Tips for a successful internship

An internship abroad is not one for the faint-hearted, it is challenging but ultimately rewarding. It requires you to be open minded, independent and adaptable. The experience gained from your internship can be as varied as the internships themselves .

In order for you to make an impact as an intern, you need to be self motivated, focused, confident and be able to take initiative. When you think you are ready to take the leap, also consider the following tips:

1. Customize your resume for your intended field, highlight your skills and interests that specifically relate to the field you are planing to get an internship in. This may include any prior experience at school or work or specifically related coursework, such as classes.

2. Some internships may require a face to face/ phone or Skype interviews. Practice your interview techniques to assure the employer that you have the skills necessary for the field. A lot of internships require excellent communication skills while dealing with clients, do not be shy about exhibiting these qualities in your interview.

3. Be inquisitive. Do a deeper research about your potential host companies that you are targeting as an intern by going to their websites and doing a web search to familiarize yourself with their presence in the field. Ask specific questions about the company, such as their goals and what kind of responsibilities will you be involved in and see if they match your goals and expectations.

4. Provide your potential employer with examples of how you managed a crisis and emergencies in the past. Most internships involve working on an extremely tight schedule and problems often spontaneously arise. Having this skill will definitely set you apart from other candidates by showing that you are equipped to deal with these situations in a calm and confident manner.

Good luck!

Shanghai for first-timers

If you’re visiting China for the first time and are a little adamant about braving the trenches of an unfamiliar country where you barely speak the language, Shanghai is an excellent city to start with. With reliable public transport systems, Shanghai is relatively safe and can be easily navigated with an open mind and a street smart attitude.

With its steady influx of foreigners and largely open minded locals, it is also a great place to meet new people. Shanghai caters to every type, whether you are an art, culinary, music or nightlife enthusiast. New venues pop up on a weekly basis, replacing those counterparts recently deemed “un-hip” by the fickle masses while events and parties are organized daily to satiate the needs of Shanghaiers. The World Expo also gave the city the much needed nudge to buck up, resulting in a massive city-wide face-lift that turns its landscape into a set out of Blade Runner. The latest in a series of architectural theory-defying skyscrapers is the 128-story spiraling Shanghai Tower, due for completion in 2014.

While comfortably taking on its new identity as China’s melting pot, Shanghai hasn’t forgotten its roots, a revival is underway in the Bund to bring back the glamour of the 1900s, most notably with the reopening of the Peace Hotel and a project by New York’s Rockefeller Group, aptly named RockBund. However, if all these seem a bit much to take at one go, there is always the calmer side of Shanghai found in local neighborhoods to take you back to the simpler, quieter life. From early morning tai chi sessions to the evening dance gatherings in parks, Shanghai is dazzling with its neon lights, and comforting once the lights are off.