9 Best Fiction Books to Read Before Interning Abroad
For me, traveling is also the time for reading. In normal life, you rarely have an hour to read a book, but when you have a 3-hour flight, a fiction book is a perfect company.
Clouds and sea are also a good canvas to project your visualization of the plot.
The team of professionals at Pro-papers selected the 9 best fiction books for those who are going to study or intern abroad.
Losing North by Nancy Houston
This is an amazing collection of stories by Nancy Houston. She shares the reflections on the state, language, and identity. Houston speaks on how language continuously and irreversibly labels some people, but she also contemplated on what changes if you are multilingual.
What does it mean to belong to more than one social group? Of course, these are the issues that you will have tackle yourself if you are learning a language in another country.
This novel was named after the French phrase for “lose track.” This book is about being at home everywhere, remembering about your inner core and identity. Losing yourself and finding one more time.
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Alchemist by Paolo Coelho
It is a short novel that features numerous fantastic elements. It is a Brazilian story about a young shepherd who believes that his fate is to take a long trip to a faraway country in search of the treasure that haunts him in his dreams.
It is a coming-of-age story, about a young person starting his life. The main character feels polar emotions from joy to fear while traveling to different places, but most importantly he finds out that people find valuable things during their trip, not at the terminal point.
The novel will make you think about how your trips as an intern shape your concepts of “homeland” and “fate.”
I’ve read this book in Russian and Portuguese, often exploring local authors is a great way to learn the culture and language.
The Little Prince by Antoine de Saint-Exupéry
It is one of the most beloved children’s fairy tale that is made for adults indeed. It is a charming little tale about a small planet, about a boy whose plane smashed in the desert, and what it means to truly understand someone.
For adults, understanding others often means the average superficial talk. For a child (or someone who is a child in the heart), the concept of understanding is deeper. It emphasizes the importance of meaningful connections, which are so hard to find when you just moved abroad.
Hitchhiker’s Guide to the Galaxy by Douglas Adams
It is one of the most wonderful, yet weird books of the XX century. This short novel dives into the absurdity of bureaucracy, strange culture and mandatory things people have to do every day, when they are in the society.
It is filled with humor and unparalleled dialogues. “Hitchhiker’s Guide to The Galaxy” makes us think about all the meaningless processes that we do automatically every day.
In addition, the main character, Arthur Dent, is in love with everything related to galaxy, so he is studying it. This plot line will surely motivate you to go on the journey of your own! By the way, this is one of Elon Musk’s favorite books.
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Walden or Life in the Woods by Henry David Thoreau
This book is the typical representative of the transcendental philosophy of the XIX century. ” Walden or Life in the Woods ” is the story of a man who decided to isolate himself and spend time in the forest. The author tries to go to the origins of life, rejecting contemporary aspects of life like power, availability of food, resources, and comfort.
David Thoreau reflects on what it takes to be joyful at any place – it will help an international student find happiness and revelations on one’s own path.
The Art of War by Sun Tzu
It is one of the most significant books about the war ever created. “The Art of War” provides a rational, precise and honest perspective at the advantages and disadvantages that come with war. His thoughts are backed by ancient Chinese philosophy. This book is loved by millions as a classic work not only on war, but also on everyday life.
This is a must read for interns who plan to visit China.
Everything Matters by Ron Curry Jr
Have you ever wondered, what your life would look like if you knew that our planet is going to be ruined during your lifetime? You are the only person who knows that.
“Everything matters” offers rational and emotional perspective on how all aspects of life would have changed if you knew every day might be your last one. Would something change? It is an important story to set your priorities straight.
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Invisible Cities by Italo Calvino
This book is set as a dialogue between the conqueror Kublai Khan and a famous adventurer Marco Polo.
The traveler describes places and cities that are not real. It is a beautiful compilation of poems. He fantasizes about cities with changed reality that doesn’t obey to the law of physics.
He describes cities with labyrinths for men who are always in search of something. The unusual format and idea of fifty-five cities turn this book into a treasure for anyone who is interning abroad.
The Motivation Manifesto by Brendon Burchard
The “Motivation Manifesto” answers the important questions that are on intern’s mind: how to choose your path/mission, how to realize your dreams, how to overcome inner fears and be independent and self-sufficient, what is needed for a full, free and happy life.
Brandon Burchard is one of the world’s best motivational business coaches. He has covered the nine aspects that must be completed, if you want your life to take a new turn. This book aims to let every reader discover personal freedom. Personal freedom is one of the rarest, yet most important things in the 21st century. If you are free inside, you are welcome to any country.
Paulo Coelho spoke of this book as of a triumphant work that surpasses its name, raising the reader from simple motivation to purposeful and meaningful life.
These 9 books will help interns stay grounded and lead an inspiring and purposeful life!
