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How To Get An Internship Abroad (& Why You Should Go For It)

As 20-somethings, countless crucial concepts are constantly drilled into our heads. Two of which are landing the right internship and expanding our horizons and going abroad. The two end up going together quite well and can be knocked out with one experience, leaving us to focus on the thousands of other duties we feel compelled to accomplish.

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International internships might not be the first choice that comes to your mind as you apply to internships for the summer, but they should definitely be on your radar. They can help boost your résumé, expand your worldview, improve foreign language skills and teach you a great deal about yourself and how your particular industry works around the world. The following are ways you can land an international internship.

How To Land The Internship

Research The Three C’s: Company, Culture & Country

Before you begin to apply, make sure you know what you are applying for and details about the region. Proving to your potential employer that you have taken the time and initiative to look up details, statistics and background for the company is impressive and shows your desire for the job and your capabilities. Knowing how the company operates will give you an idea of how well you will fit in.

Also make sure to know a fact or two about where you are going to be living and working. It isn’t the best idea to step off the plane with no idea of the customs and ways of life in the region. Know the demographics, economy and lifestyles of the country; it is beneficial and necessary for you to bring into your internship. It is crucial to research and understand the culture so you can make the most out of your experience. If you go in knowing the ways of the country, your eyes will be even more open and your horizons and knowledge will expand even more.

Visit Your University’s Study Abroad Office

Even if the internship program isn’t directly through your university’s study abroad office, they can be a phenomenal resource for the research and the application process for your internships. They can provide advice of how to apply for a temporary visa, how to navigate around a new, foreign region and tips on how to prepare. They may even have information on scholarships for internship abroad programs. If you have already graduated and are an alumni/alumna of your university, generally study abroad offices will assist you and can still be a valuable asset.

Take A Chance

We miss all the opportunities we do not take, plain and simple. It is cliché, but true. You may not feel qualified or even prepared for local internships, much less one abroad, but surprise yourself and take a chance. Most people psyche themselves out of even applying, so if you do you’ll already be one step ahead. Even if you are rejected, it will put you in the exact same place you would be if you didn’t apply. If you end up scoring the gig, you will be forever grateful to yourself for taking a chance. Most of the opportunities I have had thus far are because I went for it, even when I didn’t think I had a chance. Sure, I have heard “no” more times than I would like to admit, but nothing compares to the feeling of hearing “yes,” even if it’s only one time. I’m not a fan of regrets, but I tend to regret opportunities I had and never went for. Don’t make yourself fall into that category. Take a chance, apply, achieve and succeed.

Expand Your Résumé

Try to add some diversity to your résumé before you apply. If you know if any organizations on your campus having to do with multiculturalism or foreign affairs, it would be beneficial to you and your résumé to join. Look into taking some international relations classes the semester before you apply as well. It will help you to take the teachings from the classroom and apply it to the internship. If you have previous study abroad experience, that will help add to your résumé too. If you don’t have time to spend a whole semester abroad before you apply, look into winter and spring term study abroad programs.

Benefits Of International Internships

Professional Experience

It’s no secret that internships provide real world experience and help boost your résumé and international internships is no exception. Internships provide an opportunity to learn more about your field to see if it’s right for you. It is better to find out in your internship whether or not you are cut out or even enjoy the industry you are trying to break into, rather than finding out once you enter the workforce. During your internship, you will be able to see how the industry works, expand your résumé, make worldwide connections and gain real world experience. You will be able to take what you learn from your experience into your professional career for the rest of your life.

Stand Out To Potential Employers

Most college graduates go into the workforce with one or more internships under their belt. It can be difficult to make your résumé stand out in the sea of applications employers receive. Showing that you took a chance and completed an international internship not only shows you have experience, but that you are able to adapt to new environments and rise up to various and new challenges. This is a trait that will help put you ahead of the game and make employers remember your name. It will also give you a topic to discuss when you inevitably land the interview.

Get Cultured

There is no doubt that being abroad for your internship will grow your mind beyond the knowledge you gain from your internship. You will be able to see into the workforce in a different country and into the way people around the world live and work. Make sure to take in the culture around you; don’t just use the opportunity as a vacation. Use it to learn about the culture, history and values of the country you are in. It will expand your worldview in a way that you could never learn from a book or in the classroom. Pay attention to those you work with and ask them questions and be interested in where they are from and their culture. With this experience, you will come back home knowing more about yourself and the world around you.

See A Different Side To Your Industry

Chances are you have only seen the U.S. side to your industry. Find out even more angles and concepts by seeing how the game operates on the other side of the world. This will give you a competitive edge when you enter the workforce back home, especially if you are trying to work for a company that has global communications. If you can prove that you have an understanding of how the industry works on more than one side of the world, your boss and even potential employers will take notice. This can lead to big promotions or even you landing your dream job.

Improve Foreign Language Skills

The intellectual and professional benefits of knowing a foreign language are substantial. With the diversity in the workforce in our country increasing, skill sets such as knowing a foreign language are hardly sought after. Taking part in international internships can help improve your foreign language skills, if the internship is in a non-English speaking country. If you use the time to improve and gain foreign language skills, the benefits will pay off. Those entering the workforce with foreign language skills can expect to see a 10 to 15 percent pay increase, according to U.S. News and World Report. Professionalism aside, knowing a foreign language has been proven to do wonders for your brain and can increase your knowledge of the world and the people you can meet.