Counseling Internships Abroad

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.

I had a great experience with the AIP Asian Internship Program. The team was very helpful throughout the process, and the internship gave me a great opportunity to gain international work experience and learn about a new culture. I would definitely recommend AIP to anyone looking for an internship abroad.

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!

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.

I chose Cape Town for my internship abroad because I wanted the opportunity to experience a part of Africa and immerse myself somewhere completely new. What I loved most was how much the city has to offer. There is music everywhere, incredible food, endless outdoor activities, and so much creativity. Whether exploring the city, heading into the mountains, or spending time at the beach, everything felt within reach. Even after ten weeks, I still felt like there was so much more I wanted to discover. Living so far from home also taught me a lot about myself. Over time, I became much more comfortable with the unknown and learned to adapt to a different way of life, from local slang and culture to the everyday rhythms of Cape Town. I will especially miss the music, the creativity of the city, and all the people I met along the way. The VAC team was incredibly friendly and welcoming throughout my stay. One of the things I am most grateful for is the community the program created. Many of the friendships and connections that shaped my time in Cape Town came through VAC, and the people I met and experiences we shared are something I will always remember.

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!

Cape Town was never originally on my bucket list, but when I found an opportunity to gain clinical psychology experience here, I knew I had to take it. It gave me the chance to travel to a new continent, challenge some of the perceptions I had grown up hearing, and of course, live close to the beach. Finding hands-on psychology experience abroad can be difficult, so this felt like a unique opportunity. During my internship with a mental health and rehabilitation organization, I gained exposure to areas of psychology that I would not normally encounter back home. I observed different mental health professionals, learned about addiction and therapeutic approaches, and eventually had the opportunity to facilitate and co-facilitate group sessions covering topics such as psychological resilience, attachment, and personal wellbeing. I loved interacting with patients, learning from my colleagues, and seeing the different ways professionals approached their work. The experience gave me practical exposure and much more confidence working within a multidisciplinary environment. I stayed for almost three months, which gave me plenty of time to experience both the internship and Cape Town. I also learned something unexpected about myself how much I value having time alone to explore and recharge. Some of my favorite experiences came from venturing beyond the city and discovering the coastline and surrounding areas. My advice would be not to leave that exploring until the final few weeks! The VAC team was incredibly supportive, but above all, I am most grateful for the internship itself and everything it taught me.

I chose to do an internship in Korea, because I wanted to learn more about the working lifestyle and the culture here, since I feel like in the terms of world ranking, I would say it is very much developing and growing as a business center. I was having my internship for 3 months at a non profit organization. The people that worked at my internship were very sympathetic and welcoming. I went through the Korea GapYear program and they helped me find one, it was a real smooth sailing:) I would definitely recommend KGY!!! to anyone who wants to visit Korea or work in a Korean environment. It also helped to meet new people and discover new cultures. They were always communicating very very rapidly and are very attentive to the needs and expectations of those applied to their programs:)

Hello! My name is Siva from Indonesia and I was an intern in Korea Gap Year for 3 months. My experience working with Korea Gap Year was fun and challenging. It was fun because all of the workers treat me like their friends and even family member and I never feel alone or left out in this Office. At the first time I came to Korea, one of the coworker really help me to settle everything from mobile phone number to looking for a house in Korea. And it was challenging because working in this office makes me learn many things from how to conduct business in Korean culture and sharpen my research skills and negotiation skills.They gave me several tasks in one time and make me learn how to multi - task It is also of course, requires me to speak Korea which is good because I could improve more my Korean Language. Last but not least, it was a worth experience to working with Korea Gap Year and love to working more with Korea Gap Year.

Being here alone has made me truly independent, with a mindset shift towards prioritizing myself. Before, I always put others first, but living alone teaches you the importance of self-care because, without it, no one else will do it for you. This experience helped me grow, both personally and professionally, as I adapted to new challenges and learned the value of handling tasks in a professional way, which was a significant departure from my previous academic experiences. I am really grateful for the opportunity was given and would always come back to Korea.

I spent 1.5 months doing an internship at a hospital in Kathmandu. It was a truly valuable and unforgettable experience. I gained practical knowledge, met wonderful people, and had the opportunity to explore amazing places. It was much more than just an internship — it was a chance to learn, grow, experience a new culture, and step outside my comfort zone. I felt very well taken care of throughout the program, and whenever I had questions or problems, there was always someone ready to help. I highly recommend this program!

As an economics student, I am deeply interested in understanding how rigorous modelling coupled with data-driven analysis can be used to effectuate economic and social change through guiding real-world decision-making. Over the last few years, I have increasingly recognised that unlocking the potential value that this discipline could bring hinges on whether one can discern which models and tools would be appropriate for the given context. To develop my capacity for making substantive judgements, I sought out The Intern Group to match me with a suitable organisation that would enable me to apply the skills and knowledge I've learnt from my time at university. The experience itself was highly challenging and intellectually stimulating; it forced me to think critically about what would constitute a useful deliverable for my partner organisation, in addition to how it should be presented to communicate my findings accessibly. In contrast to university coursework, which is generally evaluated in accordance with a well-defined set of criteria, I was granted the liberty to be creative in how I approached this project. Consequently, I had the chance to engage in divergent thinking and figure out for myself which ideas were feasible and worth developing. Although this strategy requires spending considerable time and energy before making any visible progress, it allowed me to identify the constraints imposed by the available data, understand the incentives faced by different stakeholders and consider what information decision-makers need to act effectively. Learning how to draw upon this framework in order to credibly and reliably inform decision-making within the global agricultural commodity trading market has inspired me to pursue further study and gain new experiences so that I may broaden my exposure while deepening and consolidating my skills and knowledge. I believe that this experience, supplemented by the developmental opportunities and resources offered by The Intern Group, has helped me to clarify my career path, reaffirm my understanding of how the discipline can yield practical insights and realise my own potential in contributing to real-world change.

I am Amber, french student in international trade and I had a two-months internship at Korea GapYear. Thank you very much to Korea GapYear and to all the staff for allowing me to do my internship in Seoul as I really wanted to. They have been very nice and warm to me since the very first day and helped me integrate into korean life. They have been really understanding and allowed me to gain experience, knowledge and try new things during my internship. Thank you particularly to Olivia who was my tutor during this internship and who helped me not only with my work but with the preparation of my stay in Seoul and my integration into korean culture. They've been really open-minded as I came while I was fasting and that made me feel even more comfortable working with them. What was your funniest moment? Filming a video for applicants going to France (because I am myself) and having to scream to test the mic before each take.

I had such a great time with my environmental internship in Seoul! Korea GapYear really makes sure to match up your internship with not only an internship relating to your job perspectives, but also takes into account the personality and culture of the workplace. At first I was nervous because I have heard a lot about how strict the rules are in Korean offices, but luckily my company was so open and welcoming, and not only the workers, but the CEO speak comfortably and in a friendly manner, so I was excited to show up to the office everyday. Overall, if you are looking for an internship provider, KGY does a great job at finding a fitting one for you!