Completing an internship is an interesting experience, but it's even more so when it takes place in an international context. It must be said that finding an internship abroad is difficult, but not impossible.
A project that is prepared in advance
For a young person who wishes to do an internship abroad , they must ensure that they provide an internship agreement, in addition to a valid passport (or an identity document, when it comes to European Union countries for interns coming from a member country).
It's also important to plan your internship carefully, especially when it comes to the financial aspect. You'll need to budget enough for your stay, especially since many countries don't require companies to pay interns. Housing is another crucial aspect to plan in advance.
When deciding to do an internship abroad, young people must consider the various administrative procedures to be undertaken, which may take some time depending on the destination. A visa or permit may be required for certain countries. The best option is to contact the educational institution. They can facilitate several procedures and put the student in touch with host families, as well as partner companies if necessary. Students should obviously look for an internship abroad several months in advance, focusing on certain destinations that offer many more opportunities than others.
Preparation of applications
Applying for an international internship is not easy, as you have to contact several host companies and demonstrate perseverance and tenacity before you can get a result. It's important to remember that companies prefer interns who are on-site, as they are easy to contact.
To begin with, it is recommended to refer to your school, but also to specialized job sites. Among the most popular platforms in this field are: Club Teli, My internship abroad, Projects Abroad, CEI, Alzea, IASTE (for science students), Eurodesk, the Erasmus+ program , among others.
And to increase your chances, sending unsolicited applications is an option not to be overlooked, as is activating your network of contacts. It would also be interesting to take advantage of social networks, which can be very useful in finding an internship abroad. Obviously, the most important network is LinkedIn, which allows you to get in direct contact with companies. Another vein to follow is that of trade fairs and exhibitions, where it would be possible to meet multinationals operating in different countries and which may offer internships internationally.
When applying for an internship abroad, it's important to carefully prepare your resume and cover letter. This is essential if the applicant doesn't have extensive experience or a well-stocked resume. You should consider adapting your application to the culture of the target country. While some countries require a photo on a resume, companies in other destinations, such as Canada, prefer resumes without a photo. Therefore, it's recommended to carefully consider the presentation and what you should and shouldn't include in your resume depending on the destination you're applying for.
To achieve more efficient and timely results, it's obviously important to send out numerous applications to increase your chances. However, it's also important to track their progress and follow up as needed. This approach is extremely important because it highlights the candidate's interest and strong desire to join the organization. That said, it's important to proceed with caution and moderation to avoid backfiring.
During the interview, the candidate must be convincing. There's little need to travel to the interview, as companies are increasingly favoring virtual interviews. It's important to know how to highlight your characteristics and personality, especially given your lack of experience. It's also important to demonstrate your motivation and explain the reason for choosing to move abroad. This also reassures the employer about your autonomy, a characteristic that's highly required for an experience abroad.
