international internships
Many U.S. companies offer internships overseas.
How to find a company that offers international internships
International interns will be relieved to know that many American companies offer international internships. In fact, there are more than double the number of U.S.-based companies with internship programs in other countries compared to the number of foreign-based companies offering internship positions in the United States. Some of these companies include the following:
- Microsoft (Singapore) offers a summer internship program for students interested in an immersive experience and career opportunities working on real projects, problems, and issues with possible business impact.
- JPMorgan Chase & Company (Hong Kong) provides internships that develop skills such as problem solving, teamwork and leadership. Interns gain valuable experience needed for a competitive edge after graduation as well as access to experienced colleagues who mentor, guide and inspire them throughout their time with the company.
- General Electric International (locations vary) offers internship experiences that range from 10 weeks to six months at a variety of business locations globally across all its businesses: power, aviation, renewable energy, oil gas and healthcare. Consider applying for this position if you’re looking for an opportunity abroad where your professional skills can grow while you make an impact on global markets!
Some international internships may be paid, but many are unpaid.
At a glance, the idea of being able to intern abroad might seem too good to be true. While many companies do pay interns, some may offer little or no salary. This could mean that you’re earning less than minimum wage or nothing at all.
If you are interning internationally and find yourself in one of these situations, it’s important to know your rights as an employee. Research the laws in your host country to learn more about local labor laws and clarify your workplace expectations with your supervisor, particularly if you’ve been told that you will receive compensation and haven’t yet seen it arrive.
It’s possible that the internship is unpaid because it doesn’t actually meet the definition of an internship (such as if they have you doing menial tasks like cleaning or making coffee). If this is the case, the company is probably violating the law and should be reported. Unpaid internships can still give valuable experience despite not paying anything under certain legal conditions, but it’s your responsibility to know what those conditions are
International internships can provide opportunities for language instruction and travel.
The benefits of interning abroad can be as valuable as the work experience itself. The obvious benefit is the travel component, but there’s so much more to it than that. Here are just a few of the possibilities that present themselves when you take your internship abroad.
- Language instruction
- Travel within your host country
- Exposure to a new culture and lifestyle
You need a visa to work in some countries, which can sometimes require several months or even a year to obtain.
You will likely need a visa to work in some countries. Visa requirements vary from country to country and even among cities within the same country.
- Costs can also vary significantly, depending on the type of visa you apply for and where you live.
- Applications can take several months to be processed, so it’s best to start early.
- You may need to apply for your visa in your home country or another nearby country before entering the host country. Check with local authorities first.
- Visas are not required in some countries; make sure to check if visas are required for citizens of your home country or not!
It’s very important you check your home country’s travel advisories before seeking an internship abroad.
It’s very important you check your home country’s travel advisories before seeking an internship abroad.
A good place to start is the Bureau of Consular Affairs website, which offers travelers information about safety and security risks at their destination. If the advisory is elevated, it could mean citizens might be affected by a crisis for a long duration of time or face health risks in another country. Additionally, it’s recommended that you register online with your embassy so they can contact you in case of emergency, and consider enrolling in STEP (Smart Traveler Enrollment Program), which allows U.S. travelers to stay connected with the nearest U.S. embassy or consulate during natural disasters or civil unrest.
In addition to ensuring your destination is safe for travel, it’s also important that you make sure your passport is valid for at least six months after your internship and look into whether a visa will be necessary for work purposes; some countries require Americans to get visas ahead of time while others will give them upon arrival (you can find more information on this here).
Some internship programs provide on-site housing or housing subsidies.
In this type of program, you’ll live with other participants, who may be from all over the world. Or perhaps you’ll receive a subsidy (or credit) toward an off-site apartment. It’s important to find out more about the living arrangements before applying since the type of housing offered can impact your overall impression and experience. Ideally, you should live with people from different countries—this will give you a chance to learn about their cultures and backgrounds as well as practice foreign languages.
You’ll likely need vaccinations before traveling abroad for an internship program.
Depending on where you’re traveling, some vaccinations may be required. Your doctor or travel clinic can help you determine which ones you should get. Make sure to schedule your appointment at least a month before your departure—some vaccines need time to be effective, and some require multiple doses over a period of time (for example, the polio vaccine requires multiple doses spread out over several weeks). It’s also wise to bring along any anti-malaria medication that you might need.
Some country’s have an extremely high cost of living, so make sure you know what the financial requirements will be before planning to intern abroad.
Here are some tips to keep in mind:
- Find out more about the currency in the country that you plan on interning in, and learn how it converts into your home currency. Learning about the relative cost of living will also help you prepare for what things will be like when you arrive at your internship location. For example, a meal that costs $8 USD might be on par with a meal costing 10 euros (roughly $11 USD), but eating out for $8 USD in New York City would be considered a bargain compared with dining for 10 euros in Paris (where prices are comparable to New York City).
- Take a closer look at how much basic necessities cost, from food and housing to transportation and entertainment. This will give you a better idea of what expenses you might have while abroad so that once you get there, you can budget accordingly.
- Check out current exchange rates before agreeing to an internship abroad. This should help deepen your understanding of things like how far your money will go, as well as whether or not certain stipends are actually worth the time and effort it takes to complete an international internship.
You can find an international internship if you’re willing to put in the time and effort needed to do it.
The first thing to know about securing an international internship is that it’s not easy. International internships often require a lot more time, money, and effort than traditional internships. It’s important to be flexible with your schedule and able to commit enough time and resources, especially since many of the employers you’ll encounter are new or unfamiliar with international interns. It’s possible—and worth doing if you’re interested in working internationally—but it takes a lot of work.
Most schools don’t offer assistance for students seeking these types of internships because they don’t have the funding or resources to do so. Because of this, it may be helpful to begin by contacting the career services offices at other institutions that have experience providing support for their students during international placements. This can help get you started on your search.