Landing paid internships abroad is a dream for many students. You’re studying for your dream career, learning crucial skills and now you can put them into practice. Internships allow you to:
- Learn from others
- Make new connections
- Put your education into practice
- Maybe even land a position with a company
If you're debating whether or not to pursue internships, know that it can be a game-changer for your career.
Why Interning Abroad Can Be a Game-Changer for Your Career
Internship opportunities are a game-changer for many careers. You're entering a new field, and if you don’t have connections already, it can be challenging to get your foot in the door.
Entering internship abroad programs can be a complete game-changer and change your career trajectory at the same time.
If you enter an internship abroad, you’ll benefit in many ways:
- Travel: You get to travel to a new, exciting place. But you’re staying for a while, experiencing life as a local rather than a tourist who may be in the country for just a few days.
- Connections: You can never have too many people in your professional network. The connections that you make are going to help you land jobs and connect with others throughout your career.
- Work habits: Countries have their own work habits and norms. You may find that you’re in Singapore, a country with a strong entrepreneurial spirit, which will stick with you well after your internship is over.
- Culture: You’ll learn from a new culture, which will allow you to fit into other workplaces with greater ease. If you work in a multinational company, your experience can help you become an even more important asset to your future employer.
And when the time comes to start applying for jobs in your field, you’ll have a much easier time standing out from other applicants. Internships abroad make you stand out and allow your resume to look more impressive than someone else who didn’t intern.
Your dedication is shown by international internships because they show that you’re willing to break out of your comfort zone and try something new, exciting and scary.
How to Choose the Right International Internship Program for You
When choosing an internship program, there are several things to consider, including:
- Your chosen career path
- Whether the destination country is a good fit for you
An agency like Capital Placement can help you find an international internship program that will meet your career and personal goals.
Top Destinations for Internships Abroad
There are so many exciting destinations for paid internships abroad. Some of the top options include:
- London – Ideal for marketing
- Singapore – Great for business
- New York – Ideal for fashion
- Sydney – Best for tech
- Tokyo – Ideal for manufacturing
- Florence – Great for architecture and design
Each of these cities is brimming with opportunities to network and potentially land a full-time position after your internship.
Choosing a destination is an important part of the internship process, but you also need to consider when to apply.
When Is the Best Time to Apply for Internships Abroad?
Knowing when to apply for an international internship can be tricky. Once you find an opportunity you’re interested in, do your research to find out the application deadline and the internship start date.
As a general rule of thumb, you should aim to apply for an internship 5-6 months before the start date.
Your coordinator can help you determine the best time to apply. There will be logistical concerns that will also need to be taken into account. Securing a visa, for example, can take some time.
The earlier you can realistically apply, the better.
Maximizing the Benefits of Your Internship Abroad Experience
There are so many advantages to interning abroad. To maximize these benefits:
- Go into the experience with an open mind. Accept new cultures and experiences with open arms.
- Accept that there will be some failures along the way. Treat them as learning experiences. You're bound to make some mistakes as you adapt and adjust. Keep moving forward and learn from them.
- Choose your destination carefully. Your placement can make a big difference in your experience and how much you enjoy it.
If you go into the experience with an open mind, embrace the unknown and maintain a positive outlook, you will find it easy to make the most out of your internship.
In Conclusion
Internship opportunities are available worldwide, but you need to consider what the host country has to offer. For example, you may be considering moving to London for your career, and an internship will allow you to “test the waters” first.
