How To Write An Internship Abroad Cover Letter (And Example)

Updated 5 September 2023

If you are interested in an international career, you may want to consider applying for an internship abroad. It is important to submit informative application documents, such as a cover letter, that highlight the value you can bring to an organisation as an intern. Understanding what information to feature in a cover letter can help you demonstrate that you are a good fit for the position.

In this article, we review what to include in an internship abroad cover letter, list steps you can follow to write one and provide a template and example for you to review.

Please note that none of the companies, institutions or organisations mentioned in this article are associated with Indeed.

What To Include In An Internship Abroad Cover Letter?

To better understand what to include in your internship abroad cover letter, it can be beneficial to understand the definition of an internship abroad. An internship abroad can provide you with an opportunity to learn more about the industry and role you are interested in while living in a new country. Listing key details in your cover letter for an internship abroad is an important aspect of submitting informative application documents. Here is what you can include in your cover letter to highlight your credentials and expertise:

Contact information: At the top of the document, include a header with your full name, phone number and email address.
Express your interest in the role: Introduce yourself to the hiring manager and describe why you are interested in the internship position.
Relevant experience and education: Use the next section of your cover letter to outline your professional experience and the academic credentials you've earned to demonstrate that you are qualified for the role.
Role-related skills: Include an overview of the skills and technical knowledge you can bring to the organisation as their intern.
Call to action: Conclude your cover letter with a call to action that motivates the hiring manager to contact you and schedule an interview.

How To Write An Internship Abroad Cover Letter?

Here is a list of steps you can follow to write a cover letter for an internship abroad:

1. Review the position

Before you create a draft of your cover letter for an internship abroad, consider reviewing the position. This can help you learn about the organisation's requirements and what they are looking for in a candidate. You can use this information to write an informative cover letter that highlights the unique value you can bring as an intern and that you can meet their expectations.

2. List your contact information

At the top of the document, include a header that lists your full name, phone number and email address. Listing these details allows a hiring manager to contact you to follow up about your application or schedule an interview. Add your name in bold font to make it easier for the reader to recognise and remember.

3. Describe why you are interested in the role

Use the first paragraph of your cover letter to introduce yourself to the hiring manager and express your interest in the internship role. You can use this part of your cover letter to discuss your knowledge of the organisation, and highlight why you want to become their intern. You can also list your academic and professional credentials, including the degrees you have earned or relevant industry experience.

4. Outline your industry knowledge

Although you may have listed your work history and education in your resume, you can use your cover letter to provide a hiring manager with an in-depth discussion of your relevant industry knowledge. If you are in the process of earning a college degree, you may list the courses or topics that you study and describe how this has prepared you for your prospective role as an intern. This section can help you highlight your interest in the industry and help you distinguish yourself from other candidates.

5. Include your skills and technical knowledge

In the next section of your cover letter, you can list the role-related skills and technical knowledge that you possess. For example, if you are applying for a computer science internship abroad, consider listing the software and programming tools you are familiar with to demonstrate your industry knowledge and expertise.

Consider using keywords and credentials the employer listed in the job description to show that you understand the hiring manager's expectations and feel confident in your ability to meet or exceed them. As an intern, an organisation may not expect you to have extensive industry knowledge or experience, so you may also use this section to discuss what you hope to learn and gain from your prospective role.

6. Conclude with a call to action

Conclude your cover letter with a call to action that invites the reader to contact you to discuss your credentials and schedule an interview. Consider adding a final statement that clearly expresses your interest in the role and why you are the right candidate for the internship position. You can thank the hiring manager for their time and consideration, and state that you look forward to hearing from them soon.

7. Proofread your final draft

After completing a final draft of your cover letter for an internship abroad, it is important to proofread the document and review it for any spelling mistakes or grammatical errors. This can also allow you to ensure you included all the necessary information and outline your competencies and qualifications accurately. Consider sharing the document with a trusted friend, colleague or professor for them to review as well. They can provide you with meaningful feedback and help you identify and correct any writing errors before you submit your cover letter to a hiring manager.

Internship Abroad Cover Letter Template

Here is a template you can use to write a cover letter for an internship abroad:

[Full name]
[Phone number] | [Email address]

Dear [Hiring manager name],

[Write a two-to-three-sentence introductory paragraph explaining what role you are applying for and your current educational or professional status.]

[In the next paragraph, describe how your background and skills apply to the internship position. Discuss your academic or professional experiences and how they have prepared you for your prospective role. Consider including keywords and skills listed in the job description to demonstrate that you understand and meet the organisation's expectations.]

[Write a two-to-three-sentence conclusion paragraph that describes how you can add value to the company. Include a call to action statement to encourage the hiring manager to respond to your application. Thank the reader for their time and consideration, and state that you look forward to hearing from them soon.]

[Respectful sign-off],
[Your full name]

Example Of An Internship Abroad Cover Letter

Here's an example of a cover letter for an internship abroad for you to review:

Omar Ahmad
+91 (388) 822-0055 | omar.ahmad@email.com

Dear Mira Lane,

I am writing to express my interest in Sky Mountain Regional Centres' recent job posting for an international office engineer intern in the resource development department for the summer of next year, following my graduation from Mumbai University with a bachelor's in business administration with a concentration in human resources. I believe my educational background, along with my current work as a university administrative assistant, has prepared me for the role at your company.

Through my experience handling student records and account books, I have developed the necessary skill set for managing sensitive and confidential information. I am proficient in using automation software and management programmes to conduct my work independently and efficiently. Throughout my educational and professional experience, I have created, updated, processed and proofread various reports and ensured their accuracy in grammar, spelling, information and format.

The current work that I conduct for my university involves similar responsibilities to the office engineer intern position, which has prepared me for the opportunity to be a contributing member of the resource development team. Please find my resume and transcript attached for you to evaluate my experience and qualifications. Thank you for your consideration, and I look forward to your response.

Sincerely,
Omar Ahmad