International interns lead busy lives while abroad. Effective time management skills are truly the key to success. Between full-time internships, social and cultural events, professional development workshops, and maybe even learning a new language, it can be hard to keep organized.
When you’re in a new culture outside of your comfort zone, things can seem a bit overwhelming at first. This is especially true if you’re doing a short-term internship, and don’t have as much time in your new city. You’ll probably have lots you want to do. Utilizing effective time management skills, both during your internship hours and during your free time will ensure a successful experience abroad. The professional development aspect and the personal growth opportunities are equally important. If you manage your time effectively, you’ll be able to take full advantage of both!
Here are the most effective time management skills for busy interns abroad:
Make a list
Start by making a list. Consider starting it before you leave your home country, as you’ll likely have more free time before arriving. Try listing out the top things you want to do while abroad. This could include places to eat and the sites you most want to see. However, it should also include your professional to-dos. If you’re looking to make strides with your new language, find a mentor, or master a professional skill, put it on the list! Organizing your travel plans and professional goals beforehand will make it easier to track them when you arrive in-country. Keep making lists once you start your internship abroad too, especially to-do lists! Writing things down will help you to stay on top tasks, and will become your number one tool for time management at your internship. If you have long to-do lists that look overwhelming, break them down into smaller lists, starting with your priorities.
Prioritize
When you have a limited amount of time, prioritizing is key. No matter how long your international internship is, you probably won’t have time to do and see everything you’d like. There are endless travel opportunities, lots of new people to meet, and an incredible amount of things to learn. Prioritizing your work tasks, top weekend trips, destinations and sites will make it easier to see more, with less stress. Additionally, prioritizing your tasks and assignments in the office will help you to be more effective and efficient, and stand out as a stellar intern! If you're unsure what you should be prioritizing during your internship, set aside time to discuss it with your manager to ensure you're getting the most from this unique experience.
Start early
Getting an early start, whether it’s on your day or a specific project, will afford you a lot of extra time. Consider getting up a bit earlier in the morning to try a local breakfast dish before work, or to walk by one of the top sites on your list. Additionally, getting a head start on your assignments or projects will help you be more methodical and thorough, as you won’t be rushing to finish things right before the deadline.
Ask for help
Interning abroad means being part of a unique, global community. Reaching out to your fellow interns, your supervisor, or the local team for help when you need it can often be the best way to come up with a solution. Additionally, a local perspective is often exactly what you need if facing an issue in your new country. Don’t hesitate to ask for help if you need it. You’ll find people around you are more than happy to lend a hand to keep you on track with your goals and priorities.
Breathe and take a break
It’s easy to get stressed out by looking at the big list of things you need to do, and the little time you have to do them. While a little bit of stress might be good to help you stay focused with an approaching deadline, too much stress will negatively impact your productivity. Remember to breathe, stretch, or take a little walk if you’re feeling overwhelmed. You’ll come back to your task in a new, refreshed state of mind.
Use time management tools
Creating a place to store your to-do lists and deadlines is crucial for time management success at your internship. Some people prefer the old-school organizational methods of pen and paper. Others would rather store information digitally on an app or website such as Momentum or Timeful. Play around with a couple, figure out which method works best for you, and stick to it. If you keep your essential tools organized, you'll find you'll feel a lot more organized in yourself. You could even turn on "Focus Mode" on your phone to prevent yourself from being distracted by notifications!
