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Thinking about undertaking an internship overseas? Every year, UCL students travel across the globe to undertake exciting international opportunities across a range of industries. Here are what some of them have said about the experience:
- Amy's story - Geneva, Switzerland
- Degree programme: BASc Arts and Sciences
Location: Geneva, Switzerland
Role: Conference Intern, NGO“My decision to go to Geneva was linked to the fact that many international organisations that are part of the United Nations are based either in Geneva or New York. As I am considering pursuing a career in this area, I thought it would be wise to investigate opportunities in these two cities.”
What did you do during your internship?
The internship was based around following the International Labour Conference and helping the IOE Spokesperson wherever necessary. It involved anything from reviewing statements in French, Spanish and English; taking notes during meetings; and making sure that the General Report submitted at the end of the Conference was coherent with the statements made during the Plenary.
How did you immerse yourself in the culture of a new country?
I have been to Geneva before, but I did my utmost to immerse myself – particularly in the organisation I was working in. For example, I would have meals with my line manager, and she would bring me to receptions with other ILO stakeholders. This was one of the most useful parts of the internship experience, as I met many different people and learnt how workplace relations take place outside of the office. I also made trips around Geneva and across the border to France during the weekends, as the public transport made it very accessible.
What were some of the challenges you faced during your internship?
The bureaucratic structure of the organisation was the most challenging, as it was new to me and difficult to ‘teach’. This included recognising the relative positions of everyone attending the Conference and understanding the Conference regulations and my role within it.
Has the experience influenced your plans for the future?
Prior to the internship I already hoped to work in an international organisation in the future, and this experience has solidified this goal, as I could see myself working in this setting. Rather than strengthening the desire for a particular role, the experience opened up the range of possible roles I could carry out.
Do you have any tips for other students thinking of doing an internship overseas?
I would say that being open, eager and available are the main qualities that an intern should display, regardless of the role. This enables your employers and colleagues to realise that you can take charge of many more tasks than they might expect and, personally, allowed me to get involved in more interesting and complex tasks.
- Daniel's story - Bratislava, Slovakia
- Degree programme: MSci Physics
Location: Bratislava, Slovakia
Role: Physics Intern, Technology“My internship gave me hands-on experience with data-oriented coding, which included being faced with obstacles that I had to come up with creative solutions to, under the guidance of a supervisor. As data-oriented coding is a vital part of my course at UCL, the experience was very valuable for my future study and professional career.”
How did you find your internship?
I attended an event called Night of Chances organised by Nexteria London, where various Slovak/Czech companies have their workshops to give some insight into their projects and provide information for potential internship candidates.
What did you do during your internship?
My main task was to write code in Python, which would be used for analysis of test data. I also attended product tests and experiments relating to the new technology being developed and regularly attended meetings with other teams alongside my supervisor and manager.
What skills did you develop during the internship?
The internship helped developed my critical thinking skills, particularly because I was responsible for writing an original code, which I had to approach in a manner I had not previously considered. I also improved my ability to work as part of a team, as I had to discuss the work I was doing with my supervisor and colleagues. This was an important lesson, as previously I wasn’t particularly confident in asking for advice and discussing any issues with my project. I hope it will prove a valuable asset in my future career.
Has the experience influenced your plans for the future?
I undertook an internship last year in a theoretical physics research group, so a purely academic environment. This internship in industry gave me an insight into working in the private sector and the opportunity to see how things work in a more business-focused environment. I think it has also given me more to think about when the time is due to choose whether I will apply to a PhD programme.
Do you have any tips for other students thinking of doing an internship overseas?
Do not be afraid. My experience undertaking an internship in a smaller company overseas was that there was always someone who will be more than happy to help with any issues along the way. Also, try to enjoy the experience and don’t be afraid to explore the environment around you, both within and outside of work.
- Tanja's story - Heidelberg, Germany
- Degree programme: BSc Molecular Biology
Location: Heidelberg, Germany
Role: Research Institute Internship“The Erasmus+ Traineeship grant allowed me to undertake an internship where I found out what real work in a research laboratory looks like. I have always wanted to become a research scientist, but never really had any actual experience with this. Of course I also had occasional doubts – what if the job is not right for me? What if it is totally different from what I imagined? The internship definitely helped me to get a better impression of what type of career I want to pursue and erased any doubts I had about whether this path would be right for me.”
