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Absolute Internship

Why choose Absolute Internship?

Absolute Internship is an award-winning global internship program. We offer students the opportunity to broaden their professional and social network whilst gaining invaluable skills in their industry of choice. Since our inception in 2009 we have matched over 5,000 students with 800+ corporate partners in world-class cities including Barcelona, Beijing, Hong Kong, Madrid, Paris, Lisbon, London, Shanghai, Singapore, Stockholm and Tokyo. We are regularly featured in The New York Times, BBC News, Forbes Magazine, Financial Times, and Bloomberg as a worldwide leader for internship programs.

Reviews

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Molly
5/5
Yes, I recommend this program

An Amazingly Insightful Adventure

Visiting Seoul in June with Absolute Internship was my first experience on a university programme abroad. I was apprehensive at first as it was my first time going so far away by myself, but I must say it was well worth it. I made so many friends from all around the world, got to experience traditional work culture within a Korean company, and go on amazing trips outside of Seoul as well. As a Korean/French language student, it was good to see what prospects could await me once I have finished my degree. The workshops also helped me gain some valuable experience in improving my working portfolio on sites such as LinkedIn, so I feel ready to take on an international career should I choose to in the future. 10/10 would recommend!

What was the most nerve-racking moment and how did you overcome it?
I would say the first nerve-wracking moment would be actually going to work for the first time. I am very much a planning person, but not necessarily knowing what to expect threw me off a little. Those fears were completely overturned by an amazing host company; I was paired amazingly well and we were all able to bounce off each other and become very good friends!
Pros
  • Meeting amazing people from different walks of life
  • Experiencing both the traditional and modern side of South Korea
  • Beating the Mario Kart master once on our lunch break!
Cons
  • It was very far from home; those who get homesick easily need to brace themselves
  • Its not for shy people - you need to put yourself out there and help people make friends with you by being equally friendly
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Sophie
5/5
Yes, I recommend this program

I had the most amazing summer because of Absolute Internship!

From the application process to our time in Lisbon, the Absolute staff was extremely helpful and supportive. One unique aspect that stood out to me about this program was how focused and personalized the internship placement process is to your career interests. The housing, trips, and program activities are extremely well-planned. Some of the things I did in Lisbon included a pastel de nata baking class, a fado show, and a Portuguese play. Our trips included going to Sintra, Porto, Cascais, and Ericeira. Lastly, my program coordinator (shout out to Marta) was beyond dedicated to showing us Portugal. My 2 months wouldn't have been the same without her!

What was the most unfamiliar thing you ate?
I tried snails and octopus for the first time in Lisbon. I loved them both!
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Andrea
5/5
Yes, I recommend this program

My Experience With Absolute Internship

I participated in the 2 month long intern abroad program in Paris during the summer of 2022 and had an incredible time. I was paired with a company doing marketing, which was my preferred area of work. I learned a lot about the different work culture and gained experience that will be valuable as I start my career back home. My program coordinator, Aurore, was an incredible resource throughout! She offered me guidance as I navigated a new and big city and worked for a new employer. I am so grateful to her for her kindness and support. She truly elevated my entire experience!

What is your advice to future travelers on this program?
My advice would be to take advantage of the opportunity and really explore the city fully. I loved walking around an area and seeing things that the locals do as opposed to sticking with the tourist attractions. Those are great to see too but you can observe so much more about the new culture and the way of life by exploring areas away from commercialized and touristy areas that are filled with people from America and the same as what you see back home.
Pros
  • Support is always available
  • Work experience that stands out
  • Expands your world view
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Momo
5/5
Yes, I recommend this program

An incredible personal and professional growth opportunity.

Interning with Absolute was an investment that I did not expect to have such a big impact on me. It was my first solo endeavor abroad, living in my own terms, and working for a company full-time. The housing staff were amazing and I was able to get to know the city via locals on full 3 hour chats at the front desk. The Absolute Internship team were incredibly helpful from the start; since our first meeting to know more of my area to my positioning in a company, the job interview and on-site, the care the team shows to you in hopes of you having a wonderful experience is immense. Working on-site with the film production company was also amazing, getting to see their processes first hand and being involved in recordings, post-production and even having lunch with the co-workers. Living in Madrid was also incredible, it’s a vibrant and safe city in which you are able to explore many great historic places, eateries and meet great people. This program also allowed me to further enrich my résumé, also being able to meet my co-workers after the program ended back in my hometown to attend a film festival and getting to meet new film directors afterwards. It’s an investment that keeps on giving, as long as you just say ‘yes’ and take the plunge.

What was your funniest moment?
On our way back from our day trip in Barcelona, me and my friends were so tired that we ended up laughing non-stop for the better part of our trip at the dumbest things ever, further enriching our friendship and creating fond memories that i still laugh at today.
Pros
  • Getting immersed in a new culture.
  • Possibility of continuing your job relationships after the program ends.
  • Personal growth and resilience.
Cons
  • Unpaid program.
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Samantha
5/5
Yes, I recommend this program

Amazing experience!!!

