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Interning abroad is a great way to add international work experience to your resume as well as getting an opportunity to live and experience the culture of another country. In addition, you will have some unique skills such as diversity, intercultural sensitivity, and the ability to adjust yourself in any culture and work environment.
Regardless of the reason you choose to intern abroad, it is important that you find a quality internship there and gain valuable experience. Here are top 20 countries for international internship.
1. England
One of the global powers, England is home to some of the biggest MNCs of the world. The options here are endless and regardless of the stream you want to intern in, you can secure a well-paid internship in a well-known company. And above all, it is a beautiful and interesting country to live in.
If you land an internship in a big firm, you can easily make anything from £1,000 to £3,000. However, England is an expensive country to live in so do not expect too much of savings.
2. China
Why China? Because it is not only the most populous country but also the fastest growing economy in the world. Experience the rich Chinese culture and see how it is to work in the super-sized yet crowded cities of Beijing, Shanghai or Guangzhou. Getting an internship in China is relatively easy as there are a plethora of opportunities some which offer $6 per day towards daily expenses while some paying $1000 per month. The living expense is not that high and you can easily sustain with the money you’ll get.
You must have a Statement of Purpose (SOP) and an offer in hand from a Chinese workplace in order to get a visa.
3. America
It is probably one of the most preferred destinations for Indian students seeking internship abroad. And why not? One of the most developed nations in the world, America has a plethora of opportunities for students in every field. Interning in the USA will boost your credentials in any field. In addition to being home to several prominent fashion labels, America is also home to some of the biggest hotel chains in the world. The sports industry is massive and so is the media industry in the USA. No matter the degree you are pursuing, there is always a state-of-the-art internship for you in the USA
And if you can manage to get an internship there, chances of getting a Pre-Placement Offer (PPO) is really high. However, the major problem that most Indian students face is that of Visa, which can be rejected for a silly reason. If you have a letter from an employer, getting visa becomes much easier though.
4. Australia
Australia is one of the most diverse countries offering an internship in almost every industry from software to marketing, arts, business, conservation, tourism, arts and lot more. You don’t have the pressure to learn a different language as English is the primary language. The weather is great and the people are very friendly here. In addition to earning an average intern stipend of $17 to $20 per day, you will also make some great friends here.
In order to be able to do an internship in Australia, you need a 408 Temporary Activity Visa. Having a letter from your employer comes handy in getting the visa.
To know more about the Visa formalities, click here.
5. Argentina
Do you love the Spanish language and Spanish people? Are you looking for a valuable career experience as well as an opportunity to brush your language skills? If yes, Argentina is a wonderful country to intern in. The country offers some amazing internship opportunities in the field of business, marketing, law and communications. (Not so much in software).
However, it is important to know that there is a reciprocity fee for Indians to enter the country as well as a program fees charged by the organizations. You might not earn money in Argentina but you will surely gain a lot of valuable experience.
Connect-123 and Bueno Airlines are some internships worth exploring.
6. New Zealand
Looking for an offbeat internship? How about interning in the field of conservation of ski instructing? Sounds interesting? If yes, welcome to New Zealand. With its ravishing flora and rolling green hills, an internship at New Zealand will be nothing less than a beautiful adventure. The average stipend for interning at New Zealand is around NZD 450 per month. However, if you have got some skills, you can easily get much more.
If the internship tenure is more than 3 months, you will have to apply for a visitor visa and show sufficient funds in order to get that.
Check out various internship opportunities in NZ
7. Spain
If you have not yet watched ‘Zindagi Naa Milegi Dobara’ and need reasons to intern in Spain, then there are plenty of them. From getting chances to living the quintessential European life to fantastic Mediterranean weather, from wandering at historic avenues to enjoying Spanish cuisine and exotic wine, Spain has so much to offer. You can pick any stream and there will surely be internship openings in that field in Spain. If you have exceptional skills, you can make as much €1,000 per month through a stipend.
However, work visas for Spain are often difficult to get. It becomes easier if you opt to work on an unpaid internship through an organization and show enough funds to support yourself.
8. South Africa
If you are someone who loves to do voluntary work and help others, go for an internship in wildlife conservation, medical field or community building in South Africa. The culture there is very different from India and you will be able to enjoy unique experiences like going on safari, wildlife track, and cage swimming with sharks. Internships are mostly unpaid and you might have to pay a program fee to be able to work there. However, the valuable experience you get makes it all worth it.
