At a glance
Doing a professional internship in Latin America is possible! Here are a few tips to help you prepare properly.
Are you a student or recent graduate who speaks Spanish, looking for an internship or job opportunity in South America but not sure how to go about it?
Here are a few tips...
Finding an internship without connections? Not easy!
Latin America is a continent that's very attractive both culturally and professionally. Paradoxically, it's not that easy for young people to find a professional internship there.
The main reason is that most hiring happens through connections (networking). Without connections or contacts on the ground, it's almost impossible to find something on your own. The more connections you have, and the higher up they are, the easier it is to find an internship or a job.
A matter of patience
Start your search well in advance — ideally at least 6-8 months before you leave. It's common for a reply to only come 2 to 3 months after you apply. Don't hesitate to follow up roughly every 3 weeks so you don't get forgotten.
There are nevertheless several ways to find an internship or a job: free or paid.
Good free options
• Embassies and consulates: The first tip is to send an email to the Belgian consulate and/or the French consulate of the country you want to go to. In this email, explain what you're looking for and ask either what they can recommend: they sometimes have a special website with listings or a list of Belgian or French companies present in the country. You can then approach and contact the companies that interest you yourself.
• Expats: You can also check websites run by Belgian or French expats, which often list opportunities. If not, you can always contact them directly. Mutual support between people of the same nationality who speak the same language works very well and shouldn't be overlooked.
A few examples:
[http://www.expat.com/fr/emploi/amerique-du-sud/](http://www.expat.com/fr/emploi/amerique-du-sud/)http://www.easyexpat.com/fr/job-offers/continent_amerique-du-sud.htm
• Social media: There are, of course, also social media platforms that can offer many opportunities. On sites like Facebook, there are groups that post internship or job listings from around the world. You'll also find a few listings there for Latin America.
For example, for Brazil: https://www.facebook.com/groups/francaisetbelgesaubresil/
• Other options:
- Universities often have an "International Center" available to students for advice or to offer international internships.
- The l'Etudiant website, which lists internships abroad, including in Latin America.
- If you speak fluent Spanish, local job websites can also be an option. A simple search for "empleo colombia", for example, will point you to various job sites in that country.
Good paid options
If you still can't find anything, all is not lost! There are companies that specialise in finding you an internship abroad on request. Internships are usually paid, but the site will ask for a fee in return for helping you find one.
The process usually involves a Skype call with a member of the company, who will assess your profile in order to offer you matching opportunities.
For example HelpStage or MyInternshipAboard, or other sites offering internships in more specific countries.
Found an internship! But what should you plan before you leave?
Heading to the other side of the world requires good preparation. Here's a short list of things not to forget:
- Check whether you need a visa by contacting the consulate of your destination country. Generally speaking, Latin American countries don't require visas for citizens of European countries for short stays.
- Check whether your bank card is enabled for international use, and ask your bank whether it has a partnership with a bank in your destination country. When withdrawing money outside the eurozone, bank fees are often charged, except at partner banks. To find out everything about payments abroad, click here.
- In some countries, vaccinations are mandatory, so check well ahead of time before leaving.
- You never know what might happen abroad. If you're heading off for an internship, don't forget to take out good travel insurance or student insurance.
- Accommodation isn't easy to find remotely. Don't stress about it — book a week in a youth hostel or hotel. That way you can search calmly, without pressure. Your employer may also be able to help you.
