Working Abroad Tutorial: Alex's International Internship

Working Abroad Tutorial:
How to Find International Work

Alex's International Internship Story

Here is one student's personal account of how her international internship... Alex's story.

I knew from early on -- perhaps in high school -- that my two passions were traveling abroad and helping people. I wasn't sure how these were going to work together or become some sort of career, but I knew that somehow I could combine these into a life.

It all started with taking years of Spanish in high school. I took Spanish, not just because I lived in Florida, but because I have always loved the culture of Latin America. I had never traveled to the region, but had an Aunt who did and who shared many stories with me.

Once I got to college, I decided that the best way to combine my passions was to attempt a dual major in Spanish and International Business.

In my junior year, I had a chance to study abroad in Mexico and jumped at the chance. During my spring semester there, I made many contacts through some amazing people I met -- and I was able to have a choice of two internships that summer. Getting an internship through this method was awesome because I did not have to deal with any of the redtape from the Mexican government.

I chose an internship with a small start-up that had a big mission. I loved that the work I did could have a big impact -- and I loved that I only had a small group of co-workers, and that well all bonded so well. Of course, my Spanish got even better, as did my business skills.

At the end of the summer, I returned for my senior year in college, more determined than ever to work in Latin America.

After I graduated, I consider working for the Peace Corps, but ended up using my contacts from my time in Mexico, I was able to land short-term jobs in both Chile and Argentina.

I then returned to the U.S. to earn my MBA in international finance.

Postscript: I currently work for a multinational food supply company as a business analyst for the Latin American region. I love the job. I get to travel throughout the region working for a company whose mission is to help feed the world.

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