{"id":37749,"date":"2025-05-21T10:59:23","date_gmt":"2025-05-21T10:59:23","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/absoluteinternship.com\/?p=37749"},"modified":"2025-05-21T11:00:23","modified_gmt":"2025-05-21T11:00:23","slug":"how-to-survive-your-first-week-as-an-intern-abroad","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/absoluteinternship.com\/blog\/how-to-survive-your-first-week-as-an-intern-abroad\/","title":{"rendered":"How to Survive Your First Week as an Intern Abroad"},"content":{"rendered":"<div id=\"ez-toc-container\" class=\"ez-toc-v2_0_75 counter-hierarchy ez-toc-counter ez-toc-grey ez-toc-container-direction\">\n<div class=\"ez-toc-title-container\">\n<p class=\"ez-toc-title\" style=\"cursor:inherit\">Table of Contents<\/p>\n<span class=\"ez-toc-title-toggle\"><\/span><\/div>\n<nav><ul class='ez-toc-list ez-toc-list-level-1 ' ><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-1\" href=\"#\" data-href=\"https:\/\/absoluteinternship.com\/blog\/how-to-survive-your-first-week-as-an-intern-abroad\/#How_do_I_prepare_for_my_internship_abroad\" >How do I prepare for my internship abroad?<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-2\" href=\"#\" data-href=\"https:\/\/absoluteinternship.com\/blog\/how-to-survive-your-first-week-as-an-intern-abroad\/#How_to_handle_your_first_week_as_an_intern_abroad\" >How to handle your first week as an intern abroad<\/a><\/li><\/ul><\/nav><\/div>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Getting the jitters as your internship abroad approaches? That\u2019s okay. An international internship program is a big deal, after all. It means not just visiting but actually living in a different country for weeks or months\u2014likely for the first time and probably on your own. You don\u2019t know anyone, most things are unfamiliar, and there is a language barrier. Have we scared you further? Just kidding!<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Whether you&#8217;re visiting Asia for the first time for an internship in Seoul or spending the next couple of months exploring Europe for your <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/absoluteinternship.com\/programs\/stockholm-internships\/\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Stockholm internship<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">, we got you. Here are some tips on how you can survive\u2014and thrive!\u2014during your first week as an intern abroad.<\/span><\/p>\n<h2><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"How_do_I_prepare_for_my_internship_abroad\"><\/span><b>How do I prepare for my internship abroad?<\/b><span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">This may sound weird, but we believe your internship abroad starts even before you arrive in your host country. There\u2019s a lot of prep to do pre-flight\u2014and we don\u2019t just mean choosing your outfits!<\/span><\/p>\n<h3><b>Learn the culture<\/b><\/h3>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">When we say culture, we mean both the country\u2019s traditions and its work culture. Familiarize yourself with both so you don\u2019t go in blind during your first week. Knowing the everyday customs\u2014traditions, beliefs, and practices\u2014and work etiquette will help you adjust faster, both in and out of the office.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Does business etiquette differ around the world? Absolutely. For instance, if you\u2019re doing an internship in Bangkok, Thailand, you might need to learn how to do a proper \u201c<\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.thailandfoundation.or.th\/culture_heritage\/wai-the-thai-greeting\/\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">wai<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">\u201d gesture to politely greet your colleagues. Respect and hierarchy matter a lot in <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/absoluteinternship.com\/blog\/internships-in-tokyo-what-its-like-to-work-in-japan\/\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Japanese work culture<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">, too.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">These little things might not seem like a big deal, but trust us, they are. Knowing how to follow local practices as an international student can help you make a great first impression.<\/span><\/p>\n<h3><b>Study the company<\/b><\/h3>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Do your homework on your host company! Frankly, this is something you ideally should\u2019ve done even <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/absoluteinternship.com\/blog\/what-should-i-do-to-get-accepted-for-a-summer-internship-abroad\/\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">before your internship interview<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">. To get started, learn about the company\u2019s vision, mission, values, services, and ongoing projects.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Having this knowledge will make you feel more confident going in because you\u2019ll already have an idea of what to expect. Bonus: it might even impress your supervisor. What a way to ace your first few days, right?<\/span><\/p>\n<h3><b>Set goals<\/b><\/h3>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">You can\u2019t make the most of your internship abroad if you don\u2019t know what you want to get out of it. Before heading to your host country, take some time to reflect on your upcoming experience and identify your goals.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">If you\u2019re unsure what internship goals would work for you, start by imagining what you\u2019d like your last internship day to look like. Are you shaking hands with your supervisor, who\u2019s proud of the big project you completed? Maybe you\u2019re celebrating with new friends because you built great connections.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Whatever your vision is, make sure your goals are <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.umassd.edu\/fycm\/goal-setting\/resources\/smartgoals\/\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">SMART<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">\u2014specific, measurable, attainable, realistic, and timely.<\/span><\/p>\n<h3><b>Learn the language<\/b><\/h3>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">While most companies that accept international interns use English for daily conversations, it wouldn\u2019t hurt to pick up a bit of the local language. Even just knowing how to say \u201chello,\u201d \u201cthank you,\u201d and \u201cexcuse me\u201d can go a long way. Imagine how much easier it would be to order coffee and ask for directions!<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Plus, learning the local language\u2014even the basics\u2014can improve your internship experience. Knowing basic Spanish for an <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/absoluteinternship.com\/programs\/madrid-internships\/\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">internship in Madrid<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> can help you bond with teammates over lunch, while a few Korean phrases could earn you extra hospitality during your Seoul internship.