Interning abroad has always been an excellent preparation for the world of work and an effective way to acquire new skills from a different perspective while familiarizing yourself with a new culture. Students today have a wide range of internship programs available to them. With proper preparation, you'll reap all the benefits of an internship abroad.
Good planning: the key to success
Signing up for an internship abroad isn't something you should do on a whim. It's important to identify the country you're interested in and see how an internship there will benefit your education. There are several details to consider, starting with your means and available financial aid. You should also inquire about accommodation and food.
Living in another country is a great opportunity to learn another language, but if you already have a good grasp of that language, it makes sense to choose an internship where you can take advantage of that advantage. After all, you may have the opportunity to practice your profession where the internship is taking place.
Your educational institution is best placed to guide you and provide you with concrete resources to plan your internship abroad. There are many partnerships between educational institutions and foreign companies. You can also turn to large French companies with subsidiaries abroad. If you're willing to pay a certain amount to facilitate the search, you can seek help from a specialized agency that will find an internship and handle the formalities.
Programs for all countries
While it's widely accepted that internship opportunities are easier to find in Europe, there are still ways to find your niche almost anywhere on the planet. However, some remote areas are harder to access and offer little financial assistance, such as China and Brazil.
The European Commission offers valuable support to students seeking an internship within the European Union. Among other things, it funds the ESN (Erasmus Student Network) association, which connects students seeking an internship abroad with other students who have already done so. These students can recommend candidates to the company that has already hosted them.
The Erasmus+ program also integrates all forms of exchange into student training. Whether you're a university student or a high school student, the program is accessible. If an agreement has been reached between institutions, then the internship is within your reach. The program includes all 28 member countries of the European Union and a few others, including Macedonia and Turkey. Great Britain is still participating in the program since its exit from the EU has not yet been finalized.
To get an idea of internship opportunities, it is also recommended to consult the Découvrir le monde website, which helps young people aged 18 to 30 to directly find organizations that offer internships in the country that interests you.