How did you find your internship?
The internship was not compulsory to my degree programme – it was fully up to me to decide where to apply. Sourcing the internship was more straightforward than I initially expected. I knew roughly what I wanted to do and what expectations I had and so I just started searching online. I quickly found a couple of research institutes that raised my interest and then proceeded to search for individual research groups. When I found the website of the laboratory I eventually worked with, I knew their work would be right for me – so I just contacted them and was lucky enough to receive a positive reply!
What did you do during your internship?
My internship took place in a research laboratory which is focussed on gene therapy. I was able to get involved in several ongoing projects, which was a really valuable aspect of my experience. One of the projects hadn’t yet reached the experimental stage and I was able to contribute to planning it from the very beginning. This involved reading many research papers on the topic and coming up with an overall project objective. This experience not only taught me how to be a scientist “behind the scenes”, but also gave me the opportunity to learn experimental procedures within another, larger project. The tasks I completed were typical for a cell and molecular genetics laboratory and involved cloning, Western analysis, qPCR, transfection of mammalian cells and even iPSC development.
Why did you choose to undertake an international internship?
The country in which my internship took place was not new to me – however, given the international background of the research institute I worked with, I came into contact with many different cultures at once. My coworkers and I often found ourselves discussing differences between languages, cuisines and even day-to-day habits. This not only taught me to look at things from a different perspective, but was also a lot of fun!
What skills did you develop during the internship?
Naturally, working in a research laboratory for two months taught me a lot of experimental techniques relevant to my field of study, as well as the process of planning an advanced research project. However, I learnt so much more than that. During the internship, I wrote a scientific report on all of my accomplishments during the time – this was a really valuable experience and improved my scientific writing skills. On top of that, I believe that working with a variety of people in the laboratory really boosted my communication and teamwork skills, as well as critical thinking and problem solving skills.
Has the experience influenced your plans for the future?
The whole internship experience strengthened my desire to pursue a career path in this industry by giving me a much better impression on what this type of work actually involves. I feel like I am more prepared for life after university now and it all seems much less scary!
Do you have any tips for other students thinking of doing an internship overseas?
My main tip for students considering going overseas would be: be open to everything. Your experience will (most) likely not be precisely what you imagined and it would be pretty boring if it were, right? You will learn so many things and gather valuable experience – for your studies, your career and your personal development. Another tip I would give to virtually anyone with high career aspirations is: do not be afraid to dream big! You will only have a chance to succeed if you are unafraid to try so do not let anyone, including yourself, tell you what you cannot do!
- Iris' story - Paris, France
- Degree programme: BA European Social and Political Studies
Location: Paris, France
Role: Media and Communications Intern“I saw this internship as an opportunity to use my French and develop a more international perspective on the economy. I learnt to work as part of a small team, applying skills and knowledge I had learnt from university group assignments. It was very concrete and stimulating.”
What did you do during your internship?
My internship involved supporting with social media and communications, as well as event planning, accounting, web design, sponsorship management and recruitment. It was a small team within a booming start-up, which allowed me to gain experience in many different areas.
What skills did you develop through your internship?
I learnt to work within a small team; from trusting each other with various tasks, to peer reviewing almost everything and brainstorming together.
What were some of the challenges you faced during your internship?
Being the youngest person in the team was sometimes a challenge. As a student, I was always looking for new experiences, and worked hard to prove myself and encourage others to give me responsibility.
Has the experience influenced your plans for the future?
I actually learnt that I prefer more structure than the type of start-up I was in. A small team means that everyone is a “touche-à-tout”: doing a little of everything. I discovered I prefer a clear division of tasks and in the future would like to work in a company who can provide this
Do you have any tips for other students thinking of doing an internship overseas?
Go for it – I think it can only be a positive experience. It’s even useful to learn about what you do not want in your future career. Don’t hesitate. If you are a stranger to the country, you will get to discover a whole culture and practise another language. If not, it is still a huge plus to have an international and professional experience!
- Magali's story - New York, USA
- Degree programme: BA History, Politics and Economics
Location: New York, USA
Role: Intern, NGO“My global internship was one of the best experiences I’ve ever had. Although it was nerve-wracking at first and sometimes challenging, if you want to learn more about the world, other people and most importantly yourself, I highly recommend taking on an opportunity like this. Breaking out of your comfort zone is key for growing as a person, so pack your bags and off you go.”
