Now that 2017 is over, the New Year is a chance to start fresh. With all of 2018 ahead of you, it’s time to think about where you want this year to take you, what you want to accomplish and how you want to grow over the next 365 days. One great way to get a lot accomplished in 2018 is to ring in the New Year with an internship abroad. You’ll grow professionally, personally and see the world with a whole new set of eyes.
There are few things that change your point of view as much as international travel and cultural immersion. Learning about another culture offers a new set of eyes through which you see the world. You start to recognize all the intricate details, differences and human truths that another culture offers. You’ll also learn that there’s so much beyond what your own culture brings to the table.
International internships are an attractive line on the resume. Hiring managers will take a second look if they see you’ve worked in a major international city in your field. Professional experience abroad shows you’re willing to go the extra mile(s) to develop professionally.
The raw discovery of being somewhere new is one of the most exciting parts of living abroad. Exploring a new international city offers a true sense of wonder that’s hard to find somewhere else. If you ring in the New Year with an internship abroad, you’ll engage your sense of inner child.
An internship abroad is an excellent opportunity to invest in your education on multiple fronts. You’ll learn both about your career field, as you’ll be interning full-time in your profession. You’ll also be learning about a new country, its history, culture, music and customs. You’ll be exhausted at the end of each day because of how much new information you soaked in.
An international internship is a fabulous way to make friends with interesting people from all over the world. You’ll hang out with other interns from different parts of the world, while exploring a city that’s new to both of you. You’ll also make friends at your office, learning about this new culture firsthand from your colleagues.
Though all of our internships are in English, you’ll definitely be able to practice a new language while interning abroad. From ordering tapas in Spanish in Madrid, to going to the grocery store in Shanghai, an internship abroad will leave you with a new set of vocabulary in a foreign tongue.
An internship abroad is a great way to energize your life and new year. You’ll see home in a new way and have all these new experiences that you’re bringing to life back home. After being away for so long, you’ll also really appreciate your friends and family when you get back and all the cultural traditions you missed while away.
Going abroad also invokes an inner spiritual journey and tests your strength and patience. Going abroad, as exciting as it is, requires a positive attitude and willingness to be uncomfortable sometimes. In challenging times, it’s vital to take the time to reflect.
Photos:
1. based on 19/365 Happy Chinese New Year, by Wenchieh Yang, Public Domain
2. based on Adventures, by Janet Ramsden, CC-by-2.0