RealStep

Joining the surf instructor course in Australia at 40 was an unexpected yet unforgettable life chapter. I found myself learning just as much from the younger crowd as they did from me. The camp’s atmosphere was all about kindness, no judgment, just people living in the moment. From early sunrise surf sessions with dolphins to deep late-night conversations, every day was filled with meaning. The training was intense but rewarding, and the instructors were passionate and supportive. I made lifelong friends, reconnected with nature, and came home with a fresh perspective. I’d go back in a heartbeat, no hesitation.

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Doing my surf instructor training in Australia was honestly one of the most incredible experiences of my life. Starting from zero made it all the more rewarding, every wave was a small victory. A typical day ? Waking up with the sun (and the tides), grabbing a quick breakfast, then heading straight into the ocean where stingrays might glide beneath you and dolphins often joined us for the sunset sessions. Lunches were fresh wraps on the beach, followed by lazy naps under the sun and fireside evenings with surf films, theory lessons, and chats over tea or beers. We lived in tipis or beachside cabins just a few steps from the water, a dreamlike setup. The instructors were incredibly passionate, not just about surfing, but also about the ocean and preserving the environment. Their support in and out of the water was unmatched. Beyond the surfing, this experience immersed me in a whole new world. I met inspiring people from all over the globe, improved my English dramatically, and fell in love with a lifestyle I didn’t know existed. It wasn’t just a course, it was a reset. Now, there’s a list of dream waves pinned in my room, and a whole new life mindset that came with them.

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Taking part in a nursing internship in India was a truly enriching experience, even through observation alone. It gave me the chance to better understand the Indian healthcare system, explore cultural differences in daily practices, and reflect on my own lifestyle and habits. Being immersed in such a different environment was both humbling and eye-opening. I learned to look at healthcare through a new lens and gained a deeper appreciation for cultural diversity in medical practice. I would definitely recommend this internship to anyone seeking more than just technical knowledge. It’s a story worth living, sharing, and growing from. RealStep also played a key role in making this possible by ensuring everything ran smoothly and supporting me throughout the journey.

During my veterinary internship in Malawi, I had the chance to be fully immersed in the daily care of a wide range of animals from administering medication and feeding, to assisting with clinical check-ups on monkeys under anesthesia. We also took part in necropsies to better understand causes of death, and even joined the vet team in the field for zebra relocation operations, aimed at increasing genetic diversity between reserves. It was an intense and eye-opening experience that gave me real insight into wildlife veterinary work and conservation challenges. Beyond the technical skills, I learned a lot about local practices and wildlife management strategies. The team was incredibly welcoming and made us feel supported from day one. I’d absolutely recommend this placement, the learning environment is exceptional, the tasks are meaningful, and the overall atmosphere is both warm and inspiring. RealStep was also a huge help throughout the preparation phase; they were always available and made the whole process smooth and reassuring

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I completed a nursing internship in Sri Lanka, where I was responsible for preparing treatments, taking blood samples, setting up IV lines, and doing wound dressings, among other tasks. This experience gave me a completely different perspective on patient care and helped me realize just how advanced the French healthcare system is. It was not only professionally enriching, but also a deeply personal eye-opener. I would absolutely recommend this internship. For me, it was a true life lesson. RealStep supported us throughout the entire experience, offering full guidance from start to finish

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I took part in the Nursing Project in Cambodia, where I had the chance to observe medical practices and perform technical procedures such as blood draws and blood gas analyses. This experience was incredibly enriching, I learned new ways to carry out clinical tasks and discovered a completely different culture by living with a welcoming Cambodian host family. I would highly recommend this mission to anyone curious about healthcare in a different part of the world. RealStep provided excellent support from beginning to end, which made the experience even more rewarding.

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I joined a construction project in the Rolpa district of Nepal, where I was tasked with designing a set of plans for an educational building. This experience was incredibly enriching, both personally and professionally: I gained new technical knowledge, improved my confidence in specific areas, and became much more comfortable speaking English. I would absolutely recommend this kind of internship — it’s a unique opportunity that everyone should experience at least once! You meet amazing people, and the local teams are extremely welcoming and do everything they can to make you feel at home. The local NGO was outstanding, and the Freepackers team was always responsive and helpful whenever I had questions.

I was tasked with designing schools in remote areas of Nepal, where there was a critical need for educational infrastructure due to lack of facilities and earthquake risks. I also helped with fundraising to support the construction and operation of these schools. It was a complete immersion—I spent 2.5 months as the only foreigner. I was warmly welcomed by a wonderful host family, which helped me learn the local language and deeply experience Nepalese culture. The experience taught me humility and gave me a better understanding of how societies work in other countries. The team was amazing, balancing professionalism with a family-like spirit. Facilities were great, meals were good, and life in Nepal is affordable—ideal for smaller budgets. The country is beautiful and this immersive experience also allowed for enriching sightseeing. Real Step quickly found me an internship (within days), and I appreciated their all-inclusive format, which made planning easy and allowed me to fully focus on the experience.

On-site, I had the opportunity to work on the design of two buildings: a computer lab and a community center. Besides the design part, I also supervised construction work at a monastery. This internship allowed me to see the direct impact of construction on local communities and actively contribute to useful, sustainable projects. This internship brought me a lot, both professionally and personally. I improved my English through daily interactions with the local team and other volunteers. On the technical side, I discovered new construction methods adapted to the resources and constraints of a developing country. I would also definitely recommend Real Step! The team supported me at every stage, from administrative steps to quickly and precisely answering my questions. Their guidance allowed me to leave with peace of mind and fully focus on my internship.

