Internships Abroad

My two weeks with CFHI in Puyo, Ecuador, reshaped how I think about public health — not as an abstract concept, but as something lived daily by the communities I visited. As a physician, I came in with clinical knowledge, but I left with something harder to teach: a felt understanding of how geography, infrastructure, and culture shape access to care. Spending time in indigenous communities around Puyo, I saw firsthand the distances people travel and the barriers they navigate just to reach a health post. I learned about local approaches to disease surveillance and prevention — vector control, community-based epidemiological monitoring, education campaigns — and how much of effective public health work happens outside the clinic, in trust-building, listening, and adapting to local realities rather than imposing external models. What stayed with me most were the everyday moments: conversations with community health workers, the warmth of families who welcomed us into their routines, and the quiet realization of how much resilience it takes to sustain health and wellbeing in under-resourced settings. This experience was a turning point for me — it's part of what drew me toward epidemiology, and I'm now pursuing a Master of Science in the field, carrying the questions Puyo raised in me into my research. I'm profoundly grateful to CFHI, to my local mentors, and to the Puyo community for an experience that changed the direction of my career.

Honestly probably one of my favourite summers so far - even despite having a job! I remember reading reviews, wondering if the reviews were legit, if I'd find a company that was a good fit for me, and if it was even worth the amount of money if I wasn't going to be making any. It's true, you probably won't earn any money due to the traveler's visa, but I assure you it's 100% worth it. I think this experience is perfect for people trying to grow their CV. I didn't have much experience on mine before coming, but even despite that, I was given two companies to choose from! If you're nervous about the whole "be flexible with your choices" thing, I can understand that. I was the same. I was nervous that my choices wouldn't be interesting enough to warrant coming to Japan, but I've learnt so much through my company, and about work-life in general. I would do it all over again! Beyond Academy coordinators are super good at making sure you're settling in with your company and with the events that are set up for you. If you have any issues while you're in your chosen country, at no point are you stranded and alone. You will always have someone to talk to about changing something at work, and if it absolutely necessary, they will reach out for you. Most events are covered by BA while you're there, and the ones that aren't are usually spontaneous lunches or shopping. You get to go to all the must-go places, like in Japan we went to see Fuji, teamlabs and several other tourist places you'd have to wait ages to get a ticket for. You can even request events! Given that its within the time frame and budget, BA will try their hardest to get it done! As for other interns, I've met people i never would have met without doing this experience, and even some of my flat mates who aren't part of the program will be life-long friends when I go back. There is at minimum, one event per week and most weeks have two or more, so you can socialize as much and as little as you want! However I highly recommend going to all the events you can as they often run longer than planned as we have so much fun :D I'm honestly so sad my two months are ending, as I will miss all the people I've met here, the great food and great experiences! This program is perfect for people trying to breach the working world, make some memories and practice japanese! You get a lot of support, a lot of events set up for you and compared to other programs, it is a lot more cost-effective - especially if you opt for having accommodation included. Seriously, take the leap of faith, you won't regret it!

I spent this past summer interning in Madrid with a biotech startup, and it ended up being one of the best decisions I made in college so far. Sage Corps placed me somewhere I could explore the commercial side of biotech, which is exactly the direction I want my future career to go, and I don't think I could have gotten that kind of exposure anywhere else, let alone abroad. The internship itself was awesome. I was trusted with meaningful projects, got exposure to how the leadership team operated day to day, and walked away with a much clearer sense of how a small company actually functions behind the scenes. What set Sage Corps apart for me was how much support came alongside the placement. I had one-on-ones and check-ins throughout the program, so I never felt like I'd just been dropped in a new country and left to figure it out alone. At the same time, Sage Corps still gave us a real taste of Spain: living in Malasaña with the rest of my cohort, a tour of the Bernabéu, a day trip to Toledo, and a cooking class where we learned to make traditional Spanish dishes. My favorite part was probably the Madrid city center tour, where our guide pointed out Moorish architectural influences on certain buildings and explained how far different cultures actually reached across the peninsula. If you're considering Sage Corps, my honest take is that you'll come away with a legitimate internship on your resume and a summer abroad you actually enjoyed living through. I'd do it again in a heartbeat.

