Short Term Art & Fine Arts Internships Abroad

I had a good time here. The VAC staff were so welcoming and friendly and definitely one of the best parts. My internship was fulfilling, the doctors were patient and friendly, and I got to do a lot of things as well!! During my internship, I pushed myself to be a bit more confident and not afraid to try new things at the hospital. My advice for future interns is to be open and friendly, learn some isiXhosa, and don’t hold yourself back. I stayed for four weeks and definitely see how staying longer would be even more beneficial educationally. Outside of the internship, there were some fun things to do in Cape Town and lots of places to try. The pre-arrival information had so much detail and made me feel reassured, and the airport pickup was very friendly and reassuring. I also really appreciated the internship placement and the weekly activities.

I chose Cape Town because I wanted to understand how youth programs work here because I’m interested in working for a youth program back in the States. During my internship, I was able to learn more about different political issues here in Cape Town. I also really appreciated the weekly activities, the support and knowing I could call VAC staff if I needed anything. I really love the VAC staff <3

I had a really positive experience with Beyond Academy. I think you get out of the program what you put into it, so having an open mind, being willing to meet different people, and taking initiative makes a real difference. The coordinators were fantastic: approachable, supportive, and genuinely lovely people who made it easy to ask for help and advice whenever needed. I really appreciated how personal and welcoming they made the experience feel. Overall, the program was a great opportunity to gain professional experience abroad, expand my knowledge, and step outside my comfort zone. My biggest advice to anyone considering it would be to stay curious, be proactive, and make the most of the opportunities and connections around you. Your attitude really shapes the experience you have.

I had just graduated college two years early, and as proud as I was, I was also scared. So much was changing, and I worried about whether I knew enough to go out into the real world. Looking back, the opportunity to intern abroad came at exactly the right time. My time abroad taught me so much. It challenged me to live on my own, work in a new place, and step out of my comfort zone. I was the first in my family to have an opportunity like this, which made it especially meaningful, even when I didn’t know what to expect. The support of the Absolute Program Coordinators gave me peace of mind. I could connect with them about anything, from questions throughout my internship to advice on local coffee spots. Having someone to turn to made a new city feel a little more familiar. I was also grateful to have a very supportive boss on La Guilde’s communications team. He gave me the opportunity to help with big projects and marketing deliverables I didn’t think I would get to work on as an intern. Being trusted with that work helped me build confidence at a time when I was still questioning how ready I was. Beyond my internship, I always looked forward to the day and weekend trips our Program Coordinators put together. They were a chance to get outside the city, explore more of France, and take a break without breaking my budget. I’m grateful for this experience and for the people who helped me feel at ease along the way. I went abroad worried about whether I knew enough for what came next. I came home with more confidence in my ability to figure things out.

I'll be honest — the first week was rough. The language barrier hit me harder than I expected, and I remember standing in a supermarket in Shanghai completely lost, trying to figure out which bottle was shampoo. But that's exactly why I chose this. I wanted to be pushed out of my comfort zone, and GAC made sure I had support while I figured things out. My placement was with a business consulting firm, and my team was surprisingly patient with me. They'd slow down during meetings, write things out for me, and invite me to lunch even when I could barely keep up with the conversation. By week three, something clicked. I started understanding more, contributing more, and actually enjoying the chaos of it all. My manager even let me lead a small client presentation toward the end, which terrified me but ended up being the highlight of my time there. I left China with more than work experience — I left with a completely different mindset about what I'm capable of.

I spent 2 months living in London completing an internship in London for Business/Marketing, and I had the most amazing time! I had never really travelled much before with my family or anything growing up, but in 2025 I went to Europe for 3 weeks fresh out of high school with just my best friend. We started and ended the trip in London, and I knew straight away that London is a definitely a place I want to experience living in one day. I was super lucky I had such an amazing flatmate who I became super close with, and I also made another close friend at a lunch I went to on my 2nd day in London to meet some of the other interns. We all ended up hanging out together in London heaps, I went to Barcelona with one of them which was so much fun! I also got to see some friends from home (Melbourne, Australia) while I was in London which was amazing too. Towards the end of my time there, I even went to Munich, Germany for Oktoberfest with some friends from home which was incredible!! I stayed in Sheffield with my flatmate at her uni for my last weekend before going back to Australia, and got to go to Manchester with her too! Everyone at my internship was always super lovely and helpful throughout my time there, and I really learnt a lot which was amazing. Overall, I had an amazing time, and feel so much more independent and confident having to figure things out and adapt on my own. I'm really glad I did it, I had the best time and it really showed me I'm truly capable of anything I put my mind to!