<\/span><\/p>\n<h3><b>Ready your outfits<\/b><\/h3>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">If you\u2019re unsure of your host company\u2019s dress code, play it safe with formal business attire. Keep it simple, clean, and professional. On your first day, observe what everyone else is wearing and adjust from there. This means bringing clothes that are versatile and easy to mix and match.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">And hey\u2014you can always reach out to your recruiter or supervisor and ask directly. Nothing wrong with that. It\u2019s better to ask than to commit a fashion faux pas, we say! After all, the dress code for a <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/absoluteinternship.com\/internships\/fashion-internships\/\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">fashion internship in Madrid<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> might look very different from a finance internship in Singapore.<\/span><\/p>\n<h2><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"How_to_handle_your_first_week_as_an_intern_abroad\"><\/span><b>How to handle your first week as an intern abroad<\/b><span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Now that you\u2019re ready to get started with your internship abroad, let\u2019s make it awesome. Your first week can make an impression and set the tone for the rest of your internship\u2014and here\u2019s how to make it count:<\/span><\/p>\n<h3><b>Take down notes<\/b><\/h3>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">We cannot stress this enough. Taking notes helps you stay organized and on track of your tasks, projects, and even thoughts. It\u2019s especially helpful during your first week, when you\u2019ll likely receive a ton of information!<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><strong>Bonus tip:<\/strong> Document your projects and achievements throughout your internship. By the end, you\u2019ll have a record of everything you accomplished\u2014which will make your performance review a whole lot easier.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Choose a tool that works for you, too, whether that\u2019s a traditional notebook, your phone\u2019s notes app, or productivity platforms like <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.notion.com\/\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Notion<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> or <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/trello.com\/\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Trello<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">.<\/span><\/p>\n<h3><b>Meet everyone<\/b><\/h3>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">During your first week interning abroad, introduce yourself to as many people as you can. Make a good impression and show genuine interest in your new teammates. This is where your cultural prep can come in handy. It\u2019s also the beginning of building those global work connections!<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Of course, you\u2019ll also want to meet your internship supervisor. Having your SMART goals ready will make this conversation easier, as you can align your expectations with your supervisor and discuss how the company can help you achieve them.<\/span><\/p>\n<h3><b>Take every opportunity to learn<\/b><\/h3>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">An internship is a learning experience first and foremost. It\u2019s your chance to gain a better understanding of your industry, so go be a sponge during your first week and absorb as much as you can! Pay close attention during meetings, and observe how your teammates interact and handle tasks. Everything that happens during your internship is an opportunity to learn something new.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Don\u2019t be afraid to ask questions, either. Everyone knows you\u2019re there to learn, and most of them will be happy to share what they know. Hard skills or soft, whatever you learn from this experience will, one way or another, help your future career.<\/span><\/p>\n<h3><b>Ask for feedback<\/b><\/h3>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Last but definitely not least: don\u2019t be afraid of feedback. It might feel intimidating at first, but it\u2019s one of the best ways to grow. Ask your supervisor and colleagues how you\u2019re doing. What are you doing well? Where can you improve? Most appreciate interns who are proactive about learning and willing to improve.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Plus, there\u2019s nothing to lose. Compliments help you recognize your strengths and boost your confidence, while constructive criticism points you toward areas you can work on. Use feedback to become a better version of yourself\u2014not just as an intern, but as a future professional, too!<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">If you\u2019re still feeling a little nervous, that\u2019s totally fine. It just means you care about doing this well. So take a deep breath, enjoy every moment, and don\u2019t forget to embrace the abroad part!<\/span><\/p>\n<h3><b>Still considering an internship abroad?<\/b><\/h3>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">We\u2019ve got international internship programs in some of the world\u2019s most exciting cities like Barcelona, Shanghai, and Lisbon! Start your application today and let\u2019s discuss how you can gain real-world experience in your preferred industry while exploring a whole new culture.<\/span><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Getting the jitters as your internship abroad approaches? That\u2019s okay. An international internship program is a big deal, after all. It means not just visiting but actually living in a&#8230;<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":6168,"featured_media":37750,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"content-type":"","footnotes":""},"categories":[920],"tags":[127,1099,1098],"table_tags":[],"class_list":["post-37749","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-international-internship","tag-internship-abroad","tag-internship-abroad-2025","tag-internship-abroad-program"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/absoluteinternship.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/37749","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/absoluteinternship.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/absoluteinternship.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/absoluteinternship.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/6168"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/absoluteinternship.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=37749"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/absoluteinternship.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/37749\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/absoluteinternship.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/37750"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/absoluteinternship.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=37749"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/absoluteinternship.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=37749"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/absoluteinternship.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=37749"},{"taxonomy":"table_tags","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/absoluteinternship.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/table_tags?post=37749"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}