but it can actually be quite difficult if one is not well prepared for the hardships they may encounter. An internship is a good way to “try on” living abroad without making a long-term commitment to it.

6. It is common for students to develop strong professional relationships with their internship mentors that last a lifetime. This is perhaps one of the greatest rewards of an international internship. The mentor plays a significant role in the life of the students at a critical time in their education. Some students report that they feel a bond with their internship supervisor that transcends culture or language barriers. Both students and mentors view this a positive outcome of the international internship experience.

7. Students translate and communicate their own culture to those with whom they work and live. Those with whom they have contact with get to have a sense of what a culture outside their own world must be like.

8. Through participation in an international experience students can establish professional contacts abroad and on a scale that will enrich their careers. Networking is important to establishing a successful career, students rarely know how to establish international contacts unless they have previous experience.

Combining two valuable educational programs into one powerful experience provides unique opportunities for life changing personal and professional growth. Students find that they view the world differently, have a better perspective on their career goals, have developed mature insights into their capabilities and have developed confidence in their ability to meet challengers which confront them. Beyond skills these are qualities that set students apart from their peers. Employers are attracted to strong confident individuals who have demonstrated success in demanding circumstances, an international internship provides such an opportunity.

Dr. Daniel Ferguson, Pittsburgh State University, has worked with both domestic and international interns from various universities for the past 8 years. He has traveled throughout the United States , Canada and Mexico working with interns and internship supervisors in over 150 organizations. He also is co-coordinator of the Global International Internship Congress.

Dr. Richard Paulsen, Michigan State University, has supervised internships for more than 15 years and works collaboratively with Study Abroad Programs and Career Services and Placement. In addition, he is a co-coordinator of the Global International Internship Congress held bi-annually.

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