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Right here at AIFS Overseas, we consider all college students ought to take pleasure in a life-changing international training alternative, and are decided to search out the proper program for everybody primarily based on their very own distinctive wants. Whereas many need to go overseas to satisfy new individuals (which we encourage!), introverts could also be nervous to take action due to social overload, or as a result of they assume a research or intern overseas expertise is simply fitted to extroverts.
We’re right here to inform you that introverts can research or intern overseas — and can like it.
First, what’s an introvert?
In line with Susan Cain, writer of Quiet: The Energy of Introverts in a World That Can’t Cease Speaking, “introverts have a choice for a quiet, extra minimally stimulating surroundings.” She says introverts hear greater than they speak. Whereas extroverts acquire power from social conditions, introverts can discover them draining and infrequently want time to recharge when experiencing them.
Ought to introverts research or intern overseas?
Brief reply: sure! Lengthy reply: sure, however do your analysis — be sure you select a program and site that caters the expertise to what you want. Contemplate if you would like a small-to-medium metropolis, a rural space or campus really feel, or when you’re okay with being in a extra city surroundings. Big metropolitan hubs like London or Seoul supply extroverts limitless stimulation and alternatives to satisfy individuals however can probably be overwhelming for introverts. There’s no proper or flawed reply — loads of introverts decide huge cities! It’s all about discovering the best match for you.
The place ought to I research or intern overseas as an introvert?
For introverts in search of a research overseas or internship program location that’s on the smaller facet — charming, quaint cities the place you possibly can simply discover just a little nook to learn or research — listed below are a couple of recommendations:
- Edinburgh, Scotland
- Florence, Italy
- Galway, Eire
- Grenoble, France
- Limerick, Eire
- Maynooth, Eire
- Salamanca, Spain
- Salzburg, Austria
- San José, Costa Rica
- Stellenbosch, South Africa
- Wellington, New Zealand
Suggestions for Introverts Overseas
Say “sure” typically, particularly at first
Firstly of your research overseas or internship program, there shall be a lot anticipation and a ton taking place. Whereas the considered this may make you need to disguise in your room, the primary few actions you do with others can actually set the tone in your group dynamic and assist you to make new pals. Say sure to those first few new experiences — you by no means know who you may meet or what you may uncover!
“A few of my most memorable experiences got here from last-minute adventures that I initially doubted. There are nonetheless actions I want I’d have partaken in that my introverted nature saved me from doing. Belief me after I say: trying again, you’ll remorse extra the belongings you didn’t do as opposed to those who you took an opportunity on.” — Kaitlyn E., AIFS Overseas in Salamanca, Spain alum
Befriend an extrovert
Do you wrestle with motivating your self to depart your room? Choose an extrovert to be your buddy — they’ll fortunately do it for you. As you get comfy with one another, they’ll perceive once you need or have to exit and discover, and when you might have to hunker down.
Discover your spot
This might be a café, a spot within the park, a comfortable bookstore — simply someplace that’s all yours, the place you possibly can sneak away to when you must recharge.
“Convey a guide or a journal and benefit from the quiet. My spot was the café at my College’s library. It was quiet, had good meals, and I didn’t look misplaced sitting alone studying or writing in my journal.” — Johanna F., AIFS Overseas in Limerick, Eire alum
Discover the town
A brand new metropolis might be formidable to introverts. So many individuals! However as you discover at your individual tempo, the town will inevitably really feel smaller, and extra like residence. It might even be fantastic to enterprise out solo for some high quality you-time!
Doc your experiences
Introverts usually course of their experiences not with dialog, however inside themselves. It’d assist to maintain a journal, write a weblog, or put up to a personal social media account to articulate your ideas. Plus, after you come back residence, you possibly can look again on all of the belongings you did whereas learning or interning overseas — and really feel proud that you simply did them!
In relation to learning overseas or interning internationally, it’s okay to be shy. Introverts are welcome!
Don’t let extroverts have all of the enjoyable! Make the most of the chance to discover the world and get out of your consolation zone with out compromising who you might be. AIFS Overseas has all kinds of research overseas and worldwide internship packages out there to accommodate all types of character and objectives.
