For many international students, the dream of building a career in Europe often begins with a single, high-stakes milestone: the first internship. However, the gap between academic theory and professional reality can feel like an ocean, especially when faced with the logistical and cultural complexities of a foreign job market. The journey of Reine Chawla, an Indian student at the IÉSEG School of Management in France, serves as a masterclass in resilience, strategic adaptation, and the sheer power of persistence. After submitting more than 60 applications, Chawla eventually secured an opportunity that not only launched her professional career but also expanded her horizons across Belgium and Italy.

Her story highlights a critical reality for graduates and students today: the global job market is more competitive than ever, and standard approaches are rarely enough to break through the noise. Whether you are pursuing a wide range of internships or specialized roles in luxury and marketing, understanding the nuances of the European recruitment landscape is essential for success. Chawla’s experience offers a roadmap for those willing to do the work, adjust their strategy, and embrace the discomfort of a high-rejection environment.

The Strategic Choice: Staying in the Growth Zone

Many international students face a pivotal crossroads after their first year of study: do they return to their home country where networks are established and the path is familiar, or do they stay in the host country to test their mettle? For Chawla, the choice was clear. Despite many of her peers returning to India for easier placements, she chose to remain in France. Her interest in the fashion, luxury, and marketing sectors made Europe the logical, if more challenging, choice. Staying in Europe wasn’t just about the proximity to these industries; it was about immersing herself in the professional culture she hoped to eventually join.

This decision, however, came with immediate hurdles. In Europe, first-year internships are often designed to give students a taste of professional life—sometimes referred to as ‘observation’ or ‘execution’ internships. They involve supporting teams, managing basic logistics, or assisting in warehouse operations. For a student with grand ambitions in fashion and marketing, starting at the ground level requires a healthy dose of humility and a long-term perspective. Chawla realized early on that she wasn’t just competing with her classmates, but with a local workforce that already understood the cultural and linguistic nuances of the region.

The Myth of the ‘English-Only’ Global Market

One of the most profound realizations for many international students is that an English-taught degree does not guarantee an English-speaking workplace. While universities like IÉSEG offer world-class programs in English, the local job market in France, Belgium, and beyond remains deeply rooted in local languages. Chawla identifies this as a significant barrier. Even in global hubs, the ability to communicate with local clients, vendors, and team members in their native tongue is a massive competitive advantage.

To bridge this gap, Chawla had spent her gap year before moving to France studying at the Alliance Française. This foundational knowledge was a start, but it was the realization that ‘studying in Europe’ and ‘working in Europe’ are two different skill sets that truly shifted her perspective. For students currently in school, her advice is clear: do not wait until the job hunt begins to learn the local language. Start early, immerse yourself in the culture, and recognize that your linguistic ability is just as much a ‘technical skill’ as coding or data analysis.

Reengineering the Application Process: Quality Over Quantity

The turning point in Chawla’s search came after she hit a wall of silence following dozens of applications. Applying to 60+ companies is an exhausting feat, but the sheer volume of applications taught her a valuable lesson: the ‘spray and pray’ method—sending the same CV to every job posting—is rarely effective. She realized that she needed to transition from a volume-based approach to a value-based approach. This meant treating each application as a unique project.

Leveraging AI and Modern Tools

In an era where recruitment is increasingly automated, Chawla turned to technology to level the playing field. She utilized AI tools like ChatGPT and Claude to analyze job descriptions. By feeding the AI her CV and the specific job requirements, she was able to identify skill gaps and highlight relevant experiences that she might have otherwise overlooked. This wasn’t about using AI to generate a fake profile; it was about using it as a diagnostic tool to ensure her true skills were visible to recruiters. This type of technological literacy is increasingly important in fields like AI and Machine Learning, where understanding how algorithms interpret data is part of the job itself.

