With summer now underway, many students will have a lot of time on their hands and be unsure how to make the most of this time so we’ve put together a summer student guide!

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Whether you’re staying at home all summer, travelling alone or with friends, looking to earn some money or hoping to find an internship to get some work experience to fill your CV, this blog post is for you. 

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Some of these ideas require more planning than others, but not all of them so please do not worry if you’re a person who likes to leave things to the last minute because there are a great number of adventures you can embark on spontaneously!

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Internships

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Doing a summer internship can be an amazing way to earn money and gain work experience in your desired field. Summer internships can also be extremely valuable experiences to have on your CV for when it comes time to apply for jobs after graduation, as well as giving you practical experience to talk about in future interviews.

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Internships can also serve as a ticket to travel! There are a vast number of companies around the world that look to hire summer interns from countries outside of those where their offices are located. At our NomadHer office in Seoul we currently have three summer interns joining us from The United States! So if you want to gain invaluable work experience but also want to step out of your comfort zone, why not look abroad?

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Undertaking an internship over the summer period is something that will require organisation weeks or sometimes months prior to the start day and so if this is how you would like to spend your summer then it is important to note that it will likely be a lot more difficult to find an opportunity like this if left until the last moment. 

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There are a variety of websites that you can use to search for job postings so make sure to use a variety of resources, polish up your LinkedIn profile and don’t be afraid to reach out to companies that interest you even if they don’t currently have internships available because you never know what showing that proactive and ambitious energy might lead to!  

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Our top tip would be to cast a wide net, be determined and proactive in your search and remember to demonstrate enthusiasm!

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We asked our three current NomadHer summer Interns for their advice on choosing to spend your summer doing an internship and how to go about finding ones and this is what they had to say:

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Mariela's: “The benefits of internships allow you to explore a variety of workplace environments and provide a path for self-development for the future. You may find opportunities via your school websites, start-up companies asking for help, and LinkedIn.”

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Andie: “Finding an internship can be really daunting, but just making sure you utilize resources available like professors or campus offices makes it a lot easier and less scary! Summer internships are a great way to get used to working in a professional environment without having to worry about school interfering or vice versa.”

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Evelyn's: “Summer internships help you gain experience to jump-start your career and create networking opportunities. For finding internships, speaking with professors and mentors, Facebook groups, school jobs and internship fairs, and looking at relevant industry companies' websites are all great. Your school’s learning abroad office may also offer programs for internships abroad. Attributes to demonstrate: professionalism, eagerness and passion, protectiveness.”

Staying at home

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Staying at home for the summer may not always seem like the most exciting prospect and the reality is that not everyone is in a position to travel full-time for the summer or live on an intern’s salary in a big city. However, staying at home for the summer, wherever home may be, doesn’t have to be viewed as boring or unproductive, it will be what you make of it!

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If you’re someone who is looking to earn some money over the summer break then try looking for jobs with transferable skills to the field you hope to work in. These can be a lot more significant than you may realise. For example, if you are working as a Barista, you are demonstrating an ability to remain calm under pressure, manage multiple things at once and maintain good interpersonal skills.  

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There are also a variety of resources online to continue your learning into the summer holidays should you wish to. Many websites, including that of some universities, offer free online courses which are fantastic for both keeping you busy and giving you something to write about on your resume. Other resources, such as YouTube, should be underestimated as there are a vast number of creators out there posting educational content like tutorials and language learning videos. 

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Our top tip for having a productive summer at home would be to create a routine for yourself at home. This should be based on what is best for you, so please do not set unrealistic or unhealthy goals. Establishing a routine is a great way to hold yourself accountable and to feel as though you are achieving something every day, even if it is as simple as making your bed consistently!

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Travel

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Many of us will have had the Mamma Mia fantasy of travelling for the summer, hopping on trains, buses and boats with nothing more than a backpack. Travelling can be a period of exploration and growth and as students are so often busy and occupied with deadlines and other general pressures that come with student life, having the time to explore different corners of the world and oneself can be extremely liberating.

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As financing travel can often be the biggest hurdle for students looking to travel it is important to consider ways to minimise costs. For many people, volunteering in hostels, farms or language cafes is a fantastic way to allow them to stay in a place they have dreamed of visiting with no rental costs in exchange in return for a few hours of work. There are several websites where you can make profiles and apply to places all around the world. Nomadher firmly believes that travel is for everyone and shouldn’t be reserved for merely those with the means to do so, so we encourage those looking to travel who are concerned with financial constraints to get creative and not be dissuaded. 

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Travel can also be a bit of a daunting adventure if you’re embarking on it alone, but you should not be discouraged from pursuing your goals even if your friends aren’t willing to join you! The NomadHer app allows women from anywhere in the world to reach out to fellow community members to suggest a meet-up, ask for recommendations or even just to chat. There are a variety of factors that women have to take into account when solo travelling, however, NomadHer does not believe that women should have to be governed by fear. So for female students looking to spend their summer travelling to any corner of the world, please take comfort and confidence in the knowledge that the NomadHer community will be there for you no matter where you are! 

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So to summarise, the summer break from student life should be seen as an opportunity to pursue what matters most to you. No matter what you choose to do, give it your all, be kind to yourself and appreciate all the small achievements, as well as the big ones. No matter where you are in the world or what you’re doing there, NomadHer encourages you to take every opportunity and spend your time doing what inspires you. 

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