Remote internships can sometimes raise uncertainties among both students and business owners. Employers might have concerns about communication effectiveness, trustworthiness due to the lack of in-person supervision, and the time investment required for assigning tasks online. On the student side, there may be worries about missing out on valuable hands-on experience or opportunities to build professional connections.

These concerns are valid but stem from outdated assumptions. Remote internship programs not only match in-person ones in terms of contribution but also offer unique advantages that prepare both students and organizations for the digital work environment.

 

A Programme That Demonstrated the Value of Remote Internships

Between February 24 and April 11, 2025, the Bucharest University of Economic Studies (ASE), in partnership with the Harghita Community Development Association (ADI Harghita), organized a successful remote internship programme within the framework of the PREVIEW Project.

• 31 students from the Faculty of Economics and Tourism completed remote internships with 9 tourism organizations.
• Students, company mentors, and university supervisors collaborated through a digital space via the PREVIEW platform to ensure structure, communication, and cooperation throughout the programme.

The programme demonstrated how remote internships can be carefully planned and effectively coordinated. Students completed tasks such as tourism-related online research, building databases, creating and monitoring social media content. They worked virtually with mentors designated by the companies, gaining real-world experience without ever needing to enter an office.

Although both students and companies expressed initial doubts, the feedback at the end of the program showed that those concerns were not confirmed. In fact, both groups found the experience surprisingly enriching.
 

Student Experiences in the PREVIEW Remote Internship Programme

Students’ initial concerns about limited interaction, unclear expectations, or lack of practical experience were soon replaced with positive surprises: “At first, I didn’t expect much, but after the first Zoom meeting with my mentor, I realized this internship could truly support my professional development.” “I hoped to improve my communication skills and meet new people, and I gained much more than I expected.”

Students developed valuable skills such as online research, marketing, teamwork, independent work, time management, meeting deadlines, and functioning within a professional structure. Tasks included identifying tourism influencers and conducting media research, helping interns improve their Excel and digital communication skills.

There was also personal growth: “This experience helped me organize my work better and become more responsible.”

No major issues with remote work were reported—only minor technical or procedural challenges arose, and mentors were consistently helpful and supportive.

The flexibility of remote work boosted motivation and productivity: “I saved time by not commuting, which helped me focus better and gave me more time for my tasks.”

Others emphasized the importance of self-discipline, organization, and openness to learning in making the most of the remote experience.

When asked whether they would recommend remote internships to others, the answer was a clear yes: “This kind of internship is worth far more than it seems at first. There’s only something to gain.” One intern even chose to continue working with their mentor voluntarily and recommended the opportunity to a peer who also joined the collaboration.

 

Company Mentor Experiences in the PREVIEW Remote Internship Programme

Mentors began the program with mixed expectations and some doubts: “I was a bit uncertain whether students would actually show up for the weekly meetings.” “We had no major concerns—we’re used to remote work—but we expected the intern to be open and responsible.”

As the internship progressed, doubts faded: “Everything went smoothly. The students were active, receptive, and committed.” “Our student was extremely dedicated and enthusiastic.”

The results were real and measurable: “The students built two databases, each with over 100 entries, helping us identify potential partners and relevant stakeholders. These directly support our future projects.” “The remote internship helped us spread awareness of our activities and goals more broadly.”

Mentors appreciated the students’ fresh perspectives: “They brought useful suggestions that helped refine our current work.”

In one case, the collaboration even continued beyond the internship as a long-term volunteer role.

Communication tools like Zoom, WhatsApp, and Google Meet were essential: “They made everything simple and smooth.”

The remote format also supported flexibility: “The students organized their tasks efficiently according to their own schedules.”

While there were initial coordination challenges, mentors quickly adapted: “We solved them through open discussions and thorough planning.”

Distance didn’t mean a lack of personal connection: “We always provided clear guidance and detailed feedback.” “We saw real progress and professionalism throughout.”

When asked whether they would repeat the experience, the mentors responded without hesitation: “Yes. It was a positive experience, and we would gladly do it again.”

Mentors agreed that remote internships are effective and sustainable when built on good communication and mutual trust.
 

Developing Essential Skills for the Future

As the PREVIEW experience shows, remote internships are no longer just temporary solutions or secondary options—they are valuable opportunities to develop professional and digital skills in a rapidly changing job market. With the right structure and support, they offer rich and successful experiences for both students and companies.

Today’s labor market increasingly demands digital fluency, independence, and strong communication skills on online platforms. Remote internships are a natural environment to develop these abilities.

 

Students learn to:

• Communicate clearly via video calls, messaging apps, and email.
• Manage their time and tasks independently.
• Navigate widely used digital tools and platforms.
• Collaborate with diverse teams across different locations and time zones.

These are all highly transferable skills. In addition, adapting to remote work builds autonomy, initiative, and adaptability—traits valuable in any profession, in any field.

These remote internships were implemented under the PREVIEW Project, funded by the European Union through the Erasmus+ programme. The project aims to support students in adapting more easily to the challenges of the digital economy after graduation.

More information about the project: www.previewcommunity.eu

Harghita Community Development Association (ADI Harghita)