Find information and resources on preparing for your media-based overseas internship.
An overseas internship offers you the chance to gain unique professional experiences, develop cultural awareness, and build a global network of contacts. It enhances your CV and fosters personal growth and adaptability.
On this page, you’ll find a range of information about International Internships specifically for people studying Journalism and Communication in the School of Media and Communication at RMIT University.
Why intern overseas
Learn more about the advantages and opportunities that come with interning at a media outlet overseas.
Explore overseas work opportunities
You can find a list of current international internship opportunities on the Global Work page.
Before you apply
It’s a good idea to talk to your course coordinator about countries and places where internship agreements already exist and to discuss any contacts or a new idea you might have. As international internships take some time to organise you should do this at least six months before your proposed internship date.
You can take our short and simple international internship readiness test to give you a bit of a guide to some of the issues you may need to consider.
You can visit the RMIT Global Experiences prepare for travel page and also explore the following resources and advice to help you prepare for your internship.
Work readiness video
10 things you should know before becoming a journalism intern.
You could enrol in a language class as an elective as part of your program to prepare for your internship. However, there are many places in the world where English is widely spoken.
Research your destination to ensure you have sufficient language skills to function independently. Even if English is common, learning a few words in the local language, like 'please' and 'thank you,' shows respect and can greatly improve your experience.
It’s important you research and check the level of risk in the country and region you are interested in going to for your internship.
You can find country and region risk level information here:
- Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade.
- Smart Traveller provides up-to-date information about the risks you might face overseas, helping you to make well-informed decisions about whether, when and where to travel.
If travel to your country of choice is not recommended by Smart Traveller, you should consult your program coordinator to discuss alternative ways of gaining credit so that you do not suffer any academic penalty.
We also strongly urge students to register with the Australian embassy in the country in which they are interning.
LGBTIQA+
Australian universities generally have open and welcoming policies to LGBTIQA+ people. There are places in the world where LGBTIQA+ people face terrible discrimination. Think carefully about where you go. Have a look at the Smart Traveller website which specifically looks at LGBTIQA+ issues.
Gender
Support for women in the workforce is not always the same in other countries. Women may find themselves outnumbered and on the receiving end of some stereotypical behaviour and attitudes, but not always. Sometimes it’s the men who cast a lonely figure in an office.
If gender is an issue that worries you, do some research on gender issues in the country you are considering working in.
Religion
It’s important to consider the place where you are working and think about adapting your behaviour, where appropriate. Ask questions and do research about the role of religion in the country you are considering working in.
Visa procedures change all the time, so you will need to check with the country’s embassy or website. It’s your responsibility to ensure that you have a visa, if you need one, and that you make sure you have enough time to get it.
Remember, passport and visa requirements are subject to change and vary depending on the length of stay and visa type. Your passport must be valid for at least six months from the date of entry.
The International SOS website has information under each country listing. You can also check with the embassy or consulate in your home country.
There are often funds available to help students do internships abroad, but each funding system has its own requirements and paperwork, and the eligibility rules change often.
In some cases, you may be able to add a big part of the cost of your international internship to your HECS bill, but you should talk to the Global Experiences team or your course coordinator about what is available.
If the funds come from the Australian Government, they almost always only allow for grants to Australian citizens regardless of enrolment at an Australian university.
You can learn more about available grants and Centrelink payments on the Global Experiences financial assistance page.
You must register your international internship with RMIT to be covered by the following services:
- All RMIT University students traveling overseas on an approved global experience receive complimentary travel insurance.
- RMIT offers students an International SOS service, providing 24-hour medical and security advice and assistance for emergencies to all students on registered international internships.
Once your internship is confirmed, contact your host in advance and suggest a Skype call. Be prepared by researching the company and knowing who you are talking to (LinkedIn is good for this). Ask who will supervise you and any specific questions, such as dress code, start time, and any preparation needed.
Past interns recommend bringing a notebook with story ideas, learning about the workplace dress-code in advance, and doing a practice trip to ensure you arrive on time on your first day.
Take a look at the following resources to help plan your trip:
- The Lonely Planet.
- Australian government Smart Traveller site: Living and Working Overseas.
- TripAdvisor.
During your internship
There are many things to consider while you’re working as an intern overseas to help you have a good experience. You want to ensure that you do the right thing culturally and socially and make a good impression on your employer.
It will help if you have researched your host organisation and the country you are visiting. Try to arrive a little early in the country, and stay in safe accommodation nearby your work, so you can fully focus on your internship.
