Editor’s note: This article is part of our Meaningful Travel Forecast series and official travel report for 2019. ☆ Internships abroad, aka the perfect mix of career development and adventure. If there were a roadmap toward greater job opportunities with a route through the best experiences life can give, this would be it. Completing your internship overseas brings so many benefits, and not just travel related ones. There’s also the opportunity to link your career interests with a relevant destination, giving you top marks on the work experience chart. For example, technology majors might look to Japan or Germany, whilst business majors head east to China, gaining experience in a globally thriving work environment.
Read the GoAbroad Official Report on the 10 Best Places to Intern Abroad in 2019
Aside from the direct work experience related benefits, interning overseas will make your resume shine bright like a diamond simply for the hours clocked working in another country. The transferable skills you’ll acquire in the role, from languages to cultural understanding and adaptability are another plus for any recruiter. On a personal level, you’ll access truly authentic cultural immersion opportunities as you throw yourself into the local lifestyle too.
With so much to see and so many passport stamps to lust after, deciding where to go can be the real challenge, so scroll below to check out the top places for interning abroad in 2019, as predicted by internship advisors, travelers, and international educators.
The best places to intern abroad in 2019
1. Spain
With bustling cities, quaint architecture, seemingly endless coastlines and more tapas than you could ever eat, there are plenty of reasons why Spain is one of the top ten places to intern abroad in 2019. Most openings are found in the bigger cities of Madrid and Barcelona, and the fields of work range broadly, with the business, medicine, education and NGO sectors being most accessible. Spanish language skills will be required for most positions, and applicants fortunate enough to get hired with only a basic vocabulary should strive to perfect their linguistic talents during the course of the internship regardless—one more checkmark on the resume never hurt anyone! An intern in Spain will quickly adapt to the laid back lifestyle, enjoying lengthy dinner parties with friends stretching late into the night, and weekends by the sea sipping sangria to the backdrop of gentle waves.
- GoAbroad’s program pick: Intern Abroad HQ
- Traveler’s program pick: We Found Group
2. Japan
From the neon lights of Tokyo to the summit of snow-capped Mount Fuji, ancient temples, sushi bars and cat cafes in between, there are endless reasons why Japan should be on everyone’s bucket list. Home to the world’s third largest economy, a hub for innovation and commerce, it’s also one of the best destinations for internships abroad. Positions in the fields of business and technology tend to be the most available, but there are possibilities beyond these areas, in education, language schools, tourism, design, media and more. Life in Japan will certainly contrast to the daily grind at home, and weekends won’t be wasted either, with so much to explore from the temples and cities to the coastline and mountains, every adventurer will find an escape from the office to suit them.
- GoAbroad’s program pick: The Intern Group
- Traveler’s program pick: Next Step Connections
More and more commonly, students are opting to hit the road (er, the skies) to complete international internships. It’s an excellent way to test-drive both living and working abroad—all while gaining reputable professional experience.—Carter Brown, Meaningful Traveler in 10 Inexpensive Internships Abroad You Can Definitely Afford
3. Germany
With a global reputation for efficiency, innovation and engineering, Germany’s industrial sector should certainly be a top pick for prospective interns in these fields. The country has earned its rank as one of the best places to intern abroad, with offerings stretching to the fields of education, art, design, and more too. The lifestyle is almost as efficient as the technology but that doesn’t mean boring. Utilize the world-class public transportation network to explore fairytale-esque castles by day, and spend evenings in contemporary bars sipping a tankard of beer and munching through a famously delicious schnitzel. Life in Germany runs smoothly, meaning that foreigners setting up even temporary homes in one of the bigger cities will easily conquer the lifestyle.
Chris Foley agrees Germany will see an influx of short-term workers from abroad. “In the age of the digital nomad, people want to experience multiple countries”—where better to situate yourself than the heart of Europe?
- GoAbroad’s program pick: World Internships
- Traveler’s program pick: IES Internships Berlin
The least amount of expectations a student has the more rewarding the experience will be. If a student travels abroad with a pretty clear idea of what things are going to be like, what activities they'll do [at work], the “type” of homestay or friends they'll have, how much Spanish they will or won’t learn, then they're likely to leave with disappointments.—Holli Barrett, Intercultura Costa Rica
4. Australia
Australia’s popularity amongst travelers is well founded—the relaxed lifestyle, putting family, friends and having a good time ahead of pretty much everything else, seems to really work for everyone who visits, plenty of whom never return. Internship opportunities are plentiful, and better still, relate to a wide range of fields, across a broad array of locations. Most applicants will find something that lines up with their potential career path ‘down under’, but top picks include conservation, arts and marketing. Work-life balance is key to Aussie culture, so you’ll certainly find time to explore over the weekends and vacation days. There’s plenty to keep your wanderlust fuelled, from hiking the national parks, getting familiar with a surfboard or venturing into the outback, you’ll never get bored!
