Fall Art & Fine Arts Internships Abroad

Working in Bangkok through The Intern Group was truly an amazing experience. I interned at an international law firm and worked on many projects, but the personal growth I experienced was what truly stayed with me. Being able to live and work in Thailand pushed me far outside of my comfort zone, with any international trip you have to adapt to a new country, new people, a new culture, and a completely different environment. The biggest impact came when I returned home. Having to go back to my normal routines made me realize just how much I had changed. I came back more confident, independent, open-minded and much more aware of what I wanted from life. I started questioning the things I had accepted simply because they were familiar and became more comfortable letting go of people, environments, and routines that were no longer making me happy. It genuinely felt like I had closed one chapter of my life and walked into a completely new one. I would recommend The Intern Group to anyone who is willing to challenge themselves and experience something completely outside of their normal life. you may go into it expecting an internship, but you just might come back realizing that you are capable of so much more than you thought. For me, Thailand didn't just give me work experience, it gave me a new perspective on my life and the courage to start building towards the future I actually want.

Beyond Academy were absolutely brilliant from start to finish, every step is well thought out with sufficient support throughout not only from the programme leaders in the city taking us to events, shows, dinners, and hotspots, but also from those behind the scenes making the internship happen in the first place!

Hey, I am Elijah, 22 years old from Hawaii. I was in Korea to be a Marketing and Content Creator at a Sports Company for 3 months. I came alone to Korea, and this was actually my first time going abroad in general, since I have only been within the United States, so it was definitely a huge step for me. I would highly recommend Korea GapYear to anyone who wants to come to South Korea or just wants to experience living in Korea, working in Korea. It does not matter what you do, I am sure that they can find the perfect job for you. My advice to future participants is just to get yourself out there. I mean, for me, I am a very introverted person and so getting myself out there was a little difficult at first. But if you do some research maybe beforehand, before coming, you can find yourself a little community that you can get yourself connect to and just really enjoy every moment you have here.

I worked for a Korean Skin Care Company for 5 months that also does Marketing for other Skin Care Companies. So in a typical day, I do a lot of social media work. I decided to come to South Korea, because I was really interested in the culture and the language and since I have been always interested in Skin Care, I thought that Korea would be the best place to do that. I wanted to do an internship in Korea, because I thought it would be a really great way to build the cultural understanding skills for future careers. And I found KoreaGapYear when searching for different option for doing an internship in Korea on Gooverseas and when I found it I thought it sounded like a really great option I would definitely recommend KGY because it was a very simple process with very prompt responses. It has been definitely the best experience! I am going to miss so much and come back for sure!

My internship as a market and financial analyst was an excellent opportunity for me to gain professional experience dealing with real business needs and personnel. The submersion taught me many technical skills and built my confidence, which I am sure have helped prepare me for my future positions.

As a business student from Amsterdam, I wanted to understand how global companies operate in Asia. GAC placed me with a consulting firm in Beijing, where I worked on real strategy projects for international clients. My mentor gave me hands-on exposure to market entry plans and client presentations. The team handled everything — visa, housing, and even helped me set up a local bank account. Three months later, I returned to the Netherlands with practical skills and a clear career direction. Highly recommend this program.

Working under Japanese architectural standards refined my attention to detail, from millimetric plan specifications and flawless physical and digital models to rigorous material and color approvals. Also, the firm’s global environment, operating across Japanese, English, French, Spanish, and Mandarin, significantly broadened my cross-cultural collaboration skills and global perspective. Beyond the studio, exploring Tokyo and four additional Japanese cities alongside international colleagues turned personal goals into lifelong memories.

After finishing school in Ireland, I didn't want to just travel — I wanted to do something meaningful. GAC's gap year program in Shanghai was perfect. I interned at a marketing agency in the mornings and studied Mandarin at Fudan University in the afternoons. The team arranged everything — my internship, classes, shared apartment, and weekend trips. I came back with real work experience, improved Chinese, and a clear direction for my future. Highly recommend.

