Completing student internships abroad is a fantastic way to really get the most out of your degree. Internships are often a requirement of the degree of self, teaching you to cope with the job load involved in your field of study. Completing those abroad allows you to not just put into practice all the things you learn but also to gain a more international experience in your particular field. Let’s take a look at some tips to get the most out of your student internship abroad.
Top Student Internships Abroad Tips
Study your particular niche. While you will have learnt quite a bit about your industry through your textbooks, there is far more to learn as well, particularly if you are to go abroad. Make sure you read any professional literature that exists for your niche and that reflects the country that you are interested in. Do also make sure that you follow all the relevant newspapers and news websites, checking each day weather there is a development in your chosen field.
Be searchable. Regardless of whether you wish to go on an internship abroad or in a local area, and regardless of whether you want to go on a paid or unpaid internship, businesses have to be able to find you. Because you are looking for a professional position, the most important thing you can do is have an up-to-date LinkedIn profile with as many professional endorsements as you can get. It is likely that you also have other social media accounts such as Facebook and Twitter, so you do have to check whether there is any compromising information on there, such as photographs of a drunken night out.
Be sociable. This is clearly connected to being searchable, but it essentially means that potential employer should not just be able to find you, they should also be able to communicate with you and learn from new about who you are and what you stand for. For instance, you could write a regular blog and welcome comments to which you should reply. This also sets you apart as an expert in your field, which is always a good credential to have.
Show gratitude. It is likely that you will be declined the opportunity to complete an internship abroad several times before you find one that accepts you. This is true wherever you are in the job market. When you are turned down, make sure you still sent the organisation a thank you note and express your gratitude. You never know, you might end up wanting to have a permanent job with that company upon completion of your degree.
Stop saying no. While we should all learn to say no more often and to be more assertive, if you want to be chosen for an internship abroad, you will have to go the extra mile and complete tasks that are outside of your job description. Obviously, there are limitations to this, but if you show yourself to be inflexible then you are unlikely to really benefit from the experience at all.
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