12 May Positionality: How Your Background Can Affect Your Internship Abroad
Discrimination against race, gender, and more continues to be one of the biggest persisting issues of today. To shape a society where everyone feels seen and accepted, this should be minimized, if not entirely eliminated. Students must learn about these now in order to be the great leaders of tomorrow—leaders who advocate for equity, justice, and compassion.
For students taking the first step to learn the world better through internship abroad programs, understanding positionality is a must. In this article, you’ll learn what positionality is, how it can impact your international internship experience, and how your awareness of it can make you a better citizen of the world.
Positionality and why it matters in your internship abroad
What does positionality mean?
First things first: what is positionality? Positionality is basically where you stand in the grand scheme of things. It’s how your unique background—your gender, race, age, and many other factors—affects how you understand and experience the world. Who you are shapes how you see things, and just as much, how people see you.
To understand the concept better, here are a few examples of positionality:
Race and ethnicity
Students of Asian descent participating in Accounting internships abroad might encounter the stereotype that all Asians are naturally good at math. This could lead to expectations for them to excel in the role—whether or not that’s their personal strength.
Language
A non-native English speaker completing an internship in an English-speaking country might feel self-conscious about their communication skills. This can affect their confidence during meetings or presentations, even if they’re highly capable.
Age
Students joining high school internships abroad might not be taken as seriously as their college or university peers, even if they have the skills to perform just as well. Younger interns might find themselves having to work harder to earn the same level of trust and responsibility.
Gender
A woman in a male-dominated field like a Finance internship abroad might notice fewer female mentors or feel the need to prove herself more. A non-binary student might encounter cultures where gender norms are more traditional, which could affect how comfortable or included they feel.
Why should I consider my positionality before going on an internship abroad?
Being aware of your positionality before heading to internship opportunities abroad can benefit you in plenty of ways. You get to understand both your privilege and any potential challenge you might encounter—and be prepared for them.
Specifically, here are five ways understanding your positionality can help you prepare for your internship abroad:
You’ll be better prepared in handling challenges
Knowing the possible biases or assumptions you might face during your internship will allow you to mentally and emotionally prepare for them.
You’ll develop stronger empathy for others
When you understand how identities affect experiences, it will be easier for you to recognize the unique challenges that your teammates (and everyone else you meet abroad) face, too.
You’ll improve your networking skills
Being mindful of your positionality can help you better connect with people from different backgrounds—and being abroad, you’ll definitely meet a lot of them. It teaches you to be respectful and open-minded, which everyone can appreciate.
You’ll grow as a culturally aware professional
Future employers value professionals who are socially aware and inclusive. Understanding positionality improves your ability to work well in diverse environments, and that’s definitely beneficial even after your internship.
You’ll make your internship experience more meaningful
By acknowledging how your background shapes your view of the world, you can gain even deeper insights from your internship and appreciate the cultural exchange that happens along the way.
How can I understand my positionality?
Now, let’s break down some simple, concrete steps that you can take to better understand your positionality:
Reflect on your background and privileges
Take time to think about your race, gender, age, religion, socio-economic background, and other factors that shape your identity. Ask yourself how these might affect the way you experience your internship abroad, both positively and negatively. Revisiting our examples above could help you get started, or mapping out your identity.
Learn about intersectionality
Intersectionality means understanding that your different identities overlap and interact with each other. For example, a young Asian woman might face different challenges compared to an older Asian man in the same environment—even if they share the same ethnic background.
Read about other people’s experiences
Look up stories, blogs, and articles written by interns and professionals from diverse backgrounds. This will give you new and different perspectives, and prepare you for things you might not have thought of.
Talk to peers, mentors, or alumni
Aside from reading stories online, you can also approach people you know who have done internships abroad. Reach out and ask what challenges they faced and how their positionality affected their overall experience.
How to be mindful of your positionality during your internship abroad
Awesome—you now understand your positionality and how it affects your perception of everything. Before you head to your internship abroad program, practice being mindful of it so you can make the most of your experience.
Be open to learning about different cultures and perspectives. Approach conversations with curiosity and not assumptions.
Check your own biases. Stay aware of how you might unconsciously judge others based on their appearance, gender, or background.
Listen actively. Give people a safe space to openly share their stories and ideas, and really hear them out.
Advocate for inclusivity. If you notice someone being excluded or treated unfairly, speak up if it feels safe to do so, or offer them your support.
Embrace discomfort. The cliché is true: growth happens when you step out of your comfort zone. Be open to feedback and use every challenge as an opportunity to become a better, more culturally aware person.
On top of gaining experience in your industry, your international internship is an opportunity to better understand yourself. When you recognize your positionality, you can navigate challenges with empathy, build stronger connections with people across the world, and become a more inclusive and socially aware professional.
International education plays a huge role in shaping compassionate and culturally competent future leaders like you. That’s why we offer programs across a wide range of industries—from Non-Profit and Sustainability to Engineering and Architecture internships abroad—to ensure that every student, regardless of their background, gender, or identity, can find an opportunity where they can thrive.
Apply for an internship abroad program with us today and take a step toward becoming a globally minded, socially responsible leader.
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