Incoming University Freshman

Hello guys,

I’m in somewhat of a struggle here on deciding wether or not I should spend 1500$ to go for an investment Banking internship in a third world country.

The thing is, I’ll be going for my undergrad at a Canadian bschool (Ivey or Queens) this year and I can use all the help I can get. I cold called my way into getting an Investment Banking internship at a reputable bank in Pakistan, which is my home country(ofc no one from Canada or the US would have heard about the bank).

Below are the Pros and Cons that come to my mind.

Pros
- I will get hands on experience before undergrad even starts.

• In this experience I will be working with Senior Relationship Managers for pitching, doing research for the ER team, making presentations (PowerPoint+Excel) for pitchbooks and other important stuff. I won’t be doing coffee runs and the common SA stuff.

• I can use this internship as a way to secure/leverage a first year internship and a good position at a reputable university club.

• I can also get my hands on mostly any type of experience I want as the guy I cold called is an MD who would be willing to let me get my hands on real work.

Cons

• Unpaid internship, total trip will cost me around 1500$ (which is doable)

• Idk how reputable this would look? Based on the factors that it’s in Pakistan and it’s unpaid.

• I don’t know how they would verify my internship, I probably will only have a reference number/email and can get a letter if requested.

I would really like to hear your perceptive on the matter and what I can do that would benefit me even more.