There are few things as transformative as an extended experience abroad. It’s a paradigm-shifting kind of thing – especially for people who have never been to a foreign country to begin with. Suddenly, the world seems so much bigger! Life is too short to not go abroad. Learn all the ways in which an international internship can enrich your life and put you on the right path towards achieving your career goals. Here are 7 ways international internships change lives.
Living in a foreign city for an extended amount of time gives you an unreal amount of insight into how another culture lives and breathes. Through this experience you’re able to recognize how a completely different society operates and, in a way, understand your own society better as well. Gaining a new perspective is one of the most powerful ways international internships change lives.
The opportunity to meet young professionals from all over the world is a unique perk of an international internship program. You’ll have the chance to spend time with interesting people from countries on every continent. You’ll enjoy learning from their diverse perspectives, expand your networking opportunities and end up with places to crash in intriguing foreign cities like Shanghai, New York and Madrid.
Language learning comes with a slew of amazing benefits. Not only is it an important tool to connect to people in another culture, but it also makes you sharper, more perceptive and a better communicator. Knowing more than just your native language also makes you more competitive in the job market.
International travel can often restore your trust in humanity. You’ll see that there are good people willing to help out a complete, foreign stranger just about anywhere. It’s a good way to check in with your own humanity and remember to pay that kindness back in whatever ways you can.
Whether you’re a college grad trying to break into your career or a freshman looking to fill your summers with relevant experience, an internship will bump you up another level or two professionally. International work experience will call attention to your resume when you apply for a job and certainly be addressed at your next interview.
Going abroad will help turn your mindset outwards towards the rest of the world, instead of being so focused of what’s happening in your home country or your region. The world is a big place, there’s so much to know, see and understand. An international internship will help you realize what you’re missing out on.
International travelers are among the most open-minded people in the world. Seeing different ways of life and world views – and taking the time to understand and accept them – is an important process you undergo while you’re abroad. You’ll start to see that everyone all over the world is just trying to do the best for themselves. You may think one way, but you’ll learn to respect and tolerate the different opinions of others.
Sources: http://www.goodreads.com/quotes/tag/travel
Photo 1. by The Intern Group
Photo 2. by The Intern Group
Photo 3. by The Intern Group