My internship in Tokyo was an amazing opportunity. I got to experience so many things that I wouldn't have been able to if I had just visited on my own, and I got to experience them with a group of people from all over the world! My program activities were much more in depth than I could have ever imagined (we even stayed at a fancy hotel with a spa, all included in the price)! I was so impressed by the housing as well, and it felt like an apartment for the summer with everyone in the program. My internship itself was a great experience, and they even hired me on to work as a paid intern remotely for the year. It was a bit tough finding one that worked out for my preferences in the beginning, but the Absolute staff was very accommodating and got me the in-person position that I was wanting. I highly recommend, Japan was incredible!

What was the most nerve-racking moment and how did you overcome it?
It was pretty scary to navigate the train system by myself for the first time, but we had gone once as a group before and I was able to figure it out from there. It also helps that I became proficient in Japanese before going, but plenty of people in the group weren't fluent and still did fine!
Pros
  • New food
  • Group activities
  • Great resume builder
Cons
  • Being away from family
  • A bit hard to get financial aid
  • My program came to an end eventually ):

Programs

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Alumni Interviews

These are in-depth Q&A sessions with verified alumni.

Why did you choose this program?

I decided to apply for an internship with Absolute Internship because I really wanted to undergo an internship abroad and, after doing a lot of research, Absolute Internship was highly recommended from various reliable sources.

I decided to undergo a Law internship, as I am currently staying Law at my 3-year Univeristy, and I really wanted to do an internship abroad.

What did your program provider (or university) assist you with, and what did you have to organize on your own?

I personally had to organise the entire trip by my self. However, thankfully, the amazing people working at Absolute Internship helped me with everything. Especially when it came to VISA applications and the hotel and transportation, they literally did everything for me. For this, I am very grateful, as they really made the entire experience stress free.

What is one piece of advice you'd give to someone going on your program?

One piece of advice that I would give is to go alone and not go with friends that you already know. By going alone, you get to meet many people and make amazing friendships. As such, if you go with a friend that you already know, you are less likely to step out of your comfort zone and make new friends.

What does an average day/week look like as a participant of this program?

When you undergo an internship abroad, there are no average days. Every day you do new and different things, by making every day exciting and amazing. You do, however, have a routine.

What my friend and I would do is wake up early, have breakfast together and then go to our internships; in the evening, after we finished working, we would all meet up. Every time we would do different things, in the afternoon, like go to the city or the beach, go shopping or go to a museum and so on. I honestly can’t wait to do it again!

Going into your experience abroad, what was your biggest fear, and how did you overcome it? How did your views on the issue change?

My biggest fear before going to Hong Kong was traveling alone. I often fly from the UK to Italy or other European countries, but I never traveled alone to literally the other side of the world. I was very nervous and scared, but thanks to the people working at Absolute Internship, I was able to overcome my fears.

They helped me arrange transportation from the airport in Hong Kong to the hotel, and they also sent me a link to search for a cheaper flight. As such, I felt way more comfortable.

If you could do this trip again, what would you change?

If I could go back in time, one thing that I would do differently during my internship in Hong Kong is applied for a two months internship in Hong Kong instead of one month.

After spending one month in Hong Kong, I felt that I did all of the things on my wish list. However, I enjoyed the experience so much, that I would have loved to stay more, especially since all of the friends that I made a life in different parts of the world, and I don’t know when I’ll be able to see them again.

Staff Interviews

These are in-depth Q&A sessions with program leaders.

Thuy Tran

Job Title
Operations Coordinator
Thuy works as Operations Coordinator at Absolute Internship.

Having the fortune to go aboard, to experience the academic and professional life in different cultures has broadened her mind in a way she could never have thought of. And so, she is now planing, organizing, and delivering international education and training opportunities to inspire and provide the same or even better experience for young minds who urge for exploration and growth.
Thuy Tran

Interview

What is your favorite travel memory?

During my 4 months working as Program Coordinator at Singapore, I had an amazing time exploring the city and go into deeper layers of the cultures and local's life here. It's a tiny country but full of surprises and a diverse mix of cultures. It has taught me a lot about how such a small nation could grow so fast and tremendously in the past 50 years

How have you changed/grown since working for your current company?

The opportunity to go out there, exploring different lands and interacting with different people simple opens my mind and eyes. I also realized a very important aspect and value of my job, what I am doing when seeing the significant changes the experience has brought to the student. It's very rewarding.

What is the best story you've heard from a return student?

I think it'd definitely be the transformation incurred within themselves after the programs. Some never traveled abroad, some never interact in a different language from their own and with the program, they were able to step out of their comfort zone, build a beautiful connections with fellow interns and local, and growth personally and professionally.

If you could go on any program that your company offers, which one would you choose and why?

Singapore since I lived the program and see so much growth within my elf but also in the students who came to this city. It's a well organized program that allows students to see and experience a different culture thoroughly.

In a short period of time, with a combination of professional experience (internship), excursion and local cultural activities, students are able to get a full immersion into the Singaporean life.

What makes your company unique? When were you especially proud of your team?

Absolute Intern ship is team of international people, with different backgrounds and cultures, and yet we come together with the sole purpose to create opportunities and bring changes.

I'm very proud of the team as every single action we are doing now, we're doing it with care and love and an urge to bring changes.

What do you believe to be the biggest factor in being a successful company?

I think it's the team who believe in what they do, the value and mission of the company. Everyone at Absolute Internship is very passionate about travelling and personal development and that helps us come together as the A team to build and run the programs and help students realize how much changes they could have for their life and others.

Professional Associations

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