3 Top Tips for Getting The Most Out Of Your Internship Abroad

You’ve secured your firm and you’re all ready to go for your internship abroad. You’re excited and nervous all at once. This is the opportunity of a lifetime, and you don’t want to mess it up.

But without having actually experienced an internship abroad, it can be difficult to know what to expect. And given that you won’t get another shot at making your internship a success, you’ll want to prepare as much as you can before you go.  

So here are our top tips on making the most out of your internship abroad.

It’s an obvious answer, but the first thing you can do to succeed is to really dive into your work. The more you get done, the more of your sector you’ll get to experience. But to really make the most of things, there are a few strategies you can employ.

First, treat your internship as the learning experience it is. You’re not a full employee, and none of your colleagues will expect you to know everything; so don’t pretend that you do! Ask questions and pay attention to the answers; check in with your colleagues whether they have any tips for your work; and observe your co-workers closely as they go about their own tasks.

Second, be proactive about your progress and achievements. It might even be useful to keep a diary as you keep track of what you’ve learned. However you choose to reflect upon things, make sure to organize regular review meetings with your manager. Work out what you’re doing well and where you’re going wrong; this will allow you to continually make improvements and adjustments as you work.

You can’t spend all of your time working hard. We’re not built that way.

So, you’ll want to make sure you’re balancing your hard work with plenty of breaks. Build in some space to enjoy yourself and you’ll benefit immeasurably.

This has two key advantages. The first is that you’ll find yourself making the most of your time in a new city; after all, it’s not just about the work experience. Your experiences here will, if all goes well, help you develop and grow; by taking some time out to make the most of it, you’ll have spent your time here more effectively.

The second is that by taking time out to relax, you’ll make yourself more productive in the periods that you’re working. You’ll be more alert and engaged, and you’ll find yourself more focused throughout the day; enabling you to work better and learn more.

A Beyond Academy internship will provide you with plenty of extra tools for success. If you want to make the most of your time abroad, use them as much as you can.

To start with, we offer a 1-to-1 career session with a qualified coach. This is an opportunity to take a breather from your internship and reflect on what you’ve gained so far. It’s also a great staging post from which to plan your next steps and future career. Best of all, you’ll receive fantastic professional insight while you do it.

We’re also available to provide tailored CV and resume guidance throughout your internship. Your CV is your calling card to employers; getting it working can make all the difference when securing your next job. And you’ll have access to a range of employability tools to boost your professional development.

Utilizing your resources effectively can make or break your internship. Just take a few extra steps and you’ll be ready to face the future.

What’s the difference between a good internship abroad and a great internship abroad?

The experience you’ll receive will be the same. It’s up to you how you take advantage of it.

If you go into your internship intending to make the most of things, and ready to put that extra bit of effort in, you’ll get much more out of it. Whether it’s taking advantage of the support and resources available to you or taking a step back to appreciate the pleasures of your host city.

But most of all, don’t overthink it. Getting anxious about optimizing every second of your internship is a recipe for disaster.

Instead, take a deep breath, follow our tips, and get ready for your fantastic adventure to begin.