7 questions I learned to ask before accepting an unpaid internship abroad

Entering an unpaid internship abroad provides young people with numerous opportunities. First, it is a perfect chance to obtain priceless experience, which is a great way to boost your career.

Future sportsmen enter sport scholarships, while future lawyers join large agencies for training to differentiate themselves from potential competitors on the job market. When employers consider recent students for job applications, they prioritize candidates with professional background. Second, youngsters venture upon this step because they look for opportunities to push back the limits. Indeed, you cannot remain the same after getting an experience of this kind. At the same time, you need to be sure that a chosen internship fits your expectations before you start. Read a list of questions to ask before accepting an internship abroad and make sure to take them up with your employers. This guide will help you make your work more successful.

How will it help my career?

A few companies can guarantee that you will receive a job offer after completing an internship. At the same time, it doesn’t mean that you shouldn’t accept an offer like this. First of all, your main aim is to get knowledge, valuable experience, and an attractive line in your future CV. However, you cannot afford missing your time doing something that doesn’t correspond to your college or university education and career plans. Ask the employers if the proposed internship is connected with your sphere of interest. If it is, you can request their guarantee, which can be easily confirmed by their track record.

Could I balance my internship and work?

You should ask yourself and your employers about the work schedule you will have from the very beginning. Is it a part-time job or a full-time employment? Are you expected to visit the workplace every day? This is especially important if you need to balance your current work or studying with internship. It is better to ask these questions now than to suffer from burning deadlines and stress or asking, “Can I pay someone to write a research paper?” later. It is very important to demonstrate good work habits during your internship, because your reputation depends on it heavily. You should manage your time with great attention to avoid missing internship and paralleled activities you already have.

What benefits you offer to your interns?

Unpaid internship makes it really tough to make both ends meet. You need to take care about regular spending like food, rent, and fares to go on cross-town lines. This is not an easy task, when you have to work for free all day long. At the same time, most companies offer some benefits that will surely improve your experience and ease the financial pressure you feel. Ask about the benefits during the interview, otherwise you risk to miss some of the amazing opportunities. What is more, a list of benefits can help you decide which internship to opt for. Ask your employer if they have lectures, workshops, trainings, scholarships, etc. Talking about the benefits, focus on the career-oriented ones and don’t forget about neat features like gym and flexible schedule.

Do you offer hostels for your students?

Student hostel or campus provided by a company you apply to is advantageous for both employers and interns, because this ensures better communication between colleagues. The best internship programs offer boarding for students, since when newcomers have any problems during their internship period, they can reach senior colleagues for help faster and easier. You should ask if a company of your choice does, because this way you will have an access to your colleagues’ assistance and avoid a necessity to pay for rent saving some money for yourself.