Preparing to Relocate for an Internship

May 2, 2024 by Synergy Housing

After months of applications, cover letters, and interviews, you’ve overcome the biggest hurdle: receiving an internship. Whether it’s short- or long-term, part- or full-time, this is a victory that should be celebrated. And with this new role, comes a new destination.

Relocating for an internship is an exciting yet challenging adventure. To ensure a smooth transition, we’ve crafted this detailed guide to help interns like you make the most out of their relocation experience. From temporary housing options to maximizing your internship program, here’s what you can expect and how to thrive during your time away from home.

Moving for an internship is more than just changing locations; it’s a transformative experience that shapes your professional and personal growth. Out-of-state internships offer the opportunity to develop more than just hard skills. In addition to the knowledge and exposure you’re destined to gain throughout your internship, relocation invites endless chances to evolve and challenge yourself as an individual. You’ll not only grow as a professional, but also gain soft skills that will last you a lifetime. However, all these benefits do not necessarily make this journey any less daunting.

Embracing the Internship Journey

As you acclimate to your new role and your new home, you will inevitably be presented with various obstacles. To best prepare for your internship journey and alleviate some of the growing pains that accompany moving to a new city, it’s vital to research your destination.

When relocating to a different city or state, it’s important to educate yourself on travel safety tips and immerse yourself in the cultural nuances of the location. With a comprehensive knowledge of your new home away from home, you’ll have a strong foundation to explore and build authentic connections. Do your best to break out of your shell and engage with your neighbors and fellow interns. If you’re accepting summer internships or winter internships, look into joining local groups or pursuing activities that offer an opportunity to socialize and make new friends. It’s essential to establish a support network so that you have a community to lean on if you ever start to feel homesick or during your program.

While adapting to your new living and work environment may prove difficult, you are not alone in your journey. Many of your peers and colleagues are likely experiencing similar anxieties, and your employers will be able to sympathize with the strength that it takes to overcome your apprehensions as you take on a new job away from home.

Maximizing Your Internship Program with Temporary Housing

Preparing for your internship can be an overwhelming experience on its own, so your housing should be the least of your worries. Temporary housing plays a crucial role in ensuring a comfortable and productive internship experience. Corporate housing companies like Synergy Global Housing help eliminate the added stress of finding a new apartment. Instead of signing a lease, you’ll have a guest service agent guide you through every step of the process and help you find the perfect housing solution. Simply share your desired destination, and Synergy will take care of the rest.

For short-term living or extended stays, temporary housing proves to be the easiest, stress-free option. Award-winning customer service and abundant amenities contribute to a resort-like experience that enhances your overall well-being. Apartments are move-in ready, with all the comforts of home: installed utilities, fully furnished living spaces, housewares and linens. Synergy helps you to relocate with confidence, so that all you must do is show up and turn the key in the lock.

Relocation Assistance

Internship relocation assistance from providers like Synergy helps you make the most of your experience. Discover a comfortable and convenient living space that complements your lifestyle and includes everything from free wi-fi to on-premises laundry. During fall internships or spring internships, avoid having to compete with students for leases and housing and enjoy the guarantee of a move-in ready, premium property. And the best part? You can rest assured that your new home will be secure and held to the highest standards of quality assurance, without having to fly out early to find a place on your own.

Peace of Mind

The only thing better than the peace of mind provided by corporate housing, is the unique opportunities offered to interns sharing the same housing. By opting for corporate housing, you may experience more of a dorm-like atmosphere. Sharing common areas or even neighboring your colleagues and peers makes it much easier to socialize and make friends in your program. Plus, many companies utilize the common areas of corporate housing for social events, so you’ll be that much closer for the next pool party, barbecue, or networking reception!

Corporate housing can be so much more than just a safe place to lay your head. It becomes a chance to connect, share experiences, and build lasting professional relationships with your coworkers. Embark on your internship program with every certainty that you will succeed, with Synergy by your side. Experience the Synergy difference and explore the housing solution that makes the most sense for you.

How to Keep Your Interns Engaged Through Corporate Housing

May 25, 2023 by Synergy Housing

Internship programs are an excellent opportunity for businesses to bring in young talent, new faces and fresh perspectives. A happy and engaged intern can bring significant value to your company, and potentially become a full-time employee on your team in the future. However, it can be challenging to keep your interns engaged and motivated, especially during the hot summer months or fall festivities.

For maximum engagement and satisfaction with the program, an important factor to consider is how you’ll be housing your interns, whether it’s through fully furnished corporate housing or a stipend. We’re here to help you decide on the best housing approach for your company’s internship program, plus offer tips for keeping your interns motivated and engaged — no matter which solution you choose.

