Types of International Internships
You must know the different types of international internships to serve as a guide on international internships. Each type has its own positive and negative sides. However, picking out one would entirely be up to you.
Study Abroad Internships
The first kind of international program is studying abroad internships. These are usually coupled with semester study abroad curriculums and can offer you the chance to learn more about the place’s local culture. This can be done by placing you in a position with a local business or organization while at the same time taking academic courses that are credited for your degree.
The benefit of getting into this kind of program is that you can continue your studies even though you are undergoing an internship. Unlike in other international programs, all you would have to do is work for some company abroad. Here, you have a part-time internship and part-time schooling.
Volunteer Internship Programs
Another type is the volunteer internship. This kind usually differs from traditional internships by letting you work directly with a group of people with underserved needs.
However, it would help if you did not confuse it with strictly volunteering. A volunteer internship program usually involves some reflective or academic component that allows you to contemplate how your volunteer work relates to your field of study.
One example of this kind of volunteer program is Cross-Cultural Solutions, a nonprofit organization that can place you on project sites in Southeast Asia, Latin America, and even Africa for 3-12 weeks.
You can choose one of the three areas. This work usually focuses on education, health, and social services. During the program, you get to work with the staff to discuss your learning goals from the program.
Direct Internships With International Organizations
Getting a direct internship from an international organization is similar to working with a local organization. However, this kind of internship is usually the most difficult to identify. This is because they are conventionally not part of a formal program. However, this option would be the best for you if you are looking for an economical international internship.
Internship Programs and Exchanges
This kind of program is quite similar to a study abroad program; in how it is conducted. The main difference, however, is that the core of your whole experience is concentrated outside your classroom.
Program providers can support international internships by offering an array of services like placements abroad for internship positions, accommodation, and even cultural activities. However, most of the time, these program providers charge a fee for their services.
An organization usually manages this kind of internship. It would typically require local participation with the exchange organization that may be related to a specific field.
One example of an international internship exchange program would be The International Association for the Exchanges of Students with Technical Experience (IAESTE). This international organization coordinates practical training exchange programs for local chapter members of more than 90 countries worldwide.
However, to become a candidate for an internship, you should be an active member of the local organization.
Now you know the different types of international internships, you can start deliberating on which type you think would do you good. There are a lot of different programs for each type; you can research most of them on the Internet. Each program can offer a different experience from another. It’s all up to you which one you think is the best.