Home - All the european internships information you need
The New
European Internships by your side
There is no doubt that living in a new country can be hard.There are several different difficulties that you may encounter which could prevent you from fully taking advantage of your internship and time abroad. In this article we are going to split these difficulties into 3 main areas and we are going to talk about some ways to resolve them.
Culture Shock
When arriving in a new country you may also often find that you are confronted with a culture very different to your own. This could cause you to become overwhelmed leading to what is known as culture shock. There are several strategies you can use to overcome this problem and to embrace the culture in which you are trying to integrate. The first of these is living with a host family which is an option offered by European Internships. Lodging with a family will allow you interact with locals and you can ask them questions about the country and city you are living in. You will also have the opportunity to accompany the family to typical events in the city and to try typical specialities that they cook.
 In this way you will gradually start to become more appreciative of the richness of the culture you are living in and to become less disorientated. As well as living with locals you should also try to get to know native speakers outside of the home environment. Intercambios, societies, sports teams and clubs are all ways you can do this.
Getting involved in these different activities will allow you to make friends with whom you can explore the different historic monuments and important sites in the city where you are living.
 Establishing this contact with locals will culturally immerse you in the society of the country and will help you to start to dismiss any stereotypes which you may have had of the country and its people before coming.
Furthermore, you should take advantage of all the opportunities to try the traditions and customs of the city and country where you are working. If your friends are going to traditional dance classes, watching a concert by local artists or trying specialities go with them and the new culture you at first thought alien will gradually become exciting and vibrant.
You should also try not to make comparisons between your home country and the country you are living in. This may be easier said than done especially when you first arrive but little by little you will learn how important cultural differences are in forming a country´s unique identity.Â
In addition, remember that culture shock often has ups and downs as you adjust.
Sometimes you might by really enjoying your new experiences and at other times you might wish you were at home. It may take a bit of time but you will learn to love where you are working.
It may also be helpful to bring a few small objects from home with you such as photos, food or books or you can keep in touch with your family asking them to keep you updated on what is going on where you live as this will help you to combat reverse culture shock when you return to your own country.
Homesickness
If it is your first experience away from home for an extended period of time it is natural that at certain moments you may feel homesick. This is a common difficulty which many people encounter at some point during their period away from their home.
 There are some simple ways to combat it. It is important to be as active as possible. Staying in-doors may just make you think about the familiar culture of your own country and your family. If you do an activity in your home country or you have a passion investigate the opportunities to continue them in the destination where you are working. This will allow you get out of the house and to be busy giving you less time to think about home.
However some contact with home can be another way to combat your homesickness.  Keep in contact with your family, let them know about how you are getting on and do not suffer in silence. There are several ways you can contact them including using a video messaging service, an international phone card or email.
Another way to let your friends and family know what you are up to is by using social networking sites or by creating a video or written blog. You can also fix a definite date when you are going to go home as this will give you something to look forward to.It may be possible for your friends or family to come and visit you however you need to decide whether this will be beneficial or whether it will just make you miss home even more. Â
Language Barrier and misunderstandings
Not being able to communicate with people or being misunderstood could cause you to become demotivated and to not fully enjoy your time abroad. The first of these problems can be easily solved by taking a language course before you embark on your adventure abroad.
 If this is not possible, European Internships offers you the opportunity to carry out a language course combined with an internship.
 This will allow you learn from highly qualified native speakers and to immediately put the language you have learnt into practice in an authentic environment outside the classroom enjoying cultural activities and traditions.
It can be hard when you have knowledge of the language but native speakers sometimes do not understand. If this happens to you do not despair. It may simply be that the locals are not accustomed to your accent. If you are misunderstood it may be that you have been misheard so you should always repeat what you have said.
 Furthermore, do not be put off speaking in the language because of one misunderstanding. Continuing to interact with native speakers will enable you to improve your accent and you can always ask them to help you.
 If you feel that you are being misunderstood because of your pronunciation do not worry as there are several pronunciation resources available in printed and digital formats which you can use to start sounding like a native speaker.
In conclusion, always remember that you are not alone in finding an intership in a new and different culture difficult. There are sure to be people there to support you whether it be friends you meet throughout your experience, colleagues at work, your placement supervisors or your family or friends back at home. Finally, if you want a fully supported internship look no further than European Internships.
We provide a wide range of different internships all with full orientation programs and with dedicated staff who will support you every step of the way. Do not hesitatate to contact us or consult our website to find out about what we offer.
More news »
