Pharmaceutical Internships Abroad

Hands-on experience. Gain practical experience making decisions in real-life situations. Along with it, you’ll have great exposure to diverse working practices and environments.
Professional growth. Enhance your résumé with international experience and potentially receive more responsibility and diverse tasks than at home.
Networking and future opportunities. Build a global network of professionals and mentors. The opportunity will open doors to future research opportunities, job offers, and letters of recommendation.

Things to know

Interning in the pharmaceutical field is a big step, especially abroad. It helps to know what’s coming so you’re not caught off guard.

Basics - Ensure the internship matches your academic and career goals, and familiarize yourself with the host country’s pharmaceutical regulations. Pack versatile clothing for any environment and be ready to adapt to the local workplace culture.
Logistics and Safety - Keep your essential documents prepared ahead of time. A flexible packing list is key to being ready for different settings and staying organized.
Cost of living and accommodation - Cost of living varies, so budget wisely. Accommodation will depend on the country and season, so plan accordingly.
Social and cultural etiquette - Learn local customs, such as greeting etiquette in Spain. Engage in traditions, build professional connections, and seek feedback to grow your skills and relationships.
Visa requirements and other information - For longer stays, a visa is usually needed. Check with the relevant embassies or your program for accurate visa details.
Language - Learn basic phrases in the local language to help with daily interactions, making it easier to navigate and connect with people in your host country.

Popular Providers

Frequently Asked Questions

You have 3 main options for finding pharmaceutical companies with international internships. One, ask your university about existing partnerships or advice on ideal placements abroad. Two, contact your preferred pharmaceutical company to check if they have existing programs. Third, visit online platforms that list internship programs from organizations and institutions worldwide.

Numerous industry internships are available, with some not necessarily seeking pharmaceutical students or graduates. For instance, placements in finance and clinical research may be open to postgrads in business administration, medicine, and healthcare. Frequently, internships are available in pharmaceutical and medical communications companies, drug safety-related agencies and organizations, and hospital pharmacies.

Pharmaceutical companies offer internships throughout the year, with some posting placements in late fall or spring. Summer internships are definitely available and typically last between two and three months.

The answer depends largely on the pharmaceutical company offering the internship. Generally, pharmacy interns receive monthly stipends instead of the traditional weekly or monthly salary. Host companies in countries like the US, Australia, and Canada pay interns throughout the program.

You can find pharmaceutical internships worldwide. But if you’re looking for countries with the highest-paying positions for pharmacists or with leading manufacturing companies, China, Germany, Canada, the UK, and the US are ideal destinations.

Latest Program Reviews

#Blessed

December 04, 2025by: Maria Mercedes Espinal - United StatesProgram: Internship in Korea - Asia Internship Program

10

I am legitimately so happy with my internship, like the place, the people, the work itself... Everything is legit so much better than I expected, which is saying a lot cus I had like, pretty high expectations to begin with, ahaha~ My bosses are super nice and understanding, they're so kind and relatable and helpful, always open to help and hear any questions or even suggestions of mine (I've had to say my two cents' worth at times cus I've got some levels of experience at least, ahaha~), and I legitimately love the work environment they've created, it fees very safe and open to share one's thoughts! My co-workers are also so lovely and it feels like I've known them for a good while rather than just a few weeks! Housing is great too, legit was my "dream goshiwon" from a few years back, I can't believe I'm living there! The landlords are very kind too, always sharing info with us when relevant, letting us know of things with time, and they even offered to help me to install a filter for the shower! So not only are there legit zero issues, but they are super kind to top it all off! Also I still can't believe I get to live in Seongsu! I didn't know it was so popular before moving in, but apparently it's like, THE place to be in, in Seoul??! Like, ALL the pop-up stores are in Seongsu! And I get to see them being built up in the mornings and taken down at nights, HOW COOL IS THAT?!!!! ALSO. One of the most popular dance studios in Korea, 1 Million Dance Studio, is like, less than a 10 min walk away from my house, so obviously I joined in, wooooooo!!!! In terms of the actual work of the internship, the workload is good! Sure, there needs to be an adjustment period for me still (need to improve my "business Korean"!!!), but it's the perfect amount, also it's so fun! I didn't think that I would enjoy doing this sort of work as much as I do! Like sure, I thought it would be interesting at first, but it's turned out to be actually so frikkin cool and enjoyable working with all the different aspects in the giant field of marketing! Like, there's something new every day and there's VERY little room to get bored, which my ADHD brain loves soooooo much, ahahaha~ It's so weird, but I actually look forward to going to work every day, it's become a very wonderful daily routine! Commute is also great, the bus stations are like, RIGHT THERE so it makes it suuuuper convenient to get places! Rush hour is still going to be rush hour anywhere, so sure, there's that, but it's nothing unexpected, all good! But even once when I got distracted by something and missed my stop on the way to work like a dummy, it was actually so easy to find the way bacc cus I got lucky and turns out the next station really ain't that far off! xD Of course, there's also the option to take the subway (which, also super close!), and I sometimes do that, depending on where I need to head to next, and everything is just sooooooo convenient that it's legitimately unbelievable! O: I'm always doing something after work too, whether it be exploring alone or with friends, shopping around, dance class, church... Legit, my ONLY complaint is that there are simply not enough hours in the day. Like... I need at LEAST six more hours, please! xDDDDD Forreal tho? It feels like I'm living inside a dream and MANY times throughout the day, I feel the need to just stop what I'm doing and just be present in the moment, taking it all in.. It's absolutely mad to me that I'm able to live this sort of life right now (I get to live in SEONGSU? I get to cross the frikkin HAN RIVER EVERY DAY? To work in FRIKKIN COEX?!!!?!), and I simply cannot believe how incredibly blessed I am to have this opportunity..! Like, it feels so unreal you know? Or like, it feels like something that can happen to someone, but not to me in specific, ya feel? Like.. "Why me?" Or "HOW me? When there's sooooooo many other people out there who good things should happen to, how was I the Lucky One?" Cus I've never been "the Lucky One," so it's a strange feeling! Welcome for sure! But still strange, unfamiliar! It might sound a bit cheesey, but I am so, so incredibly grateful for this opportunity..!!! The AIP staff are so kind too, and supportive and encouraging, it feels like we're legit besties and I love that, they're such beautiful souls..!!! Legit feels like I'm getting to re-live life again through the opportunity AIP has given me and I am so thankful, I don't even have the words to express..!!! AAAAAAAAAAA