Beyond Academy responded to this reviewOctober 15, 2026

Thank you for sharing your experience, Jaeda! It’s so lovely to hear how your first visit to London inspired you to come back and experience life in the city with us. From meeting a close friend at your welcome lunch to travelling with your flatmate, it sounds like you’ve left with friendships and memories that will stay with you for years to come. We’re also delighted that your internship team made you feel so welcome and helped you learn along the way. Hearing that you’ve returned home feeling more independent, confident and sure of what you’re capable of is wonderful. Thank you for being part of our London community—we can’t wait to see where you go next! Once a Beyonder, always a Beyonder!

Through ArtBound I got paired with Is+At, a branding and marketing company based in New York. ArtBound helped to prepare me for my internship by giving courses and clear direction in how to succeed in an internship/workplace no matter the atmosphere. They have continued to give me support leading up to, during, and after my internship. ArtBound goes above and beyond to give everyone the best chance in professional settings and increase their chance of success in the creative industry.

Honestly, I wasn't sure what to expect before going. I'd never been to Asia, and the idea of working in a Chinese company felt intimidating. But from the moment I landed, the GAC team was there — airport pickup, apartment sorted, everything. My placement was with a consulting firm in Shanghai, and within the first week I was already sitting in on client meetings and helping with research. My manager didn't treat me like "the intern" — she actually trusted me with real work. The office culture took some getting used to (meetings can be long!), but my colleagues were patient and always willing to explain things. I also took Mandarin classes twice a week, which helped more than I expected — by month two I could order lunch on my own. Three months flew by. I came home with actual experience on my CV and a lot more confidence.

I have had such an amazing journey with beyond academy. The staff were wonderful and accommodating, my placement program could not have gone better, and overall I had the best two months of my life. If I had to complain it would be about some aspects of my accomodations, which were not through beyond academy. They helped me find a place and booked it for me, but were not the owners of the building and thus were also confused by some of the occurrences that happened there. Beyond academy helped me to resolve those issues and even brought bedding when the accomodations forgot to provide any. This team is very good at what they do.

Beyond Academy responded to this reviewOctober 14, 2026

Thank you for sharing your experience, Casper! We’re so happy to hear that your two months in London were some of the best of your life. It was lovely having you in our community, and we’re delighted that your placement went so well and that you’ve left with new friendships, valuable experience and plenty of photos to look back on! Your advice about researching the city is a great tip for future Beyonders—London always has something new to discover. We wish you all the best with your next chapter. Once a Beyonder, always a Beyonder! Thank you also for your honest feedback about the accommodation. We know those issues affected your stay, and we’re glad our team could help resolve them and get the missing bedding to you. Although the property is managed by an external provider, supporting you throughout your stay is an important part of our role, and your feedback helps us identify where improvements are needed.

Hi, my name is Tyler, I am from London and I go to the University of Bristol. I study English and Philosophy for my BA and I chose to do this program because I really enjoy arts and cultural heritage. Being in Athens is very fun for me because I am very interested in ancient philosophy. So, seeing all the different sites has been really fun for me.

Beyond Academy’s Tokyo Internship Program acts as a structured bridge between young professionals and Japan’s unique corporate culture. Combining guaranteed professional placements across roughly 18 industries—from tech startups to creative design and international business—the program packages real-world work experience with logistical scaffolding and community immersion. For students and early-career job seekers looking to test whether living and working in Japan is a viable long-term move, it serves as a low-friction entry point.

Beyond Academy responded to this reviewSeptember 24, 2026

Thank you for sharing your experience, Jonathan! We’re so pleased that the Tokyo program provided you with a structured and supported introduction to Japan’s unique working culture. Our goal is to help young professionals gain meaningful international experience while also giving them the opportunity to explore whether living and working abroad could be the right long-term path. We really appreciate your thoughtful feedback and loved having you on the program!

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!

Beyond Academy responded to this reviewSeptember 24, 2026

Thank you so much for taking the time to share such a thoughtful and honest review, Lara! We know that choosing an international internship can feel like a huge leap, so we’re thrilled that your two months in Tokyo became an experience you’ll be talking about for years to come. It’s wonderful to hear that you found an internship with such a lovely team, gained valuable professional experience, and grew in both your confidence and understanding of work-life balance. We’re also so happy that the accommodation, community events, and friendships you made helped you feel supported and gave you the confidence to explore even more of Japan. Our team is always here to help interns navigate any challenges and make the most of their time abroad, so your kind words about the Tokyo coordinators mean so much to us. Olivia, Mizu, Sarah, Natalia, Sidney, and Anika will all be so happy to hear your feedback! We absolutely loved having you on the program and hope you can return to Japan again soon.

