Oversea Internship FAQ

Program

  • In what sectors are internships available?
    • • Art & Design
    • • Accounting
    • • Architecture
    • • Education
    • • Engineering
    • • Environment
    • • Fashion
    • • Finance & Economics
    • • Hospitality, Events & Tourism
    • • HR & Talent Management
    • • International Business
    • • IT
    • • Journalism & Media
    • • Law
    • • NGOs & Non-Profits
    • • Real Estate
    • • Science
    • • PR & Marketing
  • How long will the internship last?
    For program January, the minimum duration of the internship is 4 weeks.
    For program June - August, the minimum duration of an internship is 6 weeks. You are welcome to have longer internship than 6 weeks.
  • Will my internship be paid?
    We dedicate to provide a professional development in an international setting. Whether these internships are paid or not depends on each specific placement company and your internship duration. However, our international internships do tend to be unpaid, but they are an irreplaceable way to build your resume! And don’t forget to check out the various available scholarships to help you finance your stay. If you are interested in receiving academic credit for your internship, you should contact your course credit for internships.
    In many cases, especially if you intern in a foreign destination where payment would violate visa & immigration laws, the internship will be unpaid. Even where immigration law does allow the internship to be paid, a host organization may not offer any compensation.
  • What is included in the program?
    • • Top internship in a variety of industries
    • • Quality accommodation1 (students' shared accommodation, student residence or partner host)
    • • 24/7 emergency support
    • • Airport pick-up (collecting you from the airport and taking you directly to your place of accommodation)
    • • Social and cultural events
    • • Welcome package including written guide and internship countries information
    • • Local prepaid SIM card (1 monthly)
    • • Pre-departure briefing sessions
    • • Reference letter from employers
    • • Certificate from The Bloom of Youth
    • • Visa assistance (where required)
    • • Academic credit assistance (where required)
    • • Subsidy application assistance (where required)
    • • CV Improvement (where required)

    1The allocation of accommodation is decided by The Bloom of Youth, according to availability and work location.

  • What is not included in the program?
    Air fare, insurance, visa costs, daily food, transportation and entertainment expenses are not included.
    Most of the universities purchase insurance for their students who participate in an overseas internship program, subjecting to requirement and eligibility. Please kindly consult the career office or responsible unit of your university.
    For visa, please refer to our Visa table.
  • Is attendance at your events mandatory?
    All of the events and activities that we organize are optional, but you are expected to treat your internship itself very responsibly.
  • May the host company be changed during the internship?
    If the internship differs from your expectation, there can be many factors attributing, such as suitable projects at the time of internship etc. We recommend that you first contact us so that we can better communicate with the host company and find a solution. If for any reason we are unable to obtain a satisfactory agreement, we will find you another internship as soon as possible, given that the difference is valid and the change is feasible.
  • Where and when will the language classes take place?
    We are happy to arrange language classes for you. The language classes will be taken place in the host country during your internship. The class will be scheduled to fit with your working timetable. The fee of language classes is not included in the program fee.
  • Can I go earlier or stay behind?
    You are welcome to go early or stay longer for traveling if permitted by the visa free condition/ visa condition. We will be happy to arrange accommodation longer upon your request.
  • Can I intern for periods other than stated?
    Yes, you can customis your internship date on the application form.
    For program January, the minimum duration of he intership is 4 weeks.
    For program June - august, the minimum duration of an internship is 6 weeks. You are welcome to have a longer internship than 6 weeks. However, any change in the program dates should be raised and approved by us in advance of enrolment as it will affect what potential offer we can provide.
  • What hours should I expect to intern?
    Oversea internship are generally full-time, between 35-40 hours per week. Your host organization will set your daily hours, but the majority of internships will take place between 9am and 5pm.
  • Can I get academic credit for my internship program?
    That is possible! You shall check with your academic advisor on the requirements.
  • What will be the medium of communication in the workplace?
    If you do not know the native language, you are not expected to communicate in native language.
  • Are the advanced activities included in the program fee?
    No, they are not included in the program fee as they are open for you to choose. You have to pay extra for them. But please assured that we are providing them at the cost as lowest as possible. The prices of advanced activities will be announced later when you secure the offer.
  • Why do I have to pay a $5000 internship deposit?
    The $5000 internship deposit is an extremely important part of the matching process and is part of the program fees. It is not an extra fee. The deposit represents a commitment from you to participate in our internship program, which allows the Bloom of Youth to confidently contact organizations on your behalf in order to find the best match possible!
  • Is my job part time or full time?
    It depends. It could be part time or full time.
  • Do I have a chance to reject an offer?
    Yes, you will have at maximum 2 chances to reject an offer. Every offer released will be within your three industry preferences. You are however reminded that there is not an unlimited number of internships open to you, and once rejected it’s not possible to return the company if nothing better comes up. We strongly advise you to decide carefully before rejecting an offer.
  • I will not fly to the interning country. Will you still arrange airport pick up service?
    If you land in one of the seven countries, i.e. England, France, Germany, Ireland, Spain, Australia or New Zealand, we will still arrange airport pick up service for you from the airport to the accommodation you reserve within that country. But if you land in other countries out of the seven countries, there will be no pick up service or refund.
    Alternatively, if you arrive at the interning city by other transportation such as train, we can arrange pick up service from train station to the accommodation.
  • Will I be given more than one offers at a time?
    The program runs on a rolling basis. You will have to reject an offer before getting another offer, while you have at maximum 2 chances to reject offers.