#Blessed

December 04, 2025by: Maria Mercedes Espinal - United StatesProgram: Internship in Korea - Asia Internship Program

10

I am legitimately so happy with my internship, like the place, the people, the work itself... Everything is legit so much better than I expected, which is saying a lot cus I had like, pretty high expectations to begin with, ahaha~ My bosses are super nice and understanding, they're so kind and relatable and helpful, always open to help and hear any questions or even suggestions of mine (I've had to say my two cents' worth at times cus I've got some levels of experience at least, ahaha~), and I legitimately love the work environment they've created, it fees very safe and open to share one's thoughts! My co-workers are also so lovely and it feels like I've known them for a good while rather than just a few weeks! Housing is great too, legit was my "dream goshiwon" from a few years back, I can't believe I'm living there! The landlords are very kind too, always sharing info with us when relevant, letting us know of things with time, and they even offered to help me to install a filter for the shower! So not only are there legit zero issues, but they are super kind to top it all off! Also I still can't believe I get to live in Seongsu! I didn't know it was so popular before moving in, but apparently it's like, THE place to be in, in Seoul??! Like, ALL the pop-up stores are in Seongsu! And I get to see them being built up in the mornings and taken down at nights, HOW COOL IS THAT?!!!! ALSO. One of the most popular dance studios in Korea, 1 Million Dance Studio, is like, less than a 10 min walk away from my house, so obviously I joined in, wooooooo!!!! In terms of the actual work of the internship, the workload is good! Sure, there needs to be an adjustment period for me still (need to improve my "business Korean"!!!), but it's the perfect amount, also it's so fun! I didn't think that I would enjoy doing this sort of work as much as I do! Like sure, I thought it would be interesting at first, but it's turned out to be actually so frikkin cool and enjoyable working with all the different aspects in the giant field of marketing! Like, there's something new every day and there's VERY little room to get bored, which my ADHD brain loves soooooo much, ahahaha~ It's so weird, but I actually look forward to going to work every day, it's become a very wonderful daily routine! Commute is also great, the bus stations are like, RIGHT THERE so it makes it suuuuper convenient to get places! Rush hour is still going to be rush hour anywhere, so sure, there's that, but it's nothing unexpected, all good! But even once when I got distracted by something and missed my stop on the way to work like a dummy, it was actually so easy to find the way bacc cus I got lucky and turns out the next station really ain't that far off! xD Of course, there's also the option to take the subway (which, also super close!), and I sometimes do that, depending on where I need to head to next, and everything is just sooooooo convenient that it's legitimately unbelievable! O: I'm always doing something after work too, whether it be exploring alone or with friends, shopping around, dance class, church... Legit, my ONLY complaint is that there are simply not enough hours in the day. Like... I need at LEAST six more hours, please! xDDDDD Forreal tho? It feels like I'm living inside a dream and MANY times throughout the day, I feel the need to just stop what I'm doing and just be present in the moment, taking it all in.. It's absolutely mad to me that I'm able to live this sort of life right now (I get to live in SEONGSU? I get to cross the frikkin HAN RIVER EVERY DAY? To work in FRIKKIN COEX?!!!?!), and I simply cannot believe how incredibly blessed I am to have this opportunity..! Like, it feels so unreal you know? Or like, it feels like something that can happen to someone, but not to me in specific, ya feel? Like.. "Why me?" Or "HOW me? When there's sooooooo many other people out there who good things should happen to, how was I the Lucky One?" Cus I've never been "the Lucky One," so it's a strange feeling! Welcome for sure! But still strange, unfamiliar! It might sound a bit cheesey, but I am so, so incredibly grateful for this opportunity..!!! The AIP staff are so kind too, and supportive and encouraging, it feels like we're legit besties and I love that, they're such beautiful souls..!!! Legit feels like I'm getting to re-live life again through the opportunity AIP has given me and I am so thankful, I don't even have the words to express..!!! AAAAAAAAAAA

Amazing summer immersion experience!

December 03, 2025by: Emily Barry - United StatesProgram: Customized Internships & Spanish Immersion at the Beach

10

I spent ten weeks in A Coruña in summer of 2019. It was an amazing experience and I felt like I really was able to learn the language and the culture. Highly recommend to anyone looking for something authentic and immersive.