On a human level, this medical internship with an NGO was just incredible. Discovering a new culture and a new way of providing care is also very enriching. It forces us to set aside our lifestyle and habits in order to open ourselves up to others—and that is priceless! Taking care of children, monks, and visiting patients in their homes. It’s amazing to find yourself right in the middle of people’s lives—exactly what we were looking for. Regarding the trip itself… Everything. Honestly, we have a hard time naming anything negative! Thailand is a country where it’s extremely easy to adapt and live. The Thai people are welcoming and helpful. We definitely want to go back.

My role was the creation of plans for a boarding school and a teaching building. I was able to develop more open-mindedness, communication in English and Nepalese, meeting wonderful people, discovering a culture and a way of working different from France. It was the best experience of my life. The NGO and all the people working there were attentive. They allowed us to combine work with exploring the country, a freedom that not all organizations offer. Besides the projects we worked on, I will especially remember the people I worked with and interacted with.

I was in charge of designing and modeling a school building located in the Rolpa district of Nepal. This project allowed me to improve my English and broaden my knowledge by discovering new construction methods. I highly recommend this assignment; it was a very enjoyable one that allowed me to meet wonderful people and achieve something important to improve the quality of education for Rolpa's children. I recommend RealStep. I was very well guided toward the project that best met my expectations, and I received excellent support throughout the entire project.

My teaching internship was one of the best experiences I could've asked for. My first month in December was getting my TEFL certification/course and meeting other volunteers. I loved this part as it was a great way to meet people instantly and get accustomed to your new environment. Afterward, my NGO helped me get my accommodation, and I began teaching English. I loved the school I was placed in. The teachers and students were so welcoming and kind. Once March was over, it was time for the students to go on school break, which allowed me plenty of time to travel and explore Thailand. The culture is so rich, full of love, and undeniably incredible. I would do this project time and time again. RealStep helped me SO much in the beginning and helped me get accustomed to my NGO in Thailand. Both companies were amazing, and I couldn't have asked for a better support team.

My role involved working closely with nurses to provide patient support. This involved accompanying them through various medical procedures, including blood draws, infusions, and electrocardiograms (ECGs). In addition, I was also responsible for administering certain treatments, ensuring that patients received appropriate care and support throughout their medical journey. I spent 10 unique weeks in Nepal. I am extremely grateful to have been able to complete my first internship of my third-year nursing studies in a hospital in Kathmandu. This internship taught me a lot both professionally and personally. It was a unique experience in my career, an opportunity I am grateful to have had. Meeting such remarkable and touching people was very enriching. Furthermore, discovering breathtaking landscapes and experiencing unforgettable moments contributed to making this experience truly special for me.

Professional surf instructor training in Australia was a real-life lesson for me. At 40, I learned as much from 20-year-olds as I could have given them. You don't go to the other side of the world for no reason, but there, no one judges; everyone just wants to have a good time, and everyone adapts. Getting up at 4 a.m. to film the sunrise, surfing from 6 a.m. until sunset, is a privilege. This interlude in my life will undoubtedly be one of the indelible memories.

This internship gave me an opening to the world and a new perspective on our life in France. It also allowed me to refocus on myself, gain more confidence, enrich myself intellectually, and learn the adaptability and autonomy that this requires in my work and in my daily life. The travels, the landscapes, and the encounters! I had the opportunity to travel alone but also with other foreign and Argentinian students, to exchange perspectives and experiences in their countries and in Argentina. I saw incredible landscapes too! The accommodation was awesome! The family was really great and always very helpful and loving. The meals were very good too! This project was unforgetable.

This trip came at a time in my life when I deeply needed it. From a personal point of view, this trip made me grow. Finding yourself on the other side of the world in a country you don't know, people you don't know, a completely new language, and customs, can only make you grow. Responsibility, maturity, ambition. That's what this trip brought me. From a professional point of view, as a nursing student, this trip allowed me to measure how lucky we are in France to have access to care and the quality of care that it is despite these flaws. Adaptability and compassion are what Sri Lankan hospitals allowed me to adopt. If there is one thing this trip brought me, it is the fact of wanting to leave as soon as possible!!!

On a personal level, this project allowed me to feel useful within society and in the protection of endangered species, but also to meet people from all over the world and visit a region rich in biodiversity. Academically and professionally, I was able to acquire new knowledge in the field of marine biology and conservation (a field I would like to work in later) that will perhaps help me make a difference in my future applications/jobs. Real Step helped me in my internship search and considered all my requests. Their strong point is their close relationship with us, which facilitates and streamlines the application process, which is often quite long and complex in other organizations.

During my internship, I was able to carry out various tasks: Creating 2D and 3D plans for future construction projects. Preparing financing applications to present the various projects and obtain the necessary funding for their completion. Visiting construction sites in progress and inspecting existing structures. It was the most enriching experience of my life. Professionally, I was able to discover a new industry and new software. I traveled all over the country, meeting people with radically different lifestyles and always greeted with a warm welcome.

On-site, I was responsible for supervising the construction site and designing 2D and 3D plans for school buildings for schools in need. This mission required me to pay close attention to detail to create structures adapted to the specific needs of the schools in question, while ensuring efficient management of available resources. This internship provided me with a plethora of valuable lessons. First, I developed solid project management skills, particularly in team coordination and supervision. This experience enabled me to appreciate the significance of effective communication and collaboration in a professional setting.