Going to an Erasmus internship is a great opportunity to learn more about your chosen field with real-world experience. Additionally, it gives you a chance to be immersed in a different culture and explore another country. Here are 5 tips to help you make the most out of your internship experience.
1. Give it your all
At the beginning of your internship it’s going to take you some time to get used to the new work environment. That’s why it’s important that you use this time to get the sense of expectations, watch and seek guidance. Most importantly don’t be afraid to ask a lot of questions. Make sure to organise yourself and seek feedback to help you improve. As the time goes by it is going to become much easier and you can use your excess time to take on extra projects, give suggestions and be more involved. This will make your internship a great starting point for your future career path.
2. Make friends from different countries
When you go abroad for your Erasmus internship you are going to come across people from all over the world. Whether it is at your internship placement, different events or even at a café. You might not make friends with all of them but it’s important to be open-minded and listen to their stories. This way you will learn a lot about different cultures. You can find several websites with events in your city, which will help you meet more local people. The events range from different activities to festivals, fairs and competitions. Try to make variety of plans, like going for a walk, cooking together, watching films or doing sports. Doing that will help you expand your connection.
3. Learn the language
Learning the local language can be helpful in navigating everyday life. For example when you go shopping or speak to local people who don’t know English. Spending the time abroad can be very helpful with improving your language skills as you are surrounded by people who speak that language. Before your trip try to learn the basics. And when you are abroad don’t be afraid to speak the language, as it will help you learn and improve. If your Erasmus internship will take place in Turkey, check out our guide on how to speak like a local #1 – Greetings.
4. Travel
You should get to know the city you are in well, explore the streets and discover the culture. But don’t just stay within your city. Use weekends to visit and explore different places across the country. You’ll be surprised what all you can find. Travel with your new friends and try as many new things as possible. This will deepen your friendships and make your experience more enriching.
For example; Cappadocia is a fascinating historical site in Turkey that is one of a kind.
5. Reflect on your experience
In order to better reflect on your experience, you should keep a journal of all your projects and things which you’ve learnt at your internship placement. This practice will help you learn more about yourself and at the end of your Erasmus internship you can reflect on the skills you’ve gained. Along with that it will be very helpful when you want to update your resume and it will give you things to talk about in a future interview.
