The side of intern abroad that no one talks about

24 Jun The side of intern abroad that no one talks about

What do you think of when we say intern abroad? Gorgeous views? A cool job at a global company? Weekend trips? New friends from all over the world? A whole new culture? Yup, an internship abroad is definitely all that. But there’s a side to this exciting adventure that no one really talks about. No one, except Shivani.

Throughout her internship in Stockholm, @Shivani K. from @Babson College documented her journey closely. But instead of highlighting the day trips, her career development, and every other fun activity, she focused on the parts that aren’t always caught on camera: the daily humdrum, the mundane, and the quiet learnings from simply living alone abroad as an international student.

The result? A beautiful reflection that shows the many ways a global internship shapes the students of today, and subsequently, the leaders of tomorrow.

An endless list of challenges when interning abroad

Navigating the public transportation system, reading unfamiliar dish names on the menu, overcoming the language barrier, memorizing strange streets and buildings, being in a different time zone from family and friends, forming new routines… the list of challenges that students face during an international internship can go on and on.

On their own, they may seem manageable, but together, these can get a bit much for students. Especially since they have to overcome everything without their usual support system or even the comfort of familiarity.

“I am very thankful to be here.”

Yet, Shivani embraced all of it wholeheartedly. She loved the independence and the self-reliance that came with living halfway across the world. Every challenge, including managing her allergies, was met with a warm welcome, and every experience was logged as a valuable lesson.

“I loved my experience! I think I’m a better person, and more ready for the future, because of it,” she wrote in a LinkedIn post.

This isn’t surprising, of course. Shivani had always been the type who seized every opportunity. In fact, prior to her global internship, she had taken on several local and remote internships, an externship, and VP roles in school clubs and communities. In addition, despite her major, Business Analytics, not requiring coding skills, she still took it upon herself to learn Python, one of the most widely used programming languages. 

Challenges are inevitable (and aplenty) when interning abroad, but having an open mind and that eagerness to grow can quickly turn hurdles into valuable learning opportunities.

The alone in living alone abroad

Shivani cited traveling alone as one of the highlights of her internship. She was able to get to know the incredible city of Stockholm at her own pace, and had complete control over where she went and what she did. With her trusty camera, she walked through lush gardens, visited museums and galleries, and enjoyed pretty cafes with even prettier views.

There’s more to this than meets the eye, too. Sweden values slowing down and being present, and for Shivani to have a more intentional approach to her travels around the country is just perfect.

In Sweden, slowing down and taking breaks are essential

In a world full of guided tours and ready-made itineraries, Shivani’s decision to take charge of her time abroad is refreshing. Her priorities going into this journey were to gain independence and cultural awareness, and she made sure that she was getting exactly those.

Ultimately, the best part of an internship abroad is rather subjective. To one, it could be the internship with a global company that completely changes the trajectory of their career. To another, it could be the wonderful friends they make. And to others, it could simply be the fact that they get to spend four weeks in a different country, living alone amidst fascinating strangeness.

What an internship abroad forces you to learn

Often overlooked, the quiet bits of an internship abroad actually make a big difference in the experience. The days go by, the lessons accumulate, and the next thing you know, you have the confidence of a local walking through familiar streets and ordering in a language you once thought was impossible. And that confidence? It starts to weave into other things.

What happens outside and inside the office during an international internship work hand in hand. The independence, self-reliance, and self-confidence that one gains from navigating everyday life in an unfamiliar city translates to the same three traits when working in the office. Even the expansion of cultural awareness can turn into empathy and result in better collaboration as well as a more inclusive way of thinking.

“I’ve been fascinated by how lifestyle, culture, and geography shape consumer preferences.”

So when we described the learnings from daily life as an international intern as “quiet,” this is exactly what we meant. The small lessons are often overlooked as they happen gradually, but they trickle down to the other aspects of a student’s life, including professional development. And Shivani knows exactly this. 

“Travel and cross-cultural learning are central to how I work and think. I’m convinced that understanding different perspectives and cultures is essential to being a thoughtful strategist and leader,” her LinkedIn bio reads. She couldn’t have described it any better.

The beginning of a new chapter

Stockholm was just the beginning for Shivani. Not long after, she flew to Manchester, England for a semester abroad as part of an exchange program. Soon, she will be heading to Tokyo for another.

“I came to Stockholm knowing I would be studying abroad the following year. Interning with Absolute Internship not only allowed me to build upon my professional experience but also gave me a peek into what to expect for the year ahead,” she said.

“This program and the staff gave me support, so I wouldn’t be ‘thrown into the deep end’ of being in a different country.”

With everything she learned during her four weeks in Sweden, Shivani is all geared up for success in future international education programs. As someone who sees the value in global opportunities and knows how to fully immerse herself abroad, we’re sure Tokyo will not be her last stop. We can’t wait to see where she grows next!

Every minute of an international internship is an opportunity for personal and professional development. Every corner is a learning curve that changes the way you view and approach life—in the best way.

Experience a transformative internship abroad yourself by applying with Absolute Internship. Send us a message. We’re happy to help you get started on your journey.