Visas are not easy to get but an up to date profile makes it easier.
Check out Masembani, a South Africa Internship program.
9. Chile
If you are a medical student looking to step out of your comfort zone and have an international internship, Chile is country to explore. In addition to having a completely different cultural experience, you will also be learning the Chilean version of rapid Spanish. The amazing hospitality of the people around will keep you reminding why you took medicine in the first place.
Do not expect to get any stipend for the internship in Chile unless you are working for a big company. Even in that case, it will be around $200 per month.
Note: Working knowledge of Spanish is important for conversing in Chile so work on that before going to Chile.
Check Internship opportunities in Chile.
10. Indonesia
If working in hospitality or travel industry, what better place to intern than Indonesia. Rightly credited as the most beautiful place on earth, the crystal blue beaches will make your stay in Indonesia worth remembering. Learn the ins and outs of the travel industry while exploring as many islands out of 17000 as you can.
It is extremely easy for Indian students to get a visa for Indonesia and flights are reasonable too! You can earn anything from $150 to $350 for your internship but the low cost of living in Indonesia makes it enough for your stay there.
In addition to being one of the most beautiful places on the planet, Indonesia is also a leader in the hospitality industry. Spend your days learning the ins and outs of the travel industry and your free time lounging on quiet beaches with crystal blue water. It’s hard to think of a better way to pass a few months.
11. Mexico
The thriving economy of Mexico is a hub of opportunity for students seeking an internship. The country offers a wide spectrum of offerings in both tourism and business with added benefits of rich cultural and historical offerings. If you are interested in business, finance, or marketing, Mexico can provide you with countless options. And a chance to work on your Spanish fluency too!
A working knowledge of Spanish is very important to work and communicate with people here though!
View various internship programs in Mexico.
12. Mongolia
For Indians as well as other Asian students Mongolia is an excellent choice for an internship. Career path like mineral resources, real estate, engineering and agriculture are very prevalent in the country. Located in between China and Russia, Mongolia is an emerging destination for investment space and MBA professionals from finance background can find enticing internship opportunities here.
The rich cultural heritage of Mongolia, as well as beautiful relationship between man and nature, is something worth experiencing during your stay here. If you are brave enough, go eagle hunting in western mountains.
See multiple internship opportunities in Mongolia.
13. Qatar
Students with an interest in the Middle East and Arabic culture may consider interning in the small, safe and very wealthy nation of Qatar. Home to one of the fastest growing economy in the world, Qatar has recently gained global recognition as host of the 2022 soccer World Cup. The country offers a plethora of opportunities in the energy sector mainly in natural gas and petroleum refinement. In addition, you can also explore the field of education and journalism. Notable and one of the largest international educational hubs on planet Al Jazeera is located in Qatar.
Visa is easy to get and a visa fee of $300 is charged for interns which is valid for a period of one year.
14. Malaysia
Located in close proximity to our country, Malaysia is one of the most developed and modern countries in Southeast Asia. With a diverse culture and a strong presence of Malay, Indian and Chinese ethnicity, you will get to improve your linguistic skills. However, English is widely spoken and language will never be a problem here.
The capital of Malaysia, Kuala Lumpur is home to top financial service companies like Deloitte, KPMG, Ernst and Young, Accenture and many more. Future bankers, consultants and financial analysts can seek internships and gain valuable experience here. The pristine beaches are just icing on the cake.
15. Italy
If you are an art or cinema lover or pursuing a course in filmography, Italy is the best country to intern in. Italy is the country that has won the most Academy Awards in the Best Foreign Language film category and has many film movements such as avant-garde and Spaghetti Western. Other fields such as finance, business, tourism and hospitality have also great scope in the beautiful country. While interning in Italy you will also get the opportunity to see its beautiful cities and explore the awesome Italian cuisine you have probably fallen in love back home.
The average stipend you can earn here is 1000 Euros per month. However, the living cost here is high and you may not be able to make big savings. But then who don’t want to come to the land of love for the experience it can give.
Remember: Interning in a foreign lan can be so much more than a way to build a resume. It is a great approach to develop new skills and gain a new perspective on the world. Sure, an internship in one of these countries will provide you with all of the skills that you need, but your life will certainly change in the process and give you an ability to new possibilities for your future.