Culinary Arts & Cooking Internships Abroad

The program was the reason I could come to Korea in the first place. The staff was very helpful when it came to finding a suitable internship! I could always contact them if I needed help or was unsure about something! They were also always nice and friendly! I was also happy to learn that they offered activities and even educational trips themselves! I can recommend this program to everyone who wants to travel to Korea without worries!! I had an incredible time and could travel and work at the same time!

I think KGY is great when it comes to guidance. It was my first time in Korea and I had a lot of questions and stumbled across some problems in there but I felt relieved when I knew that KGY was there if I had any concerns. I learned a lot about me and my ways of working at the internship and I feel like this will be very useful in my future! KGY helped me a lot finding out how to do stuff and they also gave me the documents I needed for my university and accreditation. I’m pretty satisfied with what I did because I like to do editing a lot and I also mentioned that to KGY that's what I mainly did during my internship, making a lot of videos, and creating and editing them. So thank you so much for everything Korea Gap Year.

It felt a bit overwhelming just because there was so much information and new things I had to discover for my internship but the team is great has been great, they are friendly, some of them speak French and I love the atmosphere already. For my first day on my internship I had a meeting with the CEO and he explained to me the whole story behind the company It was interesting and I could tell he is really passionate about it so it’s great. But it has been good so far and I had a lot of company dinners and I was really excited about that. I 100% enjoyed my time in Korea and happy I had a great internship experience.

I spent 2 months abroad in Taipei, Taiwan through AIP, and it was a really positive experience! I had some issues with my original internship placement, but my team was incredibly responsive! I really appreciate Jeff, Roro, and Nisha’s support and help throughout the process. With their help and flexibility, I was placed with another company very quickly. The transition process was fast and smooth, and I couldn't be more happy with my internship. Moreover, my living accommodations through AIP were excellent. I was close to transportation and the neighborhood was very peaceful. I'm extremely grateful to the AIP team for their help.

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!

I had the best time, the accommodation was really good and social activities made it easy to meet other interns and explore the city. Mari and Marián were always so friendly and helpful. Would definitely recommend this experience! :)

My trip to Medellin was so valuable to me. So glad I went with The Intern Group. Housing and events were perfect, and I really liked the way they ran it. You get to go on multiple trips and many social events and are able to make friends and form connections with a variety of people from different backgrounds.

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.

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.

My experience in Thailand has been so fun! I got to see a lot of the major temples and sites that are a must visit. I made many friends with the other interns here. The staff were very welcoming and accommodating. They helped me with any questions I had or anything in general. Overall my experience was amazing, 10/10 would recommend to anyone on the fence about it! I would even come back if I could!

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!

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!

I had a great time here in Taiwan with the internship from AIP. Everyone was very kind and the food was good here. I learned a lot from my host company and would highly recommend this program to my peers 10/10 experience for sure.

I was definitely nervous before going abroad, but AIFS made the whole process so easy. They set you up with everything you need beforehand, and continue to support you throughout your entire time abroad. On my first day in Prague, I met our two program leaders, who are both locals and somehow knew everything about the city. They gave me so many great recommendations throughout my time there, helped me whenever I had questions about navigating life in Prague, and constantly checked in to see how my internship was going and if I needed anything. One of my favorite parts of the experience was getting to explore Prague and other nearby countries with the other students in the program. We became so close and made so many memories together. AIFS also planned activities throughout the summer that I never would have thought to do on my own, including pottery painting, a jazz concert, a theatre performance, group dinners, water activities, and even a weekend trip to a town in the Czech countryside. These experiences were such a huge part of what made the summer so special. I felt like I was actually living in Prague rather than just visiting as a tourist. Our program leaders showed us the local spots, introduced us to different parts of Czech culture, and helped us experience the city in a way we probably never would have been able to on our own. Professionally, I was also really happy with my internship placement as a marketing intern. It was a great fit for the skills I wanted to strengthen and the goals I had going into the summer. I learned what it’s like to work in a different country, communicate across cultures, adapt to different workplace norms, and build professional relationships outside of my immediate team. Between making lifelong friendships, connecting with people at my internship, exploring Prague and surrounding countries, and constantly trying new things, this summer pushed me outside of my comfort zone in the best way. I came home more confident, independent, adaptable, and grateful for all of the people and experiences that made this summer so unforgettable. I would choose this experience a million times over. ❤️

The internship experience in Barcelona was absolutely amazing both in the office and out of the office. Our local host Isabel was amazing when getting us acclimated to the city, as well as providing reccomendations and ensuring our safety. On top of that, her community events that she planned for our group were so much fun whether it was a day trip to the beach, going to dinner, or attractions like park guell. The internship on the other hand was a great work experience, and I learned so much about working abroad.

Beyond Academy responded to this reviewAugust 21, 2026

Thank you so much for the amazing review, Bryce! We’re so glad to hear that you had such a positive experience both inside and outside of your internship during your time in Barcelona. It’s especially lovely to hear how much you appreciated Isabel and all of the support, recommendations and activities she provided throughout your program. From beach days and dinners to exploring some of Barcelona’s must-see spots, it sounds like you really made the most of your time in the city! We’re also so happy to hear that your internship gave you valuable professional experience and the opportunity to learn more about working abroad. We loved having you as part of our Barcelona community and hope you’re leaving with plenty of new skills, friendships and amazing memories from your summer!

I had a great time in Berlin! I got to experience living on my own for the first time in a brand new city. Learn how to use public transportation, save money, take care of myself, and learn new things from my internship.

Beyond Academy responded to this reviewAugust 21, 2026

Thank you so much for sharing your experience, Madison! We’re so glad to hear that your time in Berlin gave you the opportunity to develop both professionally and personally while gaining practical experience in marketing and analytics. We loved having you as part of our Berlin community and hope the skills, lessons and experiences from your summer abroad continue to support you throughout your studies and future career. Wishing you all the best with whatever comes next!