- GoAbroad’s program pick: Asia Internship Program
- Traveler’s program pick: CareerDC
5. China
China is a country of contrasts, it brings to mind ancient civilizations, The Great Wall, the Giant Pandas, egg rolls, and adorned temples, but also economic growth, business and prosperity. All of which is true, and contributes to its place on the list of top places for interning abroad. Opportunities predominantly link to the business, accounting, finance and commercial fields, but can extend to language schools and education opportunities as well. Being such a modern-day powerhouse, the experience gained in China is incredibly valuable for majors in those fields, with added bonus points if you take the time to perfect some language skills whilst you’re there. The cultural and historical context of the destination are an ideal counter-context for weekends sightseeing and embracing China’s other persona!
- GoAbroad’s program pick: Global Experiences
- Traveler’s program pick: Internships China
6. France
A dream destination for an internship abroad, France is a central hub for opportunities in the European business market. Naturally, Paris is top of the list of cities for interns, offering incredible potential in the fields of fashion, design, finance, and food. Lyon on the other hand is popular for banking, startup business and tourism. Fluency in the French language will be required for most openings, although some may allow interns time to improve their language skills as part of the role. Interning in France comes hand in hand with a glamorous European city lifestyle—contemporary nightlife, trips up the Eiffel tower, and more museums than you might ever find time to visit. If that’s not enough to assure you that France is one of the best places to intern abroad, don’t forget the quality of wine and cheese that will literally be at your fingertips most nights!
- GoAbroad’s program pick: Fashion Week Internships
- Traveler’s program pick: Global Experiences
7. England
When it comes to internships abroad, one thing English lourdes over the heads of all its competitors is the Queen’s language—that’s right, you don’t need to be a linguistic pro to pick up an internship in good ol’ blighty. You may however have to spend a while researching british slang phrases like that one! London is a global hotspot, so finding an internship in the business, arts, marketing, financial or really any field that piques your interest, won’t be too challenging. If the big smoke isn’t quite to your taste, smaller urban centers like Manchester, Birmingham and Leeds also have a selection of offerings. So prepare your taste buds for an influx of tea, cake and roast dinners, and hop over the pond to one of the best destinations for internships abroad—Great Britain—they call it that for a reason after all!
- GoAbroad’s program pick: IES Internships
- Traveler’s program pick: CISabroad
8. Israel
If you’re looking to combine your internship with an adventure-filled and culturally immersive travel experience, then consider Israel, one of the top places for interning abroad! The religious and historical context, coupled with impressive architecture and natural beauty make it clear why so many more travellers are venturing to Israel each year. As an intern, you’ll make the country your home for a longer time period, allowing you plenty of time to explore it’s deepest secrets and truly connecting with the traditional lifestyle that makes it such an interesting destination. Opportunities are centred around but not limited to Tel Aviv, Jerusalem and Haifa, and span most fields of interest, meaning that prospective applicants should find something relevant to aim for.
- Traveler’s program pick: Top Israel Interns
“Interns want a unique experience and are open to countries beyond Western Europe. The startup culture in Israel and Ireland make it an attractive place for an internship abroad in 2019.”—GoAbroad CCO Nikki Powers
9. New Zealand
An English-speaking country, with world class mountain scenery, volcanoes, beaches, glaciers, and a reputation as a safe travel destination, it doesn’t get much better than New Zealand when choosing one of the best places to intern abroad. The fields of hospitality, environmental science, social work, and animal science make for an interesting array of options, and are scattered between the main cities of Auckland and Wellington on the North Island and Christchurch and Queenstown on the South Island. Those lucky enough to land an internship in New Zealand will probably never want to go home, with so much to explore at the weekends—this destination will be particularly popular with outdoor enthusiasts whose biggest struggle may be dragging themselves into the office during the weekdays!
10. Ireland
If you’re not up to the challenge of an internship in a country where the primary language isn’t English, you could take on the lesser challenge of learning to understand the Irish accent instead! There will be plenty of opportunities to put your skills to good use since the Irish are known for being some of the friendliest, and most talkative around. Most prospective applicants will find a selection of internship opportunities to choose from in Ireland, mostly around the cities of Dublin and Cork. Aside from the friendly locals, the scenery is pretty spectacular as well, and anyone with a love of the outdoors will find plenty to keep busy with after work hours. If you’re willing to introduce potatoes and guiness as dietary staples, then get started with the application today!
- GoAbroad’s program pick: Academic Programs International (API)
- Traveler’s program pick: Intern in Ireland with World Endeavors
Next steps to book international internships
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]
Find programs in the top places for interning abroad this year!
The best places to intern abroad are beckoning.
The trickiest part about planning an internship abroad is choosing where to go, especially with so many amazing options to select from, but our community is confident that these spots will deliver. This shortlist of the best destinations for internships abroad can help narrow the search somewhat! It’s important of course to also prioritize locations on their contextual relevance to your field of intrigue, and try not to get too distracted by the adventure potential elsewhere!
Regardless of where you choose to complete your internship overseas, you’ll certainly bring back a glowing resume, enhanced understanding of that field of work, and lots of happy memories from your time overseas. Living abroad is a great way to learn more about yourself and your capabilities, picking up a range of transferable and work-specific skills. By spending longer in your chosen destination than the average visitor, you’ll live like the locals do and gain a true appreciation of the culture and lifestyle of the place—a win-win-win all round.
If you’re still deciding on your next meaningful travel experience, be sure to take a look at even more of the 2019 Meaningful Travel Forecast for added inspiration!
View MORE of the 2019 Meaningful Travel Forecast Here
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