An internship abroad is a chance, not just an opportunity to "write a line on your resume", but a real step towards a new life: employment abroad, in-demand skills, work experience. As a result, the problem of "how to get a job without experience" becomes a little less hopeless. Also travel, new acquaintances, even a salary sometimes are opened to you!
Why are internships cool?
Your resume will become stronger
People with international experience stand out, and companies notice this. Studies say that graduates who have completed an internship are employed faster and start their careers with a higher salary.
Practice is the best teacher
Universities give theory, but only work will show how things really work. You will learn from professionals, master both hard and soft skills.
Tongue
Even if you don't have a perfect command of it, many internships take people with basic knowledge. The environment will help you master the language faster than any textbook.
Making the world a better place
Volunteering is an opportunity to make a mark: from cleaning beaches to teaching children. In addition, studies show that volunteers feel happier.
Globetrotting
An internship is not only a job, it is a chance to see the world, try yourself in a different culture, live in a different way.
Difficult moments
The competition is high
Finding a place is not so easy, many companies do not want to invest resources in those who are likely to leave in six months. For example, in 2023, the competition increased by 65%, and only 1% of candidates received a place.
Not always everything is so rosy
Instead of working on projects, you may be making coffee and scanning documents. This is also part of the experience, but not always pleasant.
The money
An intern's salary often does not cover visa, housing, and food costs. Agents, if you use their help, also charge. An internship is more of an investment than a way to make money.
Types of Internships
Professional Internships
Everything is serious here: the contract, tasks, the opportunity to stay in the company on a permanent basis. You can get in either through the university or on your own.
Volunteering
It's about the idea. You will be involved in social or environmental projects. Often the organizers cover all expenses, but it is unlikely that you will be able to make money.
What do you need?
- Age (usually from 18 years old),
- Language proficiency (most often from level B1),
- Resume, motivation letter, sometimes portfolio,
- For some vacancies, a confirmation of financial solvency is required.
What's next?
After the internship, you can stay: many companies perceive an internship as a probationary period, and if they like you, they will offer a job. Volunteering is more difficult — most often you need to change your visa to a work or student one.
What if you have zero experience?
Yes, the selections are often strict, at least you need to know English (at least B1-B2), and sometimes the language of the host country. The resume should also not be empty — show at least your course projects or volunteer experience.
By the way, internships are paid! It sounds a little unfair, but yes – the cost of visa, flight, and accommodation often falls on the intern. There are paid programs, but more often their payment covers only a small part of the costs.
How to search?
Here are a few platforms where internships can be found:
- Students Go Abroad – internships and volunteering in different countries,
- LinkedIn – yes, not just for connecting with former colleagues!
- GoAbroad – for travel and career opportunities,
- Job Monkey — internships even in unpopular student areas,
- WayUp — search for internships specifically in the United States,
- Search engines: AIESEC, IAESTE, Idealist,
- Organizations: UN, UNICEF, WHO,
- Your university: its career center can help,
- Direct appeal to the company: sometimes a personal letter opens the doors!
Summer Internships: Top Options
We have collected some interesting programs:
- H&M (Sweden). Work at the H&M head office in Stockholm: mentors, real cases in the field of marketing and management, the opportunity to learn how the fashion giant is managed from the inside. Sounds tempting, right?
- Uniflucht GmbH (Germany). If you like to create content (photos, videos) and travel, this is for you! The German company organizes trips to Europe and invites creative students to participate.
- Google BOLD Internship (USA). Leadership, project management, visualization — and all this in a cult company. Isn't it a dream?
- Toyota (Belgium). If you want to work in the automotive industry, an internship at Toyota is a ticket to the world of digitalization and automation in supply chains.
- L'Oréal (everywhere). Perfumery, cosmetics, project management, work in laboratories - choose what you like best!
- Medical Traineeship KTU Farabi Hospital (Turkey). Scale, technology and medical education. The internship lasts two months, but those who study in medical fields: from orthopedics to family therapy can take part.
- Oyster Worldwide Summer Internship (UK). Conscious travel, sustainable development, support for the environment. Here they help people see the world from a different perspective. What to do? A little bit of everything: marketing, PR, sales, finance, and all this in the real conditions of the travel business.
- Erasmus Barcelona Marketing Internship (Spain). This young and energetic company is looking for interns who will help make their social networks and website better, brighter, more visible. The tasks include the development and implementation of marketing strategies, advertising and digital marketing.
- Startup Greece Digital Marketing Intern (Greece). Sun, sea and startups - this is how this internship can be described. What should be done? Create marketing strategies, attract target audiences, increase brand awareness, all in a sunny and inspiring environment.
An internship abroad is not about "relaxing and coming back with beautiful photos". It's about understanding yourself, trying new things, and getting out of your comfort zone. If you are ready, go ahead!
