Best Countries to Intern Abroad

You've made the easy decision to do an internship abroad, but now you're faced with a hard task: deciding where in the world to go. Go Overseas is loaded with highly ranked internship programs filled with rave reviews from the interns who've done them. Narrowing down your choices can seem overwhelming when looking at the sheer number of options. We get it! To help you out, we've outlined the top countries to intern abroad.

Past interns have traditionally flocked to a handful of countries which can be a good starting point for checking out established programs. To get a little more specific though, we also cover popular countries by industry for those looking for the best place to get a foothold in their future career. Start your research here and be on your way to an exciting and valuable internship abroad!

Over the years, these countries have continued to land in our top five due to their popularity and internship offerings. Past interns have loved their experiences in these countries so much that it has been hard to knock them out of the running. Before moving on to our “best of” categories, let’s take a look at the overall top countries for interning abroad.

Great weather, low cost of living, and a laid-back, “no pasa nada” attitude. What’s not to love about Spain? Interns have consistently flocked to Spain for these reasons and more. However, it’s not to say that there isn’t hard work to be done. Despite the stereotypes that Spain is all sunshine and siestas, prospective interns can be sure they’ll dig into some serious work.

That being said though, Spain is a beautiful destination with terrain to suit every type of person. Mountains, beaches, plains, and deserts are all wrapped up in this one Mediterranean gem on the Iberian Peninsula. Although many interns end up in the capital Madrid, there are placements in other gorgeous and historic cities like Barcelona, Sevilla, and Valencia.

Popular for: A tourist hotspot, Spain is a great place for interns seeking experience in the hospitality industry. Business and finance are among the top choices as well.

Unlike Spain, interns probably wouldn’t say they chose England for the weather. But don’t let a little rain get you down: England is full of cozy corners that can fill the greyest day with warmth. Even in London, interns will have no trouble finding an inviting restaurant, pub, or cafe to kick back in after a long day at the office.

With no language barrier for proficient English speakers, England can be a less overwhelming prospect for interns who have little experience traveling or living abroad. Although English life has been widely portrayed in movies and TV, there are cultural differences to heed. The English tend to be less direct than other nationalities which is an important aspect to remember in the workplace.

Popular for: Interns find exciting opportunities within business, economics, and communications in London and beyond.

Japan is a land of tradition where seemingly simple things are done mindfully and with care. Tea ceremonies and the delicate art of sushi making show the gracefulness of Japanese culture. In terms of pop culture, Japan gave the world Nintendo and everything “kawaii”, or cute, like Hello Kitty and Sailor Moon.

The unlikely combination of things old and new makes this island truly a magical place. Interns will love Japan for its ancient heritage sites which coexist seamlessly alongside a modern and efficient infrastructure.

Popular for: Japan attracts interns studying finance, marketing and public relations, and the media.

Known as “the Land Down Under”, this large island in the Pacific Ocean is home to miles of beaches, the Great Barrier Reef, and diverse flora and fauna. Venture into the cities like Melbourne and Sydney though, and you’ll find a vivid and fast-paced business world. Whatever you fancy, internships in a variety of fields can be found across Australia.

Many Australians love sports and the outdoors so interns seeking an active lifestyle will feel right at home here. While the weather is diverse across the island, there are more than enough days of sun during the year to enjoy all of the exciting activities Australia has to offer.

Popular for: Interns enjoy a wide range of opportunities across marketing and public relations, environmental science, and technology.

As the world’s most populous country, it’s no surprise that opportunities abound for interns in China. Emerging as a world superpower, China is a manufacturing and export hub and is making a name for itself in the business and finance world. In recent years, China’s increase in the production of solar panels, turbines, and other clean energy technology is putting it on the map in the fight against climate change.

Culturally, China’s sheer size makes it a land of diversity for food, history, and even language. Travel outside the international cities of Beijing and Shanghai and you’ll find China alive with traditional villages undisturbed by the hustle and bustle of globalization. Hop on a train part of their high-speed rail system and explore this fascinating country outside of working hours.

Popular for: Technology, business, marketing, finance are a few of the sectors where China excels.

We've seen the best overall countries chosen consistently by interns but what about the countries that excel in individual fields? Chosen by the availability of programs in specific industries along with their respective ratings, these countries are good places to start to find internships in some of the top majors studied by students.

