So you’re thinking of spending your summer abroad as an international student. Good choice—it’s a thrilling and inspiring time of your life! Summer internships are undeniably valuable for college students and their resumes, and adding an intercultural learning component to the typical internship experience will help a resume stand out even more in a landscape that grows increasingly competitive every year.
Having a productive summer doesn’t mean giving up adventure.
Full immersion in another culture by interning and living abroad offers an opportunity to develop a variety of skills (think adaptability, maturity, independence, and cross-cultural communication). You may learn a new language and you’ll definitely grow your global network. Traveling abroad to participate in an internship may even lead to other international opportunities—the travel bug has bitten many a summer intern!
When looking for a summer internship, you’ll want to search for positions that fit your needs and will help you reach your goals. Start thinking about when you should apply for summer internships, what your focus will be, and where you want to go! Starting early and keeping an open mind when searching for opportunities is key to scoring the internship of your dreams.
When do summer internships start?
When thinking about your summer internship timeline, take into consideration that internships around the world have various start times. However, if you’re in the Northern Hemisphere you’ll most likely start in May or June.
While some summer internships may be flexible with start and end dates, you should make sure to confirm when you’ll be able to start and that your timeline aligns with that of your potential employer, as well as with your academic schedule.
When should you apply for summer internships?
Set goals and apply for opportunities early on.
The application and visa process may take some time, so apply early for the internships you’re interested in! For larger companies, you may need to start as early as the year before to secure a spot. For most positions, a few months prior is sufficient.
There may be additional components to the application for summer internships for international students, like letters of recommendation or a language test, which could take additional time to receive/schedule. When searching for internships abroad take note of the requirements and eligibility for each so you can easily reference them later on.
How long are summer internships?
The typical summer internship for international students is two to four months long. (But you can find even shorter programs—like this two-week micro-internship in Costa Rica with Roots Interns!) There may be an orientation or training period for interns but be prepared to jump right into your new role! Summer internships are designed to last long enough to make an impact for both the intern and the employer.
Opting for a longer internship if you can will mean you’ll gain additional, valuable hands-on experience, meet more people, and level up on your professional development. You’ll also have more time to spend exploring your new surroundings, learning the local language, and let’s be honest, having the time of your life!
If you have to reduce your time abroad due to school or other responsibilities, you’ll still be able to create lifelong memories and add a unique, stand-out experience to your resume.
How to find summer internships abroad
When it comes to finding a summer internship abroad, it all comes down to focus, location, requirements, and eligibility. Finding summer internships abroad is as easy as these six steps:
1. Choose your focus
Are you trying to gain experience in your field or explore a new interest?
Beyond enhancing your resume and impressing graduate school admissions officers, interning abroad is your chance to see if the career path you’ve chosen is right for you. If you don’t particularly care about getting credit to count toward your degree, it can also be used as a way to explore other fields that may be of interest to you.
Since you won’t be doing other coursework, a summer internship offers a chance to really focus on what you’re passionate about, from marine science to marketing and everything in between!
2. Search for available programs
There are a few things to ask yourself when searching for available programs, like:
- Which countries/companies have a demand for jobs with your field of focus?
- Where can you easily obtain a visa?
- What language do you want to learn?
- Do you need a paid internship opportunity or one that falls within a certain timeframe?
Depending on your criteria, you can narrow your search. Just keep in mind that being more flexible will result in more opportunities. If you’re going through a program provider (rather than your university or applying directly to a company), they may be able to assist you in finding the ideal fit based on all your criteria.
3. Contact your career center or study abroad office at school
Loop in your advisor to see how far your internship experience can go.
It’s always a good idea to communicate with your school about your academic plans, especially when pursuing an international education or work experience. They may have valuable information and advice when it comes to interning abroad in the summer—you’re surely not the first student to do so!
Communicate with your career center or study abroad office well in advance of starting your internship (and ideally before even applying)! Your assigned advisor may even have recommendations on which program to choose.
4. Make sure your credits will transfer
If you’re seeking an internship to get a leg up on your peers, make sure it will count as course credits or fulfill other graduation requirements. Sometimes, an international experience won’t directly transfer to your home institution. This is another reason to communicate with your school prior to accepting a summer internship abroad.
If credit transfer isn’t important to you, that’ll might make the search for an internship easier on your end. However, you’ll still need to coordinate with the appropriate offices at your school, to make sure you won’t miss the start of term or other important dates.
5. Apply for the program
Are you already picturing your daily commute?
While applications for internships may vary based on the destination, field, and company, you can expect to be asked for a cover letter, resume, letter of recommendation, and health information.
If the internship is not an English-speaking one, you may need to provide proof that you can speak the local business language. It’s helpful to collect all application materials prior to starting your application(s), to ensure the process goes as smoothly as possible.
6. Apply for a visa
Depending on your destination, you’ll want to start the visa application process early. The parameters of your visa may require you to make appointments for documents you need, and in some cases you may even need to schedule interviews with immigration officials.
Finding an internship through a program provider can be helpful if you’re unfamiliar with visa application processes, or if this is going to be your very first time abroad. They can provide guidance and potentially apply for important documents on your behalf, reducing stress and workload for you!
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What a summer internship timeline looks like
If you’re excited for your summer internship abroad, why not start planning right now?
You’re doing the hard part right now—researching what it will take to score that unforgettable summer abroad! Here are some helpful steps to follow to make your summer internship a reality:
6 months before summer
- Choose your focus and search for programs
- Talk to the international education office at your university
- Make sure your credits will transfer
- Check to see if your school’s career center has any advice/helpful information
4-5 months before summer
- Apply for programs of interest or work with a program provider to do so
- Start the visa application process once your application is accepted and your destination is finalized
- Check on other entry requirements (make sure your passport is up to date!)
2-3 months before summer
- Continue the visa application process
- If accommodation is not provided, finalize housing
- Create a budget and start a packing list
- Learn a bit of the language and read up on the culture of the place you’ll be living and working in. Pro-tip: research workplace culture as well!
1 month before summer (a few weeks before traveling)
- Confirm you have what you need to enter the country
- Connect with others on your program
- Join social media/community groups to start building your network
- Start packing!
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Why not have the most productive summer ever?
You won’t regret it!
Summer internships abroad are a great way to get out of your comfort zone and expand your horizon. If you’ve ever wondered what it would be like to live in another country, learn another language, meet people from different walks of life, try new foods, and see the world from a different perspective, an internship abroad is the perfect opportunity for you!
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