Astronomy & Astrophysics Internships Abroad

For my internship I was placed with Nazario Fania, a beekeeper and sole proprietor of his own business and tasked with assisting in social media strategy and other marketing analysis to add to his existing tactics. He had endless knowledge from his past in journalism and communications to teach me on top of enlightening me about beekeeping in the greater scheme of agriculture in the south of Italy—Molise, a region that even the Italians claim does not exist. Outside of that, my host family was super welcoming and introduced me to the entire town, took me on excursions to experience more local culture, and were my biggest supporters. I keep in touch with everyone to this day, and recently took my parents abroad for the first time to meet everyone.

Had a great time with Beyond Academy in Tokyo. Every week they'd have events were you could meet the coordinators and other interns. I got set up with my own room in share house with a very good location. Definitely met a lot of nice people and had a bunch of cool experiences. I would recommended Beyond if you're looking to go to Tokyo!

I am so grateful to have gone to Spain with Isla last summer. Malaga is a beautiful and fun city where I made many international friends and got to experience the amazing Spanish culture. My internship wasn’t exactly what I was expecting, but Isla worked with me to set up new opportunities to ensure I was getting a lot out of my experience. I met so many wonderful people on my trip and had so much fun.

This program was amazing, at least for me. You can travel abroad and interact with different cultures that you are unfamiliar with. My time in Japan was super fun and busy at the same time. Because even though I have 2 months of this internship, I still feel like that won't be enough because there are so many activities that you want to explore and try for the first time here. As for the internship, I got out of my bubble because I was working with a startup company that pushed my skills in engineering further, and their office is one of Tokyo's biggest incubator centers! I never knew it was a place before working here. I have met and talked to many different people from various countries. Q: What was the most nerve-racking moment and how did you overcome it? A: The most nerve-racking moment is usually how I communicate with the Japanese people. Even with ChatGPT/Gemini Live translation or Google Translate, it still takes a lot of efforts to communicate with each other for both me and them. However, if me and them are patient and respectful enough with each other, that usually can be solved easily! Pros - Food - New friends - Places/View What other participants should know - Not as cheap as you actually thought (For - some services) - Confusing for the first few days (language, transportation)

I’m currently in the final two weeks of my program, and it’s been a really positive experience so far. Moving to another country and starting a new program can be a little overwhelming at first, but the Sekaia team did a great job coordinating everything and making the process much smoother. Of course, there were a few small hiccups along the way, which is probably unavoidable in any international program. What impressed me most was how professionally the team handled them. Whenever something came up, they were quick to respond, kept everyone informed, and worked hard to make sure things were resolved as smoothly as possible. Living in Tokyo has also been an incredible experience. Outside of work, I’ve had plenty of opportunities to explore different parts of the city, try new food, visit attractions, and experience everyday life in Japan. One of my favorite parts has been using weekends to travel outside Tokyo and see other areas of the country, which has made the experience even more memorable. The Sekaia staff has always been friendly, approachable, and genuinely willing to help whenever needed. It never felt like we were left on our own, and knowing there was a reliable support system made a big difference. While I still have a couple of weeks left, I’m very happy with my experience so far and would definitely recommend the program to anyone interested in spending time in Japan while gaining valuable international

I enjoyed working in collaboration with ISLA this past summer and my subsequent internship with PROAMB in Malaga. The ISLA staff is very supportive and attentive to your needs, and Malaga is a vibrant young city with lots to offer! PROAMB was a small sustainability consultancy, whose campaugn this summer requirede the work of myself and a team to travel to towns all over the province of Malaga and work with local communities (stakeholders, businesses, local governements, etc.) to improve their circular economies. The team was truly accommodating, and my housing was in the university neighborhood filled with bars and restaurants. Overall, a very positive experience.

Originally, I had a placement that wasn’t a great fit and Isla was so quick to place me somewhere better for my needs! I was able to help out in a Michelin-star restaurant to make a sustainability plan for them to receive a Michelin green star!

I had such a wonderful time studying abroad and grew immensely through the experience. Living with a host family and pursuing an internship allowed me fully immerse myself in a new community and the intercultural citizenship education I did throughout the experience helped me understand and appreciate both a new culture and my own back home through a new perspective.

