Scuba Internships Abroad

For my internship I was placed with Nazario Fania, a beekeeper and sole proprietor of his own business and tasked with assisting in social media strategy and other marketing analysis to add to his existing tactics. He had endless knowledge from his past in journalism and communications to teach me on top of enlightening me about beekeeping in the greater scheme of agriculture in the south of Italy—Molise, a region that even the Italians claim does not exist. Outside of that, my host family was super welcoming and introduced me to the entire town, took me on excursions to experience more local culture, and were my biggest supporters. I keep in touch with everyone to this day, and recently took my parents abroad for the first time to meet everyone.

I am so grateful to have gone to Spain with Isla last summer. Malaga is a beautiful and fun city where I made many international friends and got to experience the amazing Spanish culture. My internship wasn’t exactly what I was expecting, but Isla worked with me to set up new opportunities to ensure I was getting a lot out of my experience. I met so many wonderful people on my trip and had so much fun.

I enjoyed working in collaboration with ISLA this past summer and my subsequent internship with PROAMB in Malaga. The ISLA staff is very supportive and attentive to your needs, and Malaga is a vibrant young city with lots to offer! PROAMB was a small sustainability consultancy, whose campaugn this summer requirede the work of myself and a team to travel to towns all over the province of Malaga and work with local communities (stakeholders, businesses, local governements, etc.) to improve their circular economies. The team was truly accommodating, and my housing was in the university neighborhood filled with bars and restaurants. Overall, a very positive experience.

In Seoul, I learned that making beef bulgogi is even more fun when the people cooking beside you are clearly doing a better job. Between the busy shops of Insadong, the beautiful Cheonggyecheon Stream, and a bakery visit trying croissants that had so many different flavors like lemon, chocolate, blueberry, and matcha, my time abroad gave me plenty to smile about. It also helped me see engineering and my future differently. At the Center for Quantum Nanoscience, I saw how even tiny sounds and vibrations could affect research data. They had to design the building itself to help protect their research. Meeting researchers from different countries showed me how international engineering can be. At Hyundai’s UX studio, we explored vehicles and offered suggestions for improving the user experience. These visits connected technical problem-solving with the people who depend on the results. My experience challenges the myth that education abroad is only sightseeing. The cultural activities prompted reflection on history, while company visits gave me examples I can carry into my studies and career. Future participants can find both serious academic learning and everyday joy abroad, even when parts of the experience feel unfamiliar.

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 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 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

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.

What started off as a desire for change turned out to be the most unforgettable time of my life. I sent in an application expecting the usual response delays I had experienced through the many intern abroad programs I had combed through but was happily surprised when Nicole was patient and kind, communicating often how available she was be it through video calls or email to sooth my anxieties. She helped me sort through my options and even when I had settled on an internship in Scotland, she kept searching and found me one most suitable for me: London. I sound like a broken record but it was truly life-changing. I had support throughout; Nicole with her check-ins to make sure I was settling in, my manager Ammu who was my rock and the best boss I have had the pleasure of working with and interns from another program who made my experience what it was. Walking to my train every morning felt purposeful and fun: I felt like a mini adult carving out a life for myself in this big city. I was excited to pop into my local Tesco and learn more about my roommates who invited me out every weekend; from window-shopping in the streets of Westminster to intimate dinners in a Fitzrovia neighborhood. At work, I was challenged! I learned how to interview, I was given responsibility over the intern team (again, the best people) and there wasn't a moment I felt afraid to be inquisitive or express my insecurities about the job. Every week was a new adventure and a new way to grow. I remember our manager had an idea for a viral tiktok and all 8 interns stood outside the work building searching for incoming buses, lingering close to where they'd park with a straight face, then burst into fits of laughter because of how unpredictable our work was! The train rides were honestly one of my highlights. The place I moved into after a month in London was 5 minutes from Canary Wharf so a quick 9 minute walk from my apartment to the train station looked like putting my headphones on while I admired the scenic waters of Canning Town before starting the day. London has an awesome transportation system so if you missed one train, best believe another one was coming a minute or two later (5 at most!). I travelled to Nottingham on the weekend and had a blast, and was surrounded by a great group of people. My landlord was the nicest and so was my housemate from both of my living situations, I had a wonderful time getting to know full-time staff through a get-together my manager organized and to this day, most of those people I am still in contact with. Shoutout Tina, Alicia, Stuart, Kate, Krystal, Nicholas, Catherine, Gayathri, Kamini, Shelby, Claire and Nate! Another to Nicole, Ammu, Ben, John and Georgeena for their continued support. I was lucky in that the issues I faced weren't program related, but I'll admit a travel kit of sites to see would have been nice! I was given housing recommendations as well though a person of support to regularly communicate with on residence issues I faced would be of great help as well. If the thought of study/intern abroad even occurs, run with it. The job experience was invaluable, the beautiful cultures I interacted with - from India to USA - have stayed with me and the memories linger in the "I miss you" messages shared amongst the intern group. Living away from home can be daunting, but you won't regret it for a second. I miss it and appreciate the opportunity beyond comprehension.