Eligibility

  • What is the eligibility?
    Aged 18 or above on the application final deadline.
  • Do I need prior work experience?
    No. Our internship program is tailored to the individual needs of each particpant. We strive to match roles with their education level, professional experience, and interests. Our program caters to a diverse range of participants, from those who are new to internships to experienced executives who want to explore a new career field or location.
    Having a passion and determination to succeed in your chosen fields is the most important factor. However, having relevant prior experience in your field may increase your chances of being selected for an internship at a larger organization.
  • Is there minimum requirement for GPA or English level?
    No, we do not set a rigid threshold.
  • What nationalities can do the program?
    All nationalities are eligible to apply for our programs.
  • Is there any language requirement?
    If you wish to apply France program, you are required to have B1 level of French.
    If you wish to apply for UK program and you need to apply under tier 5 temporary worker – government authorized exchange scheme, you need to have English level equivalent of an IELTS score of above 6.0 as a visa requirement. You can take the IELTS test after being accepted into the program. There are two to three IELTS tests per month so you don’t need to be worried.

Process

  • How many stages are there?
    Please visit our How it works page.
  • How long does it take to organise an internship placement and find me an accommodation?
    Usually at least 6 weeks to guarantee your perfect internship. Our programs are highly competitive and early applications are encouraged. Early applications get primary consideration for the most competitive roles in our extensive network. And please don’t forget if a special visa is required.
  • When is the deadline to apply?
    For program January 2025, the deadline is on 25 October 2024 (Friday).
    The Early Bird Deadline (with HKD$3500 discount) is on 30 November 2024 (Saturday).
    For program June – August 2025, the final deadline is on 24 January 2025 (Friday).
    For periods other than stated above, you are advised to apply 3 - 6 months in advance to reserve sufficient preparation time.
    Early application is mutually beneficial: you can enjoy early bird discount, confirm the schedule, get the best possible role and book flights early and we have sufficient time to perfect your program.
  • When will I know which company I work for?
    After you are accepted in the program, we will release the offer in 3 months.
  • Can I have access to the full list of employers or choose to intern at a specific company?
    If you are interested in knowing our partner companies, you can read our testimonials and your opportunities page. We do not, however, provide a full list of partner companies.
    Firstly, our list of partner companies is not static. We often partner with new companies if they would be a better match for a participant. We have dedicated outreach teams, working on our participants’ benefits, in all program destinations, meaning our list of partners is constantly growing and evolving.
    Secondly, we do not provide a list to students then attempt to “pick and choose” which companies they specifically want to work for. This promotes unrealistic expectations, as partner company needs, your wishes & background and external factors such as timing are all taken into account during internship-placement. If you are accepted into our program you are guaranteed a great role in your area of interest. However, due to the factors listed above a specific company cannot be guaranteed.
  • When should I book my flights?
    We recommend booking flights as soon as your internship role is confirmed and visa is secured (if applicable). Our program organiser will keep you posted of the progress.
  • What happens when I arrive the country?
    You will be picked up by our trusted driver on arrival.

Financing

  • How much does the program cost?
    Please visit our Price & Visa page.
  • Can I get a scholarship or grant?
    Yes! Check with the Career Office of your university or school, the Education Bureau, Regional Councils… Students are sometimes reluctant to go abroad because of a limited budget. Don’t be! There are many scholarships available.

