Traineeship, Internship: What are the subtleties?
Some countries, like France, the United Kingdom, Canada and Switzerland, have a deep-rooted internship culture in their history. The modalities for the Internship can, however, vary from one country to another. In fact, all countries don't necessarily have the same approach to the internship process. For example, an internship in the United States, Canada, South Africa, or the UK does not quite fit the description of a traineeship in France. The Internship is rather seen as a real job where the intern is considered a typical employee.
On the other hand, countries like France or the Netherlands have another definition for internships. There, the trainee is not considered a regular employee. The trainee is still learning the ropes, and the Internship is a means for them to put into practice what they are learning and to build on the experience acquired. Furthermore, some countries have no internship culture (Japan is a good example, although things have been changing lately, particularly in big companies). That's why it is vital to know all those parameters in order to choose your internship country wisely and to adapt to the given situations.
Top destinations for doing an internship abroad
Canada, United States, France, Japan, Australia, South Africa, New Zealand, South Korea, Thailand, United Arab Emirates are the top destinations for internships thanks to their economic dynamism and their policies for attracting international talents. Some of them, like Canada, the United States, Australia and the United Arab Emirates, are among the favorite countries for international talent. Others, like Japan, South Korea, New Zealand and Thailand (in addition to Canada, Australia and the United States), are particularly popular among international students and Working Holiday Visa holders. Let's have a closer look at some popular destinations for internships abroad.
Australia
There are three main reasons Australia is in high demand for internships: straightforward immigration policies, good remuneration and great working conditions. There are numerous possibilities since the large companies there are always looking for interns (National Australia Bank, Commonwealth Bank of Australia, Amnesty International, Telstra Corporation – engaged in telecommunications).
United Arab Emirates
The United Arab Emirates needs no introduction. The new Eldorado for foreign investors, international talents and influencers is more and more appealing to interns looking for professional opportunities. The country heavily relies on expats to expand its influence. Dubai and Abu Dhabi are favorite destinations for internships. These cities are home to multinationals and large firms such as Dubai World Trade Centre, Zaha Hadid Architects, Etihad Airways and Abu Dhabi Media.
Thailand
Renowned as a tourist destination, Thailand is also highly attractive to interns. Notwithstanding its breathtaking landscapes, the cost of living is affordable, even better than in many countries. Bangkok and Phuket are the places to be for internships. The major players, like the banking sector (Bangkok Bank, Krung Thai Bank), the petrochemical industry and the energy sector (PTT Global Chemical, IRPC), are always looking for trainees.
South Africa
With a GDP of 411 billion USD, South Africa is the 3rd economy in Africa (behind Egypt and Nigeria). The country offers several internship programs, mainly in Cape Town, Johannesburg and Durban. Although South Africa has a diversified economy (agriculture, manufacturing industry, services sector, finance and banking, engineering…), most internship opportunities are available in the finance/banking, services, healthcare and engineering sectors. First Rand, Nedbank Group, Absa (Banking and Finance), Barloworld (management of industrial brands), Steinhoff International (giant holding company specializing in the production and distribution of furniture), and MTN (Telecommunications) are among the large companies offering internship positions.
France
Internships are sacrosanct in France. Universities and higher institutions offer one or more compulsory internships. Trainees are thus able to understand the mechanisms of a business. The perks and gratuities that come with an internship position are very varied. Paris, Lyon, Toulouse, Montpellier and Lille are the top French cities for an internship offer. Like in other countries, large banks (BNP Paribas, Société Générale…) and prestigious companies in the luxury industry (L'Oréal, Chanel…) are known to work with interns regularly. SMEs also have internship opportunities.
South Korea
The ‘Land of the Morning Calm' is gradually becoming a favorite destination for students and interns. Powered by the ‘hallyu', the ‘Korean wave' (the soft power cultural policy established by the Korean authorities in the 90's), South Korea has become a trendy destination for foreign talent. As a result, the country has developed numerous internship programs in IT, engineering, and finance. Seoul, Gwangju and Daejon are the places-to-be for internship positions. As for the companies offering traineeships, consider large businesses like Samsung, Hyundai, LG, Kia Motors, or Daewoo.
Paid or unpaid internships?
The European Parliament adopted a new resolution on October 8, 2020, offering (among others) to those under 25 internships “of good quality, diversified and adapted to their needs, with a very fair and adequate remuneration”. The European Union (EU) wants to end unpaid or poorly paid internships. This is a generalized problem worldwide. Some companies are abusing interns' status, making them work more than they should. Even in the case where the intern is considered an employee, like in English-speaking countries (contrary to France, where the trainee has another defined status), they should, however, receive a salary that reflects the amount of work done.
One month after the European Parliament resolution was adopted, International Interns Day was observed (November 10, 2020) following a proposal by the Fair Internship Initiative. This organization voiced its concern because the prevailing sanitary crisis at that time dried out all the internship offers. It noted with concern that “online international internships” started to appear without proper internship agreements to control their mode of operation.
What is the importance of internship agreements?
Each country has its mode of traineeship agreement. The internship agreement is like a binding internship contract signed by the university where the intern is a student, the intern himself, and the organization where the Internship is going to take place. This agreement sets the rules for the internship process and the intern's tasks: the salary/gratuities, the number of working hours, working on weekends and public holidays, etc.
