Editor’s note: This article is part of our Meaningful Travel Forecast series and official travel report for 2019. ☆ Global internships are the perfect opportunities for gaining international work experience. This is incredibly valuable, especially in today’s day and age, because of the globalized workforce that continues to expand. Through undergraduate internships abroad, students can become more flexible and adaptable, culturally competent, and confident in their abilities in the workplace! It’s a great way to develop personally and professionally, as well as globally.
Read the GoAbroad Official Report on the 10 Best Fields for International Internships in 2019
There’s never been a better time to intern abroad than in 2019. International internships of today take many shapes and forms, which means that people can find an internship abroad for college students in almost *any* field. But, which should you choose? Is one internship focus “better” than another? What’s the next big thing in interning abroad?
These are the kinds of questions we asked our community of meaningful travelers, program administrators, and international education experts. And now, we’re excited to share our findings! Read on for some of the best fields for international internships this year, including internships abroad for college graduates and current college students!
The best sectors for international internships in 2019
GoAbroad CCO Nikki Powers predicts: “Students focusing on fields like computer science and engineering are starting to see the importance of working across cultures and are seeking out internships abroad—and more opportunities will soon cater to this rapidly developing sector.”
1. Business
Business internships abroad are the perfect way to expand global business perspectives and develop international business practices. As one can imagine, it is imperative for business people to have a deep understanding of the global space in which they are working within and business internships abroad are the best way to do just that. Undergraduate internships abroad in business allow students to develop these skills early in their career so they can continue to expand this knowledge as they grow in their future positions. Plus, what better way to learn global practices than to go global?
Students can work alongside employees at major businesses around the world who will help students navigate the complexities of the global business world and serve as a member of their global network. Business internships abroad take textbook lessons and make them into real life experiences, all while allowing a student to live and work within a new culture!
- GoAbroad’s program pick: GVI in Multiple Destinations
- Traveler’s program pick: Beacon Fellowship for Business
2. Marketing, Advertising, and PR
In a globalized world, international experience in marketing, advertising, and PR is essential for a successful career. Marketing internships abroad for recent graduates or current college students allow for people entering the field to gain hands on experience abroad that will benefit their career—and their resume… but the experience itself is more important and beneficial than just a resume boost, right? Learn international practices, gain a global perspective on the field, and learn from the people who are doing it everyday.
The incredible thing about international marketing internships is that even if they do not fully align with past experience or what will eventually come from future experiences, students are able to gain transferable skills that will take them far in their careers—cultural competence, the ability to work with a multicultural team, and the knowledge of how to appeal to a global audience. There are even marketing and advertising internships abroad for college graduates that will help to jump start their career after college.
- GoAbroad’s program pick: IES Internships
- Traveler’s program pick: SEO, Marketing, Social Media with Spain Internships
Whether the things we experience abroad are utterly confounding or totally mundane, we have a tendency to judge and categorize them based on our own cultural framework. Traveling might help us break down this tendency, but processing in an academic context deepened my understanding of why and how 'intercultural competence' can vary so widely.—James Bridge, InterExchange
3. Psychology
Psychology is a fascinating field to take global—differences in practices, in understandings of mental health, and in the stigma surrounding psychology within different cultures. Students who pursue psychology internships abroad will gain a wider perspective of how professionals and patients of psychology approach and view the field. In some countries, mental health is given the same importance as physical health, while in others, mental health is stigmatized and therefore much harder to manage personally and professionally.
Students will be able to see how other systems work and bring pieces of the puzzle that work best back to their own studies and practices. There are different aspects to psychology outside of the umbrella of mental health that students are able to explore as well—behavior, development, and counseling are all opportunities for students to learn and gain a more global understanding of this experience around the world!
- GoAbroad’s program pick: The Intern Group
- Traveler’s program pick: SLV.Global in Sri Lanka
4. Journalism
In order to fully gain experience in this big, big world within journalism, internships abroad for recent graduates expand minds and introduce real world experiences into the works of aspiring journalists. Because of the interconnectedness of the world, it’s hard to think of journalism as only a small local practice, because even local stories have a global impact. Journalism is one of the best fields for international internships because understanding those interconnections at the beginning of one’s career will change its trajectory for the better.
Considering the global in the local, and the local in the global helps bring the world together and move forward as one. Now, that is much easier said than done, but journalism internships abroad are a great stepping stone into a future career of global impact. Journalism internship opportunities range from England to Spain, Japan, Australia, and beyond!
- GoAbroad’s program pick: Global Experiences
- Traveler’s program pick: Peace Villages
5. Medicine
When students partake in medical global internships, they are learning to work with and treat people from different cultures and beliefs. Because of this, international experience in medicine allows for a practice that is more inclusive and accessible to people of various backgrounds, which is important in a world that is made up of so many various identities and backgrounds. Through medicine internships abroad, students will also learn about different healthcare systems, and the bigger issues that come with health care around the world.
Learning to work within a new system is a great way to take a step back from one’s own system and be more critical about what works well and what can be improved. Plus, some internships may require students to work in another language, which is incredibly beneficial because bilingual medical experience allows one’s practice to be even more inclusive. But, with more benefit comes more responsibility and more challenge, so if a student goes for a bilingual experience, it is essential to be prepared for what that fully means.
