Three months ago, the word “audit” made me think of endless spreadsheets and numbers that refused to balance. Fast forward to this summer, and yes, there were plenty of spreadsheets—but also iced coffee runs, snack bar breaks with fellow interns, and evenings wandering Delmar Loop in St. Louis. My internship at Reinsurance Group of America (RGA) turned out to be equal parts professional growth and small joys, with coffee and the snack bar spread keeping us going through the workdays.
One of the unexpected parts of this internship was how much it felt like being a freshman all over again. All of us interns lived together in the Washington University dorms, which instantly brought back those first-week-of-college feelings—cooking together, and figuring out the city side by side. Having a roommate who quickly became a close friend made the experience even more special; I honestly can’t imagine surviving those two months without that support. From navigating St. Louis to pushing each other through deadlines, we were in it together.
Why RGA?
I chose RGA because it’s an international, student-friendly company with an incredible internal audit team. I wanted to explore a career in internal audit, and RGA felt like the perfect place to start. Beyond the work experience, the program itself was amazing—providing housing, transportation, and a chance to truly experience St. Louis. This internship even helped me imagine my future home. By the time it ended, I knew I wanted to move back to Delmar Loop after finishing my master’s degree next May, live near Forest Park, and spend weekends on endless adventures.
Days in the Office
Most of my days started by checking in with my supervisor and figuring out where I stood with my projects. At RGA, every intern is paired with an “intern buddy,” someone who guides you through assignments and makes sure you’re never totally lost in the world of auditing. Mine was a lifesaver, always ready with advice (and patience) as I took on new projects.
The day usually filled up with a series of meetings—some with my team, others where I got to listen, learn, and occasionally, add my two cents. Around 11 a.m., I’d escape with my intern friends for lunch, which became one of our daily rituals. Between meetings, I made sure to take at least one lap around the beautiful trail that circles RGA’s campus. It was the best way to clear my head and reset before diving back into work.
By 5 p.m., the workday wrapped up, and I’d head back to the dorms. Evenings with my intern friends were some of the best parts of my days.. One of my friends even taught me how to play an Italian card game (which I still can’t pronounce properly but definitely enjoyed). What made it even more special was the diversity of people I met interns from different cultures and countries, each adding something unique to the summer.
Lessons Learned
This internship was my first real look at how auditing works in the real world. I got to work with SOX testing (which basically means checking if a company is following the rules that keep financial reporting accurate and trustworthy). I also learned how RGA’s internal audit team partners with other departments—like finance, risk, and operations—to make sure everything runs smoothly. It was eye-opening to see how a global company like RGA does business, balancing detailed checks with big-picture strategy.
On a more personal note, this summer pushed me outside my comfort zone in the best way. I learned how to be more professional, how to present in front of a group without freezing, and how to work with people from different ages, backgrounds, and experiences. These might sound small, but for me, they were big wins and lessons I know I’ll carry forward in my career.
The People Factor
I was officially placed with the IT Audit team, but one of the best things about RGA is how connected the entire Internal Audit department is. The team has five parts, North America, IT, Corporate, Investment, and the Audit Innovation Center and together they work as one unit. Even though my people manager was from IT audit, I had the chance to collaborate with all of them, which gave me a full picture of how internal audit works at RGA.
What stood out the most, though, was how friendly and approachable everyone was. RGA has a culture where even the VPs join team lunches and make conversations easy. Whenever I ran into a problem, my people manager was always there to guide me, no matter how small the question was. Meetings weren’t just serious business either—there were interactive toys on the tables so no one ever felt bored.
Highlight Reel
When I look back, the real highlight of this internship wasn’t just the work—it was the people and experiences that came with it. Together, we made memories that went way beyond the office:
- A Cardinals baseball game where we cheered like locals.
- Volunteering with my team at KidSmart and even cleaning up the streets on National Intern Day.
- A spontaneous night out at a Kesha concert (yes, we screamed all the lyrics).
- Exploring St. Louis through its museums, zoo, and my personal favorite—kayaking and biking in Forest Park.
- A fun mix of bowling nights and a team picnic that made work-life balance real.
It was a summer packed with moments that I’ll carry with me long after the internship ended.
What’s Next?
This internship gave me the confidence that I’m on the right path. I still have classes to finish, but now I know that the real world of auditing is full of challenges, teamwork, and, yes—coffee. Lots of coffee. The biggest takeaway for me is clarity: I know what I’ll be doing next year after graduation, and I can’t wait to return and start my career as an auditor.
For now, I’m focusing on my classes and preparing for the CPA exam. As a foreign student, I’ve realized how important it is to look for opportunities early. Many of us don’t think about internships or assume our visa won’t allow us to participate, but there are often more possibilities than we realize. My advice to other foreign students: know your rights, explore your options, and don’t be afraid to try. There’s so much out there if you’re willing to look.
