The current pandemic pushed us all to adapt quickly -- how can we still provide life-changing international internships and cross-cultural experiences when we can’t travel?
On April 7th, 2020, we launched our very first virtual internship program in response to a need from our students, our university partners, and our employers.
Fast forward to the middle of summer and our first virtual internship program closing! Check out what these seven virtual interns had to say about their remote internship experience.
"Great Internship!"
"I first joined the GE program with the intent to intern abroad but due to COVID that obviously couldn't happen. The staff at GE were amazing in helping me to navigate what was happening, find a great and meaningful intern placement despite being virtual, and giving the same educational resources that were originally part of the in-person program. This is a fantastic company that is motivated to help you succeed! If you have the chance, do an internship with Global Experiences. They will always be happy to help and find you an internship and company that fits your personality. There are so many personal and professional experiences that are achieved through GE, I already miss my internship!!"
- Kristin M., Valparaiso University
"Adaptability At It's Finest!"
"As everyone is well aware, the onslaught of COVID-19 around the world threw everybody's plans aside and left students wondering how they would be able to find real world work experience while being confined to our homes. Thanks to Global Experiences, I was able to secure an internship with a company in Ireland and gain real-life practical skills from home. I had an incredible experience and the employers that Global Experiences work with clearly care about the intern's development and helping us to develop the tools and the skills necessary to succeed in a real-life workplace environment. I can't thank Global Experiences enough for their professionalism and it is incredibly impressive that they were able to bring this entirely new program to life in a matter of months.
I would highly recommend a virtual internship through Global Experiences whether there is still a pandemic going on or not!"
- Jacob R., Massachusetts Maritime Academy
"Great Experience!"
"This was my first experience working from home, and it was one to remember! I signed up last minute because my in-person internship had to be canceled due to the global pandemic. I was slightly nervous because I didn't know what to expect, but Global Experiences made it easy. Without much notice, they found me a company to do a virtual internship with. I think that was particularly difficult because I was looking to work in Human Resources. It was not the easiest job to place someone in for a virtual opportunity in another country, but they did it! The company that I was placed with was terrific. They were kind and very flexible due to the circumstances. I learned about HR, but the company also let me have a few other projects to work on, like setting up their social media. At the end of each day, I would spend a half-hour talking with my coworkers about how our cultures are different/similar. It is so interesting to see how other people live. I have definitely gained a few friends from my internship company. (When the pandemic is over, I'm totally going to visit them!!) I had weekly check-in meetings with Global Experiences, where all the interns would meet and talk about what they were doing or express any questions/concerns. They also did a cooking class and a virtual tour of cities all over the world. I even had a one on one with the program advisor, Carmen. She gave me very useful professional advice. I really looked forward to our meetings every week and seeing everyone's smiling faces. It was motivating, and I could tell the advisors at Global wanted us to have the best experience possible. This is as close as it gets to being there in person, without being there in person. Take this opportunity. You will not be disappointed. If you are like me and needed to have an internship to graduate, this is the perfect way to complete that while staying safe and socially distancing."
- Kassandra S., Salisbury University
"A great alternative when in-person travel isn't possible"
"What most impressed me about this program was Global Experiences' ability to adapt to the quickly changing COVID-19 pandemic. Shortly after my in-person program was cancelled, I was excited to receive an email that I would still be able to complete an international internship, even if it was from home. One of their representatives helped me find a new internship opportunity that was work-from-home friendly, and many team members worked together to create orientation events and presentations before my internship even started. I appreciated Global Experiences' flexibility because it allowed me to gain valuable work experience rather than letting my summer be a waste because of the global pandemic. This program is great alternative to traditional experiences for a variety of reasons, including the elimination of travel expenses and the flexibility of working remotely."
- Anna T., Texas A&M University
"Amazing experience that changed my life!"
"Global experiences has been fantastic from the beginning of my internship to the end. The application process is very easy for everyone. The thing that sets Global experiences apart to me in this aspect, is their flexibility. They always worked with my schedule and worked towards making the internship around my needs. During the internship, they created a great cultural experience. Even though it was only virtual, I still felt a sense of community with the GE team and other interns. I love GE!!!"
- Alex A., Miami University of Ohio
"Best Internship!"
"GE worked with me to find the perfect internship abroad! The staff listened to what I was hoping to get out of the internship and found the perfect placement for me. Throughout the virtual internship, GE gave me a sense of community by having weekly virtual meetings with other interns. GE gave virtual opportunities for professional growth as well as culture. Not only did I love my internship placement but I loved that GE had a holistic approach. There is nothing I would change about this amazing program!"
- Morgan H., Miami University of Ohio
"A virtual internship changed my perspective"
"My virtual internship was nothing more than a success. Global Experiences offers so much more than an internship opportunity. Along with the internship, I had the chance to build my professional connections, make friends, and even learn how to use my work skills successfully in the workplace. If I could redo this experience, I would do it in a heartbeat."
- Dylan W., Wilkes University
"They made the best of a very difficult situation"
"When my in person internship was cancelled, I was skeptical about the concept of a virtual internship, but it ended up paying off in ways I never could have expected. I couldn't have designed a better internship than the one I got."
- Gerret M., Concordia University
See all intern’s reviews on GoOverseas.com and GoAbroad.com.
We're amazed by these motivated, eager, and open-minded interns who gave this alternative summer their very best!
Ready to have the same experience and make your resume stand out to employers? Apply for our virtual internship program today!
