Business Internships Abroad

Accounting/Finance

Many internships are available overseas for those looking to immerse themselves in the world of accounting and finance. A variety of opportunities can be found, such as helping out small businesses and learning the ins and outs of some of the largest banks around. Impress prospective employers back home by gaining skills in an international financial environment. Interns can expect to do a variety of tasks ranging anywhere from analyzing sales trends to preparing financial reports. Popular countries for accounting and finance internships are Germany, China, and the UK.

Administration/Management

What better way to be exposed to an international business setting than by finding an administration and management internship in a different country. Interns will gain a wide range of skills working behind the scenes with businesses abroad and will be able to see things from a global perspective.

With most programs, interns usually take advantage of their English language skills to help connect their respective companies to English speaking customers scattered all around the world. Learn how to successfully expand and bring people from all over together by gaining an appreciation for cultural diversity in the workplace. Check out Canada, China, Ireland, Denmark, and Singapore for countries that are booming in the Administration and Management fields.

Hospitality/Tourism

Finding an internship abroad is essential for those hoping to become professionals in hospitality and tourism. There are many sites available to work in ranging from hotels, resorts, and tour companies to information and conference centers in countries all over the world. Hospitality and tourism are fast growing industries which benefit both the travelers and the countries that are being visited.

To be successful in this field, you will need to learn how to communicate with other cultures effectively, and there is no better way than to learn a language. By finding a hospitality and tourism internship abroad, you will be able to gain highly marketable skills in some of the most distinguished tourism destinations around. Some popular countries for hospitality and tourism internships include France, Spain, Italy, China, and the UK.

Marketing

For those wanting to learn more about the field of marketing, there is an overwhelming amount of internships available abroad. Depending on your interests and goals, many international companies will give you the hands-on experience you need to spice up your resume.

Marketing interns can expect to work on promotions, sales, advertising, research, and more. In addition, don’t be surprised if social media is a big theme since many countries are trying to catch up with the digital world. Some of the best countries to land a marketing internship are China, Japan, Germany, and France.

Public Relations

With a public relations internship abroad, you will be taught how to represent an organization in the best light possible. Learn how PR professionals work in an international setting and how they support their respective businesses. Many public relation agencies and departments are looking for interns who will assist them with organizing publicity events, writing press releases, representing clients, analyzing competitors, and more.

There will never be a dull day in your public relations internship abroad as you learn how to help international companies with the challenge of finding ways to connect their target audiences across a variety of cultures. Make your way to Canada and the UK for some of the most awesome Public Relations internships.

China

Over the past few years, the Chinese economy has been growing at a tremendous rate, making the country an important member of the international market. Many individuals and companies everywhere are yearning to do business in China and now you can have the chance to immerse yourself in this world with a business internship in this dynamic country.

You can find an internship in almost any of the fields that were mentioned above, and while business and finance are at the top, there is also a demand for interns interested in green technology and digital media. Take advantage of the many business internships in China and see the laissez-faire capitalism right before your eyes in one of the world’s leading hub of international business and trade.

Singapore

Home to one of the world’s most active ports, Singapore has business internships largely available. This highly developed country has many industries for you to explore such as chemical, electronics, and engineering. Compared to other developing economies in different countries, Singapore is known for being supportive of their businesses and is relatively corruption-free and transparent.

London, England

With the sixth-largest economy in the world, London is a great place to find a business internship. Known for having such a welcoming and diverse environment, London is the most connected city in Europe. This means that finding an internship here will allow you to see what it’s like to work in an environment that is ideal for international and domestic transactions. Not only that, but you can expect to easily communicate with your colleagues since English is the dominant language.

Many factors contribute to London’s success as an influential business center such as its location within the European Union, it’s a business friendly environment, it’s central time zone and more. Learn the ins and outs of the business world by landing an internship in one of the three "command centers" for the global economy.

Australia

With one of the largest capitalist economies in the world, Australia is a great place to find the perfect business internship for your professional needs. This country is often viewed by others to be a very rewarding, appealing, and profitable market to do business with and there is no doubt that you will take away important professional skills at your internship. There are many competitive advantages as you learn why Australia is one of the most productive investment destinations around.

Dubai, UAE

With the country’s growing economic prosperity, Dubai is a valuable destination for interns hoping to learn about international trade and commerce. Dubai is often known for being ambitious, not only in its architecture but in the business world as well. For example, Dubai has industry-specific economic free zones, where they encourage businesses to congregate in certain areas for financial incentives.

When and Where to Look for a Business Internship

There is never a right time to find a business internship abroad since it really depends on whenever you feel that you are ready to take full advantage of the experience. However, a popular time of the year to find a business internship overseas is during the summer.

While there are programs that allow you to work over winter or spring break, more opportunities are available during the summer when you will have more time to truly immerse yourself in an international workplace and learn all that you can.

If you are studying abroad, especially if you are going for a semester, some programs offer an internship component that lets you do both while gaining course credit. No matter when you decide to go, just make sure that you give yourself enough time to avoid any issues that may arise. For example, it might take a few months for certain documents to process when it comes to your visa or passport and you want to make sure that you take care of these tasks early on.

Networking

Make the most of your business internship abroad by going the extra mile and networking with your colleagues. Depending on what country you choose, make sure to research the business etiquette that is expected. To get ahead of the game, you may want to check out Business Network International (BNI), the world’s largest business marketing organization.

They have chapters all over the world and they specialize in networking, referrals, and word of mouth connections. In addition, the International Business Association (IBA) is another resource that can greatly improve your career opportunities.