10 reasons to get an internship in London for international students

Fast-paced and free-thinking, London is a place where you can be anyone and do anything.

The city’s rich cultural and political history mixed with its innovative and highly creative nature, make it a wonderful place to experience Europe. We could bang on about the benefits of interning for days but to keep it short n sweet - here are ten reasons why an internship in London as an international student will rock your world, your CV and your social life.

1) Educational opportunities

One of the top reasons international students choose London for interning is due to the city's major opportunities for professional growth. The UK is the sixth largest economy in the world, and London is its powerhouse.

In London, you can expect to find the best talent in every sector and industry. So, if you’re looking to be in a ground-breaking city that will help your network and connections flourish, London is the place for you.

2) Diversity

London is an incredibly diverse city with a progressive and multicultural outlook. It’s thought that over 250 languages are spoken in the capital, so it is a great place to learn about different cultures and try new cuisines. If you’re a big-time foodie check out our top places to eat in London to get inspired.

3) Efficient travel

London is super connected. Anywhere in the capital is reachable by tube, bus, bike or train. And if going out-out is your thing, there are night buses and night tubes running till the early hours of the morning too.

As a student, you can make the most of discounted travel. Up to 30% off with an Oyster card and a 16-25 Railcard.

You can catch trains to just about anywhere in the UK from London. Some must-visits include Brighton, the Lake District and Edinburgh. And with Europe just over an hour away across the water, you can travel to slightly sunnier destinations with ease.

National travel not really your thing? Well, London also has six major airports? So you can expand your horizons on a global scale.

4) History

London dates back to the Romans and has many amazing stories and historical sites to explore. Some of these include Westminster Abbey, the Tower of London, St Paul’s Cathedral, the Globe, and of course, Buckingham Palace.

5) Music and festivals

Each year, the city hosts nearly 20,000 live music performances and more than 250 festivals. Some to add to your festival line-up are Gala, Mighty Hoopla, Field Day, BST Hyde Park and Wireless.

You like jazz? Perhaps, you’re a metalhead, rocker or pop-lover instead. Well, London’s got it all. And if you’re interning over the summer, you can’t miss Europe's biggest street festival, the one and only Notting Hill Carnival in August.

6) Free museums

Students have to be stingy sometimes, but this shouldn’t mean that you miss out on the attractions in London. If money’s a bit tight, you’ll be pleased to know that the majority of galleries and museums in London are free.

Some of our top contenders include the Tate Modern, V&A, Natural History Museum and the National Gallery. Into the weird and wonderful? Taxidermy anyone? Visiting the Horniman Museum is one of our favourite, out of the ordinary, attractions in London.

7) Famous attractions

London attracts around 20 million visitors every, single, year. With the extensive transport systems, you’ll be able to see all the famous attractions to your heart's content.

Get your camera at the ready and snap up all of the sightseeing spots. Some of our favourites include Big Ben, The Shard, The London Eye and Trafalgar Square.

8) Nightlife

The capital offers non-stop nightlife, so if you’re after a party you’ll never run out of things to do in London. From gigs and festivals, to clubs and shows, you’re never far from live performances and big stages.

The world is your oyster in London – quite literally when you have an Oyster card.

9) Food and drink

There are plenty of rooftop bars and over 5000 restaurants to choose from in London, meaning you’ll be spoilt for choice when it comes to picking where to get food and drink.

If quirky, individual places are your thing, check out Camden Town. Looking for some bouje-iness, Mayfair or South Kensington are as boujee as they come.

10) Theatre and Comedy

History’s most prolific playwright Bill Shakespeare worked in London and set the bar pretty high for English comics and writers looking to make their mark.

Today, London still produces some of the best live theatre and comedy in the world. In the West End’s ‘Theatreland’ there are approximately 40 theatres! You can catch a show every day of the week.

I guess the question no longer remains ‘to be or not to be’ in London.

Well, there you have it. That's our top 10 reasons to get an internship in London for international students. From a globally renowned theatre scene to a stand-out nightlife, London really does have it all.

Inspired to pack your bags and move to London? Well, at JENZA, we’ll answer all your questions about how to get an internship in the big city. If you’re not too sure where to get started, get in touch with us today.