Economics Internships Abroad

Years later, when I visit Korea again, I believe I will walk the streets of Seoul, filled with nostalgia, my eyes brimming with tears as I reminisce about the compassion and kindness you have shown me these past 2 months. From exploring Namsan Tower to eating 약돌삼겹살, every single cherished memory will flood back when I return someday. Hopefully, I can visit with my older brother’s son and pass on some of the lessons that I have learned from you. My whole life, I never knew of any family other than my mom, dad, and brother. They were all I knew, and they were my whole world, and that was that. Whenever I heard of our relatives outside of my life, I was somewhat curious, but they were all outsiders to me nonetheless. And then 8 weeks ago you entered my life. From the moment I stepped off the plane to the last day as you accompanied me back to the airport, I am forever indebted to you and so grateful for your presence. The man I met that first day was virtually a stranger to me, and my only connection to him was the supposed fact that he’s my mom’s brother. Of course I was excited, but I wondered how deep a relationship could even develop after 19 years of not knowing him. I look back and laugh about how silly a thought that was. I had no idea that I would have met my newest role model. You have shown me the world in immeasurable ways that I won’t fully be able to describe, and you have made me a different person with beautifully new perspectives about my culture, history, and my definition of family. So many lessons of necessary pain and growth, thanks to you. The joy of reconnecting with family in Korea has been amazing, but it also comes with pain. Seeing my grandma in her ill condition broke me into tears. Still, at the same time, her fragile state reminded me that life is finite and to be grateful that I get to spend even a portion of this limited lifetime with an awesome uncle I’ve gotten to know. First off, thank you for making time for me. I know that may seem simple, but I am thankful that you spent hours driving me to places, talking and dining with me, taking your days off work to spend them with me. You could have easily used your free time for yourself, but you spent it to show me Korea. You spent it to introduce me to family members I never met before and to teach me about the beautiful history of my homeland. I felt your genuine attention to detail in every conversation we had. You never got tired of my endless string of questions about Korea, and you gave me thoughtful answers every time. I hope this is translated correctly, but you are very book-smart and street-smart. My Korean may not have been perfect in our conversations, but I appreciate that you overlooked that fact and still respected me and my American culture. I am so grateful that you showed my two friends Atticus and Jacob so much love and care. I have expressed to you before that they are basically my brothers, the only other family I know of in America outside of my household. Seeing my actual uncle treating my brothers with familial affection made me so happy. They are also so thankful that you showed us around and treated us to meals. They say you’re a great guy, and I agree to the fullest extent. Also, your daughter is amazing, and I am so proud to be her cousin. Thank you so much for introducing me to her because even the short time I’ve gotten to know her has made me realize that traits really do run in the blood. I see so much of myself in her, and I am beyond ecstatic that I get along with her well. I have a good feeling that this is just the beginning of my relationship with my awesome cousin, and it feels like I discovered a long-lost sister. My conversations and chemistry with her have really hit me with the fact: “Wow, I really do have family members.” I know that may sound silly, but I am still shocked that I connected with her so instantly, and again, I’m grateful you provided the time and space for me to learn about her. She is such a thoughtful and kind person, and you’ve done a great job raising her. Speaking of traits running in the blood, I really appreciate the lecture you gave me about that topic on the car ride back when my mom yelled at me over the phone. I’ve cried in front of you twice now, and you can guess how much I lead my life with an emotional heart haha. I remember your words about how we are similar and stubbornly loving. You mentioned that our family members have high emotional intelligence, and I have come to realize that even throughout our stubbornness, we all share that genetic bond of fiery compassion and the unwilling dedication for those we love. My mom and I always mean the best for our loved ones, but our hearts can get bigger than our minds at times. So even as I was tearing up from her phone call, I took solace in your speech about how we are all so similar. I took comfort in the fact that for the first time, I felt like I really did have more family members. I suddenly felt a lot less lonely. I’ve thought long and hard about how I could ever repay you for all these amazing experiences. From the time that I’ve gotten to know you, I can boldly assume that material gifts or money aren’t your cup of tea (but I still got you gifts haha). That is why I have written you this letter. Knowledge and reflection are the best way I can express to you my gratitude, and more importantly, I need to translate these new thoughts into action. I envision a day when my future family in America is huge. My dream is to give my kids a family I never got to grow up with. Gatherings and parties are lively; nieces and nephews running around the yard playing football. We gather around multiple times a year to eat Korean food and share stories and laugh loudly. But most importantly, they have learned from my brother and me where we come from. Our homeland’s culture, language, and history. I promise to you that they will understand my parents’ sacrifices and the stories of our extended family. They will easily know what family means to them because their relatives will always be present. But as I watch them from the balcony with a beer in my hand, I will always be thinking about the summer of ‘26, the time I spent with my uncle in Korea. Thank you for everything; the moments we were lucky enough to share mean the world to me. I love you very much. See you again very soon! (P.S. I created a short film during my time in Korea; a lot of the themes that you've taught me are instilled within the movie! You always told me to go pursue what makes me happy, and as you know, filmmaking is my dream. Give it a watch, and let me know what you think.) Sincerely, Noah

