Impact of Internship Programs on Students’ Employability at Foreign Universities in the Era of Uncertainty: A Case Study from Vietnam

In an uncertain economy and a globalized world, internships emerge as pivotal opportunities for university students to participate in job-relevant activities actively, thus enhancing their employability prospects. This study examines the impact of internship programs on the employability of Vietnamese students attending foreign universities. Using a quantitative approach, the research analyzes the correlation between internship experiences and employment outcomes through descriptive methods and regression analysis, surveying 150 students and graduates from five foreign universities in Vietnam: The Royal Melbourne Institute of Technology Vietnam, Swinburne Vietnam, Greenwich Vietnam, British University Vietnam, and VinUniversity. This study focuses on students enrolled in 3-year course programs who completed internships lasting 3–12 months. The results indicated that the internship was highly effective in enhancing employability skills and fostering a positive attitude toward future careers, highlighting the benefits of structured and supported practical experiences in professional settings. This study adds empirical evidence from the Vietnamese context, so it extends the literature on internship programs and students’ job-oriented performances. The study also provides valuable implications for higher education institutions and entrepreneurship in Vietnam to design more effective internship programs which help students adapt to the uncertain work environment.