An international internship is the best way to explore new cultures, make lifelong friends, and have a work-life balance you never knew existed. Read on as we share all the benefits of internships abroad and why you should seriously consider leaving your local area as an intern.
What are the benefits of internships abroad?
There are no doubt many benefits to taking an internship, but choosing to do one abroad can make you even more appealing to potential employers in the future. An internship abroad is a great way to gain international experience and to make your resume stand out. How so? Here are 10 reasons why.
1. Learn about other cultures
Studying and working abroad opens you up to other cultures. You experience first hand how other people live in different countries and to be welcomed, you must integrate into that community and respect how they do things. This teaches you to be more respectful and less judgemental of others.
This is appealing to an employer as it will prove you can integrate well into another culture and have adaptability skills. It shows them that you have adapted to another culture and learned how that culture functions. Such skills may be necessary if you want to work internationally one day, or if a company has offices globally and you are required to travel to them or even reside there for a while.
2. Explore more of the world
A bonus of studying abroad or taking an international internship is that you get to explore more of the world and effectively travel at the same time. If you’re a keen traveller or itching to see more of the world, then choosing an internship abroad is a no-brainer. You get to explore more places as well as intern.
3. Develop language skills
Internships abroad offer the opportunity to develop foreign language skills. There’s nothing better than learning a new language by being completely immersed in it, surrounded by native speakers. Language skills are in high demand in the workplace and employers will often offer positions abroad to those who have a strong grasp of another language.
4. Live in a new environment
Living in a new environment is good for you because it forces you to be more independent and learn how to step out of your comfort zone. It can also be a great way to meet new people and learn about other cultures. By learning about other cultures and people, this will help you become more open-minded.
Another reason why living in a new environment is good for you when doing an internship abroad is that it can help you grow as a person. You will have the opportunity to try out different things and figure out what really makes you happy, which can make it easier when choosing your future career path.
Skills learned that can be transferred to a workplace are being more open-minded, creative, perceptive, independent, adaptable and having better communication skills.
5. Build up your global network
Internships abroad are a fantastic way to take your career in an international direction and build up your global network of contacts. You will have the chance to work alongside local professionals, opening up networking opportunities by making connections. You may even find your next international post!
6. Make lifelong friends
Internships abroad are not only fun, they also give you the opportunity to make lifelong friends. By living with other people and experiencing their customs firsthand, you’re sure to make new friends who will enrich your life for years to come.
7. Explore a career path in a different country
Internships abroad are an excellent way to get insights into what it is like working in a foreign company or industry, which can be useful for future career opportunities or for deciding whether you want to move abroad permanently after graduation.
Some employers are attracted to the idea of hiring people with international experience because it could mean that they would have a better understanding of the market, culture, and customs in the country that they work in. This can open up opportunities to work in the country where the internship was based as you develop knowledge on how the business operates there.
8. Grow your resume
An internship abroad will help you grow your resume and give you an edge in the job market. You will gain more experience in the profession, as well as international experience which is very valuable in today’s job market. You will also show you can work in a completely different environment, language and culture. This will make you more well-rounded and knowledgeable about the world and thus appealing to global companies.
9. Gain valuable professional and life experience
Internships can be a stepping stone to landing your dream job or even help you start your own business.
The benefits of internships are endless. They give you the opportunity to learn from experienced professionals, get hands-on experience in the field you’re interested in, and network with people who can help you advance in your career.
The professional skills you can gain from an international internship are numerous and varied, but some of the most popular ones are:
- Language skills
- Professional connections
- Professional development
- Work experience abroad
- International business knowledge
- Increased global awareness
- Cultural awareness
- Cultural sensitivity
- Self-confidence skills
- Teamwork skills
- Adaptability skills
- Communication skills
- Leadership skills
Internships are a great way to explore different industries and find out what you enjoy working on. You may be surprised how much an internship can teach you about yourself and about the work that makes you happy.
10. Improve your confidence
Internships are the best way to build confidence in yourself and your skills. You will be able to see just how much you can achieve when you put your mind to it. You will also be able to meet many new people, which is a great way to grow your confidence.
They allow you to learn about yourself, your strengths and weaknesses, and what you want to do with your future.
When you’re in an unfamiliar environment, it forces you to step outside of your comfort zone and take risks that you might not otherwise take. You may find that the experience is more rewarding than you expected.
Which country is a great choice for internships?
There are so many amazing countries with international internships that it can be hard to know where to go. Obvious factors that may influence your choice are the type of industry you wish to work in and whether it is prevalent in a country. Also, whether there’s a particularly country or continent you are keen to visit.
Some of the best countries and cities for internships include:
Seoul, South Korea
Seoul is an international business hub, home to popular brands such as Samsung and Hyundai. The city is a clash of historic temples mixed in with modern high-rise architecture. From fashion to business and technology to photography, these International Internships Seoul have a programme to suit all career tastes.
Australia
If you want to study marine science then Australia is one of the best places for an international internship in this field. Australia with its plentiful coastlines and coral reefs offers the ability to learn these professional skills firsthand.
Paris, France
If fashion is more your forte, then where better than the home of fashion in Paris to intern? There are monthly fashion internships available in Paris, with an increase in demand during fashion weeks.
China
There are a variety of internships available in China, but one of the most interesting is perhaps the TEFL internship which is often sponsored by local governments due to demand. This type of internship offers an opportunity to gain a TEFL qualification while on the job without having to pay for it, usually with free accommodation and often a healthy salary for the local vicinity.
London, UK
London is well known as being a business hub and offers internships in a variety of fields from finance to business to journalism and publishing. Many of the world’s top companies have offices in London and intern opportunities such as:
- Goldman Sachs
- CMS Law
- J.P.Morgan Chase & Co
- Bank of America Merrill Lynch
- Bloomberg
- Savills UK
- Taylor Wessing
- UBS
California, USA
According to this article and research, California is the best place in the world for interns: “Los Angeles, California, is the best global city for interns, with over 4,000 opportunities at the internship level and an average monthly salary of $3,618 USD. For those looking for flexibility, remote positions make up nearly a quarter of the vacancies (24%). The city has 671 free skills and networking events to aid development and boost industry connections.”
Final word
The benefits of internships abroad can be seen on a number of levels. Internships abroad are not only a great chance to experience new cultures and explore the world, but also an opportunity to gain priceless experience that is not accessible in any other way.
Internships abroad are an excellent opportunity for students who want to get a taste of what it’s like in the workforce. They can learn how business is conducted in another country and how their skills translate internationally.
An internship provides students with the opportunity to work with people from different backgrounds, which can help them develop a more diverse set of skills. And this diversity can make all the difference when it comes to getting hired or being promoted.
Internships abroad also provide students with access to rare experiences that they might never have otherwise had access to. For example, they may have the chance to visit places that would be difficult or impossible for them on their own, such as South Korea, Australia, France, China and America.