Interning Abroad ?

I have an opportunity to go to Latin America for work in the field of international development. (It's an internship). Problem - it's for 8 long months and I have VERY traditional parents. I don't want to turn around and say 'tough' I'm going - but would like some ideas as to how to bring them around to the idea. This position is important to me and in the past I have given up opportunities at similar internships or potential jobs because I know they don't like the idea of a single female relocating or travelling for work or school.

Can you give me some advice on how to handle this?

Well it sounds that you have the opportunity to go on a great adventure and explore more about yourself and another part of the world. You must be very excited about this and I don't blame you for wanting to go. I can fully appreciate the fact that you would like to take this opportunity but at the same time you would like your parents blessing and their encouragement for you to do so.

It shows a great deal of maturity on your part and it demonstrates that you are not just thinking about yourself. It's hard to turn down chances of a lifetime, especially when there's a wealth of knowledge and a vast array experiences awaiting you.

I don't know what kind of relationship that you have with your parents and whether you are able to talk to them openly about this. Many times it's the unknown that scares us the most. I think if your parents had more information about this and what it means to you, they may warm up to the idea. They can also appreciate what this means to you and that you will do whatever you can to make this easier for them.

First I think you should tell them what exactly you would be doing there and what it would mean for career. How does that differ from what you are doing now. Secondly, give them as much information about where you would be living, e.g. tell them about the country (show them on the Internet or get some books from the library) and show them and/or tell them where you would be living. Ensure your parents that they would still be able to contact you via telephone.

Let your parents know how passionate you are about this and what this means to you. It's also important that you echo there concerns and that you acknowledge that this is going to be hard for them, it might also be a good idea for you to tell them that this is going to be hard for you too. Your parents may be not want you to go for a variety of reasons and the main one could be there concern for your safety. Part of their apprehension could also be because for them their little girl is growing up.

If you put yourself in your parents shoes you will be in a better position to understand where they are coming from and this will prove to be a great arson when you sit down with them to talk about it.

Remember this is no different from a job interview, the more information you have and the more prepared you are the better your chances are. I

wish you all the best for the future and I hope that your stay in Latin America is an educational one.

Laky