What is “Internship”?

An “internship” (also called “work placements” in the UK) is an opportunity offered by an employer to students or potential employees, called “interns”, to work at a firm for a fixed, limited period of time.


Internship work experience is usually carried out by college or university students into their second/third or final year of the school course period. The internship work placement can be from 3 months to sometimes even one full school year. During this period the student is supposed to use the things he/she has learned in school and put it in practice. This way the student gets work experience in their field of study.



Many internships are career specific. Students often choose internships based on their major at the university/college level. It is not uncommon for former interns to acquire full-time employment at an organization once they have enough necessary experience. The challenging job market has made it essential for college students to gain real world experience prior to graduation.


An internship may be either paid, unpaid or partially paid (in the form of a stipend). Internships may be part-time or full-time; typically they are part-time during the university year and full-time in the summer.

What is an “Intern”?

Interns are usually second/third or final year undergraduates or students, working in a temporary position with an emphasis on on-the-job training rather than merely employment, making it similar to an apprenticeship.

Why is an internship a good idea?

An internship or work placement can help you to make decisions about your future career – to discover what you like and dislike about the work, where your strengths and weaknesses lie and what possibilities there are for long-term career development in that field of work. It is also an excellent time to learn organisational, management and personal skills, and develop an awareness of the workplace culture.


The benefits of an overseas internship or work experience are many:

• learn practical skills in the industry relating to your field of study,
• improve your English language proficiency,
• embrace a new culture,
• improve your employability chances after graduation or as a preparation for an international career.

Many employers nowadays are looking for applicants who have proven skills and a solid work ethic. An internship can significantly improve your CV, gain a good reference from your course employer and thus enhance your future employment prospects.