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.

Beyond Academy responded to this reviewSeptember 24, 2026

Thank you so much for sharing your experience, Alice! We’re thrilled to hear how much you learned from your internship and that working alongside such a diverse group made your time abroad even more rewarding. We’re also so happy that Barcelona quickly felt like home and that the community events helped you discover new food, explore different parts of the city, and build friendships with the other interns. We’ll be sure to pass your lovely feedback on to Isabel—it was wonderful having you on the program! P.S Izza and Lule say hi!

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.

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.

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.

This internship experience was truly incredible! Even though it got off to a rocky start, the Beyond Academy team and I managed to navigate it quickly and adjust. The internship itself allowed me to put practical skills I learned in college to use and my team pushed me to learn more! Aside from the internship, the community was incredible! I made so many friends and went to almost all of the community events to experience the culture and get to know the other interns. Overall, I am so glad that I chose to do Beyond Academy and it is truly an experience I will never forget!

Beyond Academy responded to this reviewSeptember 08, 2026

Thank you so much for sharing your experience, Meleah! While we’re sorry that your internship got off to a rocky start, we’re glad our team could support you in navigating those initial challenges and making the necessary adjustments. It’s wonderful to hear that you were able to put your college skills into practice, continue learning from your host company, and make the most of the Seoul community and cultural events. We also loved the vlog you created about your first week! We loved having you on the program and are so happy it became an experience you’ll never forget!

Applying for this program was completely spontaneous. I randomly submitted my application without thinking too much of it, and I was genuinely surprised when I got accepted. Choosing between Seoul and Japan was a tricky decision, but Korea snuck up on me—and taking the risk to travel halfway across the world turned out to be worth every single cent. I feel like doing an internship abroad is something every freshman and student should try to do. Gaining real-world experience is incredibly powerful. I loved learning hands-on within my host company, picking up practical tools, and mastering skills that will directly shape my future career. While internships can be challenging and step out of your comfort zone, pushing through taught me to be bold, brave, and just give things a go. Beyond the work, surrounding myself with so many different people from around the world was deeply enriching. I fell in love with Korean culture even more than I expected—from quiet, peaceful moments in traditional tea rooms to wearing hanboks, walking around taking photos, and trying not to trip or slip while exploring the city! I feel incredibly privileged and deeply thankful to the program for accepting me to study, work, and learn what’s across the world. It’s a transformative experience that I will cherish forever!

Beyond Academy responded to this reviewSeptember 08, 2026

Thank you so much for sharing your experience, Rose! We’re thrilled that taking that leap of faith led to such a meaningful experience in Seoul and gave you the opportunity to immerse yourself in Korean culture, connect with people from around the world, and build memories you’ll always cherish. We also really appreciate your honesty about the internship being challenging at times. While international work experiences can come with difficult moments, we’re glad our team was there to support you through those challenges and that you came away feeling more confident, courageous, and equipped with practical skills for your future. It was wonderful having you on the program, and we wish you all the best with everything that comes next!

I spent eight weeks in Seoul, South Korea on an internship arranged for me by Beyond Academy. The Beyond staff on site welcomed me and other fellow “Beyonders” starting their internships within the same week as me with open arms. They were very supportive, friendly, and always available to help us. Thanks to the weekly events scheduled regularly every Thursday and Sunday, I was able to meet and get to know the other Beyonders better, and make memories for a lifetime. I interned for a company and in a field I was quite unfamiliar with, which represented the biggest hurdle I had to overcome during my time in Seoul. Everyone at my host company was incredibly nice, kind, and helpful, though—as a previous Beyonder has already said in their review—I would recommend starting the Beyond Academy placement process months in advance so as to avoid last minute mishaps (to make sure you’re assigned a role in the field that best fits you), and looking into multiple options before saying yes to anything. Overall, it was a great experience that I would definitely highly recommend. I would once again like to thank everyone at Beyond Academy who made it possible!

I went through the experience Remotely from Maryland. I got paired up with Vilpa Films which is a studio in Dubai. I was able to do all my work for them from Home. I got to meet with some of the other interns from Art Bound and get to see what they have been working on. I would recommend this program for anyone interested in getting your foot into the door. My interests was into working in the animation industry and I was fortunate enough to be interning for a studio that is working on their own animated series right at the beginning so I was able to contribute to things such as pre-production research, design icons and logos that were used in promotional material. The best part was getting credited on IMDB so it is a huge bonus that I am able to show that one my resume and talk about it with future employers. Also I think this program is a better route then just going to a university and getting a degree at least for people, who like myself want to work in the animation industry. Were professionals look more at your portfolio and work then a degree.