Marc Cappelletti explain why International Internships are worth the investment

Historically, low working wages have been the cause of strikes, riots, and even revolutions.  So why are more and more students and graduates going abroad to work for free?  Furthermore, why are they paying for the experience?  The thought alone should prompt you to reach for your magic marker and picket sign.  But before you go joining any marches; let's look at a few reasons why unpaid international internships are worth the investment.

Students and graduates are faced with many decisions these days (go abroad, stay at home, work for free, make money, etc.), and it is quite comfortable to choose a paying job at home.  But more and more are finding that the true value comes when they step outside of their comfort zone and embark on an international internship to kick off their career - even if they have to pay for the experience.

"I didn't hesitate at all to pay," says Colleen Kredell, who recently completed a 4-month internship with a non-profit organization in Melbourne, Australia.  "I knew that the experience and international contacts I would gain would be far more valuable than the cost of the program."

Paying to be unpaid is an investment that brings consistent returns over time.  In competitive fields, where you can't get experience without previous experience elsewhere, international internships provide the perfect solution.  These customized, personal and professional development programs will put you on the right career track and provide unparalleled international experience that will set you apart from others in your field.

Along with her 35 hour per week internship in Melbourne, Colleen still found time for extra curricular activities.  "I hand fed a wallaby on the beaches of Booderee National Park, came face to face with a coiled diamond back python on a bush trail, and ran with kangaroos across a golf course..."  All experiences she wouldn't have had if she remained in Washington, DC after graduation.

If you try to set up an internship abroad on your own you'll learn two things very quickly - it's difficult, and jeez, it's really freaking difficult.  You may find that even in this digital age, most companies abroad cannot be found online, are too busy to communicate, or simply do not understand the meaning of an "internship," no matter what language you're speaking.  International internship organizations are the Aspirin to all your internship search headaches. 

These placement companies boast a strong reputation across industry borders and have built relationships with the businesses in which you'll be placed.  As a result of going through an internship organization, you will find work experiences that may not be open to just anyone who inquires.

"[On my own,] I don't think I ever would have been in contact with the company I worked for," says Justin Horowitz, a recent university graduate with a passion for art restoration.  He turned to an International Internship organization, and was able to participate in a 4-month internship restoring priceless Renaissance works in Florence, Italy.

International Internship programs may often include more than a customized internship placement.  Be sure to look for organizations that arrange accommodation, foreign language training (if needed), transportation, and insurance.  This program bundle acts as a safety net - your own personal support network to fall back on should problems arise.  

Most international internship programs also include orientation and on the ground support at your destination, as well as pre-departure information packs, an international cell phone, and job counseling. If you have a problem with your accommodation or any aspect associated with your time abroad, they will help you fix it.

Many students engage in international internships during summer break. If you're in school or hoping to get an early start on grad school, you can add between 3 and 12 credits to your transcript through an international internship, especially when it includes foreign language training.  Just be sure to speak with your school advisor ahead of time. The costs of these credits are negligible when compared to the amount you would pay to your home institution. 

With all the planning it takes to go abroad for an extended period of time, the most frustrating task can be securing a visa.  Thankfully, your program provider has already read the fine print for you, so you can save the reading glasses for another day.  You won't have to figure out which visa is applicable or how to obtain it, as your provider will give you the necessary visa support documentation.  This will often smooth the application process and in a few cases enable you to do an internship in a country you couldn't go to without a sponsor. 

When you add up all of these support services, place a value on the headaches you are sure to alleviate, and think of the professional experience you'll gain and the fun you're sure to have (running with kangaroos included), you'll know that there isn't a price tag in the world big enough for an international internship experience.  And you will understand just how much you gain from paying to be unpaid.

Marc Cappelletti is the Marketing Manager for Global Experiences, an International Internship organization