Top 3 Reasons Why International Students are Interning in the U.S.

It may seem like there are endless choices when deciding upon a host company for your internship. Often, determining which country to intern in can be just as difficult!   Although searching for internships can be overwhelming, more and more students are deciding to intern abroad in the United States rather than completing a domestic internship. The first  question that may pop in your head is “What are the advantages of interning abroad in the U.S.?”  We asked InterExchange participants why they chose an internship in the United States, and here’s what we found out!

#1: International Internships Increase Your Employability

One of the top 3 responses we hear from InterExchange applicants is that they want to build their CV/Resume and become more marketable to employers once they graduate.

A study by Erasmus found that students who intern or study abroad are half as likely to face long-term unemployment as those who don’t.  About 64% of employers consider an international experience to be important for recruitment.

I think the United States is a great opportunity to launch my career since many companies are based in the U.S. with different offices around the world.  In my country, it is really desirable to have international experience and I want to set myself apart from others here in Italy. This program significantly improved both my personal and professional skills. Living an international experience makes me a richer person in terms of personal feelings.
— Beatrice L.

Many students find that their peers who have interned abroad have an advantage when they return to their home country. 72% of students report that an international experience was beneficial for finding their first job.

#2: Access to Innovative Workplaces, Technologies, and Methodologies

I learned important project management skills, including how to conduct productive meetings with in-person and virtual team; and how to effectively communicate across differences in the work environment. I learned how to create complex reports to show numbers that were used for decision-making. I have also improved my communication skills while facilitating meetings and contacting high-level speakers for the event.  I would definitely recommend this program to everyone ready to make a huge step in their career development at the same time as learning more about themselves.
— Camilla B.

In addition to being one of the world’s leading economies, the United States is also a leader in many industries, including Engineering, Graphic Design, Communications, Architecture, and even Biological Research and Law!

Many international students tell us that it is a dream for them to come to the United States to intern with leaders in their field. Their international internship provides the opportunity to work with top professionals and gain access to technologies and methodologies  that are not readily available to interns in their home country.  

Interning in the United States has provided a foundation for many students to pursue their future career goals so that they can apply what they learned in the United States once they return to their home country. 

#3: Improve Your English and Intercultural Communication Skills

For many students, one of their main objectives is to improve their English-language skills since English is the main language in many industries and is beneficial to their future careers.  While some students may already have a good level of English, our interns tells us they still want to improve their skills, as it is important to be able to write and verbalize their thoughts/ideas as accurately as possible.  Some international interns may even have the chance to present their projects in team meetings or to their supervisors, giving them the ability to practice their oratory skills and articulate their thoughts and ideas.

In addition to becoming fluent in English, students learn how to communicate with people of different cultures and backgrounds while living and working in the United States.  Being able to adapt to different social cues and societal norms allows international interns to set themselves apart from their peers and show employers that they are ready to engage in a global sphere. 

I want to impact as many people as I can with my design and the products I’ve produced.  I want to help people access other services and Fantasy Interactive works with big clients, and working with this team of problem solvers is a great learning experience.
— Edoardo R.

Students decide to intern in the United States since this opportunity allows them to become a well-rounded and confident not only in their fields of study but in their personal lives as well.  While moving to another country may seem daunting, the ability to be independent and acquire many desirable skill sets is what drives these students to intern in the United States.

Are you ready to be more independent while gaining irreplaceable knowledge and skills?  Read more about how to land an internship in the U.S. and start your journey today!