How to acquire international experience through internships

One of the aspects that can boost your resume is if you have the international experience listed, and the simplest way to get this experience is through internships. Internships are very useful for work experience where not much is expected of you, with that said you have to be aware of how to acquire international experience through internships.

As a new graduate, this could serve as a step up into the work environment. As someone who is looking to change careers, internships are very good to transition into another career through hands-on experience.

Benefits of an abroad internship 

• set you up to be a global employee. 
• It will equip you with cross cultural skills, 
• introduce to different work ethics, work environment and ideas that you would normally not come across in your home country. 
• You will be challenged to increase your flexibility ability to adapt to situations that a very foreign to you.
• It will help you to learn more about who you are and what you stand for. 
• Push you  beyond your comfort zone and cause you to network on a global scale.
• Helps you see the world as your opportunity
• Helps understand the world better
• Helps you develop impeccable communication skills

How to get Global Internships

There are many opportunities out there and many ways through which you can acquire international internships, some internships are paid while others are not. However, what matters is the hands-on experience you need for the job of your dreams.

1. University Career Guidance

Every university has a career and guidance department, and normally if the institution has partnered with any international companies for the internships of their students then the career guidance department would have the relevant information.

There are also other people at the university that might have information on a number of opportunities out there for you. The idea is for you to start talking so that people around are aware of what you are looking for and can help when they find the right resources.

If it has been years since you graduated this option can still work. It will surprise you how many universities want the best for their alumni and they would go to great lengths to assist you

As a final year student, you have university Human Resources like career/peer counselors to help you write your cv the right way. This personnel will once again usually be in the career guidance department.

It will be helpful for you to have someone else with experience help you structure your cv so that you know which information is relevant and which one is not for your cv. You will get assistance on how to best present your skills and who you are on paper.

If you are already in the working force then it is also advisable to have a consultant assist you to review your cv; this will help you ensure that you present your experience and skills in the best way possible.

2. Check for Internships Opportunities on Social Media Platforms

A lot of companies know that most people frequent their social media accounts, so the companies leverage this advantage by placing most of the job opportunities or vacancies on social media platforms like; LinkedIn, Facebook, Way Up, and a whole lot more.

When looking for an internship abroad, either paid or unpaid – if you commit to browsing on any of these platforms then you will soon come across one that best suits what you are looking for.

3. Look for Sponsored International Internships

Some university institutions do have a provision for a fully sponsored internship with a partnering company. So get make sure to keep in touch with your university should you need to reach out.

Top 6 Funded Annually Administered International Internships:

• Erasmus+ programme – If you are looking for work experience in Europe then yon can apply to this program – applications eligibility is worldwide. Application guideline available on the European Commission website.
• METI Japanese international programme– with this programme you have the opportunity to be placed in Asian countries such as Malaysia, Thailand, India and Cambodia. The internship gives a monthly allowance as well as the internship insurance.
• Max Planck Internship in Germany-open to any nationality without the requirement of an IETLS certificate, and undergraduate to doctorate students are eligible to apply.
• Taiwan International Intern Program-fully sponsored and open to any nationality – undergraduates and graduates are welcome to apply.
• The World Health Organisation Internship-applications open all year and it is fully funded for everyone.
• The Unicef Internship program-this program is available in all countries where you will find UNICEF, it is fully funded,  with paid accommodation and monthly stipend.

4. Work Through an Internship Agency

Rather than doing it yourself and going through the hassle of going through unanticipated hiccups, there are a lot of agencies whose sole purpose is to help you find an international internship.

Agencies that Assist with Internship placement

• AIESEC – this is an organisation that can be found regardless of where you are in the world. It is formed and run by college students as an aid for internship sourcing and placement for college students and non college students who are seeking internship. If you are looking for a paid internship with AIESEC then you will mostly like get it if you go through the organisation. The organisation is normally easily accessible if you are still a college student and the costs are very low for the assistance you will receive.
• China Internship Placements – the organisation offers unique internships that are integrated with real  career development solutions. As the name suggests China Internship Placements help you find an internship in china. After placement the intern is provided a personal mentor who gives career guidance to the intern and helps them set career goals.
• Worldwide Internships – Customized to serve people between the ages of 18-27, with a bank balance of $800, open even to those who graduated more than 12 months prior to the application and they help with the visa application process.
• Placement International – If your career is in hospitality then Placement International is  the agency you want to use. The organisation will help you find positions in the luxury hotels and restaurant industry both in the US and internationally while also assisting with visa processing. They help their candidates find paid internships and management training programs for experienced candidates.
• Global Experiences – The agency offers guaranteed internship in your chosen field, a program advisor to guide you through the application process into the internships profession development program, safe student housing, travel and health insurance, guidance on how to structure your profile on LinkedIn and finally a post internship toolkit after the program.
• Absolute Internship – they have a Placement Only service that is is offered to students worldwide in a field of their choice. The internship is between 2-6months long, the internships can be remote or onsite, they not only offer internships to graduates but to high scholars.
• Virtual Internships – For a small amount the agency will help you find a remote unpaid internship in field of your choice. You will be assigned your own development coach that you need to report to every week for progress and to report any issues you have. They help you set career goals and give you a life time access to a platform called career bridge that offers continuous career development courses and cv writing tips.
• Capital Placement – The organisation has partnered with a great number of companies to  help you not worry about money by making sure they help you find paid internships in London, onsite or remote internships, fully funded internships in Singapore.

Things to Consider before an Internship Abroad

• Financial Access to your account – Ensure before you leave that you can use your bank account where you will be placed
• Accommodation – It is possible that the accommodation that will be organised either by the placing agency or the hosting company, may not have much privacy.
• Language barrier – anticipate to use English if you are do not know the language of the hosting country
• Valid Passport and Visa – Depending on your country of origin you may need a visa to immigrate to your host company , and you will definitely need a valid passport.

There are opportunities all around if you are patient enough to look. With enough persistence and consistently keeping your head on the ground, you are bound to find something that will suit your taste, fit your skills and set you up for a successfull internship abroad.