Iman’s Summer time Internship in Lisbon 

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Need to hear from a school scholar who did a full-time worldwide internship in Portugal? We lately spoke with AIFS Overseas participant Iman from Colorado State College who spent her summer time interning overseas within the seaside metropolis of Lisbon. 

Able to be taught extra about Iman’s expertise as an intern overseas in Lisbon with AIFS Overseas? Learn on! 

Selecting an Intern Overseas Program Vacation spot & Time period 

Deciding when and the place to intern overseas could be troublesome for a lot of college students and graduates (our workforce can assist with that!) who don’t know the place to start out. 

The summer time is a incredible time to intern overseas—it permits you to benefit from your summer time, concurrently increasing your profession abilities and cultural horizons in time to return house for the fall semester. Iman discovered that summertime was a superb season for interning in Lisbon, particularly: 

“I selected to go in the summertime, arriving in early June, which was excellent because it wasn’t peak vacationer season but, and the climate was nonetheless gentle. June can also be the ‘Month of the Saints’ in Portugal, with the Festas de Lisboa bringing town to life—each road was full of individuals dancing, reside music echoed in all places, and it felt like the entire metropolis was out celebrating collectively. The power was unimaginable, and attending to expertise this custom alongside locals made my time in Lisbon really unforgettable.” 

Selecting the situation was simple—after visiting Lisbon previous to her worldwide internship, Iman determined she wanted to return! 

“I had visited Lisbon as soon as earlier than, and even in that quick time, I fell in love with its ambiance. Town is vibrant and colourful, and the individuals stood out to me for his or her kindness and distinctive personalities. There’s a continuing movement of constructive power that makes Lisbon really feel each thrilling and welcoming. I’d suggest this program to college students who wish to expertise European metropolis life but additionally recognize a extra laid-back, beachy atmosphere. If you happen to love sunshine, coastal views, and a slower tempo of life whereas nonetheless being in a dynamic and culturally wealthy metropolis, Lisbon is the proper place.” 

Internship Expertise 

AIFS Overseas full-time internship packages will place you in a vetted native group or firm that aligns together with your profession targets and expertise stage. Now we have on-site assist employees who go to internship amenities earlier than you’re accepted to a program to make sure they’re as much as our excessive requirements. Due to the excessive confidence our workforce places in these organizations, along with the assist employees who’re there that can assist you cope with any points, our interns constantly report overwhelmingly constructive experiences that assist them develop their profession abilities and unlock skilled alternatives. 

Hear Iman describe her internship expertise: 

“I interned at a [local] health club, the place I labored as a Advertising Intern. My function concerned creating social media content material, updating the corporate’s web site, and helping with advertising and marketing campaigns. I used to be liable for growing Instagram posts, partaking with the health club’s neighborhood on-line, and serving to to advertise occasions and courses. Moreover, I labored intently with my boss to plan and execute advertising and marketing methods, which included gathering suggestions and analyzing the success of various campaigns. The internship gave me hands-on expertise in a dynamic, fitness-focused atmosphere.” 

She labored on a number of necessary tasks that helped her domesticate her advertising and marketing abilities: 

“One of the crucial notable tasks I labored on was rebuilding the health club’s web site, which gave me hands-on expertise with net design and allowed me to use my advertising and marketing data to enhance consumer expertise and performance. I additionally helped plan and promote an occasion for the health club, the place I collaborated with the workforce to create advertising and marketing supplies, handle logistics, and interact with the neighborhood. These tasks had been extremely precious for my profession improvement, as they taught me how you can stability creativity with technique, handle large-scale occasions, and refine my abilities in each digital advertising and marketing and challenge administration.” 

Full-time interns are required to spend 35 – 40 hours per week at their internship website; nonetheless, each placement is totally different, and schedules can range relying in your tasks and your host group’s hours of operation. Right here’s what Iman’s worldwide advertising and marketing internship schedule was like: 

“I [interned] every single day (Monday-Friday) from 10 AM to five PM and usually bought new duties every day. Every morning, I’d begin by creating Instagram content material to plug into the scheduled social media posts. After that, I’d get an hour for lunch, typically going out with my boss or mates I’d made on the health club. I’d typically even get the prospect to take part in a category if it was not full that day, which was a enjoyable technique to break up the day. Within the afternoons, I’d give attention to remaining duties like answering emails, updating the web site, or engaged on different advertising and marketing tasks. By 5 PM, I’d wrap up and head house, able to tackle the subsequent day.” 

