Internship Abroad: Is It Really Worth the Hype?
Have you ever dreamed of doing an internship abroad? Combining an adventure abroad with professional experience? Well, I have. My name is Margherita and I’m a third-year Italian student at the University of Communication in Bologna and I came here to Dublin to undertake a three-month internship at Babylon. In this guide I will explain everything you need to know about international internships and help you understand if an internship abroad is really worth the hype.
Understanding the Value of International Internships
What is an Internship Abroad?
An internship abroad is the opportunity to work with a company or organisation in a foreign country, gaining experience while immersing yourself in a new culture. These work periods can range from a few weeks to several months, offering varying levels of responsibility and learning experiences across different industries.
Why Consider an Internship Abroad?
When you step outside your comfort zone to intern in another country, you’re not just gaining work experience, you’re investing in your future in ways that go far beyond your professional development. You’ll meet different people with diverse cultural backgrounds, thanks to which you’ll develop a global mindset, adapt to new ways of working, and build international relationships that could shape your career path.
The Benefits of Interning Abroad
Career Advancement
Your career potential expands dramatically when you add international experience to your CV. You can learn how business practices differ across cultures, develop problem-solving skills in new contexts and study languages that can set you apart in the job market.
Gaining Valuable Work Experience
Working abroad pushes you to develop professional skills quickly and efficiently. You can learn to navigate different workplace cultures and therefore adapt to new professional expectations. These challenges become valuable assets as you build your career: you can show future employers your ability to succeed in diverse environments.
Expanding Your Global Professional Network
Your professional network gains an international dimension when you intern abroad. You’ll connect with colleagues, mentors, and fellow interns from around the world. These relationships often extend beyond your internship, creating opportunities for future collaboration and career advancement.
Personal Growth and Development
Building Confidence and Independence
As soon as you move abroad, the first feeling you may experience is loneliness, feeling in the wrong place, or not belonging. But in reality, I assure you that this effort will pay off in time because you’ll learn to navigate daily life in a new culture and solve problems independently. This confidence and independence will serve you well both personally and professionally.
Developing Intercultural Awareness
Working alongside people from different cultural backgrounds intensifies your cultural intelligence and sensitivity. You will learn to appreciate different perspectives, through communication across cultural barriers. These skills are increasingly valuable in our interconnected world.
Discovering New Interests and Career Paths
These international experiences can only enrich you, through the many strains you can gain from your internship, exploring the city you have moved to, or intensely experiencing new adventures. You might find new passion projects, discover career paths you hadn’t considered or develop interests that shape your future direction.
Cultural Immersion and Travel
Experiencing Authentic Local Life
Unlike tourist experiences, an internship abroad allows you to truly immerse yourself in local culture. You can experience everyday life like the locals and totally immerse yourself in the social life of the foreign country in which you find yourself. You learn to appreciate local customs and traditions, so much so that even a place you did not expect at all can become “home”.
Exploring New Cultures
Your time abroad will challenge your assumptions and broaden your perspective. You have first-hand experience with different cultural values, social norms and ways of life and this can greatly help you in life to be an open-minded person and willing to always understand the other person’s point of view.
Developing Language Skills
An important and useful aspect of doing an internship abroad is learning or improving a language. Possessing a detailed cultural and linguistic background can be very useful nowadays in the job market, so going abroad and meeting new people is the best thing to do to train languages.
Is Internship Abroad Right for You?
Who Benefits Most from Interning Abroad?
I think you’ll get the most value if you’re open to new experiences, willing to step outside your comfort zone even if sometimes it’s difficult. Doing an internship abroad and learning from this depends more on your attitude and adaptability than your specific field of study or career goals.
Estimating Your Goals and Expectations
Take time to reflect on what you hope to gain from your international internship. Are you looking to develop specific skills, explore a particular industry, or something else? Clear your goals will help you choose the right program and make the most of this experience.
Considering Potential Challenges
Financial Considerations
International internships require careful financial planning. You’ll need to consider program fees, travel costs and living expenses. However, many programs offer stipends or assistance with housing, and various funding sources, including scholarships and grants, can help make your experience more affordable.
Homesickness and Culture Shock
Living in a new country brings emotional challenges. You might experience homesickness, culture shock and moments of frustration as you adjust to different customs and expectations. But remember: all these feelings are normal and temporary, you just need to embrace this or talk about it that can be helpful.
Language Barriers
While many international internships operate in English, you might still face language challenges in daily life and work situations. View these challenges as opportunities to develop your communication skills and cultural competence.
Safety Concerns
You should research safety considerations for your chosen destination and program. It is really important to take responsibility for following local safety guides and maintaining awareness wherever you go.
Planning Your Internship Abroad
Choosing the Right Program and Location
When it comes to choosing the right program and location for your internship abroad, you have to consider factors like language requirements, industry opportunities, cultural interests, and program support services.
Finding Internship Placements
Work with reputable organisations that have established relationships with host companies. Research potential positions that align with your career goals and interests. Don’t hesitate to ask detailed questions about your role and responsibilities.
Understanding Visa Requirements
I know this can be the boring part but you have to start your visa application process early, as requirements vary by country and can take significant time to process. Work with your program provider to ensure you have all necessary documentation and meet all requirements for your host country.
Making the Most of Your Internship Abroad
Tips for a Successful Internship Experience
Approach your internship with professionalism, curiosity, and enthusiasm. Set clear goals, maintain open communication with your supervisor and take initiative in your role. Try to consider every challenge as an opportunity for growth and learning.
Networking and Building Relationships
Put an effort to connect with colleagues or other interns in your field and if it will be useful, maintain contact with your network after your internship ends.
Documenting Your Journey and Sharing Your Story
Keep a journal or a blog of your experiences and accomplishments. It is a way to record everything you did so you can judge it properly and share it with your friends.
Internship Abroad: Is It Really Worth the Hype?
Making Your Final Decision
Only you can decide if an internship abroad is right for you. Consider your goals, circumstances, and how much you desire this adventure for your life.
In my personal opinion, doing an internship abroad is worth it even if only to get to know yourself better. By working in a different environment and through the network of connections you can create, you learn what interests you and find out where you want to invest most of your time and energy.
You can see wonderful places, broaden your knowledge of different cultures and constantly challenge yourself: Who am I? What do I want from this life?
I think it is worth stepping out of your bubble and looking at this experience with curious eyes: you won’t regret it!
