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6 Best cities to do an internship abroad (2020)
Being an intern in a foreign country is a huge boost to any CV and professional profile. In fact, rather than asking yourself whether you should do an internship abroad, maybe you should be asking yourself where you should do one.
As people begin to realise the value of international experience in a competitive and increasingly globalised working world becomes, more and more young professionals are looking to move abroad when looking for an internship.
A huge drop in the price of air travel and incredible advances in technology make living abroad a much more attractive option. You can speak to your far away loved ones face to face – for free! Talking over Skype and FaceTime is not the same of course but it certainly eases the homesickness and makes the distance seem less.
But what drives potential interns to locate the perfect internship abroad? What experiences and skills do they hope to gain from their time away? Many people’s number one reason is to learn a new language, which is a highly employable and impressive addition to any CV. Other people just seek adventure and a surprising number of people move for love.
You need to have a clear idea of what motivates you about doing an internship abroad.
We’ve put together a list of six European cities that should be on anyone’s list of potential destinations for an overseas internship. Each one has very different attractions, so hopefully, there’s something for everyone.
Six cities to do an internship abroad
1. Amsterdam, the Netherlands:
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Amsterdam is becoming an ever more attractive place for graduates seeking to accumulate some international experience. However, the rise in demand has to lead to a shortage of housing over recent years; as you can imagine, the cost of living is very high.
But Amsterdam is one of Europe’s startup capitals, and as interns fuel the startup world there are many positions on offer in numerous exciting companies in a wide variety of industries. Whether you like the idea of a startup or would rather the security of a multinational, Amsterdam has plenty of options for you.
You will also experience the chance to learn or perfect your Dutch, one of Europe’s most employable languages. Find accommodation in Amsterdam.
2. London, England:
London is a must-consider when musing over potential locations to do an internship in a foreign country. However, the main thing to factor in when looking for internships in London is the astronomical cost of living.
You can expect rent and public transport costs to consume the vast majority of what you earn (if you do a paid internship). But if money isn’t an issue then the sheer number of opportunities and the global importance of London are unrivalled in Europe.
The city is steeped in millennia of history that you will struggle to even scratch the surface of, as well as many of the world’s best art galleries and museums. If you can afford to do an internship in London – great; if not, why not check out our next option..?
3. Sofia, Bulgaria:
If you’re contemplating completing an internship abroad then I imagine that the Bulgarian capital is yet to have crossed your mind... well perhaps it should have.
Sofia is enjoying a boom in tourism which has assisted the consistent growth in the economy. Many multinationals are choosing Sofia as a key outsourcing destination. These companies include Siemens, Hewlett Packard and IBM.
Despite the recent spike in economic activity, the price of living remains attractively low for Europe. Expatistan states that the Bulgarian capital is 63% cheaper than London, and that rent is a whopping 76% cheaper!
4. Cologne, Germany:
Choosing a city where rent and professional competition are a little lower than the more populous cities could be a good idea when you look for an internship abroad.
Cologne suffered immensely during the Second World War. The bombing was so bad that the population was reduced to 5% of its original amount, mainly due to mass evacuation. However, modern-day Cologne is something of a phoenix from the ashes, and business and culture are flourishing.
According to Expatistan, rent in Cologne is 27% cheaper than in Munich. This, twinned with an abundance of exciting opportunities, is enough to draw any aspiring intern to Germany’s 4th most populous city.
5. Lisbon, Portugal:
The Portuguese capital is the perfect place to spend a sunny six months or so. Guaranteed good weather and a buzzing city that is currently enjoying the presence of many top companies, truly has a lot to offer a young graduate.
If weather and interesting companies (both multinational and startup) are important to you then Barcelona and Athens could be other attractive options to spend your internship abroad. However, Lisbon has a lower cost of living than both of these cities.
Being such an international place, Lisbon would be the perfect place to improve your language skills and the large expat community should make you feel welcome as soon as you arrive.
6. Valletta, Malta:
Malta is probably more of a holiday destination in most people’s minds. But why just spend a week or two of your summer on an island paradise? Why not live there and really get to know the place and its culture. This little Mediterranean island may have a few other reasons for you to keep it in mind.
Having changed colonial hands several times throughout history, Malta has a diverse and rich concentration of culture for somewhere so small. On top of that, there are many professional opportunities appearing constantly and the gaming industry, in particular, has gone from strength to strength on the island. With an amazing climate and a low cost of living, Malta could be a great destination for an internship abroad.
Are you looking for a new job? Signup to the 30 Day Challenge and we´ll help you find a job in 30 days but also... you´ll be in with a chance of winning a two week trip to either France, Germany or the UK courtesy of our partner for the event, ESL. So what are you waiting for? Signup!
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