I had the most amazing time ever in Europe in general. I was able to explore most of the Malaga region in Spain. Met new people got to travel and shop. I was able to scratch of 3 countries that I wanted to go to Spain, Portugal and France

I had the pleasure of attending Molise Italian Studies in the fall of 2023. I was placed with a local family who owned a truffle business, Di Iorio Tartufi. I had the opportunity to lead tours for international visitors to the farm, go truffle hunting with some adorable puppies, and prepare and eat 4-course meals made with freshly hunted truffles. What stands out about MIS, compared to other abroad opportunities, is that it is supported by cultural awareness and sensitivity. The classes I took during the semester centered around global citizenship and cultural awareness. As I currently study to become a mental health therapist, I often draw from the cultural competency MIS taught me in order to become a culturally competent mental health professional. Although studying abroad in Molise sometimes felt isolating due to its more rural setting, it taught me to find comfort in uncomfortable situations; a lesson that has stayed with me long after my study abroad ended. Through the weekly or biweekly excursions provided by MIS, I explored a side of Italy I would have likely never seen as a tourist. I gained a deep appreciation for the beauty of the Italian countryside, its unique cultural heritage, and the serendipitous encounters you have while traveling off the beaten path. I also had lots of opportunities to explore major cities in Italy, including Rome, Florence, and Naples. MIS helped to reshape my notions of what school could look like when curiosity and exploration are the learning objectives rather than rigid performance metrics. It empowered me to be a lifelong learner and global citizen.

I had the pleasure of attending Molise Italian Studies in Fall of 2023. I was placed with a local family who owned a truffle business, Di Iorio Tartufi. I had the opportunity of leading tours for international visitors to the farm, truffle hunting with some adorable puppies and preparing and eating 4 course meals made with freshly hunted truffles. What stands out about MIS as opposed to other abroad opportunities is that it provided a fully culturally immersive experience, that was supported by cultural awareness and sensitivity. The classes I took during the semester centered around global citizenship and cultural awareness. As I currently study to become a mental health therapist I often draw from the cultural competency MIS taught me in order to become a culturally competent mental health professional. Although study abroad in Molise sometimes felt isolating due to its more rural setting it provided me the confidence to seek discomfort long as as a form of growth long after my semester abroad ended. Through the weekly or biweekly excursions provided by MIS i was able to explore a side of Italy I would have likely never seen as a tourist. I gained a deep appreciation for the beauty of the italian countryside, it’s unique cultural heritage and the serendipitous encounters you have while traveling off the beaten path. I also had lots of opportunities to explore major cities in Italy including Rome, Florence and Naples. MIS helped to reshape my prior notions of what school could look like when curiosity and exploration are the learning objectives rather than rigid performance metrics. It empowered me to be a life-long learner and global citizen.

Studying abroad in Dublin, Ireland, and participating in the internship program was truly one of the best experiences of my life. I had the incredible opportunity to work at a medical negligence and personal injury law firm, where I gained valuable professional experience and developed a better understanding of the legal field. The placement exceeded my expectations, and I could not have asked for a better internship experience. Everyone was welcoming, supportive, and willing to help me learn, which made me feel comfortable and included from the very beginning. One of the aspects I appreciated most was how structured and organized the entire program was. From the initial preparation to the internship placement and support throughout the experience, everything was thoughtfully planned. The program provided clear expectations, consistent communication, and guidance whenever needed, which made the transition to living and working in another country so much easier. I always felt supported and knew there were resources available if I needed assistance. Beyond the professional opportunities, living in Dublin allowed me to immerse myself in a new culture, meet amazing people, explore Ireland, and step outside of my comfort zone. This experience helped me grow both personally and professionally, while giving me memories and connections that I will carry with me for years to come. I am incredibly grateful for the opportunity and would highly recommend this program to anyone considering studying abroad or completing an international internship. It was truly an unforgettable experience, and I would do it all over again in a heartbeat!

