Marine Science 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.

1. Brief description of the host company/ organisation and supervisor(s) ERITAGE Studio Gallery is a vibrant contemporary art space in Lisbon that champions artistic plurality and uses art as a tool for human development and corporate engagement. It is a dynamic hub where international exhibitions foster intercultural dialogue. The gallery is led by its Founder and Creative Director, Joao Marcus Cavalcanti—a former finance professional from Rio de Janeiro who transitioned to gallerist in Portugal. He has built a remarkable cultural bridge between Brazil, Portugal, and Africa through artist residencies and shared productions. Committed to social dialogue and sustainability, Cavalcanti steers ERITAGE as a space where contemporary art intersects with social consciousness, making it an incredibly inspiring environment to learn from. 2. Your job duties, contributions and accomplishments My role as a Public Relations Intern was varied. My main responsibility was social media content creation and curation. I created and scheduled engaging visual content for Instagram including photography, reels and behind-the-scenes stories to promote current exhibitions and artists, greatly increasing the gallery's online engagement. I also carried out extensive research and reporting on galleries, visiting contemporary art spaces across Lisbon, looking at curatorial strategies and producing detailed reports that fed into our strategic programming. I provided direct support during the installation and de-installation of exhibitions, including handling artworks, setting lighting and display materials, and the safe packing and storage of works. These contributions have given me a holistic view of gallery operations from the public facing promotion to the physical logistics that take place behind the scenes. 3. Difficulties encountered during the internship (if any) The internship was not without its challenges. Professionally, I was initially daunted by the physicality of the role – in Hong Kong, gallery assistants rarely engage in manual construction, but here I was drilling into gallery walls to hang installations, meaning I had to learn proper techniques from scratch. Culturally, the language barrier was sometimes tough, as many locals do not speak fluent English outside of the tourism sector. I had to use hand gestures and basic Portuguese phrases. The city’s notorious topography, built on seven steep hills, was a real workout when commuting. This was personally my first experience living in an 8 bedroom flat with 7 other flat mates which really tested my patience and communication skills on a daily basis as well as bouts of homesickness over the holidays. 4. Knowledge/ skills/ benefits acquired from the internship I have learned a great deal professionally. I deepened my understanding of the artists' backgrounds, creative processes, and thematic concerns, which greatly enriched my appreciation for Portuguese art history and its cultural context. Translating these insights into words, I had the rewarding opportunity to write articles for the gallery's official Substack account—crafting engaging narratives that bridged the artists' visions with our audience, and sharpening my ability to communicate complex artistic ideas with clarity and warmth. On the practical side, I also gained hands-on technical skills in the safe installation and de-installation of artworks, from precise measuring and levelling to correct wrapping, safe transport, and meticulous inventory documentation—skills I never imagined I would learn but now value immensely. Most notably, I developed invaluable interpersonal and adaptability skills, learning to think quickly on my feet when my supervisor assigned last-minute work, and consistently delivering quality output under pressure without losing my composure. 5. Insights into the culture and people of the destination What impressed me most about Lisbon was not just its postcard beauty but its emotional depth, a kind of poetic melancholy that the Portuguese call saudade. This bittersweet longing is in the air all over the city, most distinctly in the plaintive guitar of Fado music drifting from dimly lit taverns, but it does not weigh down the culture. Instead it coexists with an extraordinary warmth and a deep sense of community. I loved the neighborhood life, like in Alfama, where old ladies gossip across clothes-lined balconies, and in the Santos Populares festivities, whole streets become open-air banquets, with neighbors grilling sardines together. The locals taught me desenrascanço — the uniquely Portuguese ability to improvise with charm and resourcefulness. They’re not on the clock, but on the clock of the golden descent of the sun over the Tagus River, valuing human connection over relentless efficiency. Whether it’s a long coffee in a quiet pastelaria or an informal greeting from shopkeepers, Lisboetas are quietly resilient and welcoming, making me feel less like a foreigner and more like a temporary piece of their lively, unhurried story.

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.

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.

I had an lovely and efficient experience with the intern group, no matter who I interacted with they were kind and helpful, the whole experience was very rewarding and they are always available for any questions along the way! I was really unsure on how it would all go, but I was very impressed and I have nothing but positive things to say. From the start they made the process of finding an internship that would suit my needs so easy and every step of the way they are encouraging you. I absolutely loved my time with them and have zero regrets. I got matched with a company very quickly and I absolutely adored my experience and time with the company I got to work for. Even though it was remote I was still made to feel like I was part of the process and I throughly enjoyed experiencing being part of real work for real people. Even if you are a university student looking to gain experience one summer or a recent graduate there is no doubt in my mind you will gain something valuable from doing an internship with a company that aligns with your career goals.

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.

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!

Thank you to the program; I was able to travel overseas for a good time, in the United States, where I met amazing people!. The culture overseas is very wide, as there is not only 1 culture; there are many. I worked with people from Mexico, Nicaragua, the United States, Africa, etc. I made good friends from whom I learnt more aspects of living in the United States, plus the different ideas conveyed in a way of living. Also, most of the things that I learned back in my school days, I'm glad that I can apply them to real-world scenarios in material science, management, etc. Sharing the same room with people whos carriers are +20 years of experience and learning from them at the company was the most exciting adventure, as you not only acquire new knowledge, but you are also able to provide new perspectives with what you have learned in the past, plus having a new framework on how to handle things. The whole experience was amazing to me.

What an amazing internship experience! It was an unforgettable month that pushed me out of my comfort zone, gave me experiences I’d never have at home, and allowed me to learn about conservation while meeting some amazing people. I learned a great deal and the entire experience definitely exceeded my expectations! I really enjoyed game drives. It was a good way to explore the reserve, learn lots about the environment and wildlife, get to know other participants and no drive was ever the same. Seeing all the animals, sunrise and sunsets on drives and getting to know new people made the experience truly unforgettable.

The time spent doing my GIS internship at the Gondwana Game Reserve exceeded my expectations in both the knowledge I received and the amazing views I was fortunate enough to see. I learned a great deal, saw a lot of amazing animals and it was extremely rewarding to learn so much about GIS and wildlife.

The Marine Biology & Reef Conservation internship in Sodwana Bay (South Africa) was an amazing experience! I learned a great deal - had an awesome time and met some wonderful people! It was unforgettable to see the manta rays too!