- GoAbroad’s program pick: Maximo Nivel
- Traveler’s program pick: Czech Hospital Placements
The best field for internships are probably those associated with new technologies. These areas tend to have many small to medium sized start-up businesses which are more likely to welcome new and innovative ideas from interns to improve their business.—Xi Xiafei, CareerDC
6. Mechanical Engineering
Mechanical engineering internships abroad bring classroom discussions and textbook lessons to life! An internships abroad in mechanical engineering will open up future opportunities in the field, as well as help give direction and purpose in a person’s career. Learn from the best in the business and admire the mechanical engineering work done around the world while exploring these undergraduate internships abroad. Whether a student is looking at internships in China or Australia, there are plenty of opportunities to grow professionally and experience an amazing place in a new country. Students will return to campus with a renewed passion and understanding of their work, which will translate into excitement and a clearer direction moving forward after graduation. Mechanical engineering internships abroad for recent graduates are also an option for those looking to take their experience global, or change up their professional trajectory!
While growing in interest, long-time traveler and international educator Noah Peden predicts a potential snag for future engineering interns abroad: “Don’t be surprised if your engineering internship requires a high level of fluency in the local language.”
- Traveler’s program pick: Engineering Internships in Cape Town with Bridging Gaps
7. Culinary Arts
Want to be the best of the best in the culinary world? Consider a culinary arts internship abroad! These opportunities help up-and-coming chefs learn the finest techniques from the kitchen masters around the world. Pick up techniques to create the best dishes, cut down on preparation time, or serve meals that are as visually stunning as they are indescribable for the tastebuds. Chefs with international experience open up doors for developing a respected kitchen of their own, more international recognition, and a successful career that is influenced by the finest global cuisines. Beyond all of professional experience that can be gained, food is an incredible way to get to know a culture and to understand how people live. Take the chance to explore the world’s magical kitchen wonders and allow them to direct the future of a successful and worldly culinary career.
- Traveler’s program pick: Gastronomy and Hospitality Internships in France with Gastronomie France
8. Computer Science
Technology has influenced and globalized this world in incredible ways over such a short period of time. It has changed the ways people interact daily, whether that be locally or across the world. Computer science is one of the best fields for international internships for those reasons. Learn about technological advances in the places where they began, as well as the places where they continue to happen. Expanding computer science knowledge to a global level is imperative in a world that has so any movements happening simultaneously all over the world. It may seem intimidating, but it will bring computer science studies to life and show the real world impact that work within the field has. Computer science will continue to revolutionize this world and society around the world. Be part of the global movement through global internships. Find opportunities in some of the major tech hubs around the world such as China and England.
- Traveler’s program pick: Zentern - Amazing Internships in Japan
9. Education
A globalized world creates a need for a globalized education, whether that be a student going abroad to learn about education, or a teacher bringing international experience into the classroom. By completing education internships abroad for college graduates and/or college students, future education professionals are expanding their teaching methodologies to include those from various places around the world, as well as learning what works in systems abroad and what can be done better.
This can be said of all of the best fields for international internships, but it holds a special truth with education because teachers have the influence to create an inclusive, globally conscious, and culturally competent classroom—which is a revolutionary type of classroom for the students of the future. Experience teaching a classroom of international students, observing the best teaching methodologies at play, or learning about the various systems and how to integrate those into future classrooms.
- GoAbroad’s program pick: Evolve Abroad
- Traveler’s program pick: Teaching Internship in India with GVI
“Business, education, and humanities are three fields where future job seekers could greatly benefit from an internship abroad, especially if learning a foreign language is included.”—Cathryn Fortuna, GoAbroad Editor & Meaningful Traveler
10. Law
As a highly competitive and intense field, law internships abroad will help future law professionals stand out amongst a crowd of similarly qualified candidates. Plus, what better way to improve future practices than to learn the systems of places around the world and picking out the right pieces to fit into the puzzle students are creating for their own practices. Avoid the need-experience-to-get-experience cycle-of-confusion by looking at international opportunities. Gaining hands on experience abroad will help to elevate the beginning of one’s career and set them apart from those with only domestic internship experience.
Plus, those international connections could come become handy in the future. There are so many types of law that one can practice, so going to a location that is focused on or further along in the designated area of choice is a great place to start.
- GoAbroad's program pick: Adelante Abroad
- Traveler’s program pick: The Lex Fellowship
Next steps to book intern abroad programs
Here are handful of resources to get you started on your very own professional journey. 2019 could be YOUR year to travel—and we can help make it happen! Get free program recommendations that match your travel goals, or use MyGoAbroad to bookmark and compare program options with confidence.
Still hungry for more? Bookmark these bad boys:
Internship Inspiration
- How to Get an Internship Abroad
- 6 Ways to Intern Abroad
- What Should I Expect from an Internship Abroad?
Program Selection Advice
- The 25 Best Internship Programs Abroad This Year
- How to Find the Perfect Program Provider for Your International Internship
- 16 Top Summer Internships for 2019
Paying for Your Adventure
- Are Unpaid Internships Abroad Worth It?
- Paying for Internships Abroad: Your New How-To Guide
- 10 Inexpensive Internships Abroad You Can Totes Afford
- Browse Intern Abroad Scholarships
[Get Matched with 5 Internship Programs Abroad for FREE]
Participate in global internships this year!
Which kind of global internships will YOU choose?
We’re confident that these 10 internship sectors and fields will continue to provide awesome, in-depth learning opportunities for aspiring international interns in 2019. These internships are great opportunities to learn how foreign systems work, gain new perspectives, and add real life experience in a different country to your resume. There are endless lessons to be learned and avenues to be explored!
Interning abroad is a unique experience in and of itself. Traveling is very different than living and working within a new culture because there are nuances of the working culture that need to be accepted and understood in order to push forward and succeed in any internship positions. This is no easy feat, but with additional challenges come additional benefits and room for growth.
The best fields for international internships encompass a wide variety of experiences and allow for people of all educational interests to find global internships that will elevate their opportunities. So take the chance, find the ideal internship, and make that experience meaningful and worthwhile! This article was written with help from Hannah Sorila
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