Accommodation

  • Can I live at home or a relative’s house and take the housing out of the cost?
    Our all-inclusive programs are a way to make it easier to adapt to the new environment in a short period of time. The employers, universities, and parents we work with depend and ask for this service, as it guarantees your safety. However, if you have particular needs please do indicate it in your application.
  • How much travel time between work and home?
    We promise to minimize your travel time between your home and your workplace. Please understand that the average is about an hour but depending on many factors, including rush hour, it may be more.
  • What if my accommodations don’t match my expectations?
    If you should deem the accommodation which has been provided to you to be unsuitable, Bloom of Youth must be notified within 36 hours of the start of your first day in that accommodation in order for remedies to be made or, if necessary, alternative accommodation arranged. Any complaints about the unsuitability of accommodation arising 36 hours after the start of your first day in that accommodation will be dealt with at the discretion of Bloom of Youth.
  • Can I choose to live at shared accommodation, partner host or student residence?
    We are sorry that the type of accommodation is not open for students to choose. We will arrange accommodation according to the location of your workplace and availability.
  • What will be the accommodation?
    Students' shared accommodation, student residence or partner host.

    Shared accommodation is a shared living space with others.
    Partner host means that you will stay at a residence with a local.
    Student residence contains living quarters for students.

    No matter which accommodation you are arranged to, basic amenity will be provided.
    However, we are unable to guarantee the relations with other inhabitants of the apartment, student residence or partner host or relations with your neighbors. We are happy to share with you the tips of living overseas.

Payment and refund

  • Is deposit part of program fee or additional?
    Deposit is part of program fee.
    In other words, the outstanding program fee equals to the total deducting deposit.
    Program fee is the sum of the deposit and the remaining balance.
  • What is the refund policy?
    If Bloom of Youth is unable to place you in an internship role in your Preference Area after the Placement Deadline, you will receive a full refund.
    If you withdraw from the Program for any reason before being placed with a partner organization or before receiving any invitation of interview or potential offer, you will receive half deposit refund.
    If you withdraw from the Program after using up one or two opportunities to reject offers (invitation of interview or potential offer) or after being placed with a partner organisation, there will be no refund of deposit.
    If you withdraw from the Program for any reason after being placed with a partner organisation and after the remaining program fee is paid, there will be no refund of deposit and remaining program fee.
    For more, you can go to recruitment process or refer to the terms and conditions.
  • When will the payments due?
    Deposit is due when you are accepted to the program.
    Remaining program fee is due when you are accepted by the employer.
    The exact dates depend on your progress.
  • What if I decide to withdraw?
    Refund is only possible under certain circumstances. For details, please refer to the terms and conditions.

Other question

  • Do I need a visa?
    A visa may be required depending upon your destination and what passport you are holding. Please refer to the Visa table to have an idea.
  • Will I get a graduate offer after the internship?
    It depends. We cannot guarantee such an offer.
  • I am a HKSAR passport holder. Do I apply for Youth Mobility scheme if I intern in UK?
    Yes, if you are successfully allocated a Certificate of Sponsorship (CoS) from the Labour Department. In order to receive a CoS, you have to apply before the deadline to register for CoS and fulfill its eligibility requirement, taking quota into consideration (http://www.labour.gov.hk/eng/plan/guidance.htm). You are strongly encouraged to apply our program earlier to avoid missing the CoS deadline. You may not receive internship confirmation before the registration of CoS. If you do not have CoS, you will have to apply for Temporary Worker - Government Authorised Exchange visa.
  • What if I cannot go due to COVID-19?
    Application starting from 2021, In case that there is a travel ban for entering internship destination or the COVID situation makes it infeasible to conduct the physical internship, options of postponing the internship to later available time and changing to the virtual internship will be provided. If it is changed to virtual internship, the difference between program fees will be returned. However, deposit and program fee refund will be based on terms and conditions.

