You already know the benefits of doing professional internships abroad; Therefore, let’s talk about how to get them. These are 8 tips with which you can get internships in another country, starting with the most important thing: enroll in a vocational course. Take note.
1. Enroll in vocational courses abroad
If you want to study in another country , we recommend taking vocational courses, it is more fun. The reason is that, unlike those at the university level, these programs do not focus too much on theory, but rather on practice so that you acquire relevant skills.
When you take vocational courses, you don’t spend hours reading books or writing academic texts. Most of your time is spent in highly stimulating practical classes taught by professionals in the industry you want to work in when you graduate.
The icing on the cake is that many vocational courses include internships abroad. Schools have agreements with companies where you can do internships to put your knowledge into practice and, of course, gain experience in the real world.
Math doesn’t lie: practical classes + internships = success! After completing your course, you know your profession well and have experience and skills that employers often ask of their candidates, which helps you get a good job fairly quickly.
2. Define what type of internship abroad you want to do
Before looking for internships abroad, you should be clear about what type of internship you want to do. Generally, the unpaid ones are the easiest to get (there is not as much competition), they have slightly more flexible schedules and there is not as heavy a workload.
On the other hand, paid ones (which are every student’s dream, we know), do not grow on trees, you have to know how to look for them. In this case, you are like any other employee, so greater performance is required of you and, perhaps, you must perform more tasks.
3. Meet all curricular requirements
When you know what type of professional internship abroad you want to do, you should make sure that you meet the curricular requirements to do them. For example, that you have finished all your subjects and that you have the necessary credits to work as an intern.
Something else you should consider is that some schools require a minimum GPA to do internships, so you need to have optimal academic performance. Also, that is important if you want to study at another school or university later.
4. Look for internships in companies with which your school has agreements
If you enroll in a vocational school, finding an internship abroad is not too difficult. These institutions have job boards and agreements with companies from different sectors so that students complete an internship period before graduating.
You can talk to the authorities at your school in charge of this issue so they can explain what internships are available, which companies are looking for interns, how much they pay… Once you have all the information, compare options and choose the most convenient one.
Another alternative to looking for internships abroad is to talk to your professors. Some of them probably know companies or institutions that hire interns, or they can give you useful advice on finding a good internship. All help counts.
Or, if one of your classmates is doing some internship, ask them how they got it! He may not only give you good tips, but also help you get into the company where he is working as an intern. Believe us, networking often pays off .
5. Prepare a resume that makes you shine
It is possible that, before accepting you, the company where you want to do professional internships abroad will ask for your resume; that is the method they use to ensure that you are a suitable candidate. This does not always happen, but there are some cases.
Therefore, it is important that you update your resume in time. Include relevant information (contact and career information, technical and soft skills , awards…) and explain, in a clear and motivational way, what you hope to achieve by doing these internships in another country.
6. And write an impressive cover letter
When you have your resume ready, another important step comes: writing a cover letter that leaves more than one person with their mouths open. Take this opportunity to talk about the personal and academic attributes that make you the best candidate.
Other advice we can give you is to write a personalized letter (do not use templates) and to exalt all your skills; confidence is a must when looking for internships abroad. Oh, and review it before submitting to correct any errors.
7. Prepare for a possible interview
Some employers like to interview interns before saying “yes,” so we recommend rehearsing before the big day. Practice answers to common questions like “why do you want to do this internship?” or “why are you the ideal candidate?”
On the day of the interview, dress professionally, first impressions matter, and arrive on time; If necessary, set 20 alarms and leave home early. When the meeting is about to end, ask questions to clarify doubts and to show interest.
8. Keep an open mind when choosing your internship abroad
Our last recommendation for finding internships abroad is to keep an open mind. There are times that internships do not meet your expectations because they are not paid or because the company does not attract your attention much; however, don’t rule them out!
All internships are excellent for gaining work experience and making professional contacts that will help you find a job in the future. Likewise, if you do a good job, your employer might hire you indefinitely.