Some experiences stay with you long after they come to an end, and my time in Bali was definitely one of them. I had the opportunity to spend five weeks in Bali, completing my internship at Made Tea in Ubud, and honestly, it turned out to be so much more than I expected. From the beginning, I felt welcomed and appreciated. Working with Made Tea gave me the opportunity to discover a different professional environment, develop my communication and digital marketing skills, work on creative projects, and gain valuable hands-on experience. I had the chance to create content, work on social media, communicate with potential business partners and contribute to real projects. It was rewarding to see that my ideas and work were genuinely valued. One of the highlights was definitely the people. I am especially grateful to my supervisor, Roni, for her kindness, trust, guidance and patience throughout my internship. Being surrounded by such welcoming people made the experience even more special. And then there was Bali itself! 🌺 Living and working in Ubud allowed me to discover a completely different culture, meet people from different backgrounds, experience the local lifestyle and create memories I will always cherish. Every day brought something new, whether it was discovering beautiful places, trying new food, learning about local traditions or simply enjoying the atmosphere. What I appreciated most was the balance between professional development and personal discovery. I didn’t just gain experience to add to my CV; I also became more independent, confident, adaptable and open-minded. If you are considering an internship abroad, I would genuinely encourage you to take the opportunity. Don’t be afraid to step outside your comfort zone. You might arrive expecting to gain professional experience, but leave with new skills, wonderful connections and memories that will stay with you forever. Thank you, Made Tea, and Bali, for five unforgettable weeks. A little piece of my heart will always remain in Indonesia. ❤️ Sometimes the best experiences are the ones you never fully expect.

I had a wonderful experience with Linguistic Horizons this summer (2026). I was matched with a company for an internship, where I did business administration and marketing for a surf school/shop. I worked there Monday through Friday four hours per day, and then also had classes Monday, Tuesday, and Wednesday nights. I was matched with a class and professor based on my Spanish level. The program also included unbelievable excursions to other places in Galicia, my favorite being the Fragas do Eume national park. Nicole, the program director, is extremely kind and organized! Unfortunately I fell very ill to food poisoning during the summer, and she was able to help me get care at the local urgent care hospital very easily. She was always doing whatever she could to make sure we were making the most out of our experience, whether that was taking us out for food or suggesting local hotspots to try. La Coruña is an amazing city filled with gracious people. I was able to gain valuable internship experience, improve my Spanish level tenfold, and gain an unbelievable life experience. I fully suggest this program to anyone wanting to have an abroad experience, whether you want an internship or classes or both. Not only was it an amazing experience, but also one that I am now able to talk about in interviews and on my resume as I currently job search. There is also always something to do in Coruña, with everything from free public concerts to food festivals. Go to La Coruña with Linguistic Horizons, you won't regret it!

I had a good time here. The VAC staff were so welcoming and friendly and definitely one of the best parts. My internship was fulfilling, the doctors were patient and friendly, and I got to do a lot of things as well!! During my internship, I pushed myself to be a bit more confident and not afraid to try new things at the hospital. My advice for future interns is to be open and friendly, learn some isiXhosa, and don’t hold yourself back. I stayed for four weeks and definitely see how staying longer would be even more beneficial educationally. Outside of the internship, there were some fun things to do in Cape Town and lots of places to try. The pre-arrival information had so much detail and made me feel reassured, and the airport pickup was very friendly and reassuring. I also really appreciated the internship placement and the weekly activities.

