These days, Asia and the South Pacific are hot property when it comes to international internships. Internships in this region run the gamut of placements in Oceania, Southeast Asia, East Asia, and South Asia. Whether you’re interning with a startup in New Zealand, working with a tourism company in Fiji, or getting teaching experience in China, there’s so much to choose from in this region.
Doing an internship abroad will do wonders for your career. First, you’ll get to know and access a global network of employers. Second, you’ll get a chance to build practical international experience in your field of choice. Third, you’ll get the opportunity to not just travel but live abroad for an extended period of time. Who says you can’t mix business with pleasure?
Don’t let the time pass you by! Find internships in Asia and the South Pacific today!
Popular internships in Asia include placements in Japan, South Korea, China, Thailand, Malaysia, and Singapore. In the South Pacific, New Zealand and Australia remain top choices. In this extremely diverse region, international interns can work in international business, finance, marketing, education, environmental studies, tourism, and healthcare.
Let’s do this! The GoAbroad community has their sights set on these top destinations for internships in Asia and the South Pacific in 2018.
1. Japan
Find the right path and intern in Asia, Japan to be exact!
Intern abroad in the Land of the Rising Sun and understand why Japan is the first-world economy it is today. Learn the intricacies of Japanese work culture and etiquette so you won’t under-bow or hand your boss your meishi (call card) with one hand. After work, channel your best Taylor Swift with co-workers in a private karaoke booth. Get placements in Tokyo, Osaka, Kyoto, Hokkaido, or Okinawa while doing internships in Japan.
Recommended program: Intern abroad in Japan with Zentern
See ALL intern abroad programs in Japan
2. Australia
Expect your international internships to be hands on, challenging, meaningful, and a wonderful experience.
Doing internships in Australia is more than hanging around the water cooler and arguing whether Vegemite or Marmite is the best thing to put on sliced bread. The land Down Unda provides tons of solid internships in a variety of fields, from media to environmental conservation to tourism and hospitality. Interning abroad in Australia also means you get to chance to explore this vast island continent from coast to coast so your weekends will never be boring—no wonder it’s one of the best places for internships in Asia & Oceania!
Recommended program: Global Experiences' Summer Internships in Sydney
See ALL intern abroad programs in Australia
3. New Zealand
Internships in New Zealand are the perfect combo of urban and rural adventures.
If Oz isn’t your thing, why not check out internships in New Zealand? The homeland of Kiwis is way better in person than on film; come experience its breathtaking landscapes for yourself! Base yourself in intern-favorite Auckland, the City of Sails, or the rolling green hills of the coolest-little-capital, Wellington. Thrill seekers should head south to intern in Queenstown, adventure capital of the world (they even invented bungee jumping here)!
Recommended program: Intern abroad with New Zealand Internships
See ALL intern abroad programs in New Zealand
4. Thailand
Expect your internships in Asia, including Thailand, to be fast paced, cultural, and fun.
If you’re still looking for internships in Asia, try Thailand. Work in the crazy capital of Bangkok, the more sedate Chiang Mai, or even the island of Phuket. Popular placements include environmental studies, hospitality and tourism, medicine, and education. Combine work and play in this Southeast Asian jewel where there’s plenty to keep you busy after office hours. Dive into the wonderful world of Thai street eats, explore your inner self at Buddhist temples, or chillax on the islands’ white sand beaches.
Recommended program: Intern abroad in Thailand with AIP
See ALL intern abroad programs in Thailand
5. South Korea
Perfect your internship commute by downloading music and podcasts for the train.
South Korea is the perfect place to find paid internships in Asia. The culture is a blend of old and new so there’s something for everyone, whether it’s Kpop or taekwondo. Soak up corporate culture in the city that never ever sleeps, Seoul, or sunlight in beach town, Busan. Popular placements in South Korea include international business, IT, marketing, education, tourism, and hospitality.
Recommended program: Internship in Korea with Asia Internship Program
See ALL intern abroad programs in South Korea
6. Singapore
Enjoy working in Singapore, where tradition coexists with modernity!
Singapore has become one of the most coveted locations for internships in Asia, even paid internships in Asia, and with good reason, too! Not only is it super clean and a global leader in banking, it’s a multicultural mecca. Learn Malay, Mandarin, or Tamil in the office and on the city streets and indulge in food that blends Chinese, Indian, Southeast Asian, and Western tastes. Interns in Singapore can work in business, finance, marketing, international relations, and social work.
Recommended program: Intern in Singapore with Absolute Internship
See all intern abroad programs in Singapore
7. Turkey
Fancy a coffee break at the office? Try Turkish coffee for a change!
Turkey is one of the top destinations for internships in Asia and Europe because it’s wedged in between the two continents.This fascinating country offers unique landscapes, Mediterranean beaches, ancient churches and mosques, maze-like bazaars, and simply scrumptious food. Popular locations to intern abroad in Turkey include Antalya, Istanbul, and Ankara. Placements include business, TEFL education, and tourism.
Recommended program: Find internships in Turkey with TEFL Academy
See ALL intern abroad programs in Turkey
8. Malaysia
See the bright lights in the big city of Kuala Lumpur.
Looking for internships in Southeast Asia? Look no further than Malaysia! Although located right next to Singapore, this Islamic nation is just as impressive. Malaysia is as culturally diverse as its neighbor, with significant Malay, Chinese, and Indian populations. The most popular cities for internships in Malaysia are Kuala Lumpur for international business, Kuching for ecotourism, and Penang for tech internships. Dream of the skies? Those interested in aviation should absolutely consider an Air Asia internship.
Recommended program: Intern abroad in Malaysia with GoEco
See ALL intern abroad programs in Malaysia
9. The Middle East
Powerhouse cities in the Middle East are the perfect global location for internships in Asia
Although the Middle East has always been a controversial piece of global real estate, it’s one of the most adventurous places to do international internships. Whether you see yourself restoring ancient temples in the desert or working with multinationals in uber-modern cities, the Middle East does not disappoint. The region is chock full of internationally-minded and often high-tech cities, like Dubai, Abu Dhabi, and Tel Aviv, as well as age-old capitals like Jerusalem and Cairo. Some of the best internships in Asia can be found amongst this region’s gorgeous desert sands. Popular internships in the Middle East include business, IT, environmental work, and education.
Recommended program: Intern abroad in Palestine with The Excellence Center
See ALL intern abroad programs in the Middle East
10. China
Work hard, play hard in Hong Kong, the pearl of the Orient.
Although home to one of the most explosive populations on the planet, there are loads of internships in China awaiting you. In fact, the Middle Kingdom has been—and remains—one of the top destinations for internships in Asia. This growing superpower is the perfect place to get relevant and global work experience in business, international trade, IT, and TEFL education. Popular locations to intern in Chia include Beijing, Shanghai, Hong Kong, Shenzhen, Guangzhou, and Xi’an.
Recommended program: Intern abroad with Go Abroad China
See ALL intern abroad programs in China
A note from GoAbroad
We’d like to thank our community for not only inspiring us daily, but for also giving us enough insight to share accurate predictions for meaningful travel in 2018.
Learn more about our research methodology, recommended programs, and links here.
Browse more of this year's report on top destinations for international internships
- Best Destinations to Find Internships Worldwide in 2018
- Best Destinations to Find Internships in Europe for 2018
- Best Destinations to Find Internships in the Americas for 2018
- Best Destinations to Find Internships in Africa for 2018
- See ALL top destinations for ALL travel
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