Over the summer, I had the amazing opportunity to study abroad in Ireland and intern at a tourism company through Bucknell University's College of Management program. I cannot say how much this experience has impacted my life, and as moments pass and the world keeps moving, I will always remember the people I met, the family I found across the sea, and how to live life to the fullest. Mark was an amazing boss, friend, and mentor. He taught me valuable lessons that not only helped me in my job as a marketer, but also gave me lessons I can use throughout life. Going into the internship, I honestly had no idea what the job would mean. After traveling an hour and a half to get there on my first day, I showed up in slacks, a button-up, and a purse, ready to be a business professional. I thought I'd sit behind a desk and curate videos and media. I quickly learned that was not the agenda. Instead, four amazing puppies greeted me at the door. Then I met Mark and Paddy—a 6'7" red-haired Irish man who admittedly scared me a little at first but quickly became one of the funniest people I will always remember. Their kind faces and welcoming community made me feel like I could create my own home here. That first day, we went on a five-mile hike. I was completely underdressed and hadn't worn the right clothes, but I was so excited to start working. Looking at the Irish land and atmosphere made me fully take in nature and the history behind it. After 8 weeks, I never got bored of the view and now fully understand all the Irish jokes along the way. Between balancing my classes and job, sometimes were stressful, but the people I met that I will never forget made it that much worth it. I hope to find myself back in Ireland, where my second home belongs. If you are ever nervous about going somewhere you have never been or starting a new job, take that step, because it might help you build the kind of feeling you've always been searching for. From the memories of fun class excursions through different parts of Ireland to the small fishing port I love so much, I will always carry this experience with me. If you are in Ireland, I would highly, highly recommend visiting Howth, where you will experience more than just an amazing tour; you might just leave with a memory you will never forget. I came to Ireland feeling like I was missing something from my life and came back finding myself and more, so if you want a professional or personal change, I would highly, highly recommend joining Connect-123 for memories that will change your life.

My experience so far has been absolutely eye-opening. I have built up the motivation to want to improve my Japanese skills and eventually move to Tokyo in the future. As of the experience, I am currently learning the process of supply chain as I am pursuing this internship. This is allowing me to identify my mistakes, then instantly correct them to improve the business model. The process has been very much a trial and error. It's pushing me to stay motivated and learn more and ultimately gain as much out of this working environment in Japan. Q: What is your advice to future travelers on this program? A: Have an open mind when coming to Tokyo. It's an extreme urban city; with that being said, there're endless things to do on a daily basis after work. Be open to learning some sort of language during your stay in Japan. Pros - Living in Japan for 1-2 months - Amazing work experience; infinite skills to learn - Experiencing new cultures and work environments What other participants should know - Metropolitan area may be very overwhelming - Extrememly crowded - Wishing for more Japanese speaking opportunities

I told Connect-123 I wanted something in finance, and I knew that could be hard to find. They ended up finding me an internship at a venture capital firm in Barcelona. An opportunity like that is so hard to get back home in the U.S., and I got to do it through them. It was exactly what I was looking for. I loved where we lived, too. The neighborhood was great, and they made sure we were close to the metro, which made it easy to get around. The events were honestly one of my favorite parts. They were really well organized, and there was always something going on with the other students. Big shoutout to the coordinators. They were super nice and would message me just to see how things were going. Any time I texted them, they got back to me quickly. I had a couple of things come up while I was there, and they helped me sort them out. It meant a lot knowing I had people I could count on in Barcelona.

