5 Reasons why you should do an internship in 2023 & how to prepare for it

After three years of limited international travels, many regions around the world are now ready to welcome back their foreign visitors with high hopes to recuperate from having suffered severe economic downfall. Of course, the road to recovery requires trust and collaboration between both the public and private sectors across multiple disciplines. That said, you can expect your international internship in 2023 to be one valuable learning experience!

There is no denying that spending time in a foreign country can sometimes be intimidating and challenging considering the cultural differences and language barriers. But don’t let that discourage you from achieving your career goals. It’s a brand new year. Let’s stay committed to our New Year’s resolutions and future success this year!!

An internship abroad can be an enriching experience for a number of reasons.. Let us begin our list of what we think are the top 5 reasons why you should do an internship in 2023:

1. Cultivating cultural competence: An internship abroad can also help you develop cultural competency, which is the ability to understand and effectively communicate with people from different cultures. This is an increasingly important skill in today's incredibly globalized world and can be a major asset in your future career development. If you are keen in exploring and studying various cultures, an international internship in 2023 is definitely what you should take into consideration.
2. Enhance your resume: Employers often value international experience, as it demonstrates adaptability, independence, and the ability to navigate unfamiliar situations. This is not to mention other skills that you may have adopted during your international internship in 2023 like your open-mindedness and empathy. An internship abroad can make you stand out in a competitive job market and can lead to future job opportunities abroad.
3. Improve your language skills: Doing an internship in 2023 presents the opportunity to practice and improve your language skills that you have been wanting to learn but haven’t really got the time to do so. We’re talking anything from Chinese Mandarin and Korean to German and many other more. Being able to speak multiple languages fluently is most certainly a powerful asset in today's globalized world which can open many doors to new career opportunities.
4. Network and make connections: You never know where your international internship in 2023 would lead to or what the future holds! An internship abroad provides the opportunity to meet and work with professionals from around the world, which can be an invaluable source of networking and professional development. These connections can bring about to future job opportunities, collaborations, and friendships that can last a lifetime.
5. Professional development: Undertaking an international internship abroad gives you countless opportunities to learn from some of the world’s leading professionals in the field of your interest. Having gained practical industrial experiences through your international internship in 2023 does more than offer you a competitive advantage when applying for your future roles by exposing you to a wide range of technical tools and techniques unique to your preferred field of study but it enables you to stay on top of things that go on in the industry.

But wait, there’s more that you should know before you embark on an exciting and potentially life-changing internship abroad! It is essential to do your research and plan ahead. Here are a few things to consider as you prepare for this incredible opportunity:

1. Choose a country and city that aligns with your interests and career goals: Consider the culture, language, cost of living, personal lifestyle, and job opportunities in different countries. Certain countries have their own unique identities and characteristics. Hence, some may be more fitting to you more so than others! Spending months abroad in countries that you are content with makes you more motivated to accomplish your set goals
2. Determine your budget: An internship abroad can be expensive, as you'll need to pay for transportation, housing, food, and other expenses. Research the cost of living in different countries and cities to determine what you can afford. Keep in mind that some internships may provide a stipend or other financial assistance to help cover expenses.
3. Find an internship program: There are many organizations and programs that offer internships abroad, such as universities, study abroad programs like AIP, and internship exchange organizations. Consider what type of program is the best fit for you, based on the type of internship you're looking for, the length of the program, and the cost.
4. Get your documents in order: Depending on where you're going, you may need to obtain a visa, which can be a lengthy and complex process. Start the visa application process as soon as possible to ensure that you have all the necessary documents in time for your internship. You'll also need to make sure you have a valid passport and any required vaccinations.
5. Plan for housing: Determine where you'll be staying during your internship. Some programs may provide housing, while others may require you to arrange your own accommodations. If you're staying with a host family or in a shared apartment, research the neighborhood and consider the cost and proximity to your internship.
6. Consider your insurance: Make sure you have adequate health insurance coverage while you're undertaking your international internship in 2023. In this day and age, we cannot emphasize on the importance of your health and well-being enough!!

That’s all the reasons why you should do your international internship in 2023 and how you can best prepare for your journey ahead! So, what are you waiting for? Do yourself a favor and get yourself an internship in 2023 with AIP here.

AIP is an international internship provider that connects global talents to a myriad of different companies in Asia and beyond!