Ranch Internships Abroad

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.

My experience with Asia Internship Program was amazing from start to finish. I had very specific requirements for my internship, including finding an unpaid position that was longer than 8 weeks and focused on nonprofit or legal work rather than English teaching. While the placement process took some time, Jeff Oo was incredibly professional and reassuring throughout the process. He was honest about updates, never gave false hope, and made sure he was finding opportunities that were truly the right fit for me rather than rushing the process. Once I arrived in Taiwan, Nisha Shahi and Roro Lee were also incredibly supportive. Nisha helped arrange my transportation to and from the airport, answered my questions quickly when I was settling into my accommodation, and regularly checked in to make sure I was doing well. Their support made moving to a new country feel much less overwhelming. The internship itself exceeded my expectations, and I felt welcomed and comfortable as a queer Black student. I’m incredibly grateful for the care, professionalism, and effort the AIP team put into making this experience successful. I would highly recommend Asia Internship Program to any student looking for an international internship experience!

My time in Seoul was extremely memorable, from the people I met, to the adventures I had, it was quite literally the most exciting time of my life. The program had a lot of weekend trips, and opportunities to interact with the other interns, and chances to explore, so I really appreciated being able to see South Korea the way I was able to. From initially not knowing anyone in the program, to being able to recognize everyone by name, my time in Korea was not wasted !

I had a great experience with AIP Study Abroad Internships, especially because of how kind and helpful the staff was throughout the entire process. From the beginning, everyone I interacted with was incredibly friendly, responsive, and genuinely wanted to make sure I had a good experience abroad. Whenever I had a question or needed help with something, the AIP team was always easy to reach and willing to help. Moving abroad and starting an internship in another country can definitely be stressful at times, but having such a supportive staff made the whole experience much easier. They were welcoming, patient, and always made me feel like I had someone I could reach out to if I needed anything. Overall, I’m very grateful for everyone at AIP who helped me along the way and made my time abroad such a positive experience. I would definitely recommend AIP to anyone considering an internship abroad!

The time I spent living and working this summer in Korea changed my outlook on my studies and what I want to do after graduating. It gave me the context I needed for the work I enjoy and how I want to spend my time wherever I end up living! My program assistants were super helpful in navigating Seoul, and helped me and my friends with finding pharmacies and medical services when we needed them. Overall, I had a great time, and appreciate the support in my experience abroad!

Amazing experience, I could not have asked for a better provider to guide me through this journey! Nisha and Tyler were the best as they helped me navigate my first couple days here and made it much easier for me.

This has been so great, both Tyler and Nisha have been such great resources and have helped me out a ton. Wonderful experience and I would it again. I have enjoyed every minute with my job as well as my coworkers and couldn’t have asked for a better placement.

Thanks to AIP, I had the opportunity to participate in an amazing internship in Valencia, Spain. I was able to learn, meet many new people, and experience life in a completely different country. The AIP team was amazing, especially Nisha and Tyler, who were consistently reliable points of contact. At all times I felt that they genuinely cared about my experience and wellbeing. Thank you AIP!

Deciding to do an internship through AIP was easily one of the best moves I’ve made. The team made the whole process super simple and stepped in to guide me every step of the way. AIP matched me with a role that aligned directly with my academic background and long-term career goals, rather than just placing me in a generic position.

Thanks to AIP, I did a 2 month internship in Spain. Nisha and Tyler were very helpful with the placement process and making sure everything ran smoothly. 10/10 and I 100% recommend doing AIP if you’re looking to intern abroad.

My internship experience in Taiwan was a very fulfilling one. Having the chance to work with local colleagues on various projects gave me a different perspective that extended far beyond what I was used to in Singapore. There is a difference between visiting a country as a tourist and actually living and working there. AIP provided me with the safety net and opportunity to navigate an international workplace without feeling completely on my own. I'm very grateful for the experience and would highly recommend it to anyone looking for a similar experience.

