Ultimate Guide: International Internships
What first comes to mind when I hear the word intern are the stress-driven medical students in Grey’s Anatomy or Anne Hathaway in The Devil Wears Prada. Well… I am here to change this all-too-common stereotype of menial tasks and coffee runs.
Are you more of a learn by doing person? Do you want to boost your confidence while expanding your international network and developing essential professional skills? Not to mention living abroad with limitless adventures at your fingertips? If so, an international internship might be for you.
Whether you’re an undergrad, recent graduate or searching for a career change, an internship abroad is a great opportunity that will challenge you personally as well as professionally. For all you undergrads out there, a lot of universities will actually accept transfer credit from students who intern abroad! If you’re lucky, you can even find a paid internship.
Below are a few popular agencies that pride themselves on providing students with internships that give you real responsibility within your company.
1. Connect 1-2-3
Connect 1-2-3 originated in Cape Town and has expanded to offer internships in not only South Africa but Argentina, Ireland, Spain and China. Once you choose your destination, you will be paired up with an agent who will customize an internship based on your interests and goals. Some internship fields offered are Film and Photography, Entrepreneurship, Journalism and Web Development. Click the link below to learn more!
2. International Studies Abroad
ISA offers various abroad programs including a variety of global internships in cities ranging from Salamanca, Spain to Seoul, South Korea and Santiago, Chile.
Once you have chose your location out of the eight available countries, you will then be asked to express your interests and goals for your internship. ISA offers residencias, home-stays and apartments, depending on your location.
3. Academic Programs International
API provides advising, a tailored internship placement and an extensive alumni network. Choose from their nine destinations, explain your interests and prepare for a once in a lifetime cultural immersion.
4. CISabroad
Develop a global network with CISabroad and their internships ranging from one month to a year in ten different countries. Express your hopes to their Global Advising Team as they try to pick the perfect internship for you and your interests.
5. The Intern Group
Last but not least, The Intern Group. Currently, I am in Madrid for an internship that I found through TIG. Featured in TIME, Forbes, CNN, Bloomberg and other reputable sources, an internship through TIG is guaranteed to challenge you. With 15 different locations, TIG combines professional development with travel adventures. TIG has been supportive, informative and speedy. After applying, I was contacted almost immediately with an interview and after being accepted, it was only two weeks until I was interviewing with my future-boss. Included in the program cost are cultural events. For example, last week we went to a typical Flamenco show here in Madrid and tomorrow I am going to Toledo, Spain with the other interns.
Interning abroad is challenging. Cultural differences, language-barriers, homesickness, and let alone starting a new job and living in a foreign country, are all par for the course. With that being said, growth doesn’t happen if you stay within your comfort zone. So… I urge you to check out the above companies, get excited and take the leap to intern abroad!