| International Internships and Work Abroad Opportunities Internships provide a unique opportunity for students to gain entry level professional experience in the field of business. Business students who want practical training in international business can get this through internships/work abroad programs, by interning with one of the more than 580 international companies with offices in Tennessee, or through jobs at Tennessee businesses involved with exporting.
This page will link you to resources so you can find the international internship or work abroad program right for your needs. We recommend, whenever possible, an internship abroad or work abroad experience as this will expose you to another culture, foreign work processes, as well as international business protocols.
 Culture is an important variable in international business. While certain aspects of transnational business are global in nature, other aspects are significantly affected by the artifacts of each culture, including how decisions are made, cognitive processes, team dynamics, legal and political systems, and even folklore, symbols, and myths. The dynamics of these cross cultural aspects can best be learned by working abroad.
A great place to start when trying to find an international internship is through facilitating organizations such as those listed below. Please be aware that most of these organizations charge a participation fee of usually between $100 and $1500. The fee may vary depending on the extent of the services provided including whether they arrange just the internship, or whether they arrange housing, work visas, travel, excursions, etc. You should always find out whether such fees are refundable, the conditions, and deadline dates.
You may also prefer try to arrange an internship or work experience on your own. Possible sources are American companies with international branches or subsidiaries, as well as www.monster.com or www.jobs.com.
Remember, if you arrange an internship or work abroad experience to plan far enough in advance so you can secure the necessary work visas and permits, and if you want to get credit from the College of Business that you clear the experience in advance with your academic advisor.
A word about work ethics
Remember that when you go abroad, whether for work , study, or an internship, you represent UT-K and your country. You should take care to act in a decorous and responsible manner.
This means you should learn and follow the laws and norns of the country to which you are traveling, arrive at work on time, and work the agreed schedule. You should act in a respectful manner to everyone, complete assignments asked of you, and ask for assistance if you are not sure how to handle a task, or what forms of address or protocol are appropriate. Also it is good to remember that in many countries it is not appropriate for subordinates to make unsolicited suggestions for improvement no matter how well intentioned those suggestions may be.
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