Afraid of international internship
Posted by Curious-Doughnut3408@reddit | expats | View on Reddit | 6 comments
Hey! I have to opportunity to do a 5 month international internship in September. I found a cool company in Norway where I wanna apply. Yes it’s a very cool and good experience, But there is a problem:
I’m 19 years old, I’ve never left my hometown and parents longer for 2 weeks, I’m homesick and really afraid to go. I will be having to do everything alone, living alone, which will probably be difficult. I have a friend I recently met online who lives in the same city as the company. I feel kinda weak admitting all this, but yeah.. I’m just scared.
Sorry if this is a bit of a vent, but I do wanna ask you guys for advice!
Thank you
anjali_writes_@reddit
Being scared at 19 to move alone to another country isn't weakness — it's normal. The first few weeks are hardest, then routines form. You already have a friend in that city — that's a big advantage. Homesickness comes in waves, but it passes. Ask yourself: in 5 years, what will you regret more — going scared, or not going at all? You can always come back early. But you might surprise yourself.
goldenvisa6387@reddit
A lot of people feel overwhelmed at first with the language, culture, paperwork, and not knowing anyone, but those first few weeks are usually the hardest part. Once routines start forming, things often become much more manageable.
fseahunt@reddit
I went to live in Europe for 6 months at about your age.
Do it! These chances don't come around often and as you get older it gets harder to do with life responsibilities.
I assume the company you'll be working at is fairly sizable, you will probably be one of several foreign interns.
I'm so glad I was able to experience what I did. I don't think you'll ever regret it.
I find i usually feel a bit homesick about a week in and get over it in a week or so.
Where will you be living? Do you need to find a place yourself or is housing provided? This is going to be the biggest concern in my mind. I got very lucky finding a place in the center of Brussels that was very underpriced due to the landlord not knowing how expensive places in the city were.
Often internships provide housing or there are people at the company who will rent you a room in their home.
But I would regret not having gone. I've found that I regret things I didn't do much, much more than anything I did.
CacklingWitch99@reddit
One of the things to consider is the time of year and preparing yourself. You don’t say where you are from, but Norway in September will have you there during the coldest and darkest parts of the year and this could be really difficult. I was in Central Europe, and we had an intern from South Africa who really struggled with those aspects of winter as she’d never experienced it. It really made her more homesick.
But lean into it, it will be an amazing opportunity and a Norwegian winter can be amazing. It’s one of my absolute favourite places. And honestly, 5 months will go over in a flash.
overseasguy_@reddit
You are faced with crossing the rubicon of your own comfort. This is a hard core litmus test.
In my book, do it. You know why? Bc you will set precedent for fearlessness for the rest of your life.
Each year of your life that passes, you will increasingly be conditioned to be comfortable, seek comfort, not leave the comfort zone, etc. It doesn't get easier with time.
Going on your own for the first time is very challenging. Also leaving family behind while you go on your adventure is another kind of difficult. But it will mostly be in your mind. All the time up until you leave will be anxiety inducing, and the first 48 hours on your own will be emotionally brutal. But it does have a very short half life!
First two days are brutal, but the next 2 will be half as brutal, and the next 2 half, and so forth until about a week to two weeks in, you have totally ripped the bandaid off and haven't looked back.
The combination of independence and a foreign country will hyper develop your mindset and problem solving skills and overall threshold for pain/discomfort. You will plant a seed that will be with you for life, these are memories you will never forget when your age doubles or triples. You will become more resilient than your peers, your world will literally expand. Your brain will create new pathways and expand your 'mental map' as you experience new places, streets, stores, restaurants, etc.
And most of all, you will make friendships that may last a lifetime. My first ever solo trip was around a similar age and I met one of my best friends to this day and ended up moving across the world to the same city many years later. That first solo trip continues to pay dividends to this day, well over a decade later.
Keep researching, keep asking questions, and keep challenging yourself. A different and new timeline version of you is waiting on the other side of the portal. You can either live with the resentment of having never gone, or you can live with the pain of missing your family. All that matters is you make your choice and never look back. Wishing you all the best and good luck in your journey.
imakemistakesbuthey@reddit
It’s totally normal to feel that way!
I would recommend looking around the area and finding a set of things that seem interesting to you - either locations, buildings, parks, museums etc.
Try and find a thing to do every other day for the length you’ll be there (after work obviously).
You’ll probably never do any of the things, but at least you know you’ve got a game plan to occupy your time rather than thinking about the hard side.
Plan to meet your friend on the weekend if possible/appropriate and then enjoy the experience!