Work Tradition in Lisbon 

One widespread factor Individuals report after they intern overseas in Europe is how a lot they benefit from the work tradition overseas. American work tradition is commonly fast-paced and doesn’t prioritize well-being as a lot as productiveness. Nonetheless, many European nations and companies desire a extra relaxed work-life stability, as Iman explains: 

“The work tradition at [my host company] was very chill and laid-back, with a give attention to having fun with the atmosphere and staying lively. Whereas there was nonetheless construction—I needed to be at [my internship] full time and follow my hours—it by no means felt restrictive as a result of the atmosphere was so enjoyable and interesting. So long as you bought your work accomplished, you had the liberty to handle your day. This was totally different from the American work tradition, which is commonly extra individualistic and fast-paced, with a continuing push to remain busy. At [my host company], there was an ideal work-life stability that made it simple to remain motivated and really benefit from the work I used to be doing.” 

Not solely was the work tradition in Lisbon a plus, however Iman additionally loved some distinctive advantages at her firm: 

“My firm supplied some nice perks! I used to be ready to make use of the health club without spending a dime every time I needed, which was superior because it was such an enormous a part of the tradition. For lunches, they’d deal with me, and there have been all the time snacks and low out there, which made the work atmosphere much more satisfying. It actually added to the general constructive and welcoming vibe of the workforce.” 

Co-Staff as an Intern Overseas 

At each AIFS Overseas internship, you can be working alongside different individuals—permitting you to obtain mentorship and construct connections at your host firm. Iman’s expertise together with her boss and colleagues helped her develop professionally: 

“My supervisor and the workforce had been very nice and enjoyable to be round, making a constructive and supportive ambiance. My boss’s management type was positively extra hands-off, which I wasn’t used to at first, nevertheless it gave me the house to determine issues out alone. Whereas it took a little bit of time to regulate, I appreciated the belief and autonomy, which in the end helped me develop and turn into extra unbiased in my work. It was a refreshing change that taught me to take initiative and handle my tasks with confidence. 

Profession Alternatives Overseas 

Whenever you intern overseas, you get the prospect to construct a worldwide skilled community—who is aware of the place it’s going to take you and what doorways it will open up later on! Iman was supplied a job if she needed to remain after her program, and whereas she didn’t take them up on it (she nonetheless needed to end faculty!), she is aware of now that she needs to reside and work overseas sooner or later: 

“If I didn’t have to come back again and end my undergrad, I most likely would have taken them up on it. This expertise actually solidified my need to reside in that sort of atmosphere completely. It confirmed me that, whereas I wish to pursue grad college, I can use it as a stepping stone to finally transfer overseas. It helped me understand how a lot I worth the worldwide work setting and the alternatives it could actually present for my profession.” 

Constructing Private Relationships 

When you might set out to your worldwide internship by your self, you’re positive to make mates as quickly as you arrive in your host nation. You’ll meet fellow AIFS Overseas program contributors, locals, and expats, and also you’ll be capable of construct relationships with individuals at your internship!  

“I actually made an effort to place myself on the market and meet as many individuals as attainable. One factor I did was comply with influencers who lived in Lisbon and reached out to them for suggestions. A couple of responded, and I used to be even launched to a WhatsApp group chat of women from all around the world who had simply moved to Lisbon! It was an incredible technique to meet new individuals, and thru that group, I shaped nice friendships that made me by no means wish to depart town.” 

Whether or not you’re seeking to join with skilled colleagues or make a brand new buddy, Iman presents the next recommendation: 

“My recommendation for future [interns] is to place your self on the market, don’t be afraid to succeed in out to locals or different newcomers, and embrace the alternatives to attach—whether or not it’s by way of social media, occasions, or simply being open to assembly individuals in on a regular basis conditions. You’ll be shocked by what number of significant connections you may make!” 

Language Studying 

Many potential research overseas and intern overseas contributors surprise, “Do I must know the native language to intern overseas?” No! You don’t must be fluent in one other language to check or intern overseas, and lots of packages, like Iman’s, don’t require any native language proficiency—English is sufficient! 

