The study-abroad deadline for this upcoming summer is rapidly approaching as all applications are due on Feb. 15. There are countless different options from which students who want to study abroad can choose from. Specifically, taking on a summer internship for an organization abroad opposed to the traditional study-abroad route.
Taking on an internship itself is a daunting task as it often requires strenuous hours of work in a field of study that you often have little to no experience in. Pairing this challenge up with travelling abroad in a place that you are not familiar with, it makes sense why this is the less explored route. However, there are numerous benefits that must be taken into account while choosing an internship abroad that may potentially outweigh any drawbacks.
The first being that this experience can prove to be an incredible resume builder that helps make you stand out to future employers, highlighting your ability to rapidly adapt in a changing environment and bring a well-rounded global perspective into the workplace that a semester abroad can provide.
The second being that you may not always find programs that are compatible with your specific degree path through traditional study-abroad programs as courses that are taken abroad must first be approved by UND for any credits to transfer over. As a result of this selectiveness, not every university study-abroad program may be compatible with what you are looking for, and it can be incredibly difficult to find the right fit for you.
This is where taking on an internship offers a little bit more flexibility as you are prompted to apply through affiliate providers such as “AIFS Abroad Internships” where a specified team of AIFS representatives will go through your initial application and help connect you with an internship program abroad that is specific to you. Through this approach, you can span a far broader net of potential opportunities abroad than traditional study-abroad programs.
Lastly, by taking on an internship abroad you will have the opportunity to gain real life experience within the industries that you plan on entering post-college while gaining authentic experience abroad. Through this experience, you will be forced to become acclimated to an unfamiliar environment and push yourself outside of your comfort zone, which may be more difficult to find in a traditional classroom setting while studying abroad.
Although taking on an internship abroad is not for everyone and may prove more difficult than traditional approaches, it is encouraged to take a look for yourself if you are planning on going abroad this upcoming summer and see if an internship abroad makes sense for you.
Daniel Silva is a Dakota Student General Reporter. He can be reached at daniel.silva@und.edu.