What started off as a desire for change turned out to be the most unforgettable time of my life. I sent in an application expecting the usual response delays I had experienced through the many intern abroad programs I had combed through but was happily surprised when Nicole was patient and kind, communicating often how available she was be it through video calls or email to sooth my anxieties. She helped me sort through my options and even when I had settled on an internship in Scotland, she kept searching and found me one most suitable for me: London. I sound like a broken record but it was truly life-changing. I had support throughout; Nicole with her check-ins to make sure I was settling in, my manager Ammu who was my rock and the best boss I have had the pleasure of working with and interns from another program who made my experience what it was. Walking to my train every morning felt purposeful and fun: I felt like a mini adult carving out a life for myself in this big city. I was excited to pop into my local Tesco and learn more about my roommates who invited me out every weekend; from window-shopping in the streets of Westminster to intimate dinners in a Fitzrovia neighborhood. At work, I was challenged! I learned how to interview, I was given responsibility over the intern team (again, the best people) and there wasn't a moment I felt afraid to be inquisitive or express my insecurities about the job. Every week was a new adventure and a new way to grow. I remember our manager had an idea for a viral tiktok and all 8 interns stood outside the work building searching for incoming buses, lingering close to where they'd park with a straight face, then burst into fits of laughter because of how unpredictable our work was! The train rides were honestly one of my highlights. The place I moved into after a month in London was 5 minutes from Canary Wharf so a quick 9 minute walk from my apartment to the train station looked like putting my headphones on while I admired the scenic waters of Canning Town before starting the day. London has an awesome transportation system so if you missed one train, best believe another one was coming a minute or two later (5 at most!). I travelled to Nottingham on the weekend and had a blast, and was surrounded by a great group of people. My landlord was the nicest and so was my housemate from both of my living situations, I had a wonderful time getting to know full-time staff through a get-together my manager organized and to this day, most of those people I am still in contact with. Shoutout Tina, Alicia, Stuart, Kate, Krystal, Nicholas, Catherine, Gayathri, Kamini, Shelby, Claire and Nate! Another to Nicole, Ammu, Ben, John and Georgeena for their continued support. I was lucky in that the issues I faced weren't program related, but I'll admit a travel kit of sites to see would have been nice! I was given housing recommendations as well though a person of support to regularly communicate with on residence issues I faced would be of great help as well. If the thought of study/intern abroad even occurs, run with it. The job experience was invaluable, the beautiful cultures I interacted with - from India to USA - have stayed with me and the memories linger in the "I miss you" messages shared amongst the intern group. Living away from home can be daunting, but you won't regret it for a second. I miss it and appreciate the opportunity beyond comprehension.

This Internship was an amazing opportunity it allowed me to collaborate with different individuals and teams from all over the world whilst learning exceptional skills that will help me in my future career. This internship also allowed me to explore the different parts of Japan and understand the culture, environment, cuisine and society through multiple immersive opportunities . This programme was an exceptional experience that will stay with me for the future years to come and has allowed personal growth.

An incredible, once-in-a-lifetime experience with amazing international networking opportunities. Taking part in the SEKAIA programme was genuinely one of the best career decisions I’ve made. If you want to gain real-world work experience in another country while having the reassurance of support throughout the journey, this is a fantastic opportunity. The entire SEKAIA team was incredibly supportive, and the whole experience gave me meaningful, hands-on experience, real responsibilities, and the opportunity to contribute to genuine projects. I came away with new skills, professional connections, international experience, and memories I’ll carry with me for a long time. I would highly recommend the programme to anyone looking to step outside their comfort zone and grow both professionally and personally

My internship experience so far has been one of the best experiences I've ever had. Something I've improved on is my networking skills, which SEKAIA had helped me with. The events that are set up are perfect to meet more people in Japan as well as make meaningful connections for the future. Something else I really appreciate is my internship placement. It was directly what I asked for, and it improved my skills in the field I am going into a great amount, and I have learned so much from it while only being here for such a small amount of time. The staff and workers, as some of the nicest people, are very willing to lend a hand as much as possible to ensure a great experience here. Overall I am glad I chose SEKAIA to give me this opportunity I wouldn't have otherwise. Q: What was your funniest moment? A: I would have to say the most unfamiliar thing I ate here is okonomiyaki. I had no idea it was even a dish until my coworker at my internship took me to go try it out. Safe to say I liked it a ton, but the whole thing was very novel to me. Pros - Networking and Connections - Helpful Team - Great Environment

Being here for 6 weeks has allowed me to see much of Tokyo and experience real culture. Also being here for so long allows for days to rest so you don't have to be out all day like you would be if you was here on holiday. SEKAIA events that have been held have allowed me to meet people that have made me enjoy my time here even more than I thought I would as I can experience new things with new people. Also being able to have an internship in Tokyo on my resume will be great for my career and set me apart from others when trying to get a job, and it provides some idea into a working environment in the career I chose. Q: What was the most nerve-racking moment and how did you overcome it? A: The most nerve-racking moment would be at the very start and that is moving to the other side of the world and living alone for the first time, especially in a country where I don't speak the language or know my way around. The way I overcame this would be by just doing it as I knew this would be the experience of a life time for me and would help me figure out and learn new things about myself. I was scared but I have wanted to do this for a while and if I didn't do it then I knew I would regret it. Pros - New culture - New scenery and different experiences - Memories for a life time What other participants should know - Can be lonely at times if you don't meet anyone - Can be expensive as there are a lot of things to buy - Sometimes miss home and things that are familiar