Personally, though, my experience with the TIG has been so much positive. Their team was always responsive and supportive throughout the whole process. They helped me a lot to prepare for mock interviews pre-interview with the host company, organised CV workshops and seminars and even ran cultural sessions that brought me closer to a better idea of what living and interning abroad would actually be like before i arrived. They also helped me with accommodation, my visa process and answered pretty much every question i had along the way. What I actually do appreciate the most is how supportive the Bangkok Intern Group has been. Whenever I need help whether it was with exchanging money, accommodation, or if any issues came up with work, they are always there to help and respond quickly. I would definitely say this experience has been worth all.

I absolutely loved my summer in Bangkok with Beyond Academy. It was really interesting to learn about Thai culture from just walking to the BTS station and talking to locals. It is very humid in Bangkok and be prepared to sweat a lot but it is worth it! The food in Thailand is delicious, my personal favorite was the Thai Basil Rice (you can clarify your spice levels). I also highly suggest to travel to other places in Thailand/South East Asia while you are there. I went to Phuket, Ko Samet (beaches) and Chang Mai (more mountains/rural).

I'm not confident in Korean I just know how to say Annyeonghaseyo. Saranghae. I love you. I love BTS that's all I need to say. And I have been in South Korea for the past one month and a half. I have about 15 days left. So, I'm doing an internship in marketing and PR. It's in a K-pop entertainment company. It has been good. At the start, it was a bit new. I'm not used to sitting at the desk for such a long period. And this is my first internship, so now I'm used to it. It's a bit easier. All the people over there are really helpful and kind. I'm doing business administration and international business. My school wanted us to do a compulsory internship in our first year. At first, it was just additional work. I didn't want to do an internship right after my exams, since it's my vacation. So, I had to go somewhere that I would actually enjov. So, I was like, I'll just go to South Korea. It's the perfect thing for me. I love BTS. That's why I chose South Korea. It's basically because of BTS. And I don’t regret for a second and I have been really enjoying myself so much. I would definitely recommend it to everyone!

I've learned a lot, actually, because it also has to do with my major, but these are things that I don't particularly do in my classes because we are more designers for websites; I already knew how to do the technical stuff, but it was helpful in handling it the more professional way, because I used to do it only in school, and in school you don't really care about your work that much; here, it's for the company itself, so it has to be done in a professional way, and in that way, it was helpful! Thank you for everything KGY.

The entire internship abroad experience was great! The Beyond Academy coordinators did a great job organizing activities that allowed us to experience the must-see parts of Barcelona, while also providing great recommendations for places to eat, explore, and navigate the city. I also really appreciated the wide variety of internship fields available. Overall, it was a great way to gain international work experience while experiencing life in Barcelona!

Beyond Academy responded to this reviewAugust 21, 2026

Thank you so much for the lovely review, Kiera! We’re so glad to hear that you had such a positive experience in Barcelona and were able to combine gaining international work experience with making the most of everything the city has to offer. It’s especially great to hear how much you enjoyed the activities organized by our Barcelona Community Team, as well as all of their local recommendations along the way. We always want our interns to feel like they’re really experiencing life in their program city, rather than simply living and working there for a few weeks. We loved having you as part of our Barcelona community and hope you’re leaving with some amazing memories, new skills and experiences that you can take forward into your future career. Wishing you all the best with whatever comes next!

Under the Artbound Initiative Programme, I was assigned as a remote Communications/Writing intern for Vilpa Films, a production company. Before my internship, I was provided with some courses on how to prepare my resume, interview tips, as well as actual meetings with industry experts in fields I was interested in (eg the film industry). During my actual internship, I was given a variety of article types to write about concerning various projects that Vilpa Films was embarking on, such as their original animated series. I managed to learn many skills such as communication with my supervisor who was overseas, while being supported by the ABI team through regular check-ins and informational posts.

I joined an internship at a startup focused on sustainable fashion, creating bags and accessories with a mission to care for the planet. For every item sold, one is donated to a child in Africa. My role involved developing marketing, business, and expansion strategies, applying everything I learned in my Master’s and undergraduate studies. This experience taught me the importance of adapting to different corporate cultures and allowed me to contribute meaningfully to a company with a beautiful mission.

