Internships abroad offer many opportunities to work in many different career areas as well as gain additional knowledge that coincides with the courses taught in colleges across the US. There are many organizations that offer many resources for finding internships abroad, and some even offer international internships, conferences, fellowships, and courses for students interested in global health issues.
Many students believe that only certain lowly jobs are available to them overseas, but this is not necessarily the case. Work can be found specifically for you in almost any field of study by going through the right channels. Instead of staying in the States for some job you don’t necessarily care about, interning abroad can give you the opportunity to explore new areas of opportunity while experiencing a completely new culture and way of life. One girl, for example, went abroad after college as a journalism intern in Florence and wound up a contributing writer for an Italian magazine. ''How cool is that?” she says.
Interns have invariably participated in graphic design programs and marketing positions, while others have worked as assistants in handcrafted jewelry and specialty stores. Some have even worked assisting with model bookings at international modeling agencies. International opportunities also exist in the fashion industry, radio broadcasting, marine biology, psychology, and a myriad of other fields.
There are overseas internships offered with many big companies. Gucci, Microsoft, and Nike are some examples of large corporations offering exposure to the eager intern. Working for a large organization would be a great learning experience and look great on your resume.
Hands-on experience is what you’re striving for as an intern, and while working for a big company might be prestigious, working for a smaller business might be equally valuable. Sometimes in a small business each employee must generally understand each facet of the company and be able to lend a hand wherever and whenever needed. Sometimes this enables an intern to learn about a business from all angles.
''Take Ashley, for example. While embarking on a marketing internship in Rome, she was able, along with her core responsibility of helping the company redefine their marketing strategy, to participate in graphic design projects, photography initiatives, product development, new product rollout, and inventory control. She even modeled some of the jewelry for a photo shoot in Villa Borghese,” says Marc Cappelletti in an article on IIEPassport.org.
Aside from internships, there are also many volunteer positions available for students, especially in undeveloped countries. Programs with Cross-Cultural Solutions, Concordia Language Villages, the Earthwatch Institute, and Global Volunteers are a few of the programs available. Even though there is usually no pay for these experiences, students will gain valuable knowledge about the culture, language, and workings of the host country. Living abroad allows many opportunities for growth and involves a certain resilience and flexibility which is appealing to employers when hiring new employees.
If you’re feeling a bit of wanderlust and your sights are set on traveling abroad, either for an internship or volunteer work, prepare yourself for an adventure that will greatly enhance your life. Even if you’re not retained by the company you work for, don’t be disappointed, as your experience will speak volumes when you’re looking for a job back in the States. Internships and volunteer work aren’t easy tasks. In either case you’re living in a new place, meeting new people, taking on new responsibilities, and learning a new language. It’s a lot to take on.
However, working in a new land around new acquaintances can be a very rewarding experience. Completing an internship or doing volunteer work overseas can help lay the groundwork for an interesting and more successful future and may even determine your career path. Doing one or the other is well worth the effort.
