4 steps for a successful internship abroad
It’s very important to prepare a journey, and more when it’s for an internship abroad, so a long period of time! This is the reason why I decided to help you to prepare yourself!
Firs step : what kind of internship abroad do you want ?
It wasn’t difficult for me, because being in first year of my studies, the internship abroad had to be in the back office. It was much more difficult to find a great company.
The good questions to ask to you are : what I really like in my studies? In witch courses am I the most comfortable? What courses I have to improve? This internship abroad is it the good opportunity to try to improve your skill and your knowledge?
From the moment you answered all these questions, the first step is reached!
Then, you have to know in what activity sector you would like to work ?
Indeed, if you want to undertake your internship abroad in a specific company or activity sector, everything must be very clear to you!
After that, it’s necessary to be careful and find as much information you can about the company. We never know what will happen.
Indeed, the company can be very far of your house, can have a bad reputation ( for various reason) may not pay you. There is a lot of possibilities...unfortunately.
For an example, if you do an internship in France of more than 2 month, law oblige your company to pay you approximatively 400 Euro per months ! This is not negligible ! And some companies don’t declare you so they don’t have to pay you … or say “ I will pay you at the end of your internship ”...if it’s the case, you have to react immediately …it’s just an advice :)
You can find good informations on official websites like societes.com or infogreffe.fr (principaly about their social reason and official informations in France) and manta.com for worldwide.
If you want to have a better vision of your workplace, google map is a good tool!
Second step : The formalities abroad and paperwork for an internship abroad
It’s very important to not forget essentials things like: assurances, passport, driving license (if you have)...it’s important to prepare your social coverage, and know some information about occupational accident !
There are also scholarships ( Leonardo... ) witch allows the mobility of people wishing to gain work experience in Europe, for an example.
Plan 1 or 2 month for your visa ! don’t wait the last moment :)
Make an appointment with your bank because some credit cards don’t work in foreign countries.
Third step : inquire a maximum about the country for your internship abroad
For example: electrical outlet are not the same in Europe and in USA or UK. A little thing like that can be a big mistake after because, for an example, if you need to use your computer or your mobile phone they have not battery, it will be problematic for you. So, think to buy an adaptor ;)
Read just a little about culture. Generally, European's culture is not really opposed to English's culture, but there is often differences !
Take language’s classes if you feel like you need them! Bases are very important to understand and be understood in the street like in your office.
Fourth step : preparation of last minute
Take informations about foreign exchange rate, think to take some liquid cash because for each transaction with credit card, you will have a commission from your bank.
Think to take essential medicines !
Concerning your friends : if you have a smart phone ( like an Iphone), there is a lot of applications like Viber, Skype, What’s app which will permit you, if you have an Wi-fi connexion, to call and send SMS free of charge ;) !!
Concerning your boy (girl) friend, it’s never easy to keep contact each day, but there is always a way ! I used my iphone as soon as I could and thanks to this different applications, everything went well !! :)
All this things can be obvious but we always forget something ;)