Development Internships Abroad

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.

I lived in the community Nueve de Junio, Sacha Waysa, for one month. It was such an amazing experience, I got to really connect with the people in my community, learn a lot from their experiences, travel around Napo and meet others, and make a lasting connection with everyone I met. I hope to go back at least one more time in the next year (maybe during the fruit season) because of how close I got with my host family. I learned a lot about the land and Ecuador in general which was great, and Im glad Im still in contact with my hosts because I miss them already.

It was an incredible experience that helped me meet people from different countries and backgrounds, allowing me to learn from their cultures, perspectives, and personal stories. Living and sharing experiences with people who had grown up in completely different environments challenged me to step outside my comfort zone and become more open-minded. It also taught me the importance of communication, empathy, and understanding, especially when interacting with people whose customs and ways of thinking were different from mine. Beyond the cultural experience, this opportunity helped me grow personally. Being in a new environment encouraged me to become more independent, adaptable, and confident in myself. I learned how to handle unexpected situations, make decisions on my own, and embrace challenges instead of being afraid of them. I also discovered new aspects of my personality and realized that I am capable of adapting and thriving in unfamiliar situations. Overall, this experience was much more than simply meeting new people or visiting a different place. It was an opportunity to learn, challenge myself, and create meaningful connections. I will always value the memories, friendships, and lessons I gained, as they have contributed significantly to my personal growth and continue to influence the way I approach new experiences.

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!

I had an absolutely transformative experience in Barcelona that I wouldn't trade for the world. I built such a large amount of skillsets from my host company that I will take with me in the future. This program made interning in a completely foreign environment feel safe, supported, and so much fun! The close friendships I made from the program are also some that will last a lifetime and I was so lucky to be grouped with such amazing people. Housing accommodations were very nice, allowing for close access to larger parts of the city and a large amount of wonderful amenities. Overall I loved my time with Absolute, my host company, and my new friends in beautiful Barcelona.

i had the time of my life interning abroad in barcelona! the process leading up to my departure was great in making sure i was prepared and ready for this experience. i met a ton of amazing people both in the program and people who lived there! my host company was great also, and i had the chillest supervisor ever who would always make sure we were learning new things at a pace that was prime for my partner and i. he would also take us out for a coffee every morning when we got to the office which was super kind of him to do! i loved immersing myself in a completely new environment and culture halfway across the world from where i'd been my entire life and i'm so grateful to have been able to experience this. i made tons of beautiful friendships which im sure will last a lifetime. i'd gladly recommend this program to other students!

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!

Spending 12 weeks in Spain through Absolute Internship was one of the most impactful experiences of my life. I gained meaningful professional experience, learned from professionals who became role models to me, and discovered new areas of business that I want to pursue in my career. Beyond work, living in Spain exposed me to a different culture and way of life, and pushed me outside of my comfort zone. I left with a clearer sense of what I want professionally, a greater appreciation for experiences outside of my familiar environment, and a much broader understanding of what is possible for my future.

My internship in Tokyo was an amazing experience, both professionally and personally. I had the opportunity to work in an international environment with French and Japanese colleagues, which helped me improve my communication skills and learn how to adapt to different cultures and ways of working. During my internship, I worked mainly on business development and marketing activities, including market and competitor research and supporting projects related to potential clients and business opportunities. This allowed me to develop my critical thinking, research and professional communication skills while gaining practical experience in an international business environment. Living in Tokyo for two months was also an incredible opportunity. I was able to discover Japanese culture, travel around Japan and become much more independent and confident. It was sometimes challenging to adapt to such a different environment, but that was also one of the most valuable parts of the experience. Overall, I am very grateful for this opportunity and I would definitely recommend an internship abroad in Tokyo to anyone who wants to grow professionally, experience a completely different culture and step outside their comfort zone.

My internship experience was extremely positive and gave me the opportunity to apply my Data Science and Machine Learning skills to real-world problems and projects. I had the chance to work alongside a talented and supportive team, from whom I learned a lot both technically and professionally. Throughout the internship, I was able to deepen my knowledge, improve my practical skills, and contribute to meaningful projects with a real impact. It was a valuable learning experience that helped me grow significantly and gave me a better understanding of how Machine Learning is applied in a professional environment. Overall, I am very grateful for the experience and would definitely recommend it to anyone looking for an internship where they can learn, contribute, and grow professionally.

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!

I have definitely learned an improved sense of work-life balance, improved my writing skills, coding skills (learned Lua and LaTeX) as well as my work-ethic in a different sort of role than I am used to. It helped to be detail-oriented and self-motivated, which are skills I already had but developed in this role. I really loved this whole experience, from Aotearoa itself to the workplace. Everyone was so warm and welcoming, and the workplace environment was relaxed but productive. The country is beautiful, and Wellington was a wonderful home base. The people had to be my favorite part, but I also got to do meaningful work and will hopefully have a publication out of it.

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.

My business development internship in Lisbon, Portugal, with Absolute Internship was an incredible experience that let me apply everything I'd learned in university to real business settings, from client outreach to strategy discussions. Beyond the professional growth, I fell in love with exploring Lisbon and traveling to other parts of Portugal, all alongside the amazing friends I made through the program. Absolute Internship did a great job balancing meaningful work experience with the chance to genuinely live and explore a new country. I came back with more confidence, real work experience, and friendships I'll carry with me long after the program ended. I'd highly recommend this program to anyone considering an internship abroad.