Students hoping to jump headfirst into the business and finance world will hit the ground running in England. Home to a plethora of multinational corporations you can intern with abroad, England also ranks highly in the financial sector.

London and New York City often spar for the top spot of the strongest world financial market. In 2020, Investopedia ranked London as second on their list of top three financial centers. With the Bank of England and the London Stock Exchange headquartered here, interns will have access to a robust financial education.

Business Runner-up: Germany

Germany has long been regarded as a strong world business and financial market making it a great choice for undergraduate business or MBA interns.

France is a tourist favorite. From the Arc de Triomphe and Eiffel Tower to the villages and wineries dotting the picturesque countryside, there are countless sights, sounds, and tastes to enjoy. Tourism internships can be found in Paris, the City of Lights, at major hotels and restaurants where participants will learn how to keep up in truly fast-paced atmospheres.

Outside of the capital, opportunities abound at ski resorts in the French Alps, wineries in Bordeaux, and seaside getaways in the French Riviera. Because English has become the default international language, interns with native or near-native proficiency will find their linguistic skills put to good use as they help guests from around the globe.

Tourism Runner-up: Thailand

Renowned for its spotless beaches and lush forests, Thailand's natural beauty attracts tourists from all over the world every year and provides interns with a fabulous backdrop in the hospitality and ecotourism sectors.

If conservation is your field of choice, look no further than South Africa for a meaningful internship experience. South Africa is committed to conservation with numerous national protected parks and wildlife preserves. Home to large populations of elephants and several critically endangered species, aspiring conservationists will find a lot to love about efforts to protect animals from poaching in places like Kruger National Park.

Conservation Runner-up: Peru

Peru hosts the second-largest portion of the Amazon Rainforest so many conservation activities are in practice to save this hugely important part of the world.

Italy is synonymous with creativity. The country’s long artistic history and reputation as a fashion powerhouse make it a no-brainer for interns seeking an introduction to the design field. Whether you want to create the next hottest runway looks in Milan or brush up on your graphic design skills in Florence, there’s an internship to give you a leg up in this competitive industry. Just look around you for inspiration -- Italy is bursting with beauty that will be sure to move any design intern.

Design Runner-up: Singapore

Named as an up-and-coming design capital of the world by Surface Magazine, Singapore is a great place for interns to experience a budding design scene in Southeast Asia.

Touting one of the best healthcare systems in Latin America, interns seeking practical experience in health and medicine will have a lot to learn in Costa Rica. Opportunities can be found for nursing, public health, and pre-med students to both shadow and work directly with patients in the field, depending on student qualifications. Interns will have the chance to make a real difference in the lives and health of Costa Ricans.

Helthcare Runner-up: Tanzania

Students interning in Tanzania can gain firsthand experience in areas with low medical resources and high patient need. Exposure to these underserved areas has the potential to make them stronger and more empathetic practitioners in their future careers.

Aspiring TEFL, or teaching English as a foreign language, teachers can find numerous programs to practice their skills in Vietnam. Students are friendly and generally very keen to learn English which is always a plus for teachers in training. While classrooms lacking the newest technology may sound like a downside to teaching in Vietnam, the opposite is true. Teacher interns operating in classrooms lacking tech will learn to be more resourceful and creative than they ever imagined.

Teaching Runner-up: China

China has a high demand for English as a Foreign Language (EFL) teachers. Interns could go on to secure a very lucrative career after becoming confident in Chinese classrooms.

Australia is an overall favorite and also a great place to pursue relevant work experience in marketing. Marketing internships are offered across several major cities allowing participants to get involved in national and international campaigns. Working in a country where English is the primary language will give interns the confidence they need to learn skills they can use in positions worldwide.

Runner up: India

According to the online marketing visibility management platform Semrush, India is among the top six countries to target for marketing. India's economy is growing by leaps and bounds and is filled with possible consumers that strategic marketing can reach. Prospective interns can learn a lot by going straight to the source!

Students seeking international work experience have a literal world of choice waiting for them. All around the world, international internships can be undertaken in the places where they're done best. Why not go to the source and intern abroad in the country of your dreams!

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