I think i regret having my internship. What should i do?

b_r_um
Thu, 08 Nov 2018 07:20:04 +0000

Do you have someone in your life whom you can discuss your feelings and situation with?

I wonder if your feelings are due to “culture shock”, which might improve on its own with time. Or if your surroundings are incompatible with your needs, in a way that makes going home early your best course of action. Someone who knows you, whom you trust to discuss your thoughts and feelings and circumstances with, will be in a much better position to help you sort this out than a stranger on the internet.

From a distance, it sounds like your parents might be your best resource. You described them as being very supportive. You said that shame is holding you back from telling them. I don’t know where you are from and how important appearances are in your culture. Where I am from, parents’ first and foremost concern is the well-being of their child. My parents would want to know if I was suffering. Yes, they might be a little bit disappointed that my internship didn’t work out, but they’d proud that I trusted them enough to tell them.

I am confused that your manager said that you cannot go home until 3 months from now. Why is that? What would happen if you got on a plane next week and flew home, without your employer’s permission?

If you need assistance to get back to your home country, e.g. because your employer has your passport or because you cannot afford the flight back, reach out to your country’s consulate in the US. Helping their citizens get back home is a big part of what consulates do.

In case your workplace is being abusive, here’s a pamphlet about your legal rights in the US and a list of American authorities you can turn to for help. For example, it would be illegal for your employer to keep your passport away from you, or to restrict your movement outside of work.