After graduating with a degree I wasn’t sure how to use, I found myself feeling lost. I knew I needed time to refocus and understand what I truly enjoy doing. That’s why I decided to take a gap year, to focus on myself and explore new opportunities. When I was first consulted by Korea Gap Year, I immediately felt understood. They guided me through every step of the process and made sure all of my questions were answered. Their support helped me feel at ease before and during my stay in South Korea. I came to Seoul for a one-month internship at Korea Gap Year, where I worked in marketing—my first time ever in this kind of role. I was both nervous and excited, and I truly wanted to do my best. Three years earlier, I had studied abroad in Seoul for six months, so I already had an idea of what to expect. I knew a month would be the perfect length for me this time both emotionally and financially. If I could have stayed longer, I absolutely would have, because I really enjoyed my time working at Korea Gap Year. At first, I wasn’t sure what to expect from a Korean work environment. When I arrived, Olivia kindly introduced me to everyone and gave me a tour of the office. I was asked to present myself and share my skills so they could assign tasks accordingly. One of the things I enjoyed most was translating past participants’ stories into English and Spanish. It turned out to be something I loved, and it made me realize that I want to pursue a career in this field. My schedule was Monday through Thursday, 9 AM to 6 PM. It was definitely an adjustment especially sitting for eight hours straight but I got used to it. One thing that surprised me was how quiet the office could be. In the U.S., people often greet each other with “good morning” or “have a good day,” whereas in Korea, people just quietly go about their work. At first, I felt a bit rude not saying anything, but eventually, the introvert in me appreciated the quiet too. My main goal during this internship was to become more confident and focused on my career. While I sometimes felt frustrated knowing I had to go back home, this experience gave me time to reflect. The job market in the U.S. has been tough, and I often felt uncertain about what was waiting for me. But living alone in Korea for a month was an eye-opener. It helped me learn so much about myself. I've always struggled to express how I feel, but being here helped me open up. Being a student in Korea three years ago was a completely different experience from working here. It’s much easier to make friends as a student. As a worker, it was more difficult, but I appreciated the little moments when locals would approach me during dinner just to speak English. Some even asked about my Mexican heritage and my Spanish, which made me happy and proud to share. It was a meaningful exchange of cultures. Korean culture was breathtaking to experience again. From packed subways during rush hour to cute themed cafes and late-night karaoke, everything felt surreal. I know I’ll truly miss this lifestyle when I return home. It's definitely true when they say Seoul never sleeps! Don’t be afraid to try new things! Try new foods, drinks, visit places, and step out of your comfort zone. You’re in a different country, don't be shy. If you feel discouraged or homesick just remember that you are working towards your goal and future. I also believe your accomodation should be around a loud neighborhood so it’s not totally quiet making you feel at ease being abroad alone. Thank you, Korea Gap Year, for welcoming me as an intern. I’m incredibly grateful for all that I learned and for the support you gave me. To future participants: - Don’t overpack, unless you don’t plan on spending money in Korea. Honestly, it's hard not to! Everything is more affordable compared to the U.S. or Europe, so bring two suitcases. - Research before you go! Watch videos about getting around Incheon Airport, SIM cards, and public transportation. It’s super helpful. - Be prepared for loneliness if you’re traveling for the first time. At home, eating alone is comforting, but in a new country, it can feel isolating. Thankfully, some coworkers invited me to eat together, which I truly appreciated. - Try new things! Whether it’s food, places, or stepping out of your comfort zone. You’re in a different country! Don’t be shy. If you ever feel homesick, remind yourself why you’re here and what you’re working toward. - Stay somewhere lively. If possible, choose accommodation in a busier area. The noise and energy can help ease feelings of loneliness. What to Bring: - Seoul has tons of stores. Daiso is a lifesaver for essentials and affordable finds. - Two things I had trouble with: finding foundation that matches my skin tone, and pants that fit (if you’re tall, they may run short). So pack those ahead of time! - Don’t forget an adapter for your electronic, but don’t worry if you forget something everything’s accessible here. My Gap Year Review! Environment ★★★★★ I was not used to such a quiet working environment but it was really nice getting to experience a different working culture. Language ★★★★★ It was nice being around the Korean language as it made me learn new vocabulary but if you don’t speak it that’s okay there so many things that are translated to English. Accommodation ★★★★★ I got an Airbnb near the company which was so convenient especially during working hours it gets super busy in the subway. So, if you can get an accommodation near the company I suggest that. Safety ★★★★★ Seoul is very safe in my opinion so I never had to worry about any dangerous parts or activities but it’s still an important thing to be safe wherever you are. Learning ★★★★★ Thank you Korea Gap Year for giving me this opportunity! I learned a lot of new skills and realized what tasks I really enjoy doing. I also learned more Korean than I thought!