My internship experience in Taiwan through AIP was an incredible one. From the very beginning, the AIP team made the entire process smooth by guiding us through every step of the pre-departure preparations, including visa applications and other essential arrangements. Throughout the internship, they regularly checked in on us to make sure we were settling in well. A special thank you to Nisha and Roro for always being so approachable, supportive, and helpful — they really made living abroad feel much less daunting. What I appreciated most was that AIP went beyond simply arranging an internship. They organized meetups for us to get to know other interns, giving us the opportunity to bond while exploring different parts of Taiwan, including cities like Tainan, Taichung. These experiences allowed me to appreciate Taiwan's culture, beauty, and nature beyond the workplace. Overall, I grew both professionally and personally, gaining valuable work experience while becoming more confident and independent. I would highly recommend AIP to anyone looking for an overseas internship. The team's support and genuine care made this a truly memorable and rewarding experience.

I had a wonderful experience with the Asia Internship Program during my internship in Taiwan. The team was professional, responsive, and supportive throughout the entire process, from arranging my internship to answering my questions before and during my stay. Everything was well organised, which made the experience stress-free and enjoyable. I'm grateful for the opportunity and would highly recommend AIP to anyone looking for an overseas internship! It truly was a life-changing adventure I will never forget!

⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ I had a great experience with AIP throughout my internship journey in Taiwan. From the application process to my arrival and internship placement, the team was professional, responsive, and supportive every step of the way. They were always willing to answer my questions, provide timely updates, and ensure that everything was well coordinated. Their guidance made the entire process much smoother and gave me confidence when moving to a new country for my internship. I would highly recommend AIP to students and young professionals who are looking for an international internship experience. Thank you to the team for making this such a rewarding and memorable journey!

My 10-week internship in Taiwan through the Asia Internship Program (AIP) was a truly rewarding and eye-opening experience. The program was well organized, and the AIP team was always responsive and supportive throughout the entire journey, from the application process to settling into Taiwan and during the internship itself. The internship gave me valuable exposure to a real working environment, allowing me to apply what I learned in university while developing new technical and professional skills. Beyond work, living in Taiwan helped me experience a different culture, improve my independence, and meet amazing people from around the world. The balance between professional growth and cultural immersion made this experience especially meaningful. I am grateful for the opportunity and would highly recommend the Asia Internship Program to students looking to gain international work experience, broaden their perspectives, and challenge themselves both personally and professionally.

My past 10 weeks in Taiwan has been one for the books! I’m very grateful for the support from AIP, from the company placement to the pre-departure process. I appreciate the team (Nisha and Roro) for being responsive to my queries. It’s my first time being immersed in a Chinese-speaking workplace. Despite language challenges, I enjoyed interacting with the colleagues in my company. It is through conversations with the local Taiwanese where I got to immerse myself in their culture. If you’re keen to work overseas and gain professional experience (and hone your foreign language ability), I highly recommend applying to AIP. Just give it a shot!

KGY is amazing! I completed my internship in a company in Seoul, which was very important for my university studies. Without KGY it would’ve been very hard to find an internship place during the stressful exam period I had prior to the internship period. The communication with KGY went smoothly. Miss Olivia who handled my case was very helpful, patient and very friendly from the beginning to the end! She even helped me to get in a language class so I would be able to acquire more necessary language skills needed to get around more easily. After the internship period we got to visit the 경복궁 wearing 한복 which was amazing (see picture). I had no major difficulties and Korea is a very safe country! In conclusion, I’d recommend KGY to anyone who would like great assistance for their internship in Korea ^^

Hello everyone, so I spent two months in Seoul,South Korea for an internship. These two months were amazing! I have met so many people from all around the world. I have discovered a lot about working in an office but I also got to help organize the Seoul Africa Festival and I have been invited to important events in fancy hotels in Seoul. During these two months I had the chance to visit so many places like palaces, themed park, traditional markets, rooftops, cute streets and cafes, even a huge music festival! To sum up I fell in love with the korean culture and its people!! If I had to do it again I wouldn't change anything at all. Thank you to Korea Gap Year and especially Olivia and Youjin for making this possible for me and making this life experience an amazing one!