22 Essential Questions to Ask Before Choosing Your Intern Abroad Provider

Augusta Viccellio

 

Deciding to intern abroad is a huge step, one that will differentiate you from your peers and broaden your horizons.

For many, interning abroad is a once in a lifetime opportunity and a transformative experience -- it's also a lot of time, effort, and money. So, here are some critical questions you should ask to pick the right intern abroad program.

Finding The Right Internship Program

1. How long has the organization been around?

Perhaps one of the biggest indicators of a quality provider is how long they have been offering programs. A healthy track record with years of experience usually means an organization has worked out the kinks that come with starting a complex international program. Make sure to ask not only how long they've been around but, specifically, how long they have run programs with an internship component.

2. How many interns have they placed over the years?

For internships specifically, it's important to ensure that the organization you choose has successfully connected hundreds (or preferably thousands) of students with employers. Matchmaking is difficult work, and an organization with success on a large scale reinforces that they know what they are doing.

3. What are their health and safety protocols?

Health and safety abroad is something that isn't fun or particularly interesting to talk about, but it's incredibly important. You'll want to ensure the organization you go through has comprehensive systems in place and isn't winging it as things come up.

4. Is academic credit included?

Many people pursue an internship abroad for the sake of the experience. For some, gaining academic credit and potentially having access to financial aid can be a huge bonus.

Determine how important credit is to you. If the answer is “extremely important,” see if there is credit built into the program that can transfer back to your home university, or find out if your school will grant credit for an internship in your major.

If you have an internship requirement for graduation, it can make things fairly easy. Make sure to ask the provider if they can meet all of the requirements outlined in the terms of your school’s academic credit such as minimum number of hours, supervisor qualifications, specific projects or tasks as part of the job, etc.

5. Is a placement in your career field 100% guaranteed?

Will you be stuck somewhere that has nothing to do with your career goals? If a company can't guarantee you an internship in your field of interest, it may not be worth committing. You don’t want to invest time and money into a program only to have to start from the beginning if it doesn’t pan out. A good follow up question is, how can they guarantee it? The answer should go back to their track record.

6. Will you have your internship confirmed before you arrive on location?

Some providers can ensure your internship well before you take off for your program, with others you may have to wait until you arrive. This can also vary by location where in-person interviews that require language skills commonly take place after arrival in non-English speaking countries. This may also be the case for internships in industries such as fashion, entertainment, or other client-facing, image-based companies.

7. What is their internship placement method like?

You'll want to get as much information about the company, culture, and role before confirming your internship, and an interview with your supervisor will be the best way to ensure that you are a good fit for the company. If you are matched with a company without that ability to confirm a good match, you may encounter issues or differing expectations when you arrive. You can find our Internship Placement Process below: 

Internship Placement Process Infographic

Click for a full size version if you'd like to print it.

8. Will you interview with your potential supervisor?

This is a big deal. Many program providers use other local companies with connections to place you in an internship. While it allows providers to offer many different programs around the world, the accountability and quality of the match can vary dramatically. The third party you're speaking with may simply be a middleman, and they've outsourced the placement to another company in your desired city. You want to make sure that the internship and experience you discuss with the company that has your deposit is able to deliver on their promise and it’s not lost in translation.

9. Do they have direct relationships with the host companies?

There are huge advantages to going through an organization that has their own employer relationships to monitor and maintain their placements. It ensures a better match, consistent standards on internship quality, quick and easy communication, and direct accountability if there are any issues during the internship.

10. Is housing included? Where is it located, and what is it like?

When you’re not working or exploring abroad, you'll spend quite a bit of time hanging out in your housing. You’ll want to make sure it's centrally located, close to public transportation, safe, and has the essential amenities. Keep in mind that common amenities in your home country may not be standard in your host country such as Wi-Fi, air conditioning, dishwasher, laundry facilities, etc. Will you have to pay extra for a safety deposit, utilities, linens, laundry, mailbox, gym access, etc.? Ask for a description and location on a map as well as photos to ensure you have the right expectations about what housing is like in another country.

11. Do they have staff on the ground in each location?

If a program has their own staff on the ground, it ensures a consistent program delivery. Working through partners can create an added risk of inconsistent program quality and a lack of clarity or lag in communication. Also, is the on-ground staff local to the area or flown in just for the program? Having a local expert will prove to be super helpful if you need advice and recommendations or in case of an emergency.

Our on-site GE staff love to provide insider information to help our interns adjust to living abroad in their host city. Check out a couple of blogs they've written: Living Like a Local in Dublin by our Dublin Location Coordinator, Carolina and Living Like a Local in London by our London Program Advisor, Jen!