Overall, I had a great experience. ABI was super on top of everything throughout the whole process - from the modules, to recruitment, through my actual internship; everyone was very communicative and responsive, which I appreciated. I got my first-choice internship type and location, working as a design intern at a boutique creative marketing agency in NYC. I enjoyed getting a look behind the curtain at all the different aspects of agency life. From a design standpoint, I learned a lot about the intersection between client management and conceptual creative thinking, but I also got to learn a bit about the account management and production side of the agency world too. Overall, the experience gave me a much stronger understanding of agency workflow and the competencies needed to excel in similar settings in the future.

Hi~ I’m Jodie from Germany, and my love for K-pop is what first led me to Korea. I’m a huge fan of BTS, and I also love Mamamoo and Seventeen. Because of them, I dreamed of visiting Korea one day—not just as a tourist, but to truly experience everyday life in this country. Through the Korea Gap Year program, I had the chance to work as an intern at a Korean cosmetics company, and it became one of the most meaningful experiences of my life. My time as an intern was both fun and incredibly rewarding. Everyone I worked with was kind and welcoming, which helped me feel comfortable from the very beginning. I learned so much about Korean cosmetics—how they are developed, marketed, and used by people in Korea. I even found skincare products that were perfect for my own skin. Through this experience, I finally understood why Korean beauty products are loved all over the world. What made this experience even better was the thoughtful support from Korea Gap Year. They took great care of everything in advance and always made sure I was doing well. They also recommended places to visit and fun activities to try, which helped me enjoy my time in Korea beyond work. Thanks to their guidance, I was able to explore the country with confidence and curiosity. My time in Korea was truly, deeply happy. Every day was filled with excitement, learning, and warm memories. Korea now feels like a place close to my heart, not just a destination on a map. One day, I hope to return again with my friends and family!

I always wanted to experience what it would be like to work in the beauty industry. This internship gave me the opportunity to explore my interests and learn more about how the industry works behind. I was able to ask questions, discover things I was curious about, and gain real insights from the team. It was exciting to see how ideas become actual products and how much effort goes into creating beauty trends and experiences. This experience helped me better understand the industry and gave me valuable knowledge and confidence for my future. I’m truly grateful for this opportunity and would highly recommend it to anyone who is interested in beauty, creativity, and gaining practical experience in an international environment.

After doing a six-month internship earned through ArtBound, I feel more prepared for the type of work in my industry. Before my start date, I did the ABI Academy, which helped build my interview skills, improve my resume, and helped me understand how the choices I made for my portfolio could affect the quality of opportunities I am offered. During the duration of my internship, I was in constant contact with the program coordinators, who were able to guide me during a period of time when I was having communication issues with my boss at Asia Contemporary Art Forum. My role was web/media designer and curatorial fellow; however, I wore many hats while doing my internship. I feel that I was able to truly learn how to work in a small team, how to take charge and make decisions, and improve my institutional style writing. Though I didn't get to participate in most of the intern gatherings during my internship program, I like that I will always have a community to engage with thanks to ArtBound, now that I am an ABI Alumni.