To choose the best paid international internships, consider what type of job or field you want to work in, how you will handle housing and transportation while you are there, and how comfortable you are with different cultures and languages. Paid international internships are available in a variety of fields, so pick one that is in line with your career goals. An international internship not only involves finding the right job but also making sure you know where you will stay and how you will live while you are there. Going to another country can be difficult, and you need to think about the challenges you might face and make sure that you are comfortable with the location you ultimately choose.
A paid international internship can be a good way to develop skills and to broaden your overall work experience. Think about what your previous work experience has been in and about what your career goals are. An internship that is a good fit will build on what you already know and challenge you to take on new responsibilities. Most paid international internships require an application just like any other job, which is just one more reason to look for openings a field in which you already have experience or education.
Some paid international internships will cover your lodging and some or all of your living expenses, but others require more planning and initiative on your part. Make sure you know what is included from an internship and what parts of your day to day living you will be responsible for on your own. If you already have an idea of where you want to stay or know that the city you are going to has public transportation, then this planning process might not be too complicated.
Going to another country, especially for an extended period of time, can be quite stressful and lead to culture shock even for the most adventurous. Do some research about the culture, customs, and language of any country in which you consider applying for paid international internships. Some foreign countries will present more of a challenge than others, depending on how different the culture is and whether there will be language barrier. Some people can meet these challenges head on and have an extremely enjoyable experience, but you still need to think realistically about what it will be like before you make any commitments.
