Interning in Chicago: Not So True

by Tyler Zeutenhorst

My roommate and I decided to take public transportation from the airport to our new home at Canterbury Court. We were thinking, “There’s no greater way to look like a true Chicagoan than to navigate the CTA (Chicago Transit Authority) like a pro.” We should have been thinking, “I wonder if our bodies and luggage will be able to simultaneously fit through the revolving door at the subway’s exit.” You know where this is going. Graham (my roommate) made it through fine; piece of cake. I, on the other hand, got stuck, sparked an unfriendly jam and practically begged for dirty looks from everyone in the neighborhood.

Hello, everyone. My name is Tyler Zeutenhorst, and I am currently a Chicagoan.

The last couple weeks have been a blast. I have had the chance to meet new people, interview for excellent internships and become oriented with this great city. It’s been a slight change of pace from that of my hometown (Orange City, Iowa). In fact, I think there are more corner pharmacies here than there are students at my school. Change is beneficial, though. This is a unique opportunity, and I look forward to the learning I’ll do here in the next 85ish days.

I am interning with a company called Freeosk, which works alongside Blue Sky Chicago, a food-marketing firm that works with samples. Freeosk is a kiosk that dispenses a free sample when a consumer scans his or her frequent-shopper card. The samples range anywhere from food to health/beauty products. I am learning a great deal from my co-workers and am enjoying the overall experience. Here is a photo of the Freeosk team.

My classes will allow me to learn by experiencing. I am taking “Arts in the City” and “Urban Planning,” along with a practicum course. So far, I have visited the Chicago History Museum, the Chicago Cultural Center and the Museum of Modern Photography. I saw an interesting exhibit at the Chicago Cultural Center entitled “Industry of the Ordinary.” It wasn’t really ordinary. I left fairly perplexed, but I was okay with that. It was someone else’s art, not mine. Outside of class, I’ve also learned a bit about animals. Some friends and I visited the Lincoln Park Zoo and the Shedd Aquarium. Check out this crab that lives at the aquarium!

When I haven’t been working, going to class or visiting animals, I’ve probably been eating out. There are some cheap, tasty options in the neighborhood. Oh, and speaking of those two adjectives, I’d be lying if I said I hadn’t visited the Taco Bell by Wrigley Field a couple times in the middle of the night. It’s open until 5 a.m., and the trains run all night. Why not? These ventures also exposed me to some comical street art. I guess the Addison stop forbids the consumption of fruit-filled deserts.