How Do I Get An Internship Abroad?
There are literally thousands of positions available around the world, so how do you find the one that’s right for you?
Start with Planning, Preparation, and Research:
PLAN
Once you’ve decided you want to pursue an international internship, you should clearly identify what you want and need from such an experience. Here are a few questions to keep in mind:
* How much academic credit do I need?
* In which country or countries do I want to work? Why?
* What type of internship do I want?
* What type of company do I want to work with?
* What are the charges, fares, and other costs associated with an internship abroad? How much does it cost to live in this particular country? Do I need an internship that offers a stipend? Do I need financial aid?
* How long would my ideal internship last? When would it start and end?
* How flexible am I in my expectations and criteria?
* Will I need to be proficient in a foreign language as a requirement for work?
* What visa and work requirements are associated with particular internships?
Browsing through the GoAbroad Directory is a great first step in helping you locate the best internship program for your unique interests, goals, background, and ability to travel. Many of your questions will be answered within the individual internship listings on GoAbroad, or by directly contacting the company or organization whose internship appeals to you.
PREPARE
Internship programs will require that you submit a resume/CV and cover letter, and many will want letters of recommendation. Your university’s Career Center is a good resource to help you get your necessary documents together. There are also numerous online resources for job seekers. Make sure you have someone proofread your documents before you submit them.
You will need a valid passport and will have to learn what work permits and visas are required, and how to obtain them. If your university has a Study Abroad office, start there. If not, contact the company or program to which you are applying with your questions.
Create a budget for your international experience. You may need financial help to realize your goal of obtaining an internship abroad. For a list of international scholarships, fellowships and grants, check out GoAbroad.com’s Scholarships page.
RESEARCH
Find out everything you can about your targeted country or countries, such as their language, culture, and history. Look up their labor laws and workplace protocols such as standards of dress and decorum. Search online for articles or blogs written by people who currently work, or have worked, in the country where you want to go. Check out the student travel blogs on the GoAbroad Network to read students’ experiences as international interns.
Also research health and safety considerations for the locations where you want to work (such as recommended vaccinations) and whether there are travel advisories for the locations where you want to work.
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