New York, Mountbatten InProgramme - Living Costs in New York

I have been on the MB programme. What you get out of it really depends on what you want to do. I have had a wonderful experience at the company I am working at. I really enjoy London. However, the Mountbatten office itself is unorganised and a lot of my friends on the programme would not recommend the programme on that basis. The living arrangements are less than ideal and the small things will begin to really irritate you unless you are the world's most patient person. It's very time consuming to get anything administrative sorted out. I was lucky that I was placed somewhere that I really like but all the assignments and lectures are a complete joke. I am hesitant to recommend this programme - I would try to get on a graduate rotational programme with training abroad to alleviate the headaches you are bound to confront.

I am planning on attending the programme in the coming weeks and am curious what advice you have for those that will be embarking on this year. I am excited about my placement and am just curious about the housing conditions and any other advice you may have. Any insights you could offer would be really appreciated.

Mari wrote:

I have been on the MB programme. What you get out of it really depends on what you want to do. I have had a wonderful experience at the company I am working at. I really enjoy London. However, the Mountbatten office itself is unorganised and a lot of my friends on the programme would not recommend the programme on that basis. The living arrangements are less than ideal and the small things will begin to really irritate you unless you are the world's most patient person. It's very time consuming to get anything administrative sorted out. I was lucky that I was placed somewhere that I really like but all the assignments and lectures are a complete joke. I am hesitant to recommend this programme - I would try to get on a graduate rotational programme with training abroad to alleviate the headaches you are bound to confront.

I am wondering if you are leaving to start the programme this August. I am getting ready to leave and was wondering what you were able to find out. Thanks!

Marie wrote:

I am planning on attending the programme in the coming weeks and am curious what advice you have for those that will be embarking on this year. I am excited about my placement and am just curious about the housing conditions and any other advice you may have. Any insights you could offer would be really appreciated.
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Hey Guys!.. I got accepted on the September intake to NYC, so am really excited but a lil tense at the moment because I've yet to have my telephone interview. i've other interns and they all said it was the best year of their lives, and they're all in really professional jobs now. Hey Marie, are you going this September too?

Hey, I'm headin out to the program in london in a week or so.... sounds excitin and everything i've read so far seems likes it a good expereince so we shall see

I'm applying to go onto the programme next May any tips for the interview in London? What goes on during the selection day?

Hey,
I'm applying for the New York intake of may next year and would really appreciate it if anyone could let me know what its like when you get over there etc. Have no idea what to expect so any advice etc would be great, thanks :)

I am also applying for New York intake for May 2007. I have been browsing the net for blogs, feedback etc on the intership programme, probably the most detailed one is a interview and report from someone that did it in 2003, here are the links

http://www.gapyear.com/modules.php...

And this one is the interview

http://www.gapyear.com/modules.php...

Hope this helps, if anyone finds out any other info i am keen for anything i can get my hands on!!

This programme is the most unorganised and unprofessional organisation I've ever encountered. The Mountbatten Programme is a catch-22, on the one hand it gives you an amazing opportunity to come to London and work at highly regarded sponsor companies. However, the office is a joke. They're unorganised, they don't communicate well, and they're extremely frustrating to work with. Their response times are slow (if you ever get a response) and they treat you like 5 year olds. Most complaints are disregarded and feedback is ignored. Plus you should note that you are not an employee of your sponsor company but Mountbatten, so they will lord this over you and threaten your visa if you disagree with any aspects of the programme. I would not recommend it, because it is so frustrating and takes away from your London experience.

It would seem most of the negative feedback I have come across have been around issues with the administrative side of things for those taking on the internship in London. Does anyone have feedback specific to the New York internships, was wondering if i should expect similar problems or if it is just really the London office that dont seem to have their act together.

Mountbatten Intern wrote:

This programme is the most unorganised and unprofessional organisation I've ever encountered. The Mountbatten Programme is a catch-22, on the one hand it gives you an amazing opportunity to come to London and work at highly regarded sponsor companies. However, the office is a joke. They're unorganised, they don't communicate well, and they're extremely frustrating to work with. Their response times are slow (if you ever get a response) and they treat you like 5 year olds. Most complaints are disregarded and feedback is ignored. Plus you should note that you are not an employee of your sponsor company but Mountbatten, so they will lord this over you and threaten your visa if you disagree with any aspects of the programme. I would not recommend it, because it is so frustrating and takes away from your London experience.

Look, I don't know about the London office, but the it is true about the admin side of things being disorganised in New York. I'm currently on the Januray intake, due to leave January 07, and i can say, hand on heart, this has been the best year of my life so far. I've seen and done so much, i'm not sure if that's because I really love New York or I have made some really great friends but it's just been superb. Yes, I was stuck in a job which I hated and wasn't suited to me but once I got myself fired I was then lucky enough to chose the sponosr compnay which I am now with. The apartments are a bit dingy but as long as you can keep it clean and tidy there fine!
My advice is for people who want to come on the programme is just do it, it's only a year and that year can go buy fast without, and you get amazing Of the 80 people who came in january only 5 have went home, so it is, for most people, worth it. Feel free to contact me with any questions.

I am heading off, hopefully in January, what is the general consensus on the placements on offer? and how much time do people actually end up spending in the apartments? I heard that the studying part was a bit of a joke. Is that true? Anyway, tell me as much as you can. If you can contact me on msn my address is
coldasice_79@hotmail.co.uk

I however am not on the internship, but my girlfriend is and when she came back for a very short visit all she talked about was the wonders of New York and the internship, every possible positive going... We have been together for over four years and she told me that in reflection after only two months leaving me was the best thing she has ever done.... Draw your own conclusions.

whats the social life like for mountbatten ppl in NY?

brilliant?---(as NY is Dreeeeeeeeeeeeew)
average?
poor?----( as no time? money is rubbish?)

Cheers,

Rushy

ps. like chris....please feel free to tell me everything about mountbatten as id REALLY like to know more, am going for may 07, cjgilbert1983@hotmail.com

I am thinking about applying for Sept 07 intake and am trying to find out more about it. Would your girlfriend mind if I emailed her to find out more of what she thinks about it? My email address is andjwilson@hotmail.co.uk. Thanks.

Hiya..Im in the same position as andrew - im thinkin of applying for the Sept '07 intake iswell but need 2 knw more b4 i do! Does ne1 mind providing a email i can ask a few questions on? Thanks!

i really love new york however i fell that this programme has taken so much away from me. It has turned my year into a nightmare (due to being in unfavorable living situation, commute, etc) I practically am not enjoying new york as i should. I totally agree with someone that wrote the same for london.

just a quick question to people that have already gone / or currently on Mount B...how long were you waiting for your telephone interview?

im hopefully going in jan, but as yet have heard nothing!

any info would be much appreciated!

Why was the living condition unfavourable? Is it true that there is 3 people in 1 bedroom?
Also what do people get up2 in the evenings?

Thanks 4 ne comments!

hey
i got into the london programme and if anyone has honest feedback about housing, their jobs, please let me know... thanks