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Internships around the world
September 13, 2007
What are the benefits of interning in a different country?
Like co-operative education, tuition-based study abroad internships offer class credit and sometimes allow for financial aid to help with expenses.
International internships offer the same valuable industry experience as all internships with the added opportunity to work in a completely new environment and see the industry from an international perspective. Working in an industry in a different country where it is just beginning or is a cornerstone of the industry, for example, can be very educational and beneficial for a student.
The opportunity to work in India's rapidly expanding software industry is a prime example. The site Transitions Abroad, offers details of the whole process of applying, interviewing, and working at an Indian software company, along with all the experiences and requirements of living there. The site offers a number of similar articles about specific international opportunities and resources to help students learn about the experience and how to participate.
Another benefit of these internships is the relationships students can establish with international companies. Finding a position in such a company abroad could potentially lead to a career in a US branch of the business.
One major disadvantage of international internships is the expense of living abroad, especially with unpaid internships. Paid internships can be difficult to find, but are more prevalent in applied fields such as engineering.
Another good resource for students interested in working abroad, is the site Intern Abroad, which offers job searches and information on international programs. On the site, students can search by country and field of interest, which yields a list of internship programs in cities across the country and links to their Websites. The site even provides students with resources to read travel blogs, see scholarship opportunities, convert currency, reserve flights, and learn about almost anything related to studying or working abroad.
More resources for engineering internships abroad and general information on the various programs include: IAESTE, American-Scandinavian Foundation, International Engineering Program, goabroad.com, studyabroad.com, and iiepassport.org.
Posted by Jessica MacNeil on September 13, 2007 | Comments (0)
