Interning abroad provides students and even graduates with valuable experiences that they can take with them the rest of their life. Interning abroad does more than just positively affect your college experience, it can also open new doors for you in regards to your social life and your future endeavors. Here are just ten reasons why you should consider interning abroad:

1. The experience

Perhaps the biggest advantage in interning abroad is the experience you gain in your chosen career field. Even if you are unsure about what you want to do upon graduating, any bit of experience is a good thing. You may be surprised to learn how one skill can be applied to so many different jobs.

2. Making connections

Making connections with your employer and fellow employees is an equally important advantage. The connections you make are not only good in the short term, but also in the long run. These connections can help you land a permanent job within the company you are interning for, and can be a good reference to put on your resume.

3. Meeting new people

Along the same lines of making connections comes meeting new people. An essential part of your college experience comes from the relationships you form and friendships you gain. Gaining friendships while abroad is even more of a positive, as it further expands your social network.

4. Gain inspiration

Traveling to another country can help you gain inspiration in many ways. For one, the people can inspire you, as well as the new culture you are exposed to. You can use this inspiration in many ways, as it is never a bad thing to be inspired. Read on (point eight) to find out about the benefits of experiencing a new culture.

Our RGNN Academy Internship Seminars in Madrid, Spain end with a formal graduation ceremony – so fun!

5. Challenge yourself

It’s no secret that going abroad to complete an internship can be a challenge in many ways, but it’s a challenge that will definitely be worth it in the long run. Setting goals for yourself and accomplishing them greatly increases your self-esteem. By interning abroad, you are continuing to challenge yourself and ultimately, will grow as a person.

6. Broaden your horizons

Going abroad, whether for interning, studying, or any other reason, helps expand your knowledge of the world and broaden your horizons. It’s hard not to get stuck in the same old rut day after day; seeing the same things. By going to another part of the world, you are able to see just how much beauty is out there. If you are feeling stuck in some part of your life, seeing another part of the world and how other people live may be just what you need.

7. Grow within your career

By interning abroad, you can further grow within your career. Interning will allow you to pick up valuable information related to your career, and expose you to others around you who share common interests. The skills you learn and master while interning can be a great asset to put down on your resume, but most importantly, an asset that you can use and apply in your career going forward.

8. Learn more about other cultures

This point may seem obvious, but it really is an important one. Exposing yourself to a new culture really helps broaden your mind and even helps you to become more accepting. People often experience culture shock when going abroad, as they are not used to this new way of life. However, this is important as it helps you learn more about other cultures by being exposed to new people, food, architecture, scenery and basic day-to-day life.

9. Find out what you are, and are not, good at

You may think you have everything figured out when it comes to your interests and what you are good at, or not. Being in a new place with new people may help you further figure out things about yourself that you wouldn’t otherwise have known.

10. Add to your resume

Finally, interning abroad can be a great experience to add onto your resume. Any kind of interning is always a good thing, but by adding on the list that you interned abroad, you are bound to jump out at employers.

There are so many positives associated with going abroad to complete an internship, with just some of them listed above. The friendships, skills, experience and immersion into a new culture are unique and highly beneficial assets to take with you for the rest of your life.