By Raman Mama
One of the many reasons I’ve heard that prevents people from studying abroad during the second semester is that they want to be able to find an internship for the summer.
Though this is an extremely stressful thing to have to consider while you’re abroad, it was actually easier in my experience.
There are many companies that are seeking international students for the summer and also pay well. It’s just a matter of being able to seek out the opportunities and making something out of them.
Staying abroad to intern can make you a much more attractive candidate for work, and though it’s daunting to many, it can have great payoffs. Not many people have international work experience, so being a candidate with such can make you more qualified and attractive.
In Europe, there is a growing community of startups, think tanks and small businesses that need people like us to work for them.
I was fortunate enough to find an internship in Amsterdam at a marketing startup. Additionally, there are several grants that our university offers that can help if your internship is unpaid.
Be sure to take a look at visa requirements, as there are many places that don’t require a visa, or can help you attain one fairly easily.