Cold emailing for international internships

I really want to work intern at MBB in a country in Asia (I have dual citizenship but it's not my native country). I heard it's all about connections because they're all small offices and they hire at most 1 intern a year, maybe none. I do have a close friend who knows some junior people there, but no one on an executive level. Should I cold-email some LinkedIn contacts (and non-contacts) about potential internships? Here are some details about me:

Pros (for this company):
I come from a target school in the US, and since it's Asia, that would be impressive.
I speak perfect English and am passably fluent in the native language.
I have a strong resume with internships at lots of top American companies.

Cons:
I've already graduated. I think most internships are for people who haven't graduated yet? However, I'm still on the market for a full time job and just want to try things out with an internship.

So, my questions:
Should I get my friend to refer me? Or cold email LinkedIn contacts? Or both...?
Should I email any and all people I can find on choose them carefully?
Should I mention that I am okay with a contract job and don't mind not getting paid?

Thanks for your help!

 

I have seen this work but only in certain, less structured systems, especially India.

Finding a person who needs an intern at that moment might be hard so sou should also just email HR- sometimes they need people immediately.

Keep in mind that you won't necessarily be on the "expect to hire" list as with the traditional internship programs, but it can happen.

Also yes you should mention you are okay with contract work- work not mention no pay, they should give you some type of stipend.

 

I found myself in the exact same situation while I was abroad in Australia this past fall. Honestly, just call the firms (using Skype) and be as blunt as possible. Tell them your interested in a possible internship and more often than not, the firms will be happy to take you in.

By the way which part of Australia are you going to be...?

"A man always has two reasons for doing anything: a good reason and the real reason." - JP Morgan
 
MediaBanker:
I found myself in the exact same situation while I was abroad in Australia this past fall. Honestly, just call the firms (using Skype) and be as blunt as possible. Tell them your interested in a possible internship and more often than not, the firms will be happy to take you in.

By the way which part of Australia are you going to be...?

Thanks for the reply, it's pretty helpful. I presume I can't just Skype firms out of the blue, I was planning on suggesting in my emails that we talk further, e.g. Skype? I'll be heading to Brisbane, which I know isn't exactly the financial capital of the world but there seem to be a decent number of firms in the CBD so hopefully I can get something.

 

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"A man always has two reasons for doing anything: a good reason and the real reason." - JP Morgan

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