19 May From Intern to Full-Time Employee Abroad: Is it Possible?
The quick answer to this article’s title is yes. But from there follows a bigger and more important question: How?
Okay, so you’ve been spending the last two weeks in a fantastic summer internship abroad at an amazing company. Everything is going perfectly—the country is incredible, your supervisor and teammates are very supportive, your tasks align with your career goals, and the snacks at the office are delicious (and free).
Now you’re thinking: What will it take to get a permanent, full-time position in this company? And honestly, we can’t blame you. Many students spend the last days of their international internship programs wistfully saying, “I wish I can stay here forever.”
The good news is that over half of employers convert interns to full-time hires. If you’re determined to turn that internship abroad into a full-time job abroad, keep reading. This guide may just help increase your chances of achieving your dream!
How to turn your internship abroad into full-time job abroad
To improve your chances of getting offered a full-time position after your internship, you will need to impress, take risks, and be bold. Let’s break it down:
Leave a great impression everyday
You can’t just make a good first impression—you need to leave a lasting impression. That means you don’t stop putting in the work after you’ve delivered your wonderfully witty introduction and completed your tasks for the day. You need to do your best and go above and beyond each day.
What does someone who makes a great impression look like? For starters, it’s:
- Someone who completes tasks not just on time but ahead of schedule.
- Someone who does the job and does it extremely well.
- Someone who doesn’t simply raise concerns but comes ready with solutions.
- Someone who proactively finds ways to help and doesn’t wait for others to tell them what to do.
The list goes on. To become this someone, you will need to be conscious and intentional about your actions. Strive to excel in what you do, be of incredible value, and build good relationships. You want your teammates to have immensely positive, if not the best, feedback about you during your internship—and that will only happen if you perform excellently and stand out.
Build strong relationships with your teammates
One of the smartest things you can do during your internship abroad is to build strong, genuine relationships with your colleagues, both within and outside your team. Why? Because networks open doors—and plenty of studies have proven it. Who knows—that connection you make in the office today could be the person who recommends you for a full-time role in your host company.
Start by being a reliable, kind, and collaborative teammate. Offer help when someone is swamped, join team lunches, and remember little details about people.
Another important thing to note is that since you’re not in your home country, you have to be mindful of cultural differences. For example, Seoul internships might involve customs that are vastly different from what you’re used to, like bowing to greet others and pouring drinks for your seniors. Make sure to do your research before your internship in South Korea—or anywhere else in the world, for that matter!
Make yourself indispensable
The reality is that not all employees are enthusiastic about thriving in their roles. That’s totally okay. For you, though, you need to get ahead. The goal is for you to become indispensable, which means to be an employee that the company would not want to lose.
Be seen as someone who can provide significant value to the team and the company as a whole. (Perhaps so significant that they’d be screaming “one man down” after you’ve completed your internship! We’re kidding.) Show your colleagues that you fit perfectly into the company as well—like how your values, work ethic, and career goals align with theirs.
Being indispensable undoubtedly turns the odds in your favor. When you’ve become someone of significant value, you improve your chances of turning your internship into a full-time job.
Pro-tip: Being an international intern actually already gives you a bit of an edge for having a different perspective. Leverage on that when you can.
Discuss your goals with your internship supervisor
Let’s be honest. This part can feel awkward. But if you’re serious about staying with the company, you’ll need to have “the conversation.” The one where you ask: How do I ask for a full-time position after my internship?
If it helps, your internship supervisor will likely appreciate your initiative. After all, it shows your confidence, enthusiasm, and commitment.
The key here is good timing and enough prep. Don’t wait until your final week when everyone’s already wrapping up and preparing to say goodbye. Bring it up a few weeks before your internship ends, but of course, only after you’ve proven your value and built strong working relationships.
When you do ask, keep it clear and professional:
- Express how much you’ve learned and enjoyed the experience.
- Mention specific achievements or projects you’re proud of.
- Share how your skills and values align with the company’s needs and vision.
- Ask about potential opportunities for a full-time role as well as the steps you need to take to be considered.
Here’s a little tip, too: Keep a notebook throughout your internship and list down all your accomplishments, both big and small. This will come in handy when it’s time to discuss your future in the company!
Keep an open mind
It’s cliché, but as much as we’d love for everything to fall into place, life (and job offers) don’t always turn out the way we want it. Ticking every box on this list can definitely boost your chances, but a permanent offer isn’t guaranteed.
Sometimes, companies really just aren’t hiring yet. Or maybe it’s restrictions on visas or budget. That’s okay—and frankly, that’s not within your control.
What you can do is be flexible. Be open to alternatives, like part-time roles or project-based contracts. Companies create new positions all the time too, and if they see you as someone valuable, they might get creative and find ways to keep you around.
You can also look elsewhere. Maybe a different company in the same city, or even in a new country altogether! Say you just wrapped up an amazing Madrid internship but didn’t land a full-time job. Why not explore nearby opportunities through Lisbon internships instead? (And this is where having a global network of connections really comes in handy.)
In the end, accept whatever the outcome may be with grace, and still leave a lasting, positive impression with your host company.
When you build genuine relationships in the company, go above and beyond, have a proven track record of being a valuable employee, and are not afraid to start those career conversations early, being hired full-time becomes totally possible!
And if things don’t go according to plan, remember: you now have international work experience (which is a big deal, obviously), a bigger professional network, and a broader worldview. All of these are powerful assets that can help you chase opportunities anywhere in the world.
How do I find an internship abroad?
If you haven’t secured an internship abroad yet, don’t worry! Our international internship programs include guaranteed placements, 24/7 on-site support, career workshops, cultural activities and trips, a global alumni network, and so much more.
We have a diverse portfolio of industries—including Human Resource Management internships and Accounting internships abroad—and we’d be happy to find you an opportunity to gain experience in your chosen field. We offer programs in incredible destinations all around the world as well, from Hong Kong all the way to Paris.
Start your application today. Your dream job abroad might just start with an internship.
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