21 May How to Survive Your First Week as an Intern Abroad
Getting the jitters as your internship abroad approaches? That’s okay. An international internship program is a big deal, after all. It means not just visiting but actually living in a different country for weeks or months—likely for the first time and probably on your own. You don’t know anyone, most things are unfamiliar, and there is a language barrier. Have we scared you further? Just kidding!
Whether you’re visiting Asia for the first time for an internship in Seoul or spending the next couple of months exploring Europe for your Stockholm internship, we got you. Here are some tips on how you can survive—and thrive!—during your first week as an intern abroad.
How do I prepare for my internship abroad?
This may sound weird, but we believe your internship abroad starts even before you arrive in your host country. There’s a lot of prep to do pre-flight—and we don’t just mean choosing your outfits!
Learn the culture
When we say culture, we mean both the country’s traditions and its work culture. Familiarize yourself with both so you don’t go in blind during your first week. Knowing the everyday customs—traditions, beliefs, and practices—and work etiquette will help you adjust faster, both in and out of the office.
Does business etiquette differ around the world? Absolutely. For instance, if you’re doing an internship in Bangkok, Thailand, you might need to learn how to do a proper “wai” gesture to politely greet your colleagues. Respect and hierarchy matter a lot in Japanese work culture, too.
These little things might not seem like a big deal, but trust us, they are. Knowing how to follow local practices as an international student can help you make a great first impression.
Study the company
Do your homework on your host company! Frankly, this is something you ideally should’ve done even before your internship interview. To get started, learn about the company’s vision, mission, values, services, and ongoing projects.
Having this knowledge will make you feel more confident going in because you’ll already have an idea of what to expect. Bonus: it might even impress your supervisor. What a way to ace your first few days, right?
Set goals
You can’t make the most of your internship abroad if you don’t know what you want to get out of it. Before heading to your host country, take some time to reflect on your upcoming experience and identify your goals.
If you’re unsure what internship goals would work for you, start by imagining what you’d like your last internship day to look like. Are you shaking hands with your supervisor, who’s proud of the big project you completed? Maybe you’re celebrating with new friends because you built great connections.
Whatever your vision is, make sure your goals are SMART—specific, measurable, attainable, realistic, and timely.
Learn the language
While most companies that accept international interns use English for daily conversations, it wouldn’t hurt to pick up a bit of the local language. Even just knowing how to say “hello,” “thank you,” and “excuse me” can go a long way. Imagine how much easier it would be to order coffee and ask for directions!
Plus, learning the local language—even the basics—can improve your internship experience. Knowing basic Spanish for an internship in Madrid can help you bond with teammates over lunch, while a few Korean phrases could earn you extra hospitality during your Seoul internship.
Ready your outfits
If you’re unsure of your host company’s dress code, play it safe with formal business attire. Keep it simple, clean, and professional. On your first day, observe what everyone else is wearing and adjust from there. This means bringing clothes that are versatile and easy to mix and match.
And hey—you can always reach out to your recruiter or supervisor and ask directly. Nothing wrong with that. It’s better to ask than to commit a fashion faux pas, we say! After all, the dress code for a fashion internship in Madrid might look very different from a finance internship in Singapore.
How to handle your first week as an intern abroad
Now that you’re ready to get started with your internship abroad, let’s make it awesome. Your first week can make an impression and set the tone for the rest of your internship—and here’s how to make it count:
Take down notes
We cannot stress this enough. Taking notes helps you stay organized and on track of your tasks, projects, and even thoughts. It’s especially helpful during your first week, when you’ll likely receive a ton of information!
Bonus tip: Document your projects and achievements throughout your internship. By the end, you’ll have a record of everything you accomplished—which will make your performance review a whole lot easier.
Choose a tool that works for you, too, whether that’s a traditional notebook, your phone’s notes app, or productivity platforms like Notion or Trello.
Meet everyone
During your first week interning abroad, introduce yourself to as many people as you can. Make a good impression and show genuine interest in your new teammates. This is where your cultural prep can come in handy. It’s also the beginning of building those global work connections!
Of course, you’ll also want to meet your internship supervisor. Having your SMART goals ready will make this conversation easier, as you can align your expectations with your supervisor and discuss how the company can help you achieve them.
Take every opportunity to learn
An internship is a learning experience first and foremost. It’s your chance to gain a better understanding of your industry, so go be a sponge during your first week and absorb as much as you can! Pay close attention during meetings, and observe how your teammates interact and handle tasks. Everything that happens during your internship is an opportunity to learn something new.
Don’t be afraid to ask questions, either. Everyone knows you’re there to learn, and most of them will be happy to share what they know. Hard skills or soft, whatever you learn from this experience will, one way or another, help your future career.
Ask for feedback
Last but definitely not least: don’t be afraid of feedback. It might feel intimidating at first, but it’s one of the best ways to grow. Ask your supervisor and colleagues how you’re doing. What are you doing well? Where can you improve? Most appreciate interns who are proactive about learning and willing to improve.
Plus, there’s nothing to lose. Compliments help you recognize your strengths and boost your confidence, while constructive criticism points you toward areas you can work on. Use feedback to become a better version of yourself—not just as an intern, but as a future professional, too!
If you’re still feeling a little nervous, that’s totally fine. It just means you care about doing this well. So take a deep breath, enjoy every moment, and don’t forget to embrace the abroad part!
Still considering an internship abroad?
We’ve got international internship programs in some of the world’s most exciting cities like Barcelona, Shanghai, and Lisbon! Start your application today and let’s discuss how you can gain real-world experience in your preferred industry while exploring a whole new culture.
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