The Power of a Polished LinkedIn Profile

Chawla attributes much of her success to LinkedIn. In the modern recruitment landscape, your LinkedIn profile is your living resume. It’s where recruiters go to verify your identity, check your endorsements, and see how you engage with your industry. For Chawla, the platform wasn’t just a job board; it was a networking tool. She used it to follow the companies she admired, connect with professionals in the marketing space, and ultimately find the vacancy that would change her trajectory. A well-optimized profile, complete with a professional headshot, a keyword-rich headline, and a detailed summary of projects, is non-negotiable for students today.

The Belgium Success: From Fashion Marketing to International Exposure

The fruits of Chawla’s labor arrived in the form of three internship offers. She ultimately chose a role with Lolo Ballerina, a luxury footwear brand based in Belgium. The transition from a one-month internship to a three-month placement, followed by a freelance contract, illustrates how much value a proactive intern can add to a small team. In a company of just a handful of people, Chawla wasn’t just an intern; she was a core member of the marketing and communication team.

Her responsibilities were vast and varied, covering the full spectrum of modern digital marketing:

• E-commerce Management: Utilizing Shopify to manage product listings and stock.
• Content Creation: Designing and distributing newsletters to both B2B and B2C audiences.
• Paid Media: Learning the ropes of Meta ads to drive traffic and sales.
• Communication: Managing digital interactions and internal workflows.

The experience even took her to a photoshoot in Paris and a creative journey to Italy to meet artisans and learn about leather production. This level of exposure is rare for first-year students and highlights why choosing the right environment—often a startup or a boutique brand where you can wear many hats—is often better than a large corporation where roles are siloed.

Developing a Toolkit for Success

Beyond the specific story of one student, Chawla’s experience points to a broader set of strategies that any student can use to improve their employability. Success in the international market is a combination of technical proficiency and ‘soft’ adaptability.

1. Continuous Upskilling

The classroom provides the theory, but the industry demands the application. Chawla advocates for taking short, high-impact courses on platforms like HubSpot, Coursera, and Google. Whether it’s a certification in SEO, a course in data analytics, or a bootcamp in digital marketing, these credentials show employers that you are a self-starter who takes ownership of your professional development.

2. The Proactive Mindset

One of the most significant cultural shifts Chawla had to make was learning to speak up. In many professional cultures, especially in Europe, interns are expected to contribute ideas and ask questions. Silence is often mistaken for a lack of interest. Chawla emphasizes that if you have an opinion, you should voice it. If you don’t know something, ask. This proactive communication builds trust and shows that you are engaged with the company’s success.

3. Building a Personal Brand

With over 12,000 followers on Instagram, Chawla already understood the power of a personal brand. While not every student needs to be an influencer, every student should be a ‘content creator’ in their own way—documenting their projects, sharing their insights on LinkedIn, and curating a professional digital footprint. In the fashion and marketing worlds, your ability to build an audience or tell a story is a direct demonstration of your professional value.

Navigating Rejection and Maintaining Hope

Perhaps the most relatable part of Chawla’s story is the sheer volume of rejection she faced. Rejection is a standard part of the job search, yet it remains one of the most difficult things for students to handle. The ’60+ applications’ figure is a reminder that landing a dream role is often a numbers game combined with strategic refinement. Each ‘no’ is an opportunity to look back at the CV, refine the cover letter, or practice the interview pitch.

For international students, the pressure is often compounded by visa timelines and financial constraints. However, as Chawla’s journey proves, those who treat the job search as a full-time job in itself—researching companies, tailoring applications, and networking relentlessly—are the ones who eventually find the ‘yes’ that matters. The European market is competitive, but it is also full of opportunities for those who bring a global perspective, a willingness to learn, and the courage to stay the course when things get difficult.

Ultimately, the path from an Indian classroom to a Belgian fashion studio is not a straight line. It is a series of pivots, adjustments, and small wins. By focusing on skill-building, leveraging modern AI tools, and maintaining a high level of persistence, students can transform the daunting task of job hunting into a rewarding journey of professional discovery. As Chawla noted, the key is simply not giving up hope—and being prepared to catch up once you arrive on the global stage.

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