The international internship experience: How does it compare with domestic internships?

As the business world has become more global, there is an increasing need for business students to be exposed to international culture and business. Many universities have study abroad programs that afford students an opportunity for an international experience. Another avenue universities may consider is international internships. Internships provide benefits to the student, the employer, and the school. The added dimension of an international internship raises a number of questions. How do international internships compare with domestic internships? What additional issues arise when students do an international internship? How can students find international internships? In this study, a group of students who participated in international internships share their experiences. The group consisted of foreign students who did an internship in the United States and U.S. students who did an internship in a foreign country. They share how they found their internships, their work responsibilities, and the cultural differences and language barriers they experienced. All believed their internship was a valuable experience.