Business Internships in Western Europe

I spent my Spring Break in Barcelona through the EPICS at ASU Global Intensive Experience, and it was easily one of the most valuable things I've done in college. The program brought 34 of us together to work on real community-based engineering projects alongside partners like Tarpuna SCCL, BIT Habitat, and CARNET, with additional connections to Universitat Politècnica de Catalunya and ESERP Business & Law School. This was not a sightseeing trip with a class attached. We were in intensive group work sessions applying what we'd learned in the classroom to actual problems facing a global city. The academic side was genuinely challenging in the best way. A Smart City tour with Guiding Architects showed us how urban architecture and engineering solutions come together at scale, and working directly with local organizations forced us to think about design in a cultural context we'd never encountered before. We also put sustainability into practice with a beach cleanup at Barceloneta, which grounded the whole experience in real action rather than just discussion. The cultural immersion was just as intentional as the coursework. We explored the Sagrada Família, took in the views from Montjuïc, visited Park Güell, learned Flamenco with a local dance studio, and ended one evening watching the sunset from a jazz catamaran. The tapas alone would have been worth the flight. The program leaders, including Dr. Tami Coronella, Jennifer Wong, Claire Lien Luong, and Bastien Kahn, were supportive and organized throughout. They struck a real balance between pushing us academically and making sure we experienced Catalonia beyond the classroom. If you're an engineering student considering a short-term global program, I can't recommend this one enough. You come home with more than photos. You come home understanding that engineering really is a universal language for change.

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.

My experience in Stockholm is hard to define in just one word, although I think I did a pretty good job with the title earlier. I can start precisely with how sweet the whole community was, and not just referring to the program environment, off course they were amazing. When I went, I was aware that I was going to face a lot of challenges, even more when I was thinking that I couldn't even imagine many of those challenges at that moment. It was exciting in a limited sense. Something I'm really grateful to this whole adventure for, is giving me the opportunity to prove to myself how agile, quick, and relaxed I can be when facing new places, people, and moments.

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!

The entire internship abroad experience was great! The Beyond Academy coordinators did a great job organizing activities that allowed us to experience the must-see parts of Barcelona, while also providing great recommendations for places to eat, explore, and navigate the city. I also really appreciated the wide variety of internship fields available. Overall, it was a great way to gain international work experience while experiencing life in Barcelona!

Beyond Academy responded to this reviewAugust 21, 2026

Thank you so much for the lovely review, Kiera! We’re so glad to hear that you had such a positive experience in Barcelona and were able to combine gaining international work experience with making the most of everything the city has to offer. It’s especially great to hear how much you enjoyed the activities organized by our Barcelona Community Team, as well as all of their local recommendations along the way. We always want our interns to feel like they’re really experiencing life in their program city, rather than simply living and working there for a few weeks. We loved having you as part of our Barcelona community and hope you’re leaving with some amazing memories, new skills and experiences that you can take forward into your future career. Wishing you all the best with whatever comes next!

My experience with the Absolute Internship abroad program was incredibly valuable and memorable. Spending 6 weeks in Madrid, Spain, allowed me to gain professional experience while also experiencing a new culture, work environment, and a new sense of independence. One of the highlights of the program was the opportunity to work at Asesoria Debe Haber Asociaciones, where I was able to develop skills in establishing new nonprofit national or local organizations by working on founding their board or statutes. The internship gave me a better understanding of my career interests and allowed me to apply what I have learned in school to a real-world environment while also educating myself on how this country's system differs from that of mine and learning how this can help me build upon my current professional knowledge. Outside of work, living in Madrid allowed me to explore new places, meet people from different backgrounds, and experience the local culture. The program staff was extremely supportive and helpful, making the transition to living abroad much easier. Although there were some challenges, such as adjusting to a new environment and working for the first time at a location that aligns with my professional goals, along with a slight language barrier, these experiences helped me grow personally and professionally. Overall, I would highly recommend this program to other students considering an internship abroad. It provided me with meaningful professional experience, unforgettable memories, and a greater sense of confidence and independence.

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.

Emails were clear and easy to follow. I had the absolute best experience I could have ever asked for because of my host mother. She took such good care of me and any students to get her as a host are super lucky! I enjoyed getting to know a new culture and traveling around Spain. I think it helped me mature a little bit by being alone in a different country and just further added to my self dependence which will help me in my career and life.

Throughout my 2 months living and working in Madrid, I absolutely fell in love with the city. The culture, food, social scene, and environment was unmatched. Thanks to Absolute, I met some of my best friends while abroad. I am so lucky to have found such an amazing group of people to share this experience with including our program coordinators who were the BEST. On top of my actual internship which gave me so many great connections, I truly built a life in Madrid during my time there. This summer has been the best of my life, I gained so many friendships, learned so much about myself, and experienced places and memories that will last a lifetime.