Hello, my name is Laura, I am from Virginia and attend the Virginia Military Institute. I wanted to come to this program because I am interested in being a surgeon and here at this hospital, I am allowed to explore all the different specialties I would want to go into. Being in Greece I got to see the beautiful city of Athens and travel around. I got to see some of the islands. So, an overall great experience, just getting to see surgeries and travel. I would like to thank Cerca for having such a wonderful program.

Hi, my name is Megan, I am from Kentucky and attend Morehead State University. I chose this program because I wanted to pursue a career in the medical field and I thought Greece is an amazing place that I’ve always wanted to see, so why not see some of it here. I’ve loved my experience at the hospital, especially in general surgery, and getting to see different surgeries that I never would have seen—especially when I shadowed a neurologist. Everyone here is so helpful and explains everything really well and works with me through the language barrier. Athens itself is a beautiful city. I enjoyed getting to see the Parthenon at the Acropolis, the museums, and all the ancient ruins. The coordinators are so helpful and they are there for you no matter what you need. It was an amazing experience that I wouldn’t trade for anything else. I definitely recommend it to others.

I had such an amazing experience in Barcelona. The internship itself was wonderful, I learnt so much about the industry and working abroad with such a diverse group of people was brilliant. Isabel was an amazing rep, all of the events were so much well planned and took us all around the city. We had the chance to try food and see sights that I wouldn’t have found otherwise, and it was a great way to get to know the other interns on the programme! Barcelona is a lovely city and it felt like home in no time.

At the beginning I HATED my internship and i thought i hated the job. But I think the most important learing curve was to give yourself the grace and the patience of being uncomfortbale and to learn something new. because i only hated the fact that it was something different so i felt uncomfrotable, but once i was able to sit with that and allow myself to become familiar with it i really enjoyed it.

The summer I spent at Finca Las Piedras was genuinely one of the best summers I have ever had. Other than the incredible biodiversity surrounding me at all times, I was in love with the delicious food, the kind and knowledgeable staff, and even the fact that I had limited internet connection. The experience was a wild ride that gave me countless memories and some peers who quickly became my close friends. Staying at the Finca was an amazing way to live and I think about how I want to go back all the time.

لقد ذهبت الي جزيرة بالي من قبل وتعرفت علي كثير من الأصدقاء وكانت تعجبني الطبيعه شعرت بطاقه وكنا نقوم بعمل جماعي أنا والأصدقاء في تقديم الطعام للأطفال انه حقا ممتع التعرف علي الثقافات المختلفه احب المشاركه احب التعليم

For my second co-op, I completed my internship through a program called the Asia Internship Program (AIP). I shared my goals and interests with the program, and they helped match me with a host company in Seoul, South Korea. During my stay in Korea, AIP assisted with arranging my housing accommodation, and the staff were responsive to any questions or concerns I had throughout my experience. I felt very supported and comfortable throughout the program, which meant a lot to me, especially since it was my first time in Asia. For my internship, I had the opportunity to contribute to projects related to brand management, marketing, and market research. Now that I have concluded my internship, I can confidently say that this experience was invaluable to me as I was included in real professional conversations which made me feel that my ideas and perspectives were valued. If you’re looking for a real internship experience with the support of a great program I would do it with AIP! ☺️

I spent 2 months living in Bogota, Colombia, interning with a non-profit organization that was organized through Intern Colombia. This program did not only place me in an internship but they also took us on various day trips, a weekend trip to La Guajira, tours, night excursions, and so much more. The directors of the program are amazing and super funny. I loved my time in Colombia and am so grateful to Intern Colombia for providing me with the opportunity to have had this experiences. I definitely recommend!

My summer in Spain with SageCorps was truly a dream come true. Getting to live in Europe for a summer (my dream) and gain valuable professional experience with a local travel company, I never imagined it would be possible. I got the opportunity to work for a travel company in their partner experience and brand design department while soaking up summer in Barcelona. Throughout the entire summer, the SageCorps team made sure we felt supported and got the most out of our time abroad. They planned several group activities that allowed our cohort to explore Barcelona and experience all the excitement the city has to offer. My favorite was our day trip to Sitges, a beautiful beach town just outside the city. I will forever be grateful for this experience!