I chose Cape Town because I wanted to understand how youth programs work here because I’m interested in working for a youth program back in the States. During my internship, I was able to learn more about different political issues here in Cape Town. I also really appreciated the weekly activities, the support and knowing I could call VAC staff if I needed anything. I really love the VAC staff <3

My internship gave me the opportunity to grow both creatively and personally. It was an incredibly open-minded and creative environment, with a strong sense of belonging and community. There were so many opportunities to get involved, build meaningful relationships with the students, and contribute to different creative projects. During my time there, I gained much more confidence in my creative process as an artist and developed a clearer sense of direction about what I want to pursue in the future. I was able to contribute to projects that supported the organization’s mission while also supporting students on their own creative journeys as artists. What stood out to me most was seeing how music and creativity can create opportunities for young people to express themselves, heal, and shape the direction of their lives. Being part of an environment driven by creativity and a genuine sense of community made my internship especially meaningful. I also really appreciated the support I received from VAC. The calls and communication before arriving made me feel much more confident about joining the program, and I especially appreciated how responsive my placement advisor was throughout the process. Once in Cape Town, I enjoyed the weekly check-ins, Friday meetups, and Monday culture series, which gave us opportunities to connect throughout the program. My advice to future interns is to really take advantage of the opportunities around you. Get involved, make connections with the people at your internship, and don’t be afraid to ask if there are projects you can help with. There is an abundance of opportunity if you’re willing to put yourself out there.

Working with AIP was a great experience! AIP helped me locate an internship in Tainan, Taiwan. On the weekdays I received hands-on experience with my company, and on the weekends I adventured. My accommodations were right in the heart of the city, which made sampling Tainan’s cafe and food scene very convenient! I also had the opportunity to partake in mid-autumn festival. Enjoying mooncakes and pomelos under a bright night sky was unforgettable memory. I made so many meaningful experiences and connections from this trip, and I really appreciate AIP’s dedicated team for helping me along the way.

The GIS & Reserve Management internship was extremely rewarding. It was extremely rewarding to able to admire the Fynbos biome again, seeing the cheetahs and lions eat, finding a Robertson's Dwarf Chameleon, walking with giraffes and taking photos of various birds like the Cape Sugarbird, African Hoopoe, African Fisheagle and Pin tailed Whydah. It was also great finishing the PDF-chapters, cooking good meals, taking beautiful photographs of animals and plants, learning new plant species names and being able to identify them in the field. In a nutshell, the experience was eventful, full of amazing animals and plants and very soothing spending some time out in nature.

It was extremely rewarding being able to actively contribute to scientific research and conservation efforts within the community for my internship. It was also an eye-opening, humbling, and exhilarating experience! Yes, it certainly did for the most part. South Africa is such a beautiful country, and being able to experience it without the luxury of high-end hotels and resorts made it that much better and more authentic. The people around Sodwana Bay were extremely welcoming and friendly, and it took no time at all to fit in.

I was excited by the opportunity to expand my horizons through an internship abroad and chose Cape Town for its vibrant culture and incredible natural landscapes. From the ocean and mountains to the greenery surrounding the city, the natural beauty was easily one of my favorite parts of the experience. Whether exploring botanical gardens, visiting the coastline, or simply taking in scenery unlike anything back home, Cape Town constantly gave me something new to appreciate. As my first experience traveling abroad, my eight weeks here challenged me in ways I didn’t expect. I left with a greater sense of gratitude, cultural awareness, and a broader perspective on the world. During my internship with a local environmental conservation organization, I researched and wrote about threatened wildlife species and environmental awareness. One of my favorite projects challenged my own assumptions about an animal I had previously been wary of and gave me the chance to learn about its importance within the ecosystem. I also joined colleagues on an overnight conservation trip to a nature reserve, which became one of the highlights of my time in South Africa. My internship also helped me better understand what I value in a future workplace and the kind of environment I hope to work in. Although two months gave me plenty of time to experience Cape Town, I still left feeling like there was more to discover. I’m especially grateful for the warmth and generosity of the VAC team and for the experiences they created throughout my stay.