There is probably no other experience that prepares you for the real working world than an internship. If you're looking to broaden your experience while providing something that will make employers say, "Wow," when they look at your resume, then an internship abroad might be the key.  There are a wide variety of possibilities for students who want to take a summer, a semester or even a year off from classroom study and enroll in a study abroad internship program. Business, culinary and hospitality, fashion designers, are just some of the students who can choose to enroll in an internship and study abroad. 

Where can I go and why?
A study abroad internship program may end up taking you farther than you ever imagined, but for your trip, you can choose from a wide variety of locales and countries. Does America, London, Germany, Spain, Argentina, or Chile appeal to your sense of learning and adventure? How about China, Africa, Australia, France or Ireland? The possibilities are almost endless.  A study abroad internship program allows you to immerse yourself in a different culture while learning about the business in which you will make your career. You will develop a new set of language skills, as well as developing a better understanding of the world around you. Having a different understanding of the world and businesses in other countries will also foster a better understanding of your own.  You will also develop better interpersonal communication skills, leadership skills, and develop the ability to work with different people of different languages and cultures. This could be especially useful if you are working in a very diverse field that historically employs many people of different backgrounds. 

How do I choose a program?
There are many considerations to put into place when deciding on a study abroad internship program. Many internships are sponsored through colleges and universities that will provide you credit for your experience abroad. However, once you land in your host country, you might find that the jobs are unpaid. While some do pay, most internship programs require you to work for a certain length of time without compensation. Financial aid and scholarships might be available from your sponsoring school, but if you are going to a city where the living expenses are high, the financial cost of a study abroad internship program could be very expensive.

Some schools might provide living opportunities such as co-op or rent sharing/roommate opportunities for students in their study abroad internship programs, which would help lower the cost of such a venture.

There are many organizations that sponsor students in certain fields of study for study abroad internship programs. For example, the AIESEC is a program that offers internships in over 100 countries for business students. The CDS program in Germany offers study abroad internship programs for business and technical field students. You must find a program that works for your career goals.

Study abroad internship programs can be the key that will unlock your future in the career path that you have chosen. Do some research today and find a way to work overseas today!