Be proactive at work to get the most out of the experience and remember to keep copies of everything you create.
Working at your host employer
Learn more about the experience of working at an overseas media outlet.
Challenging ideas
Your views and understanding come as a direct result of the way you have been raised in this country, so try and keep an open mind. As an intern you need to be tactful. Take time to consider the local conditions and norms and the fact that you are in this workplace for just a short time. You need to understand and respect the culture of your host country and of your workplace.
Alcohol
Many Australians love to have a drink, but keep in mind that drinking is not acceptable everywhere.
Relationships (outside work)
Be sensitive to local habits and protocols when going out, especially with workmates.
Time
Some cultures have a flexible attitude to time, others consider you late if you are not early. Whatever country you are interning in, make sure you respect the local relationship to time. There’s no point getting all angry – relax and go with it.
No matter how much self-confidence you normally have, starting a new job in a new workplace is daunting. How is it best to fit in, be productive and maybe even make friends?
Here are some tips from employment experts and even better, others who have interned, on fitting in:
- On your first day leave plenty of time to get there (preferably arrive a little early). And better yet, do a practice trip to the workplace before you actually start.
- Be respectful and pay attention during introductions (remembering people’s names/roles will win hearts and minds).
- Take a ‘culture walk’ and learn what you can from glancing at what’s on people’s desks and studying what’s on the walls. Even the office layout can tell you a lot. A collaborative culture might have teamwork areas, more hierarchical will have separate spaces for the boss and managers.
- Be a quick study – listen proactively and take notes when taking instructions and ask questions then and there so you don’t need to be told repeatedly.
- Always appreciate feedback.
- Own your mistakes and ‘fess up as soon as you can. Some mistakes can be avoided by not acting like you know everything in the first place and taking a bit more time to get it right.
- Be grateful for any inclusion in social activities and join in.
- Never forget you are a guest in a host country, and they are at home and in their jobs that need to continue long after you have gone.
- Smile and be positive.
News values
When working as a journalist abroad, you'll find that news interests differ greatly between cultures. It's crucial to follow your supervisors' guidance on what constitutes news locally. As an intern, focus on observing and learning.
Press freedom and ethics
When interning abroad, you may find that press freedom and ethics differ from those in Australia. Tread carefully and heed local advice, as publishing certain stories can have serious consequences.
Obviously, when you are working in a foreign country no one from your university is going to be able to pop in for a supervisory visit.
You should keep in contact with your course coordinator and contact them immediately if a problem arises in the workplace.
The workplaces that you are going to tend to be staffed by a lot of expatriates. That means you should have some people in your office that you can talk to if there is a problem.
It’s also important that when you are working in another country you are proactive with your supervisors.
RMIT offers students an International SOS service when you have registered your trip.
International SOS (ISOS) is a provider of 24 hour medical and security advice and assistance for medical, security or other emergencies, for all authorised RMIT business travellers, including students.
Travellers should simply call ISOS – reverse charge, from anywhere in the world, for emergency assistance: +61 2 9372 2468. You can call ISOS before you travel to discuss your travel needs, security etc. If you need to make an insurance claim, ISOS can assist in contacting the university insurer.
Depending on the circumstances, you may wish to contact your course coordinator directly if you encounter any travel problems while overseas. Your coordinator can contact the Global Experiences team on your behalf if necessary.
If you do not register your trip, then you are not covered by this importance service.
Promoting your activities during and after your internship is beneficial for both you and to any funding body who might be supporting you. If you've received a grant, it's important to express your gratitude by sharing your positive experiences on social media.
For example, the Australia Japan Foundation, Australia Korea Foundation, and the New Colombo Plan appreciate seeing posts about your experiences. When sharing your work, make sure to tag and mention their social media accounts, including RMIT.
At the end of your internship (both domestic and international) you should say thank you to your host for having you work there.
It’s important to say thank you in person and you should also write a card and consider leaving a small gift. Something personal is good. Your gift only needs to be small and inexpensive, but do put some thought into it, preferably even before you leave home.
After your internship
An international internship can significantly enhance your CV, but it's important to fully capture the experience beyond just a line on your resume. Ensure you collect copies of all your work and store them safely, such as in an ePortfolio.
Reflect on your creations and write about them to demonstrate to future employers how the skills you developed will benefit them. Use the STAR method (Situation, Task, Actions, Results) to articulate your experiences. Highlight your global citizenship with themes like intercultural competence, global understanding, emotional intelligence, innovation, creativity, and independence.
Adding value
Advice on ways to demonstrate what you learned on your internship to future employers.