Hi, my name is Michael and I am a Canadian student coming from the University of British Columbia. I chose to do this internship because my goal is to become a doctor. When I first came I wanted to be a cardiologist, but after spending some time here I realized I am more interested in Neurosurgery. Athens is a beautiful place and I have had a lot of travelling and experiences and I got to do and see so many things. The food here is like none other. I got to see a lot of Greek islands and it has been absolutely beautiful. I would recommend this program to anyone. It was a once-in-a-lifetime experience for sure. The people from Cerca were awesome; they would take care of everything including the housing and transport. They were very easy to work with and made me feel safe and comfortable the whole time. I will be forever grateful.

I had a great experience with AIP! They were very helpful, professional, and supportive throughout the whole process of finding my company placement in Asia and after as well. The communication was smooth, and they made the process much easier and less stressful. Thanks to AIP, I was able to find an amazing opportunity that matched what I was looking for. It definitely depends on the company you get but they found a great one for me with many other interns which made my stay a lot more fun. I would definitely recommend AIP to anyone looking for an international internship or professional experience abroad!

I joined the program as a recent business graduate from Rotterdam, hoping to gain international exposure before starting my career. GAC placed me with a consulting firm in Shanghai, where I worked on market research and helped prepare client presentations for companies expanding into Asia. My mentor was supportive and always made time to explain how business is done in China — from relationship-building to negotiation styles. The team arranged my visa, accommodation, and even helped me settle into the city during my first week. I came home with practical experience, a wider perspective, and a job offer within two months.

I underwent a two month Internship as a software development intern at a Startup in Osaka, Japan. I really liked the company as I was able to do my part of the project independently, while also coordinating the overall progress with the other interns. My boss was very open to the ideas and opinions of all interns. He had a vague vision of what he wanted at the end, but the process of getting there was entirely left to us interns and I was also able to add some of my own ideas to the project. I also had a lot of time to explore Japan on the weekends, I traveld around in the Kansai region and even went to Tokio. I enjoyed getting to know Japans culture and food, while also gaining work experience.

My 10 weeks in Bangkok were an amazing experience. I met so many great people, discovered a new culture, and made memories I’ll never forget. Truly grateful for the opportunity! My 10 weeks in Bangkok were truly unforgettable. I loved the work environment, gained valuable experience and exposure, and met so many amazing people. I’m leaving with great memories and a new perspective on other cultures.

Being an Intern in Bogotá, Colombia, was truly an invaluable experience. Every aspect, from going into the office to the social life, was a great time; it was a beautiful, immersive experience. I was able to meet a lot of incredible people. I would fully recommend studying abroad!

Hi, my name is Rylee, I am from North Carolina and I came here as a rising junior. I chose to study in Athens, Greece, because it’s beautiful and I love immersing myself in new cultures. Greece has a wonderful culture and I love learning about new dental fields and the different paths around the world. During my internship here—a three-week one—I got to watch a lot of extractions, crowns, and placing crowns—I just loved it. The doctors have been very informative and I’ve learned a lot of new anatomy terms, as well as learning about the instruments. I’ve had some hands-on experience on stone teeth. I got to prep them for a root canal; I really loved watching root canals as well. It has been a really cool experience. Cerca Abroad has been really informative. Throughout the whole process we’ve had 24/7 contact with them. When we really needed them, we could text and it’s been really great. Thank you.

Hello, my name is Devin-Danielle and I am a rising junior at the illustrious North Carolina Agricultural and Technical State University, in North Carolina, in the United States. I chose this internship because I am particularly passionate about wildlife conservation and biology and this opportunity provided me with the perfect experience for hands-on learning. So, one thing that I’ve found interesting was using these cameras to check the population density of wolves, bears, and other native species in the area. Apart from this, we track the paths of these animals and we also collect DNA of bears by going to their scratching posts and collecting hairs. Overall, I am pretty pleased with the coordination of my experience and I really enjoyed my time here. Thanks.