How to Finance your Internship Abroad
Imagine that you have found the perfect internship program in your dream company at that beautiful foreign country. Except that it is unpaid due to visa matter. Getting an internship abroad is many students’ dream, but it can seem unattainable because of the cost. You will need to prepare enough funds for the program fee, plane tickets, accommodations and all the living cost. As most internships abroad are unpaid, you might need to find another source to finance your internship. These are several alternatives that you should consider.
Personal Saving
If you have been very diligent in saving your money before you go on an internship abroad, then you are all set. You can do a simple budget planning to ensure you save enough money to finance your internship.
Part Time Jobs
If you do not have enough funds in your personal account yet, try looking for a part time job to help fund your internship. You can work at some coffee shops, restaurants, supermarkets or even become a tutor for your neighborhood’s kids. Or if you have special skills, find some freelancing jobs that allow you to work anywhere, like doing translation or programming. These part time jobs can also boost your CV and give you more experience.
Family Support
If you have tried to work but it is still not enough, try asking your parents or close family and friends for help. Convince them that your internship abroad will be a very valuable experience to get you started on your career. Share with them what skills you can learn in your internship and how it will be useful when you start your professional work.
University or College Funding
Some universities and colleges provide scholarships or financial aid to top students who want to get internships abroad. With these kind of programs, you might be obliged to contribute back to your universities or colleges after your internship ends. Most likely, they will ask you to help in several offices for some period of time. This can even be an added work experience for you.
Try checking with your universities’ Career Center Office to find out whether they have the programs. Even if they do not have the program, they might be able to recommend another way to finance your internship.
Grants and Scholarships
There are several organizations and foundations that can provide you with financial support, like scholarships or grants, for your internship. Depending on your locations, circumstances or unique interests, here are several possibilities to be considered.
1. Bright Internships Scholarships Program – Our own scholarship program is designed specifically to support your internship journey. It is open for summer internship program for all of you are are eligible and make sure to check our website on March for the new scholarship update.
2. Benjamin A. Gilman International Scholarship Program – This is the program from the U.S. Department of State that enables students from the U.S., of limited financial means, to study or intern abroad
3. Erasmus Grant –You might qualify for Erasmus Grant if you are a student in EU. You can apply for Erasmus+ Grant through your universities.
4. Other Scholarships Website – Try IEFA or NAFSA website for more scholarships options.
Crowdfunding
Share your story and make a fundraising on website such as GoFundMe or Kickstarter. Basically, you are asking people to help you fund your internship. You can start a campaign bydetailing your goal for this crowdfunding. Make sure that you have done enough research so that you can set a realistic goal. Then, you will have to promote your campaign, like sharing it on your social media.The more people you can convinced about your cause, the faster you can get the fund needed to finance your internship.
Like the saying “Where there is a will, there is a way”, if you want something hard enough, you will find the means to get it. We hope these several alternatives will be able to help you finance your internship abroad.
If you have any further questions, just contact us!