Global Skills While any internship experience is better than no experience, limiting yourself to domestic internship opportunities is likely not providing you with the best professional training you need in order to compete against other graduates. But an internship abroad rewards you with more than just work experience. Global outlook and competency really requires that you leave your home country and gain exposure in a foreign work environment and culture. Those who intern internationally gain global competencies needed to excel in today’s global economy. It may mean a larger investment, but considering the very small percentage of students who participate in foreign internships, it could mean much higher returns. Discovering and Exploring Careers Interning abroad is an excellent opportunity for a student to gain valuable career and international experience all in one program. Students are immersed in the host country through a carefully selected internship site and, in many cases via the living arrangements. It is important that you start your professional development early and often so that you are on the right career path by the time you graduate.
International Internships are also a very affordable way to experience a foreign country, which makes it a terrific option for students who have financial restrictions that prevent them from participating in a semester or year abroad at a foreign university.
Many students also have restrictions on when and how long they can participate in international programs due to sports, family obligations, and specific degree schedules. Internships are not restricted to university dates, so they can be arranged at any time of the year and for numerous durations. Top Reasons to Intern Abroad -
Make your Resume Stand Out Completing an international internship distinguishes you automatically from the majority of your classmates. Not only will you have relevant work experience, you will also have many other 'soft skills' and global connections to utilize in your future job search. Our Internships are high-quality placements in your field of study, not just simple tasks such as filing or shadowing more senior staff members. -
Discover a New Country Not only will you have free time to physically explore the country, you will also be culturally immersed in the country and culture on a much deeper level than even a semester abroad program can provide. Interning in a foreign country provides you with insight into foreign work environments and customs. Our in-country staff enhance your discovery of the country and culture through planned activities and personal assistance. -
Expand your Global Network It is important that as your build your career, that you build a circle of mentors, contacts, and friends. You never know if you may be able to help them out or they may be able to help you. Not only will your supervisor be able to comment on your work ethic and skill level, but our Academic Assessment Supervisor will also become familiar with your abilities. The rest of the connections that you discover abroad are up to you! -
Improve your Language Skills or Learn a New Language The languages that you speak make you more marketable as they are a benefit to you and your future employer. Many US and Canadian companies are seeking to develop business relationships in China and they are seeking job candidates that have Mandarin language skills. While in Shanghai, take advantage of the optional Mandarin language lessons. Even in Hong Kong, Australia, and New Zealand you can seek out opportunities to learn or practice a foreign language as all are very multicultural destinations. -
Develop your 'Soft Skills' Employers often comment that graduates coming straight from university lack interpersonal or 'soft skills' - meaning they have difficulty interacting with people in a work setting. Our international internships allow you to prove you can bridge cultural and language barriers to successfully work with others. You will be faced with small challenges everyday pertaining to communication barriers and understanding various points of view from a cultural perspective. At the end of your internship placement, you will have learned how to communicate in a global work environment, which is highly transferable work skill. This is something that is hard to obtain in a domestic internship experience. -
Prove you can take Initiative By undertaking an internship abroad, you will show future employers that you are the kind of person who makes opportunities for yourself rather than waiting for something to happen. Employers rank confidence, interpersonal skills, and initiative as three of the most important attributes for employment. -
It's an Experience you will never Forget! We know that this experience is not just about adding a new section to your resume. Living abroad is filled with exciting new sights, people, and experiences. You will discover a new way of life and make friends that you will have for a lifetime. |