International Internships - Will Working Abroad Give You an Edge?

As the concept of a "shrinking world" becomes universal, business are becoming increasingly aware of the advantages of overseas travel and experience. Business now reaches beyond country borders and companies are constantly working to create good working relations with their foreign counterparts. Getting a Bachelors Degree is slowly losing its charm as more and more people choose to go to university and in order to give yourself an edge over the competition you're going to need something extra. So the question you should be asking yourself is - What is your competitive advantage?

The Benefits of doing your internship overseas…

Make friends (aka. future employers)

Make contacts and create solid relationships with professionals abroad. As much as we don’t like to admit it, knowing the right people does make a difference.

Boost your CV/resume

Experience of living and working abroad can really boost your CV/resume. It shows that you're not afraid of a challenge and that you are willing to accommodate change. What's more, it shows that you have a global business awareness that many applicants lack.

Global experience

Your experience could be really useful to potential employers - in some cases you may even understand the global market better than your employer. You'll be able to back-up your ideas and suggestions with real situations and this will do you no end of good from the moment you write your CV to the day that you leave.

Discover a new culture through an aspect of life that interests you

If travel or volunteering does not interest you then the main selling point of an internship will be the opportunity to gain knowledge through conversations with specialists in your chosen field. Through interning, observe differing ways of business between this new culture and your local culture.

Learn about the world through somebody else’s eyes

There are millions of people in the world from unique and different perspectives - the more you travel, the more you'll be able to see through their eyes and understand the why the world works the way it does.

Become sensitive to other cultures and their business practices

You will benefit from understanding a country's core values and thought processes allowing you to create positive relationships with international businesses and business people. The ability to understand how cultures function in the business world is extremely valuable to effective communication.

Experience a 9-to-5 job somewhere else

Create a new home for yourself thousands of miles from your comfort zone. Hit the bars with your co-workers and completely immerse yourself in life in a new country.

Take advantage of your weekends

Travel during your spare time; get to see parts of the world that would not be possible had you taken that oh-so-appealing internship in your home town.

And finally . . . why not?

If the opportunity is there, what are you waiting for? Give yourself a refreshing and different view of the business world, the world in general and yourself. Step out of your comfort zone and create unforgettable and life-changing memories.