Doing an internship abroad is an excellent way of improving your language and professional skills, as well as having an experience that is out of the ordinary and enriching. Georgia is a country situated between Eastern Europe and Western Asia, and offers a wide range of possibilities in terms of the sectors in which you can do your engineering internship. Georgia is brimming with a wide variety of companies offering assignments that are totally in line with your interests and training. You’ve come to the right place if you’re interested in doing an engineering internship in Georgia.
What’s the working environment like in Georgian companies?
In Georgia, you’ll have the opportunity to do your engineering internship in large companies, multinationals or even small businesses. So you’ll have a wide choice of options, depending on the size of the company you’re interested in and the type of assignments you’ll be offered during your engineering internship in Georgia. As far as the working environment is concerned, it really does vary from one company to another, depending in particular on the size of the company and the number of employees. For example, in small companies, the atmosphere will generally be more relaxed in Georgia and the way you address your colleagues or superiors will be more informal. On the other hand, in large companies, it is generally preferable to address your professional circle in a more formal manner, as is the case in many companies in other countries. It is not uncommon in this country for companies to offer trainees a short training course when they start their placement, which helps them to adapt more easily to their new working environment and to carry out their tasks to the best of their ability once they are autonomous in their position.However, some companies will have other expectations of interns and will expect them to be autonomous in their position from the moment they arrive. Just as in a French company, Georgian companies appreciate it if they have anticipated the company’s expectations, particularly in terms of punctuality, communication and working with the team. As you will have realised, there are many possibilities for doing your engineering placement in Georgia, and the working environment can be very different from one company to another. It’s up to you to choose what you’re looking for and what you want from a company that’s going to take you on an internship.
Work culture in Georgian companies
In Georgia, the work culture is very different from what we are used to in France. You should know that in this country, it’s very common for colleagues to invite you into their inner circle. It’s very easy for colleagues to ask you out for a drink after work or to suggest activities, so don’t be surprised and above all don’t hesitate to say yes, as this will really help you to bond with them and strengthen team synergy. Company employees are generally very welcoming and warm with interns, so interns can feel confident and part of the team from their first day on the job. In Georgia, most companies also offer flexible working hours, so don’t be surprised if you’re asked to rearrange your working hours a little or if you’re asked if you have any preferences in terms of working hours to suit your lifestyle.
Projects and engineering assignments that can be offered
In Georgia, internships and engineering opportunities are diverse and varied. The projects will vary depending on the companies you work for. You could be involved in civil, environmental, energy, mechanical, IT or telecommunications projects. There really are so many possibilities in Georgia, and the projects or assignments on offer will obviously vary from company to company, depending on the company’s specialism and the specialism you have in your course of study. The idea of an internship abroad is obviously to improve your foreign language skills, but also to acquire more professional skills in your field. In terms of assignments, you may have to take on different responsibilities depending on the tasks on offer and the company you work for. You’ll be able to do research, project management, maintenance and much more, depending on what you want to do and what the company offers.
How do you communicate successfully in Georgia?
In Georgia, the population speaks Georgian and most exchanges are conducted in Georgian. However, in many companies, English is used to communicate with colleagues, as it’s not uncommon to have interns or colleagues from other countries who don’t speak Georgian. So don’t worry, even if you’re not fluent in Georgian, it will be very easy for you to make yourself understood and to exchange ideas within the company. So it’s perfectly possible to do an internship abroad in Georgia without speaking Georgian. However, it can be a plus to have some notions of Georgian or even Russian to facilitate exchanges with certain colleagues or business partners. If you’re going to do an internship abroad in Georgia, I recommend that you learn a few basic words like “hello”, “thank you” and “please”, as this will be greatly appreciated by the locals and will show that you’re willing to immerse yourself in the country’s culture as much as possible.
Doing an internship abroad is an excellent way to develop your network
An internship abroad is also an excellent way to meet new people, both personally and professionally. It’s important to remember that every encounter can be important in one’s life, whether in the short or medium term. An excellent way to broaden your network is also to take part in activities that may be offered by the company. It’s a great way to bond with your colleagues and build team spirit. When you go abroad for an internship, I think it’s vital to remember that every encounter can be useful at some point in your life, and a person you simply meet during an internship can one day become a professional opportunity.
What are the cultural differences between France and Georgia, and what does adaptability look like?
As in any foreign country, there may be cultural differences and practices or customs that you may not be used to, and which may be very different from what you’re used to seeing in France. Georgia is a blend of cultures from Western Asia, Eastern Europe and the former Soviet Republic. These different cultural influences have given rise to customs and a way of life influenced by all these parts of the world. It’s not necessarily easy to adapt at first when you arrive in a new country, but if you’re open-minded and ready to adapt, everything will go smoothly. What would a visit to a new country be without a culinary experience? I recommend that you discover the local cuisine by going to one of the nice little restaurants that serve local food, or if you meet locals who offer to have lunch with you and prepare a typical meal, I’d advise you to say yes. We also recommend hiking there! It’s a crazy playground! Here are a few to inspire you
In conclusion, I really think that doing your engineering internship abroad in Georgia is an opportunity you shouldn’t miss. This internship will enable you to acquire new skills, learn about engineering in another country and discover a culture different from the one in France. What’s more, developing your professional network abroad is a very good way of securing future opportunities abroad or even in France, depending on the people you meet. If you’d like to find out more about engineering internships in Georgia, if you have any other practical questions, or if this information has convinced you and you’d like to do your internship abroad in Georgia, don’t hesitate to contact us! We’ll be delighted to help you 🙂