Nowadays, the internship program abroad is getting more and more popular among the student population. How does it work?
Our LTC Internship coach, Zsofia Ivony-CEO of Intern Cape Town, is answering all your questions!
1. What level of English is recommended/requested to apply for an internship?
The recommended minimum level of English would be Upper-Intermediate level, which is a B2 level according to the CEFR (Common European Framework of Reference for Languages). This means that you are an independent user of the language and have the necessary fluency to communicate without effort with native speakers even if you make some mistakes.
2. Can you tell us about the application procedure? What are the minimum requirements?
The first step is to send us your CV, so we can determine your key skill set. When your skills set is in demand, we contact you for a skype chat to establish your English level, your motivation and set your expectations. We might recommend some changes on your CV so that it better suits the local market. Then we send your application to multiple companies that are looking for your skill set and profile. When we get a positive response, we set up another interview with the company. After a successful interview, we assist with the visa procedure, the accommodation search and meet you in person when you arrive to Cape Town.
3. What is the average duration of an internship or a volunteering program?
Most companies need interns for at least a 3-month period, so it is beneficial for both parties. Volunteering can be shorter as you are “helping out” an organisation and they are happy with whatever time you can dedicate to them.
4. What are the internship/ volunteering fields available?
We specialise in the business field, where skills in marketing, sales, finance and law are needed. We work with smaller companies so the interns can gain experience in every department and can actively participate in the decision-making process.
5. What kind of tasks can I expect during my internship?
The main tasks will be the ones related to your studies and previous experience so that you can validate your internship at your school or deepen some knowledge that you already have. However, sometimes you will be required to learn new skills and execute tasks that are necessary for the running of the company. This could include some daily tasks that might seem unnecessary to you. You should always look at the tasks as potential learning possibilities and ask as many questions as you can to perfect the execution.
6. Would you have a success story to share with us?
I have many success stories… One would be when the intern was so successful in his internship that the company asked him if he could continue his work as an associate from his country. Another one would be when the company owner calls me in despair because the intern finished their internship and they need a new intern immediately… but just as great as he or she was…this happens often…which means that your work is meaningful and valuable for the company therefore you contributed to the South African eco-system.
7. Who needs more than that? According to you, what are the benefits of an internship abroad?
An internship abroad not only gives you the work experience you need to enter the highly competitive job market but also gives you the chance to stand out. Why? Because having lived in a different country shows the recruiters that you are determined ( no matter how complicated the visa procedure is) that you are adaptable and open-minded towards a new culture and last but not least, that you are an independent person who can make decisions, defend them and…do all that in ENGLISH. I truly believe that future leaders come from global citizens who make a real impact on our world, simply because they see the bigger picture.
Contact us for more information:
http://www.languageteachingcentre.com/contact/
Zsofia Ivony, CEO
Intern Cape Town