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’m an application developer apprentice from Switzerland. My vocational school (BBW Winterthur) offered us the chance to work abroad for four weeks, and Absolute Internship organized everything. We landed in Stockholm late at night, so the first evening was just getting to the apartment and going to sleep. The next day Absolute had a scavenger hunt planned for everyone in the program in Stockholm, and honestly it was the best way to start. We got split into groups with people I didn’t know at all and walked through a city none of us had ever been to. We saw a lot, learned a lot, and I made new friends on day one. The same day there was a presentation with the boring but necessary stuff (rules, insurance, organization). A few days later there was a second meetup at Bröd & Salt to eat something, play games and hear what everyone else was up to. The apartment was perfect. Our room got cleaned once a week, and that became our wake-up call. Every cleaning day was a small shock, because it meant another week had already passed. Time flew by so fast! The people at the lobby were always friendly, up for a chat and really helpful. My roommate was a classmate I already knew. Normally I only see him twice a week at school, so living together for four weeks was a cool experience on its own. I worked at Aeroworks Dynamics, a startup based at KTH, on the UI of Bedrock, their rocket flight simulation tool. I built 3D visualizations of live flights and charts for the measurement data. The team is all students, not much older than us, so we connected really fast. They were very chill, never put too much pressure on us and were always happy to help or give us more time when we needed it. Coming from Sunrise, a big company where everything is very organized, startup life was refreshing. You could have an idea in the morning and have it done by the afternoon. We also did some after-work activities together, and I really hope I’ll see them again someday, in Switzerland or back in Stockholm. The moment I remember most is a rocket engine test we got to go to. What impressed me wasn’t even the engine itself, it was how well everything was documented. Every single valve was opened or closed at an exact time, for a specific reason. Seeing how much thought went into all of it was incredible. But then again, it’s rocket science 😄 On the weekends we took the ferry out to Vaxholm and did a day trip to Uppsala with the classmates I’ve spent the last three years with. My favorite spot though is Gamla Stan, the old town. It has everything: beautiful viewpoints, culture, history, good food, people to talk to and quiet corners to just hang out. Stockholm is really proud of its royal history, and I loved that. My tip: find out everything your SL pass covers. Metro, buses and even boats like the Vaxholm ferry are included for a really cheap price, and most people don’t know how much they can get out of it. For me, these four weeks came at the perfect time in my life. I’m taking home startup experience, new friends and a recommendation letter from the CEO. Vi ses snart, Sverige! 🇸🇪

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 will always remember my internship in Lisbon as the best two months of my life. It was about much more than gaining professional experience abroad: it was about exploring a new city with international friends and creating lifelong memories! Absolute Internship supported us throughout the whole process, from finding us a position in our industry of choice to helping us onsite. Day trips, weekends, group activities... everything was designed for us to connect with other interns and make the most of our time abroad. I completed my internship in marketing and communication at a coworking space, where I worked on a variety of projects, including benchmarking analysis and developing creative ideas for community events. Working in such a dynamic and innovative environment was really inspiring! One of my favorite parts was spending my first month with Sarah, the other intern in my company, having lunch together and making TikToks about interning abroad. After work, I loved watching the sunset from a miradouro and hanging out with young people from all over the world. We had so much fun together and exchanged ideas and insights about our traditions and different backgrounds. It was hard for me to actually talk to people at first because I was still insecure about my English and didn’t feel comfortable speaking it. However, with time, I opened up and realized that speaking perfect English isn’t what matters most; what’s important is putting yourself out there and doing your best to express yourself. Living abroad was a mix of emotions and feelings: it was challenging and exciting, confusing and eye-opening, overwhelming and carefree. This experience taught me to dare more, to be more confident and to look at the world from different perspectives. It was a turning point for me; it changed me and strengthened my desire to travel, learn new languages and build connections across cultures. Lisbon will always have a special place in my heart. It was impossible not to fall in love with the iconic blue tiles, the picturesque neighborhoods and the relaxed atmosphere. I also had the chance to immerse myself in the Portuguese lifestyle, tasting traditional codfish prepared in different ways and trying new sports such as surfing and paddle boarding. I would definitely recommend this program to adventurous students who are ready to step out of their comfort zone to discover themselves and grow both personally and professionally. Stop worrying about being ready and take a chance on your future!

This past summer I interned abroad in Cape Town, South Africa at the Legal Resource Centre as a Legal Intern. What made my experience so great was the people and my program advisor Carla. Upon arriving in Cape Town me and my fellow interns were able to meet up with Carla and get more information about Cape Town. We then got to know each other better and proceed to have the best 8 weeks!

