You don't have to travel far to feel like you've traveled, and you don't have to spend your whole break as a beach bum to feel like you've had a vacation (though that might be nice).  Consider getting an internship somewhere outside of your regular stomping grounds this summer- you might just learn something while experiencing a new culture.

Internships can be a major boost to your résumé, and so can travel. Let's say you completed an internship with the accounting department of a fish packing plant in Alaska - weird, but interesting.  Anyone who reads your résumé will immediately know that you aren't afraid to get your hands dirty, that you can adjust to new and fishy situations, and that you have experience in accounting - you're hired!

Hungry for gator? Why not snag a summer internship with Pelican Publishing in Gretna, La., just across the Mississippi River from New Orleans. It offers internships for college students who want to learn the basics of the publishing industry.  The internship is unpaid, but you can get class credit and they have openings in promotions, sales, editorial, production, and other departments. Sure, Pelican may not be the biggest publishing house in the world, but remember, you'll be just across the river from New Orleans! On your days off, you can people watch on Bourbon Street, sample the Cajun cuisine, or learn some voodoo to practice on your boss. Check out pelicanpub.com/interngd.htm .

Always wanted to experience life in the big city?  The City of New York offers internships for undergraduate and graduate students in many different areas.  Along with their internships, they also offer a seminar series with city officials to help their interns better understand the city government and how it works.

Virtually all agencies participate in the internship program, meaning you could lock down a position with the ever exciting Civilian Complaint Review Board (CCRB, for those in the know). They also have positions with the Administration for Children's Services, the Economic Development Corporation, Fire Department, the office of the Mayor, and many others. Don't forget the best part of all - you're in New York City! This is the city that spawned Carrie Bradshaw, the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles and Saturday Night Live. (nyc.gov/html/dcas/html/employment/summerintern.shtml )

Craigslist.com is a great place to search for internships in exciting locales. You can find anything from an assistant floral designer internship in Las Vegas to a biochemistry internship with a San Diego-based biopharmaceutical company. If you end up in either of these locations, be sure to get the most out of your off days.

Pick an internship that will benefit you, your résumé, and your bank account in the future, but try to end up somewhere with some sun and fun - you still want to get a bit of vacation out of your vacation.

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