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Guidelines to Finding an Overseas Internship

Initial Thoughts and Decisions

Give yourself a lot of time to research and plan. It’s a good idea to begin preparing your stay abroad about one year in advance. This will ensure you won’t miss any deadlines in applying for programs, work permits or visas. Also, planning ahead gives you time to boost your language skills – by attending classes or simply practicing otherwise. Don’t forget that language skills are important and not everyone abroad will be able to understand English.

To give you some guidelines, we have identified five milestones in completing a successful search for an internship abroad.

What kind of job you are looking for?
Generally, there are several different types of overseas opportunities, including paid and academic (unpaid) internships, jobs, volunteer services and teaching. In this decision-making process, weigh financial issues with your personal, academic and career interests, as well as the skills you possess. Language skills are very important, as are academic and computer skills. At the same time think about where and for how long you would like to work abroad – this will also play a role in deciding which kind of job you should be looking for.
Create a strategy for finding the type of job in the country that you want.
What are the legal requirements to work abroad?
Now that you’ve determined what kind of job you want, have a strategy in place for finding that job and know about visa and work permit requirements………
Get to know your host country.
Numerous websites, organizations and institutions provide this type of country specific information.
Identify funding sources if the internship you are interested is unpaid.

Successful Job Hunting

One option is to apply to international exchange organizations, such as CIEE, BUNAC, AIPT, IAESTE, American-Scandinavian Foundation, German-American Chamber of Commerce, French-American Chamber of Commerce, InterExchange, Goabroad, Studyabroad or CDS International, all of which will assist you in your job search as well as provide you with all necessary legal documents. However, some of these organizations will charge for their services, so be sure to ask about service fees upfront.

If you decide not to use one of the international exchange organizations to find an overseas internship, you can also try to get an internship through a study abroad program or through one of Baruch’s exchange programs with universities abroad. For example, Baruch has two internships in South Korea for MBA students. These internships are paid. Contact the Weissman Center at (646) 312 2070 to learn more about these opportunities.

Alternatively, you can conduct you own job search. Looking for a job independently takes a lot of time and energy. Generally, those students that have personal contacts are most successful. Try to make use of any contacts abroad that you have – talk to relatives, friends, exchange students, professors and alumni - network your way through by following up with any names and contacts you are given. Make sure you are prepared when contacting people – search through websites, annual reports and other resources to find out whom you are contacting and what they do in the company.

Additionally, you should make use of online search engines such as monster.com, jobpilot.com, stepstone.de and the like. Keep in mind that students who use a variety of means to conduct their job search have a greater chance to find what they are looking for.

When applying for a job, prepare cover letters and a resume and be sure to adapt your application documents according to the best practices of the country you are aiming for. A ‘Global Resume and CV Guide’ is available at the Weissman Center, and there are numerous websites and books that can help you prepare your documents. If you know international students, take advantage of their knowledge and experience and ask them for advice. Exchange students from universities overseas, who are studying at Baruch College, meet regularly on Thursdays at lunchtime to exchange information and experiences. Please enquire about the ‘Intermix Club’ at the Weissman Center at (646) 312 2070.

It is best to send letters directly to an individual rather than to the human resources office. Enclose International Postal Reply coupons for replies. If you don’t get a response in a reasonable time, follow-up with a call or e-mail. Once you have secured a job overseas, you need to find out about the legal requirements you have to meet in order to legally work in that country.

Meeting Legal Requirements

(Work Permits, Visas)

Specific legal requirements vary from country to country, but you will most likely have to apply for a work permit or visa. Apart from finding a job, this is the next milestone in your preparation – do not underestimate the importance of such documents and the time and effort it might take to get them. If you have found your job through one of the international exchange organizations, they may also be able to arrange all paperwork for you. If you have found your job yourself, you can either ask your overseas employer for assistance or again contact one of the international exchange organizations. Fees for these services vary from organization to organization, so you should spend some time ‘comparison shopping’.

The BUNAC program is the only one that allows students to get the work permit first and then look for a job after entering a country. Once abroad, you will have to find the job yourself. However, BUNAC will provide further information and support through its offices abroad. The program provides work visas for students going to Britain, Ireland, Australia, New Zealand and Canada.

Getting To Know Your Host Country

Careergardens.com provides a Career Compass/Career Services section that lists a broad range of country/region-specific information, including issues such as taxes, customs, working hours, accommodation, living standards, cultural differences and much more. Take some time familiarizing yourself with these issues – this can prove worthwhile once you are abroad. Further reliable sources of information are the US chambers of commerce abroad (AmChams), bi-national chambers of commerce, as well US representatives of the country you are heading for, such as embassies and consulates.

Financial Support

The Weissman Center offers eligible students a grant to cover transportation expenses in connection with overseas internships.

Useful Links

If you would like more information about internships abroad, contact Beth Miller, Senior Internship Coordinator, Weissman Center for International Business, 137 East 25^th Street, 8^th floor, (646) 312-2070.

Zicklin School Of Business

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