In France, for example, an intern gets a salary if the internship covers a period of two consecutive months or 309 hours of work. Conversely, Canada has no laws to ensure that a company pays an intern after a given period. Canada also has no defined internship agreement. The trainee is considered a normal employee, and as such, he/she gets a work contract and the same benefits and rights as a regular employee. Even if the law does not impose any monetary obligation, companies can by themselves choose to provide the intern with a salary or to give him/her any fringe benefits they deem necessary (living accommodation, free meals and/or free transport, etc.).
Internships abroad: What are the risks?
The Japanese example of abuse
It is a much-awaited decision, especially by associations for assistance to foreign nationals and by international organizations. On April 10, a panel of experts comprising members of the Japanese government, academics, and lawyers proposed abolishing the very controversial Technical Trainee Development Program for International Workers. This program was set up in 1993 and was meant to promote international cooperation with other Asian countries. It allowed nationals from emerging economies to come to Japan for five years in order to acquire the necessary skills in agriculture, industry, the construction sector, or healthcare. Thousands of Asian workers (from China, Vietnam, the Philippines, etc.) participated in those technical training programs. However, the hard truth is that training is quite rare, and abuses are numerous. Companies make abuse of those trainees by using them as a cheap workforce.
The ordeal of the “technical trainees”
These international interns, essential for the proper functioning of the Japanese industry, make up about 20% of the total workforce. In December 2022, some 325,000 trainees were in active operations, which is more than double the number in 2010. Industry players state that they cannot do otherwise as Japanese workers are no longer interested in the jobs on offer. Young Japanese men and women are turning their backs on jobs that they consider tedious, dirty and dangerous. “Technical trainees” are considered an ideal solution by employers. The more virtuous ones swear they offer them the same work conditions as Japanese employees. However, other not-so-virtuous employers make abuse of these interns' financial dependency and their lack of knowledge of Japanese laws.
According to a study by the Japanese Ministry of Labour in 2019, 72% of businesses surveyed (out of a total of 9,500 companies) presented cases of abuse (overworking, unpaid overtime, lack of on-site security for interns, etc.). The work conditions of those trainees are often condemned by international organizations. The list of abuses is comprehensive: illegal work, discrimination, physical and psychological violence, sexual and moral harassment, unpaid salaries, insufficient remuneration, non-reported workplace accidents, and lack of employee protection, amongst others. It is, therefore, not surprising that thousands of interns choose to disappear from their companies. In 2021, there were 7,167 such cases of “disappearance”. These desperate trainees seek shelter in the few associations offering them the assistance they need, like the Nichietsu Tomoiki association (promoting Japanese-Vietnamese solidarity). However, under the Trainee Development Programme, “technical trainees” cannot change jobs during their first three years in Japan.
Greater protection for interns
Experts are currently working on the setting up of a new program. Although no details have been made public, it is believed that the new system should establish more explicit rules concerning the period of residence in Japan, the possibility to change employers, the assistance provided to interns (learning Japanese, career guidance, etc.), and the kind of support which organizations dealing with expatriation and welcoming of international trainees should provide to them. It is a fact that interns participating in the Trainee Development Programme rarely speak Japanese. There is no clear-cut level of language requirements. “Technical interns” are more vulnerable than immigrants having a visa and a work permit which guarantee greater protection.
Associations for the rights of immigrants are expecting a major breakthrough in that direction, and they are advocating the end of what they call a new form of “slavery”. It's worth noting that since 1993, despite numerous cases of abuse, only a single change has been brought to the program in 2019: violent and abusive employers can face a ten-year prison sentence. Sadly, despite all this, abuses continue, and they are regularly making the news headlines. The deeply embarrassed Japanese government has finally decided to revamp the system. Experts, however, have clarified that their mandate concerns only the issues pertinent to the interns. It is up to the government now to come up with proposals for more humane immigration policies, respectful of the rights of immigrants as a means to cater to the skills shortage.
More tips for finding internships abroad
Does the targeted country have an internship culture? The first step is to do proper research. Many websites specialize in internship offers. Similarly, companies often publish their traineeship offers on their own websites. Social media and other online media or agencies also advertise internships abroad.
Beware of scams!
Be careful about the too-good-to-be-true offers and about the scams in that sector. For instance, the main scammers in Japan are some organizations responsible for putting prospective “technical trainees” into contact with Japanese employers. There are other ways to get an internship in Japan, like establishing an internship agreement between the student's university and the Japanese employer.
Administrative procedures
Choosing the type of visa, the internship agreement, the work contract, etc., all depends on the type of legislation in the targeted countries. For example, European citizens choosing to do an internship in an EU country do not need a visa: they only need a valid identity card.
Language of the host country
Being proficient in the host country's language is a real plus. Contrary to popular belief, the ability to speak English is not always helpful, even for short stays. In South Korea, for example, it is a definite plus if the intern has some basic knowledge of Korean (having a good command of the language is even more attractive). To sidestep the language problem, some candidates choose to do their internships in English-speaking companies or in businesses where they master the prevailing language.
From writing your CV to doing the job interview, research and preparation is essential. The CV format can differ from one country to another. The same goes for the job interview. Even if it is done online, sound preparation is necessary as the interview allows the candidate to showcase his assets and plus points. Once all the procedures have been completed and the job interview done and dusted, the intern has only one thing to look forward to: enjoying the internship abroad!
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