Arcadia England

Ella is a third-year student at Villanova University where she is studying Business Management. Here Ella shares her experience of interning with a UK based finance company during her time in London.

Within my first day, any apprehensions dissipated as the team extended unwavering support, cultivating an environment characterized by kindness, open communication, and a spirit of curiosity.

As a United States-based international student undertaking an internship in the field of finance with a small privately funded bridging lender this Autumn, I harbored initial nervousness due to my approaching a new global setting and the intricate landscape of financing that demands an innovative set of skills to navigate its complexities. Within my first day, any apprehensions dissipated as the team extended unwavering support, cultivating an environment characterized by kindness, open communication, and a spirit of curiosity. I am proud and grateful to work for the organization I have been placed with, for their commitment to growth through an approach that prioritizes individualized attention to each loan application ensuring a seamless experience stands as a testament to the core values of transparency and efficiency. 

I am currently a third-year student at Villanova University outside of Philadelphia, Pennsylvania but I am originally from Boston, Massachusetts. In business school, I concentrate on Real Estate and Business Law, and upon graduation, I hope to explore the intersectionality of these two disciplines. I have a foundation in marketing, finance, accounting, and analytics and I love how a business-based education gives me the tools to assess our economic environment critically. While my experiences with marketing and fundraising organizations equipped me with customer and client-related knowledge, my internship so far has immersed me in internal processing, risk and compliance, and underwriting. At every juncture, the team, and my supervisors actively foster my professional development, providing valuable feedback and challenging me with tasks that I may not have encountered in other internship settings, thereby facilitating a robust learning experience. This internship has opened my eyes to loan application procedures, financing in the European context, and minimizing the risk of fraud with detection measures. The team embraced my passion for business law too, inviting me to observe and analyze their contracts and intermediary agreements. 

What sets my placement organization apart as a private lender is its remarkable agility. Similar to an adept deep-sea explorer, the team initiates by surveying the client’s overarching purpose before meticulously delving into the unique facets of each loan, demonstrating a graceful and empathetic approach. Rather than engaging with a corporate wall, every client is embraced for their individuality and given tailored solutions if concerns arise. Instead of an outright "No," the team poses inquiries that unveil an individual's circumstances, conducting a human assessment to evaluate credibility. In the office, I hear these conversations: they are open minded and curious. Everyone who works there is kind and accommodating, there is a deep respect and camaraderie present that I think extends to our applicants and clients who I hope feel the warmth within our process. 

As a relatively new business, I have had the pleasure of witnessing the team’s efforts in formulating their underwriting approach, taking the time to streamline communication, and ensuring operation systems align with the company's  values. Even when I return to the United States, I am eager to see the company's  growth, for I have full confidence in the team and their vision of revolutionizing private lending in the U.K. 

The team has made my experience abroad unforgettable, and I will take the skills they have graciously taught me as I explore my path as a business student.

The team has made my experience abroad unforgettable, and I will take the skills they have graciously taught me as I explore my path as a business student. It has been evident to me during my internship that the company prioritizes the role of being a responsible lender with utmost seriousness. As a company they radiate empathy, competence, and a wealth of experience that has made my internship with them invaluable.