An international internship consists of a period of orientation and practical training carried out in a specific work setting abroad. Its main purpose is to facilitate the integration of young people into the world of work. How? By testing the knowledge acquired through their studies or other educational settings.
If you like, read this article in which I have the pleasure of sharing my experience of a 3-month international internship.
Where I carried out this experience
The choice for my international internship experience fell on Katrium. It is a Finnish-owned company headquartered in Tallinn, Estonia. This turned out to be an unmissable opportunity for me to discover firsthand all the beauty this land has to offer.
Why Katrium
Two were the reasons why I decided to do my international internship at Katrium.
The first reason was the internship description provided by the company. At Katrium, interns have the opportunity to gain experience in a wide range of fields. In fact, they can delve into a variety of tasks ranging from market research and the recruitment process to project management and digital marketing. This might help you figure out what you like best and what you like least. Moreover, I do think that having experience in different areas is an unparalleled asset in today’s working world.
The second reason was Katrium’s willingness to accept my application for a short-term international internship. In fact, not all companies are willing to take interns on their teams for only 3 months or less. In this way, however, they take away the opportunity for young people to have such a formative experience.
What I was in charge of
In addition to managing the company’s social profiles and marketing campaigns conducted via email, there are two tasks I want to focus on most: project management and the recruitment process.
An international internship in project management
From the earliest days, I was involved in managing and monitoring a project that the company was running. Specifically, I had to introduce the project and support new team members who were being hired to work on it. Alongside this, I also had the opportunity to participate in some business meetings to discuss some temporary issues regarding the project itself.
I can say that it was not a relaxing ordeal, but still stimulating. First, because I experienced firsthand how complex and unpredictable the dynamics behind the final outcome of a project are. Second, because such an experience helped me understand the importance of being ready and flexible in dealing with such dynamics in the world of work.
An international internship in the recruitment process
During my international internship experience, I was also responsible for managing part of the recruitment process. In particular, I had to interview candidates and prepare contracts.
In this regard, the support I received from Katri, CEO of the company, was very helpful. Before I started doing the actual interviews, she asked me to simulate one and record it. Then, she asked me to think mainly about the aspects I needed to improve as an interviewer before giving me her feedback. I particularly appreciated this approach for two reasons. First, I believe that it encourages you to reflect critically on your actions. Next, it leads you to find a solution where something is not working. In this way, you can not only sharpen your problem-solving skills but also refine your modus operandi.
Put yourself out there in an international context
I end the story about my international internship experience by mentioning another added value offered by Katrium. It is the international team you have the opportunity to work with. A team that will hopefully become your companions in indelible adventures and trips of discovery of Tallinn and its surroundings. I assure you that it is worth it!
So, if reading this article has made you want to leave for an international internship, don’t hesitate to send in your application and let your journey of discovery in and around Estonia begin!
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