I was definitely nervous before going abroad, but AIFS made the whole process so easy. They set you up with everything you need beforehand, and continue to support you throughout your entire time abroad. On my first day in Prague, I met our two program leaders, who are both locals and somehow knew everything about the city. They gave me so many great recommendations throughout my time there, helped me whenever I had questions about navigating life in Prague, and constantly checked in to see how my internship was going and if I needed anything. One of my favorite parts of the experience was getting to explore Prague and other nearby countries with the other students in the program. We became so close and made so many memories together. AIFS also planned activities throughout the summer that I never would have thought to do on my own, including pottery painting, a jazz concert, a theatre performance, group dinners, water activities, and even a weekend trip to a town in the Czech countryside. These experiences were such a huge part of what made the summer so special. I felt like I was actually living in Prague rather than just visiting as a tourist. Our program leaders showed us the local spots, introduced us to different parts of Czech culture, and helped us experience the city in a way we probably never would have been able to on our own. Professionally, I was also really happy with my internship placement as a marketing intern. It was a great fit for the skills I wanted to strengthen and the goals I had going into the summer. I learned what it’s like to work in a different country, communicate across cultures, adapt to different workplace norms, and build professional relationships outside of my immediate team. Between making lifelong friendships, connecting with people at my internship, exploring Prague and surrounding countries, and constantly trying new things, this summer pushed me outside of my comfort zone in the best way. I came home more confident, independent, adaptable, and grateful for all of the people and experiences that made this summer so unforgettable. I would choose this experience a million times over. ❤️

The internship experience in Barcelona was absolutely amazing both in the office and out of the office. Our local host Isabel was amazing when getting us acclimated to the city, as well as providing reccomendations and ensuring our safety. On top of that, her community events that she planned for our group were so much fun whether it was a day trip to the beach, going to dinner, or attractions like park guell. The internship on the other hand was a great work experience, and I learned so much about working abroad.

Beyond Academy responded to this reviewAugust 21, 2026

Thank you so much for the amazing review, Bryce! We’re so glad to hear that you had such a positive experience both inside and outside of your internship during your time in Barcelona. It’s especially lovely to hear how much you appreciated Isabel and all of the support, recommendations and activities she provided throughout your program. From beach days and dinners to exploring some of Barcelona’s must-see spots, it sounds like you really made the most of your time in the city! We’re also so happy to hear that your internship gave you valuable professional experience and the opportunity to learn more about working abroad. We loved having you as part of our Barcelona community and hope you’re leaving with plenty of new skills, friendships and amazing memories from your summer!

I had a great time in Berlin! I got to experience living on my own for the first time in a brand new city. Learn how to use public transportation, save money, take care of myself, and learn new things from my internship.

Beyond Academy responded to this reviewAugust 21, 2026

Thank you so much for sharing your experience, Madison! We’re so glad to hear that your time in Berlin gave you the opportunity to develop both professionally and personally while gaining practical experience in marketing and analytics. We loved having you as part of our Berlin community and hope the skills, lessons and experiences from your summer abroad continue to support you throughout your studies and future career. Wishing you all the best with whatever comes next!

This internship was truly eye-opening. It was my first time in a real workplace, and it pushed me completely out of my comfort zone — from the language barrier to adapting to a professional environment for the first time. I got to apply finance in a hands-on way that no classroom could ever teach, working on real projects with real businesses. Beyond the technical skills, I learned so much about myself: how I handle pressure, how I show up professionally, and just how seriously I take my work when it matters. It was challenging in the best way, and it genuinely shaped how I see my future career path. If I could do it all over again, I would in a heartbeat.

This internship was truly eye-opening. It was my first time in a real workplace, and it pushed me completely out of my comfort zone — from the language barrier to adapting to a professional environment for the first time. I got to apply finance in a hands-on way that no classroom could ever teach, working on real projects with real businesses. Beyond the technical skills, I learned so much about myself: how I handle pressure, how I show up professionally, and just how seriously I take my work when it matters. It was challenging in the best way, and it genuinely shaped how I see my future career path. If I could do it all over again, I would in a heartbeat.

This internship was truly eye-opening. It was my first time in a real workplace, and it pushed me completely out of my comfort zone — from the language barrier to adapting to a professional environment for the first time. I got to apply finance in a hands-on way that no classroom could ever teach, working on real projects with real businesses. Beyond the technical skills, I learned so much about myself: how I handle pressure, how I show up professionally, and just how seriously I take my work when it matters. It was challenging in the best way, and it genuinely shaped how I see my future career path. If I could do it all over again, I would in a heartbeat.

I had the opportunity to participate in a study abroad with Arizona State University and Absolute Internship. We spent our time in Portugal exploring different parts of the country and learning about it's deep history and global impact. It was an experience I would love to live again and has inspired a desire to explore more parts of the world!

Absolutely loved being abroad. Sai was wonderful and supportive (academics, visa, financial, etc) the whole way through. My living situation was nearly perfect, the location was relevant and local. Viva activities were great. Staff was exceptional.

My time in Spain was surprising, to say the least. When I first got to my company, there were only two people on site. This was mainly because of the difference in starting times depending on the employee. My coworkers were very culturally diverse. Some coming from the Netherlands, some from various parts of Latin America, and a Filipina woman who was raised in Spain. All very lovely people. But the work culture surprised me as it was very lax and the coworkers were very kind. I was able to make friends with my absolute peers and go out around the city exploring the culture and practicing our Spanish. Barcelona was beautiful but surprising in the way of how the pride the people feel for their home reminds me of Puerto Rico.