Virtual Internship FAQ

Program

  • In what sectors are internships available?
    • • Art & Design
    • • Accounting
    • • Architecture
    • • Education
    • • Engineering
    • • Environment
    • • Fashion
    • • Finance & Economics
    • • Hospitality, Events & Tourism
    • • HR & Talent Management
    • • International Business
    • • IT
    • • Journalism & Media
    • • Law
    • • NGOs & Non-Profits
    • • Real Estate
    • • PR & Marketing
    • • Science
  • How long will the internship last?
    Our virtual internship is all year round from 4 weeks to 12 weeks. It can be part time or full time, you can choose to continue besides your study even new semester start.
  • Will my internship be paid?
    We dedicate to provide a professional development in an international setting. Whether these internships are paid or not depends on each specific placement company and your internship duration. However, our international internships do tend to be unpaid, but they are an irreplaceable way to build your resume! And don’t forget to check out the various available scholarships to help you finance your stay. If you are interested in receiving academic credit for your internship, you should contact your course credit for internships.
  • What is included in the program?
    • • Top internship in a variety of industries
    • • Interview guideline
    • • On-going monitoring & virtual support
    • • Reference letter from employers
    • • Certificate from The Bloom of Youth
    • • Academic credit assistance (where required)
    • • Subsidy application assistance (where required)
  • What will be the medium of communication in the workplace?
    If you do not know the native language, you are not expected to communicate in native language.
  • Why do I have to pay a $5000 internship deposit?
    The $5000 internship deposit is an extremely important part of the matching process and is part of the program fees. It is not an extra fee. The deposit represents a commitment from you to participate in our internship program, which allows the Bloom of Youth to confidently contact organizations on your behalf in order to find the best match possible!
  • Is my job part time or full time?
    It depends. It could be part time or full time, and discussed with internship organization prior to start.
  • What hours should I expect to intern?
    We offer virtual internships for 10 - 40 hours per week. You choose part time or full time depending on your schedule.
  • Do I have a chance to reject an offer?
    Yes, you will have at maximum 2 chances to reject an offer. Every offer released will be within your three industry preferences. You are however reminded that there is not an unlimited number of internships open to you, and once rejected it’s not possible to return the company if nothing better comes up. We strongly advise you to decide carefully before rejecting an offer.
  • Will I be given more than one offers at a time?
    The program runs on a rolling basis. You will have to reject an offer before getting another offer, while you have at maximum 2 chances to reject offers.

Eligibility

  • What is the eligibility?
    • • 18 years old or above
    • • Any academic field and year of study
  • Is there minimum requirement for GPA or English level?
    No, we do not set a rigid threshold.
  • What nationalities can do the program?
    All nationalities are eligible to apply for our programs
  • Is there any language requirement?
    If you wish to apply France program, you are required to have B1 level of French.
    For other programs, basic English is required.
  • Will I require a visa to intern virtually?
    No. It does not require international travel and therefore you will not be subject to immigration jurisdiction of the country where your employer is located in.

Process

  • How many stages are there?
    Please visit our Virtual Internship page.
  • When is the deadline to apply?
    You are advised to apply for our virtual internship program at least 1 month before your desired start date. Our programs are highly competitive and early applications are encouraged. Early applications get primary consideration for the most competitive roles in our extensive network.
  • Can I have access to the full list of employers or choose to intern at a specific company?
    If you are interested in knowing our partner companies, you can read our testimonials and your opportunities page. We do not, however, provide a full list of partner companies.
    Firstly, our list of partner companies is not static. We often partner with new companies if they would be a better match for a participant. We have dedicated outreach teams, working on our participants’ benefits, in all program destinations, meaning our list of partners is constantly growing and evolving.
    Secondly, we do not provide a list to students then attempt to “pick and choose” which companies they specifically want to work for. This promotes unrealistic expectations, as partner company needs, your wishes & background and external factors such as timing are all taken into account during internship-placement. If you are accepted into our program you are guaranteed a great role in your area of interest. However, due to the factors listed above a specific company cannot be guaranteed.

Financing

Payment and refund

  • Is deposit part of program fee or additional?
    Deposit is part of program fee.
    In other words, the outstanding program fee equals to the total deducting deposit.
    Program fee is the sum of the deposit and the remaining balance.
  • What is the refund policy?
    If Bloom of Youth is unable to place you in an internship role in your Preference Area after the Placement Deadline, you will receive a full refund.
    If you withdraw from the Program for any reason before being placed with a partner organization or before receiving any invitation of interview or potential offer, you will receive half deposit refund.
    If you withdraw from the Program after using up one or two opportunities to reject offers (invitation of interview or potential offer) or after being placed with a partner organisation, there will be no refund of deposit.
    If you withdraw from the Program for any reason after being placed with a partner organisation and after the remaining program fee is paid, there will be no refund of deposit and remaining program fee.
    For more, you can go to recruitment process or refer to the terms and conditions.
  • When will the payments due?
    Deposit is due when you are accepted to the program.
    Remaining program fee is due when you are accepted by the employer.
    The exact dates depend on your progress.
  • What if I decide to withdraw?
    Refund is only possible under certain circumstances. For details, please refer to the terms and conditions.