Why did you choose to undertake an international internship?
My main criteria for an international internship was to be able to work at the United Nations (UN). I did not choose the country per se, as there are only two permanent Missions of Luxembourg to the UN in the world, and the spot in New York was open. Yet the fact that the internship was international, and in a new country, made the experience much more valuable. Hard work and responsibility at the workplace, combined with the immersion into a new culture and city also made it unforgettable.
What did you do during your internship?
My tasks were many and varied, including general assistance to the diplomatic agents of the mission: assistance in report writing of meetings, tracking the activities of the different bodies of the UN, and daily general and specialised press screening. Moreover, I participated and assisted speech writing in side events like “Children and Sustainable Development” and “Safer Roads and Inclusive Transportation”, and attended a number of high-level plenary meetings.
How did you immerse yourself in the culture of a new country?
Before going to New York, I had never been to the United States, nor had I ever really travelled to a new continent by myself. I think one of the most important things is the planning. In order to immerse yourself in the culture of a country, you need to understand it first. Of course, it is also key that you leave space for spontaneous and unplanned moments, but you need to make sure you know enough about the country so as not to miss out on great opportunities.
What was the most useful part of your internship?
The conversations I had and the speeches I was able to listen to. Getting a grip of how the UN works and most importantly how the people inside this huge international organisation think and act is only possible by witnessing and being a part of it.
What were some of the challenges you faced during your internship?
Adapting to a new environment, new colleagues and a new job. It was a lot to take in at the beginning, but the people I met there were very caring and helped me overcome most challenges. Being on your own is not easy, but you get the chance to learn a lot about the world and yourself.
Do you have any tips for other students thinking of doing an internship overseas?
Be open for everything and don’t let your fear of the unknown stop you. Observe and listen carefully, adapt to your role. Connect with people and experience the city and culture.
- Rajay's Story - Hong Kong
- Degree programme: BASc Arts and Sciences
Location: Hong Kong
Role: Teaching Internship“I chose to work in Hong Kong because I have never lived and worked anywhere in Asia in the past. I was excited to work in a cosmopolitan city that offers incredible local, regional and global connectivity and wanted to explore the idea of working there after I graduate.”
What did you do during your internship?
My role as a student teacher was to improve the English skills and provide life skills development to underprivileged secondary school students. This involved creating lesson plans and preparing educational materials. I also worked with other teachers to organise special events such as Olympics day, a talent show, and Student Teaching Day which were aimed at building community and confidence amongst the students.
What were some of the challenges you faced during your internship?
I found the hours and time management challenging. We would get to the school an hour before the students arrived and attend staff meetings after they left. We also had to keep up with regular deadlines of submitting lesson plans for feedback, not to mention preparing for special events and completing student evaluations. It was tiring, but eventually I learned how to manage my time and become more efficient.
How did you immerse yourself in the culture of a new country?
Through food, travel and interacting with locals. We were working with other teachers from Hong Kong and they took us to try a variety of foods at local restaurants and markets. Outside of the program, I learnt new phrases in Cantonese from local teachers. We also went around to explore the city, and visited famous landmarks such as the big Buddha, and some of the other islands in Hong Kong, such as Cheung Chau and Llama Island. I also learnt a lot through conversations with my students, when they would tell me what life was like for them in Hong Kong and their favourite places to go.
Has the experience influenced your plans for the future?
This experience has made me much more interested in teaching as a career. I felt energised in the classroom and it was satisfying to see how the students grew. I have come out with more ideas of activities and lesson plans and thus feel that my time in the classroom is incomplete. I would be interested in teaching in an international school as it would combine my passions to travel and teach, or even a career as a professor if I choose to pursue academia.
Do you have any tips for other students thinking of doing an internship overseas?
Research the area you are going to live in as much as possible, so you know how to get around and can start building a list of places you want to see. I would also suggest interacting with locals and getting to know about their daily life. It may also help to look for cosmopolitan spaces to live where you can meet other like-minded international people.
#UCLGlobalInterns Photo Competition
Last year we piloted an Instagram photo competition for UCL students to showcase their international internship experiences. Find out about the winners in our blog!
Watch this space for 2020’s competition!
Inspired by these experiences? Head back to the Global Internships Programme home page to explore how you can kick-start your own journey or visit our Why Intern Abroad? page for general information about sourcing work opportunities overseas and important things to consider.