Internships & Training

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—Image Courtesy of Linda Haglund/ASF

Internships & Training

Meet Some of ASF’s Interns and Trainees

Hampus Sahlin Wikström

Name: Hampus Sahlin Wikström
Degree: Master of Industrial Design Engineering
Home Country: Sweden
Host Firm Location: San Francisco, CA

 
  • Introduction

    Hampus is a master’s student in Industrial Design Engineering at Chalmers University of Technology in Gothenburg, Sweden, who is originally from northern Sweden. In November 2025, he began an internship at Monte Stott & Associates, Inc. in San Francisco, CA.

  • What does your typical day as an intern look like?
    As an intern for Monte Stott & Associates, a civil engineering company in San Francisco, a typical daily task is going out to a project, measuring up a building, then go back to the office to draft it up and send out to the client. Here you can see me in a plaid shirt (a must for a civil engineer) by my desk that’s covered in drawings, calculations for structural strengthening, and documents of the current project we’re working on!

Mathilde Fonager Larsen

Name: Mathilde Fonager Larsen
Master’s Program: Sustainable Development
Home Country: Denmark
Host Firm Location: Rancho Palos Verdes, CA

 
  • What host firm did you work with, and what were you able to accomplish with them?
    For my internship, I worked with Palos Verdes Peninsula Land Conservancy in Rancho Palos Verdes, CA. This internship included assignments such as GIS and field analysis of endangered plants, insects and birds, habitat management, field surveys and evaluation, plant management, and growing. I got to implement better recycling systems at the workplace, and I was invited to join social traditions and gatherings with my colleagues! With my experience from my degree coursework, I was able to create a plan for CO2 reduction as a final product for the entire firm, that I hope PVPLC will (at least partially) implement it.
  • How has working in the US expanded your knowledge and skills base?
    This program has increased my motivation for my career drastically. I’ve gained skills in GIS, environmental analysis, biology, application for funding (generally, working for an NGO), leading volunteers, and planting. I hope to be able to work in a similar organization to PVPLC in the future! I left my internship feeling grateful, excited, inspired and empowered.
  • What has been your most memorable experience while living in the US? Where have you traveled?
    I’m grateful to have seen and met many of the wonderful sides of this country (specifically, California) that do not come through to Scandinavia. Meeting lots of new, great people from a multitude of different cultures. The diversity of this country (again, at least California) is one of its huge strengths, and has made me feel very welcome. Although, certain aspects of my life in the US didn’t feel as safe as in Denmark, which was to be expected. In my free time, I enjoyed hiking, the stunning nature in SoCal,  holidays (Thanksgiving!), volunteer events, surfing, freediving, etc.
  • What are your plans after you finish up your internship?
    At the moment, I’m returning to Roskilde University in Denmark to continue my master’s studies.
  • What is one piece of advice you would give to someone thinking about doing an internship in the US?
    If there are any other students from Scandinavia (or elsewhere) that would want an internship in California, I would 100% recommend PVPLC to those who want to learn a lot about environmental management, enjoy the beautiful outdoors, receive valuable mentorship about volunteer leadership and GIS (geographical information systems) as well as knowledge on how to work with endangered animals and plants. I am over the moon with my experience with PVPLC.

Petter Olsson

Name: Petter Olsson
Degree: Bachelor of Fine Arts
Home Country: Sweden
Host Firm Location: New York, New York

 
  • How did you find your US firm, and what made you want to work with them?
    I knew I wanted to do an internship in New York so I started researching workshops and furniture designers in the city. When I came to visit, I met up with several firms, discussed internship possibilities, and finally decided to go with Pickett Furniture and Design. Pickett made a great first impression and was clear and honest about the internship that it had to offer. I’m happy with the choice that I made.
  • How has working in the US expanded your knowledge and skills base?
    I’ve been able to work with new materials which has taught me a lot. For instance, I’ve had the chance to work with wood from an old Redwood water tower. I’m also growing more accustomed to working in inches, which is completely new to me. During my year at Pickett, I want to become quicker and more effective in my work while maintaining high quality standards. Pickett has a fast-paced work environment, so it’s a great place for me to learn!
  • What has been your most memorable experience while living in the US? Where have you traveled?
    During Easter I travelled to San Francisco. It was an amazing trip and I met some wonderful fun people. I trekked through the California woods for over four hours, whilst admiring the redwoods and the beautiful scenery.
  • What are your plans after you finish up your internship?
    After my internship at Pickett I want to go back home and start my own workshop. I want to work with furniture, different objects, and Nordic design.
  • What is one piece of advice you would give to someone thinking about doing an internship in the US?
    Find yourself a good host firm about which you feel happy and confident. Send your CV and portfolio to firms that interest you and, if you have the possibility to visit them, do! Choosing your host firm is a big decision. Take your time! When you’re all set and ready to move, remind yourself that everything will be more expensive than you thought. Personally, I should have multiplied my estimated budget by ten.

Alina Kostynchuk

Name: Alina Kostynchuk
College Major: International Trade and Business
Home Country: Finland
Host Firm Location: White Lake, Michigan

 
  • How did you find your US firm, and what made you want to work with them?
    I first considered doing an internship in United States started when I met an American student from Michigan in Germany. I have always wanted to do my internship abroad, so I decided to try my luck in United States. I sent a lot of cover letters and resumes – A LOT. At that time my current manager was trying to help me find a position and offered me a marketing internship at their location in Michigan. Of course I accepted, because I knew the company already I trusted that everything would go smoothly and I wanted to work for them.
  • How has working in the US expanded your knowledge and skills base?

    The most important thing that I was after and have been able to practice was the language. I spoke English in school a little bit and when I studied in Germany, but now I have been able to speak and write in English every day. My Coworkers have been really helpful and now I don’t feel shy at all to speak or to write in English.

    I wanted this exact internship because I plan to continue working in marketing. So far what I’ve done and created is what I want to do in the future. I also understand more about the insurance world, website management, and customer service. This has helped me realize what I don’t and do want to do in the future.

  • What has been your most memorable experience while living in the US? Where have you traveled?
    I love travelling and I am happy to have had an opportunity to travel a bit while I am doing my internship here. So far I have been in Washington D.C., Charleston SC, Savannah, GA, Nashville, TN, and all around the state of Michigan. Next month I will be going to Florida for a business trip and New York for a small vacation.
  • What are your plans after you finish up your internship?
    I have to return to Finland to complete my Bachelor’s degree.. After that I would love to travel a bit and see what the future holds. I know now that I want to work on marketing in the future.
  • What is one piece of advice you would give to someone thinking about doing an internship in the US?

    Research. Research. Research. If you really want this to happen you have to know what steps you need to take to make this happen. I personally researched a lot about the J-1 visa and sponsors. I wrote all of the information down so I wouldn’t forget and went step by step to accomplish everything on that list. After I found my internship and ASF, the hard part was over and the paperwork started. It was easier to gather all the documents when you already knew what you needed to do. All of this requires patience, it is not easy but at the end it is totally worth it.

    Last advice: Practice in front of the mirror to answer “Good, how are you?”, because trust me Americans like to ask “Hey, how are you?” a lot.

Isabella Lindholm

Name: Isabella Lindholm
College Major: Mechanical Engineering
Home Country: Sweden
Host firm location: South Lake Tahoe, California