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Building Relationships and Friendships While Interning Abroad
Interning abroad offers a unique opportunity for both professional and personal growth. It is also a great opportunity to build relationships and friendships away from home. Developing relationships abroad can be both rewarding and challenging. Below we will discuss ways in which you can create meaningful connections during your internship.
Be Curious
One of the ways to build relationships abroad is showing genuine interest in the culture. Take time to learn about local customs, traditions, and ways of life. This curiosity not only helps you understand your new environment better but will also showcase your respect and admiration of the local culture. As you learn and explore, you get the chance to meet new people and build relationships.
Participate in Local Activities
Engaging in local activities is a great way to put yourself out there. You can do this by attending community events and participating in cultural festivals. Immersing yourself in the local activities can create a foundation to develop new relationships. These experiences can also provide a basis for conversations and interactions with locals and other international interns.
Learn the Language
Knowing the basics of the local language can really help you build relationships. Making an effort to communicate in the local language shows respect and that you are dedicated to learning, making it easier to connect with locals. Additionally, you can develop friendships by exchanging languages and teaching other locals your own language..
Be Open and Approachable
Being friendly can make you more approachable as you try to build relationships in a new country. Smile, make eye contact, initiate conversations and ask questions. Being approachable and showing interest in others’ lives and experiences can help build connections.
Leverage Technology and Social Media
Technology can be a powerful tool for building relationships abroad. Use social media platforms and apps to connect with other interns, expatriates, international residents, international students and locals. Joining online communities and forums related to your interests or professional field can also help you find individuals with the same interests creating an opportunity to get to know each other.
Show Patience and Understanding
Cultural differences can sometimes lead to misunderstandings. Be empathetic and patient when interacting with people. Understand that they may have different ways of expressing themselves and working. Adapting to these differences is part of the learning process and helps you when it comes to building relationships.
Offer Help and Support
Helping and offering support to your colleagues can help you make friends and build strong bonds. For instance, assisting someone with a work project shows kindness and can go a long way in building relationships.
Stay Connected
Maintaining relationships once you go back home is important. Stay in touch with friends and colleagues through social media and occasional visits if possible. These connections can enrich your life even after your internship has ended and potentially open doors for you in the future.
Interning abroad is more than just a professional experience. It is an opportunity to build lasting relationships and friendships that will enrich your life. By embracing curiosity, participating in local activities, and showing empathy, you can make friends and create a supportive network that will enhance your internship abroad.
- Take a Moment
Just pause for a moment. Take a sip of your drink. Take a deep breath in. The more air that goes into your system, the sooner it calms down. Give yourself some time and try to organize your thoughts that are scattered around in your mind.
- Look Confident
Sit straight. Having a good sitting posture regulates blood circulation. Practice active listening by using nonverbal clues such as smiling and nodding. Ask a few questions. Remember, you’re also interviewing the organization to see if they offer what you hope to find. Combine and maintain all of these throughout your interview, and voilà! You look much more confident and vigorous.
- Remember It’s a Conversation
Keep in mind that interviews are just pre-organized conversations. The only thing you do in an interview is to talk to someone who wants to learn more about you and explain yourself. Do your research on the company beforehand, prepare for some possible questions, try to relax, and you’re good to go!
Don’t forget, an appropriate amount of stress is rather a positive thing. Also, it is completely normal. What you need to do is balance your stress at a productive level and use it to present yourself in the best possible way.
