7 Surprising Essentials To Pack In Your Suitcase For Your Internship

Packing your luggage shouldn’t always fill you with dread. There’s a nice tingle and rush of endorphins that comes after each packed suitcase. So why not get extra help for it?!

Here are seven indispensable essentials you can’t survive without during your internship. Spoiler alert… they’re not what you think!

A bit more abstract than you probably expected, this essential will help you get through your time abroad. 

It’s not uncommon to experience episodes of depression or emotional gloom after you arrive someplace new or foreign. 

That’s why it’s advisory to take an item that will keep you close to home at all times and inspire courage. Something like a totem you turn to in times of need. 

This may be a lucky pen you normally carry around; a necklace or a ring your mom gave you. Alternatively, pack your wallet or purse with photos of loved ones.

And don’t let people sneer at you for being nostalgic! Scientists determine that the bittersweet longing we call nostalgia acts as an emotional stimulant. Instead of chaining us to our past, nostalgia ‘raises our spirit and vitality’.

So next time you feel like an impostor, pull a family photo out of your bag. And rejoice in memories for a moment before diving in the new ones you’re about to create!

You’re probably visiting a brand new country; or at most one you’ve only briefly experienced.  

In any case, going somewhere new requires research into the country’s climate and people! 

For example, North America, Australia, Europe and Asia all have diverse climates. So depending on where you’re going, the weather might not be what you expect. That’s why in the US you get sunny spots like San Francisco, but can also enjoy the chillier, continental climate of New York.  

But even the most thorough of meteorological investigations can’t fully prepare you for the upcoming storm of cultural shockers. Just like the weather, people also need acclimatising to. 

For that purpose, pack an open mindset and a good heart alongside that wool jumper and extra jacket. 

If life’s too sedentary and lacklustre, or we spend too long in the status quo, our mindsets can stagnate. This type of mental deadlock is known as a ‘fixed mindset’. 

Fixed mindsets are based on your accumulated world wisdom and self-perception thus far. They are the concrete basis of your immediate sensation of yourself and the world around you. 

And while at a glance this doesn’t seem negative, they can have a pernicious side effect. For Stanford Psychologist Dr. Carole Wreck, a fixed mindset creates ‘an urgency to prove yourself over and over’ because they make you reluctant to put yourself in someone else’s shoes. 

Over time a fixed mindset can prompt delusions or inflate prejudices, making you believe you ‘have a royal flush when you’re secretly worried it’s a pair of tens’. 

The antidote for the fixed mindset is one of growth. Aptly named the ‘growth mindset’, this is the one that nurtures creativity and a sense of equity. 

Adjusting to a new way of life or experiencing culture shock can be difficult. That’s why Beyond Academy’s crew of career experts, coaches and community team offer invaluable tips to overcoming career apprehension and confusion. They’ll help you to feel at home in your new surroundings.

You’re about to step on a new edifice of culture and values. So don’t take anything at face value and just enjoy the ride! 

Of course, you’ll need to ensure you pack enough contact lenses, and if you use them, don’t forget your glasses case!

But the best way to soak up the new experiences ahead is to capture them with your camera.

It may sound cheese-y (pun intended) but freezing moments in time is the best way to reminisce about your adventures. But photographs aren’t just for decoration. 

They are an important reminder of your findings about life in the outside world. Each photograph bears a meaning unique to the moment it was taken. 

Perhaps you snapped a shot of Mount Fuji before you visited a nearby ramen restaurant in Tokyo. You’ll not only recount the tasty ramen you slurped, but the people you met and intriguing stories locals have proudly shared with you.

So have your battery charged or your SD card cleared and ready, and experience life as you record it!

From the moment you book your flight to when the plane sets its wheels down on the airport tarmac, you’ll undoubtedly be picturing all the cool sights you’re about to visit. 

We suggest you plan ahead so you get the most out of your experience. Knowing a rough idea of your itinerary in advance will arm you with knowledge too. Why not find out when the places you want to visit will be open to avoid missing out? That way, when you arrive and get settled, you will know what to prioritize. 

You can either buy a comprehensive, pocketable tour guide, use Google Maps, or download an app like TripAdvisor for ideas too.  

However, no one can match a local’s breadth of knowledge. Instead of entrusting your experience to an app, why not consult with Beyond Academy’s local community team?

In addition to organizing our unique day trips in our 14 worldwide locations, our dedicated local team will be on hand to help. Wondering where to get a slice of the finest New York pizza? Or how to quickly get from the East of London to Piccadilly Circus? Beyond’s local team will be on hand throughout your internship to answer your questions! 

So this is perhaps a more tangible thing to ensure you take with you. But you’d be surprised how many interns forget. Bring any medication or GP-prescribed medicine with you if you need it, as acquiring it elsewhere may be problematic.

It’s important to do some fact checking before setting off. Not all countries allow all types of medicine to cross their borders and most require you to have a prescription or doctor’s note. 

In addition, if you have allergies, be sure to find out how to say them in the native tongue of your internship location. Better still, write them down on a small piece of paper and keep it on you at all times – somewhere accessible like your purse or wallet. This is especially important if you want to enjoy all of the new and exciting cuisine that awaits you but you aren’t too sure of the ingredients!

This is an internship after all, not a holiday. Over the course of your internship, you’ll want to take regular notes of your experience. 

Even if you don’t write a diary or journal regularly, it can be useful to get in the habit of doing so on your internship.

There will be talks, events, and discussions about everything related to your program and industry. Dozens of people will convene at venues to listen intently about what industry leaders have to say. 

As the Romans would say, ‘verba volant, scripta manent’. This roughly translates to: spoken words fly away, the written ones remain. 

It’s the best way to ponder over what’s being said while the discussion is going on. And, moreover, it’s the best way to revisit old ideas and reminisce after your internship ends.

Perhaps the toughest item to find on our list!

We’re all searching for the best of ourselves. It can take years until we succeed at this too. But don’t worry, your internship will teach you so much about yourself and your ability. It will be a truly unforgettable experience and will shape your future career.

For now, the best way to bring out your full potential and peak performance is by being yourself. Don’t forget this, and never be ashamed to show it!  

As you gain work experience in your chosen sector, you will grow and develop your skills naturally. With our support and guidance you’ll feel empowered and excited to take the next steps in your career and become the best version of yourself !

So, check out all the amazing industries waiting for the best of you and go Beyond! Already embarking on an immersive internship program? Find out more on our FAQs page.