Companies go global with foreign internships

It’s nothing a shrinking world wouldn’t have anticipated. With distance a matter of perspective, people from various cultures now work together for mutual benefit.
It’s an idea that has more than appealed to an increasing number of companies in the city. Apart from adding a dash of varied expertise, foreign interns bring in an international atmosphere that one would, perhaps, only find in melting pots like New York, London or Mumbai.
The Ruby Hall Hospital, for example, takes in several interns through the year.Apart from the foreign flavour, Dr P V Bokil, deputy medical director of the hospital, says, "Westerners do not know anything about tropical diseases, so coming to India is a great learning experience for them. We learn quite a few things about medical practices there as well."
A spokesperson for HSBC adds, "Even though we do not have a fixed number of interns, at any given time we have two foreign interns with us. Essentially, when we choose interns, we look for someone who has the right kind of enthusiasm and ability."
About the kind of work they do, she adds, "Since they stay for a relatively short time, they are asked to do shortterm, dedicated assignments."
AIESEC, the global management student body plays a major part in sourcing interns and networking with other countries.
Vice president of the AIESEC exchange development programme, Pierre Sitter, explains, "We provide interns from all over the world to nearly 40 local companies."
For Nichrome India Ltd, foreign interns are a great way to expand business. Says senior manager, exports, Milind Joglekar, "We are looking at spreading our business in South America and we realise that the market conditions there are such, that it’s best to have a local person handling it Here is where interns can help us out."
Javier Vasquez, 26, hails from Columbia and has been in India for the last 10 months.
During this time, he has worked with an NGO and as market researcher for construction company Goel Ganga. He reveals,"Working in local companies has been a great experience. I have learnt so much. For instance, adapting to a foreign culture and communicating with people."
Chirag Shah may be of Indian origin, but he comes in from Australia and has been with HSBC for a year. "This tenure has opened an avenue for me to pursue my ambitions as a corporate banker," he says.