Why an International Internship?

Many people ask if they should get an international internship.  The common response from CALS Career Services is, “Yes!”  International internships are very different from any other experience you will have in your life and it looks good to employers.  This is why if you are able to have an international experience, we feel it is a necessary experience to have.  To learn more about specific opportunities you can go to the International Internships workshop tonight in 2301 Microbial Sciences from 5:30-6:30 p.m.

Traveling abroad has been very rewarding to me as well as several other people.  One thing I have gained from traveling abroad is a greater understanding of other countries.  My international business professor explained to us one day that you can learn all you want out of a textbook about a country, but you can never “understand” that country at its core until you travel to it.  The things we learn when immersed in a culture that are not in the books we read are their beliefs, attitudes and several other things.  Maybe what a certain gesture means or how they do business.  You gain a much broader knowledge and understanding about the culture and country.  You may also experience a moment of understanding about the American culture.  While traveling, new discoveries about the way Americans are viewed may become present, whether favorable or antagonist.

While traveling abroad you may also experience times of personal growth.  When you are abroad you are not able to go home and be in your comfort zone.  You are essentially forced to step out of your box and adapt to your surroundings.  You are then more likely in the future to stick with something that is not enjoyable.  You know how to adapt and learn in a better manner.

This trait also shows a lot about your character.  An employer notices that you were able to go to a country and stick it out.  This perseverance shows the employer that you will stick with their company through the hard times and become more loyal to the company and not just swim back to shore when the seas get rough.

Not only will you experience personal growth, but you can also learn a new language.  New languages are hot commodities in a company because you never know when a company may need you to cover a foreign business venture.  That language you learned may come in handy in these situations and several more.

The relationships you will make may last a lifetime and eventually help you when you are struggling.  When I went to Brazil I toured an AI company in Brazil.   Later come to know it was Alta Genetics and I had toured their Brazilian location.  I met people at that facility that could some day help me get a job in an Alta Genetics location here in the U.S. Not only do you meet contacts, but also life-long friends that you can always talk to.

For all of you graduate/professional school people, studying abroad is very important to you as well.  Often times the application to get in to the study abroad program is similar to the application to get into a professional/graduate program.  Your application for the graduate/professional school is also enhanced for all of the same reasons your job search would be.  Some applications are beginning to expect it because students going on the professional/graduate degrees often have abroad experience.

If you are looking to put your experience in your resume, look for ways to highlight this experience.  Help your resume create a talking point for your interview.  Also make sure you put some great statements about how you grew during this endeavor that are in line with what was said were some advantages. Resumes are a great way to highlight your adventure and should be utilized to their fullest potential.

If you would like any further information about possible travel abroad opportunities please visit the CALS International Programs Office website.