Summer Abroad or an Internship?

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Rachel20

Senior Member
May 7, 2013
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Hey everyone.

I am in a quandry over a decision of whether to take up a course abroad for credits that will be reflected as my usual university credits or take up an internship offer.

While the course abroad would be fun, to experience a foreign country and learn something different, an internship would add to my resume and provide more practical knowledge.
Also, while abroad, placement season starts and I would like to be available , even though I may pursue higher education, as a back up plan.

A summer abroad would be expensive whereas an internship will help you earn money and stabilize finances.

So. Here is my question - Which would you take, a summer course abroad or an internship?


PS- I'll make this decision with my parents, but I was wondering what many of you might feel about this :)
 
Last edited:
Rachel20 said:
Hey everyone.

I am in a quandry over a decision of whether to take up a course abroad for credits that will be reflected as my usual university credits or take up an internship offer.

While the course abroad would be fun, to experience a foreign country and learn something different, an internship would add to my resume and provide more practical knowledge.
Also, while abroad, placement season starts and I would like to be available , even though I may pursue higher education, as a back up plan.

A summer abroad would be expensive whereas an internship will help you earn money and stabilize finances.

So. Here is my question - Which would you take, a summer course abroad or an internship?


PS- I'll make this decision with my parents, but I was wondering what many of you might feel about this :)
Click to expand...

You also would likely learn a lot in the internship and have job experience to put on a resume. I would say internship, because that would help me best fit my culture's expectations of a future employee.
 
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It's a little unclear from you post whether you will be returning to school in the fall or whether this internship would be a first step to a full time job.

There is much to be learned by spending time abroad and I would (and did) always take the chance to go abroad. It will be much more difficult to do so if you have a husband, children, or a job and wish to go sometime in the future. If you hope to work for a company that does business internationally then cross cultural experience is also a big plus on the resume.

While it would be a good experience, it is not an experience worth sacrificing your finances or career prospects for. How much will it set you back to do the summer abroad? Will you regret not doing it if you don't? Will you be able to handle the fact that if you do go, when you come home most people just won't understand your experience and the new perspectives you've gained?

You are wise to make this decision with your parents. I don't always appreciate when my parents point out the practical challenges of what I want to do, but I've learned to listen to them to avoid problems down the road.
 
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Thanks so much for the responses.

They cleared up a lot of doubts in my mind. I agree with you Aristocat and Cinder.

A summer abroad would be fun, but its not a critical, career enhancing prospect unless its some specialized skill.
Cinder, you really hit the nail on the head. Thanks for bringing out the pros and cons so articulately.

For me personally, the summer abroad would mostly be for the travel and experience, but I can do that on a holiday.
I would be returning to college for the fall. I've done a few internships before, and an internship this summer before the final year is definitely a stepping into for a full time job.

However if I pursue higher education, it would be immaterial. Anyway, I am just leaving that to God and see how things work out. I am always excited to learn something new or try out a new skill, so I'll see where it leads to.
Thanks for the advice once again.

God bless you both. :)
 
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