding a beautiful soundtrack to the visit. Edinburgh is a cosy and vibrant city, and you can see traces of Scottish identity everywhere: tartan patterns, sheep motifs, bagpipes. Scotland is furthermore said to have inspired large parts of Harry Potter.
Overall, I’ve been very happy with my time as an intern at LINK. It’s been exciting to experience another part of the world while gaining valuable experience for a future career. Of course, adapting to a new culture and way of working can be challenging, but don’t let the thought scare you; from taking the first step to apply (especially if a visa is involved) to embracing life in your new home city. If my story has even slightly sparked your interest, don’t hesitate to reach out to the LINK team, they’ll be happy to tell you more.
Hejdå!
