A
male
age
30-35,
anonymous
writes:Are internships easy to get? I applied for one in Italy and a few days after having the interview I got a call saying I've got it. However, my parents and a few my friends weren't as excited about it as I was, they just simply said it's great I have been offered it and accepted. Yet, internships aren't that hard to get anymore as they are just now days handed out. I thought internships were really difficult to get and the fact I managed to get one in Italy and I live in Oxford in England, I would have assumed that was a big deal to have been accepted abroad!But my friend said that getting an Internship isn't as difficult as it used to be and that especially in Europe countries such as France, Italy and Spain the internships are even easier to get over there apparently! It's now made me feel like my achievement is still good, but not as great as i had expected. I really thought internships were hard for graduates to get and that a lot of people spend months after trying to secure one. And as I said, it's in Italy so I again thought that was a massive deal. But clearly I'm mistaken here, are my parents and friends right?Please honest advice, if they are I'd rather you said. I'm going regardless, but I would like to know the truth and if I have been mistaken here.. Reply to this Question
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female
reader, anonymous, writes (4 April 2014): Please follow your heart and go to Italy. As an employer I would be impressed by that experience on someones CV says a lot about them. I was in a similar situ to you and let my parents put me off. I have regretted it and still hold resentment.
A
female
reader, Dionee'  +, writes (3 April 2014):
 Maybe everyone doesn't want you to leave or perhaps it is an issue of jealousy when it comes to your friends (as anonymous pointed out), we don't know for sure but all i know is they should have been happy for you regardless of how they feel within themselves. Hell, if one of my friends had news like that i'd genuinely be happy that they will be getting to do what they really wanted. Does it matter whether its easy or not to get an internship abroad or not (i honestly can't help there because i have no idea) . . . It doesn't matter as long as its what you want. I just think everyone should have shared in the excitement instead of making you feel this way about it. It just seems a bit selfish to me but hey its your achievement, go on and enjoy it, be proud. Don't let what they say or think get you down.Good luck OP
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A
female
reader, anonymous, writes (2 April 2014): Don't live your life by others standard, or worry about impressing them! If you're always doing what makes you happy then you're making a success out of your life; whether that comes from some office job or a bin man! If you're loving life then that's all you need to worry about!
Be proud of yourself for getting the internship, your parents might be worried about how you are going to find your stay (or whether you'll ask them!) and so might not be jumping for joy, friends reactions may be dampened because they're going to miss you. Whatever their reasons it doesn't matter, you're going to experience a new culture and it will look great in your cv that you relocated to give something a go!
Well done!
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A
female
reader, eyeswideopen  +, writes (2 April 2014):
 Paid Internships are fewer and harder to get than unpaid internships. Since doing a internship is now a requirement for graduation at my university, there does seems to more these days than a few years ago. However, just like everything in life, there is large range between a great internship and a totally waste of time internship. Even if yours is on the lower end of the spectrum you get to be in Italy for a few months!
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A
female
reader, Honeypie +, writes (2 April 2014):
 Eh if you are excited to go and work in Italy, then BE excited. So what if it's not a one in a million chance internship? Does that really matter?
If you like the company you hired with and Italy, I think... it's a win-win.
And If you do a good job while there, IT IS a good accomplishment to have on your CV.
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A
female
reader, CindyCares  +, writes (2 April 2014):
 It would totally vary and depend from which internship and offered by which company/ organization etc., and how solid/ prestigious it is etc.
SOME big multinationals organize stages- pardon, internships, we call them " stages " here - that actually are a cooptative selection process ( i.e. if you don't majorly screw up, you'll be taken on board ) and those are obviously hard to come by. There may be internships offered by the Italian branch of UE institution or organizations, for which the competition would be all over Europe or even worldwide.
On the other hand , your parents have a point in the sense that there is a plethora of internships in Italy and yes, many aren't hard to land at all. Perhaps alas for the simple reason that there's no much local competition, Italian graduates , seen the state of our economy currently, can't afford to dabble at internships where they'd be working 40/50 hours a week or more for 400/500 euros a month. Might as well use that 3 months or 6 months or what is it for waiting tables at a restaurant and actually pay some bills :).
So.. you may be both right, it all depends.
In any case, I would not worry about how great or exceptional or awe-inspiring your accomplishment is . Is it something that you want to do, that you are excited about ?... then, you have won anyway .
Plus : you'll gain working experience and you'll have something to add to your curriculum ,you'll be able to improve notceably your mastery of a foreign language, ... and you'll get the chance to taste some great food and to get yourself something nice to wear . It's all good anyway :).
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A
male
reader, anonymous, writes (2 April 2014): Your friends may be jealous. Parents would like to have you closer, perhaps. This is the time to do it - go explore the world. Parents are still healthy, you should feel guilt-free to carve your own path in life.
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A
reader, anonymous, writes (2 April 2014): You are correct, they are hard to come by. Depending on what the internship is for, and where in Italy. Maybe your friend may be harboring a bit of envy; but in general; I think everyone is going to miss you.
You're very young.They find it hard to celebrate your leaving. Maybe it isn't a lack of enthusiasm for your accomplishment; but sadness for the thought of you moving away.
Sometimes; people try to keep us grounded and humbled about our achievements. That way, we remain down to earth; and it also lessens our eagerness to run after something without giving it reasonable thought. Don't let it dampen your enthusiasm and gratitude. It's important to you all the same.
Some internships are better than others. You will be out of your normal element, living in a different culture; and they'll work your tail off. It may be a privilege; but sometimes foreign-interns aren't met with a gracious welcome; so family may also be aware of the downside.
They don't want you over-excited to the degree that you
set your expectations too high. Try not to read anything negative into it. If you're excited, that's all that matters.
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