Parties, red carpet awards, film screenings—not quite what I expected out of an internship. Upon my arrival in London four months ago, I had no idea what I was getting myself into. As I first entered my flat, an ominous brown envelop awaited me. Ripping it open, I soon found out where I would be working during my time in London… Raindance TV.

At first, quite nervous that I would be in front of a camera at some big news station, my nerves got the best of me. However, the uneasiness didn’t last long. After my initial interview, I knew I would love it. With a friendly, helpful boss and a welcoming work environment, it felt like home immediately. The first week concluded with one of my fondest memories of London—the Big Lunch Short Film Competition. After the awards part, the dedicated partiers moved the festivities to a nearby pub. At the sound of the final call, the last few standing, myself included, took the party to a new location—The Hospital Club. It didn’t take me long to really appreciate the heavy drinking culture in London. Around 3 a.m., I decided, or my liver decided, that it was time to head back.

The next few weeks flew by in a haze of film festival chaos. With director interviews, film page uploads, launch of an online festival, parties, and the actual festival itself, September and October passed in the blink of an eye—definitely the highlight of my time at Raindance TV. With the conclusion of the festival, a few weeks recovery were definitely in store.

With all the excitement of the past month or so, the time following the festival seemed a bit dull, but picked up again with the British Independent Film Awards. The night of December 6 is a night I will certainly never forget. Walking down the red carpet, despite not having any flashes of cameras or fans surrounding me, it created a glamorous aura that endured throughout the night. Celebrities, co-workers, conversation, and cocktails—life couldn’t get much better. That is until I spotted Jim Sturgess!

Today, my last day at Raindance TV, the staff is a bit less perky than normal, thanks to the extravagant Christmas party last night held at the exclusive Soho House. The booze never stopped flowing, and the conversation never seemed to enter a dull moment. Laughter filled the air throughout the decadent meal. The night was the coffee bean on top of the delicious espresso martini, the perfect farewell to the perfect semester—thanks greatly to my unforgettable experience at Raindance TV.

Until next time, London…