Iman encountered an sudden language atmosphere when she arrived at her host firm, and used it to enhance her Portuguese abilities: 

“My expertise was fairly distinctive, particularly since my boss, who spoke English, bought into a motorbike accident the day I used to be supposed to start out my internship. After I went to the health club to introduce myself, one of many coaches didn’t communicate any English in any respect, which was a little bit of a shock. I texted my boss to verify if I ought to nonetheless go in, and he was actually supportive, conserving in contact with me for the primary two weeks whereas he was recovering. Not one of the employees on the health club spoke English, so I needed to actually step up my Portuguese. My language abilities improved lots, and I began taking courses to get higher. Fortunately, I had an incredible workforce who needed to observe their English, so we helped one another out—I’d observe Portuguese with them, they usually’d assist me with my English. My recommendation for anybody studying a language whereas overseas is to immerse your self as a lot as attainable, ask questions, and don’t be afraid to make errors!” 

Housing 

All AIFS Overseas worldwide internship packages embrace housing. Intern housing ensures a personal room inside a shared AIFS Overseas scholar residence. Hear why Iman beloved her program housing: 

“I completely beloved the housing we acquired in Lisbon! We lived in Saldanha, the most effective areas for residing, and our house was wonderful—big particular person rooms, a pleasant kitchen, two bogs, and an unimaginable balcony/window setup. The one problem we confronted was determining how you can take out the trash, which, for some motive, felt far more complicated than it ought to have been. Fortunately, our Program Administrators had been tremendous useful and guided us by way of it in individual after they had been out there!” 

Private Development 

Whenever you select a global internship, you’re signing up for each skilled and private progress—for Iman, and lots of others, it’s a life-changing expertise. 

“The complete expertise helped me develop in so some ways, however my internship, particularly, had the most important influence. I actually tailored and realized a lot all through the method—from navigating a brand new work atmosphere to constructing robust relationships with my coworkers. Taking language courses and immersing myself within the tradition pushed me outdoors my consolation zone, however in one of the best ways attainable. 

By the tip of my time overseas, my coworkers felt like a short lived little household, and that sense of connection modified the way in which I see my life and what I would like my future to appear like. It strengthened my ardour for working in worldwide environments and confirmed me the worth of moving into new experiences with an open thoughts.” 

Why AIFS Overseas? 

The causes to decide on AIFS Overseas are too many to rely! Right here’s why Iman selected to intern overseas with us: 

“I selected AIFS Overseas due to their robust repute for offering structured and supportive research [and intern] overseas experiences. I had heard nice issues about how they assist with housing, cultural integration, and general transition, which made [interning] overseas really feel a lot much less overwhelming. Their internship alternatives actually stood out to me as a result of they supplied each worldwide work expertise and a powerful assist community, making my expertise overseas much more precious.” 

Remaining Ideas & Recommendation 

For anybody who’s pondering of learning or interning overseas, Iman leaves you with these remaining ideas: 

“You’re about to embark on an journey that can change your life in methods you may’t even think about but. Get able to develop, be challenged, and expertise greater than you ever thought attainable. Say sure—to new friendships, spontaneous journeys, unfamiliar meals, and moments that push you out of your consolation zone. A number of the greatest reminiscences occur if you least count on them. 

You should have days the place you are feeling on high of the world, exploring a brand new metropolis with individuals who really feel like lifelong mates. Additionally, you will have days the place you miss house, query the whole lot, or really feel misplaced. That’s all a part of the expertise—embrace it. Each problem will make you stronger, extra unbiased, and extra assured in your self. 

Put your self on the market. Speak to locals, be part of group chats, ask for suggestions, and construct connections. The individuals you meet will form your journey simply as a lot because the locations you go. Most significantly—soak all of it in. Time will fly by quicker than you count on. Stay each second, take the pictures, snort an excessive amount of, and be all in. 

This isn’t only a journey—it’s a chapter of your life that can stick with you perpetually. Go make it unforgettable.” 

Are you able to take the leap and intern overseas like Iman did in Lisbon with AIFS Overseas? We’d love that can assist you begin your journey! 

Right here at AIFS Overseas, we all know a factor or two about serving to faculty college students and up to date graduates intern overseas. Our packages include many precious inclusions, which takes plenty of the stress out of planning. From coordinating your housing to offering issues like built-in profession readiness, complete insurance coverage, 24/7 emergency assist, on-site employees, and cultural and social actions and excursions, you’ll take consolation in understanding you’ll have assist all through your whole expertise overseas.