Using Corporate Housing for Your Internship Program

One way to accommodate your interns is through a managed housing program. Many companies will work with a corporate housing provider, such as Synergy Global Housing, that sources short-term, fully furnished apartments for the duration of the internship program, whether it’s for a few months in the summer or a year-long stint. There are many benefits to this type of housing solution, such as:

Keeping Your Interns Together and Close to Work

With a corporate housing program, you can house your interns in the same apartment building, and even next door to each other within the building. This creates a dorm-like atmosphere — a familiar environment for recent college grads — and encourages socialization, which will foster engagement. What’s more, you can choose a building that is close to your company’s office or whatever site your interns will be working from. Ideally, they can walk or take public transportation together to work (also a win for sustainability!) and build even more camaraderie with each other.

Utilizing the Corporate Housing Property for Social Events

Many corporate housing buildings have amenities like fitness centers, swimming pools (great for summer internship programs!), dog parks, etc. They also tend to have places where residents can gather, such as lounges, rooftop decks or BBQ areas. You can utilize these spaces to hold social events for your interns, allowing them to get to know each other and enjoy themselves.

Coordinate with your corporate housing provider to rent out an entire space in the building for your interns. Schedule regular events throughout the internship program to create consistency and frequency, which are key to engagement. Create some events that are intern-only, and others that allow them to mingle with the larger team, department or company.

Consistency and Control

When you work with a great corporate housing provider, you’ll have an ample amount of control over the accommodations. You can make sure they’re set up properly in the apartments and have everything they need, including a work-from-home setup and fast, reliable WiFi.

You’ll know where all of your interns are staying, and because they’re all staying in one place, it’s easy to make their accommodations consistent. You can customize how they’re set up, what they include, check-in and check-out processes, etc. If ever you need anything, your corporate housing provider’s customer service team stands ready to help, being dedicated to your internship program and its success.

Giving Your Interns a Housing Stipend

Another option for your internship program is providing the interns with a stipend they can use to choose their own housing. While this approach allows for some increased flexibility, there are challenges to consider. However, there’s no need to fret, as a corporate housing provider like Synergy can still step in and help you overcome these pain points. Here are a few of the potential challenges your company may face with this solution, and tips for maximizing the engagement of your interns if you choose this approach.

A Middle-Ground Solution to Keep Your Stipended Interns Engaged

First of all, if your company decides to go with the stipend approach, there’s still a way to reap the benefits of a managed corporate housing solution — and avoid the challenges that stipends can bring. Just configure your business travel policy to incentivize or require your interns to book corporate housing with their stipend. That way, your company and your interns get to enjoy the increased engagement and all the other advantages that come with corporate housing.

The corporate housing provider will work with your company and your interns to source the best possible housing, in accordance with the needs of the internship program and the stipend allowance. They’ll coordinate directly with the interns, so you can leave the hard work up to them.

Lack of Proximity

Without adequate parameters in place, when your interns choose their own housing with a stipend, they may not select options that are near each other or the office. This can make it harder for them to socialize outside of work and commute to the office together. If the housing they choose is far from the office, transportation may become a challenge. These obstacles can lead to less engagement, as your interns may not feel as connected to the program and their colleagues.

Instead, if you go with a corporate housing company, they’ll provide housing options that are conveniently located near the office or where other interns will be staying. They’ll walk the interns through the process of booking with their stipend, too, providing support wherever it’s needed.

Less Administrative Control

Opting for a housing stipend can also mean you won’t have as much control over the accommodations than you would with a corporate housing solution. You may not be able to ensure the apartments have a work-from-home setup, secure WiFi and everything your interns need. Additionally, prices and amenities will vary across the housing your interns choose, as will things like check-in instructions and customer service.

For more administrative control over the apartments, even with a stipend solution, corporate housing once again comes to the rescue. By maintaining consistent quality controls across all properties, even if the rooms and amenities vary, a corporate housing provider can ensure your interns have the best options for their budget — and everything they may need.

Inconsistent Customer Support

When your interns are responsible for sourcing various housing options, it not only leads to an unpredictable customer service experience for them, but also introduces uncertainty for your company. The support you receive may not match the level provided by a corporate housing company that is managing your internship housing program. Moreover, platforms like Airbnb and Vrbo lack dedicated customer service and success teams for businesses. This is precisely why it’s essential to refer or incentivize your stipended interns to book with a corporate housing provider. Doing so guarantees a smooth operation of your stipend program and ensures your interns receive the necessary attention and assistance they need.

Thankfully, a corporate housing company will provide dependable levels of customer support, stipend or not. Synergy offers award-winning customer support for both your company and your interns, at the highest level of hospitality to accommodate each guest’s needs and preferences. Our team is available around-the-clock, 24/7, to answer any questions or provide assistance to ensure each guest is taken care of.

What Now?

Housing your interns in a way that keeps them happy and engaged is essential to ensure they make the most of their internship program, and potentially become valuable employees in the future. Whether your company chooses a fully managed housing program or a stipend approach, you can help your interns feel valued and motivated throughout the entirety of their internship – and beyond. It’s a worthwhile investment in your company’s future.

Need fully furnished, managed housing for your company’s internship program — next summer, fall or whenever? Learn more about Synergy’s global housing solutions and tell us about your needs to get started.