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

July - August 2017 Almost one month, a new country, and memories for a lifetime. My internship in Madrid with Absolute Internship was so much more than work experience. It was my first exposure to HR, and what better way to kick-start my career than abroad, in Spain. Absolute Internship matched me with a lovely school, where I worked alongside the headmistress and office assistant during the summer. From reviewing CVs and shortlisting candidates to coordinating interviews and handling all the admin jazz, I got a genuine taste of working recruitment side of HR. One thing I'll never forget? My daily 45-minute train journey to school. At the time, it was simply my commute, but looking back, it was part of the experience that taught me independence, responsibility and what adult working life could actually be and feel like. And of course, Madrid wouldn't have been the same without the people. I was lucky enough to share this experience with an international group of interns from Bulgaria, Mexico, USA, alongside me from Cyprus. We quickly became a little team, exploring Madrid, discovering its nightlife and making memories together. I arrived in Spain looking for professional experience, but left with new skills, greater confidence, international friendships and a whole lot of stories. If you're considering an internship abroad, take the leap. Change is always scary, but that's how you know that taking this leap might be one of the greatest experiences you'll carry with you. You might go for the career experience, but come home with so much more. ❤️ P.S.: Back in 2017, taking pictures were more minimal & the quality of it.

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!

An Unforgettable, Life-Changing Experience! If I could sum up my internship in one sentence, it would be this: it was, without a doubt, the absolute best time of my entire life. Going into the program, I expected to build my resume and learn the ropes of the industry. What I actually walked away with completely blew me away. The culture here is unmatched, but what made it truly magical was the people. We shared endless laughs, navigated every challenge together, and built a connection so deep that they stopped being just friends, they became my family. To this day, I am still in close contact with almost everyone from my cohort. This program didn't just jumpstart my career; it gave me a lifelong tribe. I cannot praise this company, the culture, and the incredible people highly enough!

An Unforgettable, Life-Changing Experience! If I could sum up my internship in one sentence, it would be this: it was, without a doubt, the absolute best time of my entire life. Going into the program, I expected to build my resume and learn the ropes of the industry. What I actually walked away with completely blew me away. The culture here is unmatched, but what made it truly magical was the people. We shared endless laughs, navigated every challenge together, and built a connection so deep that they stopped being just friends, they became my family. To this day, I am still in close contact with almost everyone from my cohort. This program didn't just jumpstart my career; it gave me a lifelong tribe. I cannot praise this company, the culture, and the incredible people highly enough!

An Unforgettable, Life-Changing Experience! If I could sum up my internship in one sentence, it would be this: it was, without a doubt, the absolute best time of my entire life. Going into the program, I expected to build my resume and learn the ropes of the industry. What I actually walked away with completely blew me away. The culture here is unmatched, but what made it truly magical was the people. We shared endless laughs, navigated every challenge together, and built a connection so deep that they stopped being just friends, they became my family. To this day, I am still in close contact with almost everyone from my cohort. This program didn't just jumpstart my career; it gave me a lifelong tribe. I cannot praise this company, the culture, and the incredible people highly enough!

An Unforgettable, Life-Changing Experience! If I could sum up my internship in one sentence, it would be this: it was, without a doubt, the absolute best time of my entire life. Going into the program, I expected to build my resume and learn the ropes of the industry. What I actually walked away with completely blew me away. The culture here is unmatched, but what made it truly magical was the people. We shared endless laughs, navigated every challenge together, and built a connection so deep that they stopped being just friends, they became my family. To this day, I am still in close contact with almost everyone from my cohort. This program didn't just jumpstart my career; it gave me a lifelong tribe. I cannot praise this company, the culture, and the incredible people highly enough!

An Unforgettable, Life-Changing Experience! If I could sum up my internship in one sentence, it would be this: it was, without a doubt, the absolute best time of my entire life. Going into the program, I expected to build my resume and learn the ropes of the industry. What I actually walked away with completely blew me away. The culture here is unmatched, but what made it truly magical was the people. We shared endless laughs, navigated every challenge together, and built a connection so deep that they stopped being just friends, they became my family. To this day, I am still in close contact with almost everyone from my cohort. This program didn't just jumpstart my career; it gave me a lifelong tribe. I cannot praise this company, the culture, and the incredible people highly enough!

Over the summer, I had the amazing opportunity to study abroad in Ireland and intern at Hidden Howth Experiences 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 Mchale 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 Hidden Howth Experience Tours, 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.

Doing my internship in Sweden was genuinely one of the best decisions I’ve ever made! I went there not knowing just how much the experience would mean to me, and I came back with unforgettable memories, incredible friendships and so much personal growth. I met some of the most amazing people, many of whom I’m still close friends with today. And my roommate? Honestly, one of the best parts of the entire experience! We still keep in touch to this day, and I’ll forever be grateful that Sweden brought us together. I absolutely loved experiencing Swedish culture, exploring a new country and learning so much along the way. I enjoyed it so much that I even convinced my friends from back home to visit Sweden! The whole experience pushed me out of my comfort zone, taught me so much about myself and gave me memories I’ll cherish forever. And the best part? I’m going back! Stockholm, you really did your big one!!You’ll always have a special place in my heart.

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 Asabys Partners, 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.