12. Will you have a dedicated point of contact?

You're going to have tons of questions before you travel abroad, and it's helpful to have a central person who knows you and understands what you're looking to accomplish while abroad. No one wants to talk through their unique situation again and again, especially if serious issues arise.

Dublin Location Coordinator

13. Does the provider help with the visa process?

For some locations you'll need a visa, and some visas can be a time- and labor-intensive process. Most providers will offer visa assistance as navigating a complex process on your own can result in mistakes and the inability to get your visa on time. A good provider should be able to guide you step-by-step through the correct process.

14. How can you get more information and advice?

The process of preparing for an international program requires responsibility and collaboration from both you and the provider. Perhaps the most underrated aspect of a program can be its pre-departure preparation. How do they send you the materials and information you need: mail, email, webinars, website/webportal? How do you send them your information? Do they include career development coaching such as resume and cover letter review, interview preparation, and discussions about your chosen career field and what to expect in your work environment overseas? Are they responsive and timely in answering your questions? An experience abroad can be a huge professional catalyst – if you're prepared for it.

15. Can you talk to alumni?

Organizations with a solid track record are usually able to track down an alum or two for your to speak with. While not always a necessity, it can be helpful to speak with someone who is not on the organization's payroll and hear an unbiased account of the program that you are exploring.

16. Do they have a social media presence?

An organization that has been around for a while should have a robust social media following and lots of pictures, videos, blog posts, and testimonials related to the programs and their participants. Organizations that aren't putting positive stories and groups of students front and center may not have either. Make sure to check out platforms such as Instagram, Twitter, Snapchat, and Facebook!

17. Do they have a career development program?

There can be sticker shock looking at the cost of an international program, but is important to account for all the costs during your life changing experience. A program may look cheap, but double check to see if they have a career readiness program and include things such as career development workshops, cover letter and resume review, networking events, cultural events, etc.

Barcelona Networking Event

18. What happens after the program?

Finding an internship abroad is an incredible experience and a lot to take in. When it ends, what type of evaluation or support is available? There should be some sort of exit orientation and/or survey for you to give your feedback and reflect on your experience as a whole and what it means for your future. Is there follow up from the provider when you return or is there reintegration support available?

Getting back to “normal” life at home can be a challenge if you experience reverse culture shock or you feel a lack of direction at the end of your internship program. Check out our blog on staying connected to your experience after interning abroad!

Alumn answering questions on a panel

Lode Devloo, a Global Experiences alum, talks to a panel about how he found the right overseas internship program at the World Work Innovation Conference.

19. Is there an alumni network to tap into after your program?

You're going to have fun abroad, but the main purpose of an international internship program is to differentiate yourself in a professional capacity from your peers. It's a nice plus to be able to connect with other alumni who are now working in their fields in the US or overseas. They can relate to your experience, overcoming challenges, and personal growth of living and working abroad; not to mention, they may be able to give you a connection to get hired when you finish your program.

20. Are they partnered with universities?

If you can’t find any universities that endorse them, it may be a sign that they aren't established enough in quality or history to meet the standards of a higher education institution. Universities spend months or sometimes years vetting third party providers, collaborating on programming, and going through legal paperwork and risk assessment. If an organization has solid university partnerships, the vetting has likely been done for you!

Towson University

21. Do they give back to society and our world?

Starting with 2020 internship programs, Global Experiences is now purchasing carbon credits for each participants emissions from their flight to and from their internship program location.

We have also made donations to charities across the years -- to local schools in Maryland, to the World Wildlife Fund to support causes around the planet.

22. Are they contributors within the international education community?

You're looking to go abroad to enhance your academic experience. It makes sense to go through an organization that is closely involved in the academic community. Having the acknowledgment and approval of educators is typically an indirect endorsement of the quality of a program provider.

One solid indicator of this is if the education abroad provider is apart of IIE's Generation Study Abroad initiative, who's goal is to "mobilize resources and commitments with the goal of doubling and diversifying the number of U.S. students studying abroad by 2020." GE is proudly a committed partner of this, annually offering numerous scholarships to provide students opportunities to intern abroad. Read more about our Global Leader Scholarship for women 2017 recipients, Dublin Government intern Kaley M. from Texas A&M University and London NGO intern Jillian P. from Towson University!

A huge credibility builder you'll want to look for is if the program has received awards and accolades from reputable 3rd party organizations. A provider without accolades is one you may want to avoid.

In 2001, Global Experiences became one of the first providers to solely offer international internships. We are proud of the years advancing the international education community and affecting the professional development of university students.

Having sent over 7,000 young professionals abroad for international internships, we have answers to all these questions! Start making an informed decision regarding your intern abroad program provider. Contact us today!
Want to get international experience virtually? Check out our GE Virtuoso page!

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