Absolute Internship

Absolute Internship Reviews

Alekzondra
5/5
Yes, I recommend this program

Interning in Barcelona

I had an absolutely transformative experience in Barcelona that I wouldn't trade for the world. I built such a large amount of skillsets from my host company that I will take with me in the future. This program made interning in a completely foreign environment feel safe, supported, and so much fun! The close friendships I made from the program are also some that will last a lifetime and I was so lucky to be grouped with such amazing people. Housing accommodations were very nice, allowing for close access to larger parts of the city and a large amount of wonderful amenities. Overall I loved my time with Absolute, my host company, and my new friends in beautiful Barcelona.

What is your advice to future travelers on this program?
I would say that future travelers on this program should go out exploring as much as possible! While 8 weeks seems like a lot (depending on the length of your program), time flies by in a blink so make sure to do anything and everything you can think of. That can come in the form of venturing to a popular location, going to a cafe, trying new food, etc.!
Pros
  • Personal and professional growth
  • Meeting so many new people (both in the office and out) that have made a positive impact on my life
  • Independence given to solo travel and live in an entirely new place safely and supported
What other participants should know
  • Not having AC in working environments was difficult at times
  • Having enough time outside of work hours to venture around the city
Jason
5/5
Yes, I recommend this program

once in a lifetime experience

i absolutely loved my time interning abroad in barcelona! the whole process from being accepted into the program and leading up to my departure to spain was seamless and extremely helpful to know what to expect and what steps to take to be as prepared as possible. the absolute staff are wonderful and communication with them was very easy! the living accommodations in barcelona were great and so was the social scene! i loved being fully immersed in a new culture and environment 5000 miles away from home. the internship itself was also great, with many learning opportunities to apply classroom material in real world scenarios. i also met a ton of wonderful people in the program and also locals who i'm sure i'll know for the rest of my life. i'd gladly recommend this program to other students!!

What was the most unfamiliar thing you ate?
barcelona is right on the mediterranean coast, so a lot of their diet is rich in seafood. growing up, i never really ate seafood like that, so i really got out of my comfort zone here when my supervisor would take my coworker and i out for lunch and he would introduce us to typical meals that locals eat there. some foods included different kinds of fish like bacalao, sardines (which i was always scared of), calamari, octopus, etc. if it wasn't for our boss, i don't think i would've ever gone out of my way to try these foods, but i'm glad i did!
Pros
  • several professional and personal growth opportunities
  • made tons of new friendships and connections
  • got to see and experience a new part of the world
What other participants should know
  • there was mold in the ac vents in our living accommodations so a lot of us were constantly sick :(
  • the heat/humidity was insane, was not prepared for that at all and i was coming from oregon weather
Andrea
5/5
Yes, I recommend this program

Barcelona, 12 weeks

Spending 12 weeks in Spain through Absolute Internship was one of the most impactful experiences of my life. I gained meaningful professional experience, learned from professionals who became role models to me, and discovered new areas of business that I want to pursue in my career. Beyond work, living in Spain exposed me to a different culture and way of life, and pushed me outside of my comfort zone. I left with a clearer sense of what I want professionally, a greater appreciation for experiences outside of my familiar environment, and a much broader understanding of what is possible for my future.

Alice Lavinia
5/5
Yes, I recommend this program

An unforgettable internship experience in Tokyo

My internship in Tokyo was an amazing experience, both professionally and personally. I had the opportunity to work in an international environment with French and Japanese colleagues, which helped me improve my communication skills and learn how to adapt to different cultures and ways of working.
During my internship, I worked mainly on business development and marketing activities, including market and competitor research and supporting projects related to potential clients and business opportunities. This allowed me to develop my critical thinking, research and professional communication skills while gaining practical experience in an international business environment.
Living in Tokyo for two months was also an incredible opportunity. I was able to discover Japanese culture, travel around Japan and become much more independent and confident. It was sometimes challenging to adapt to such a different environment, but that was also one of the most valuable parts of the experience.

Overall, I am very grateful for this opportunity and I would definitely recommend an internship abroad in Tokyo to anyone who wants to grow professionally, experience a completely different culture and step outside their comfort zone

What was the most unfamiliar thing you ate?
The most unfamiliar part of my experience was adapting to a completely different working and cultural environment in Japan. It was my first time working in such an international setting, with colleagues from different countries and cultures. At first, adapting to different ways of communicating and working was challenging, but it quickly became one of the most valuable parts of my experience. It helped me become more independent, adaptable and confident, both professionally and personally.
Pros
  • International work environment
  • Living and working in Tokyo
  • Personal and professional growth
What other participants should know
  • The experience went by too quickly
Kayla
5/5
Yes, I recommend this program

My Business Development Internship in Lisbon, Portugal with Absolute Internship

My business development internship in Lisbon, Portugal, with Absolute Internship was an incredible experience that let me apply everything I'd learned in university to real business settings, from client outreach to strategy discussions. Beyond the professional growth, I fell in love with exploring Lisbon and traveling to other parts of Portugal, all alongside the amazing friends I made through the program. Absolute Internship did a great job balancing meaningful work experience with the chance to genuinely live and explore a new country. I came back with more confidence, real-world business skills, and friendships I'll carry with me long after the program ended. I'd highly recommend this program to anyone considering an internship abroad.

Matilde
5/5
Yes, I recommend this program

My Absolute Internship Experience in Stockholm

Spending two months in Stockholm with Absolute Internship turned out to be one of the best decisions I've made for my career. What stood out immediately was how carefully the placement team listened to what I actually wanted — not just any internship, but one that genuinely matched my skills and goals. And they delivered: the company I ended up working with was the perfect fit, giving me real responsibilities and hands-on experience from day one.

I owe a huge thank you to my coordinators, Moa, Anna, and Kofi. Whatever I needed, whenever I needed it, they were there — quick to respond, genuinely invested in making sure things went smoothly, and always willing to go the extra mile. That kind of support made settling into a new city and a new job so much less stressful than I expected.

Beyond the work itself, Stockholm as a city gave me so much: a new culture, a new way of life, and a chance to build friendships with interns from completely different backgrounds through the events and activities the program put together.

Looking back, this internship didn't just add a line to my resume — it gave me real skills, real confidence, and a real taste of what working internationally feels like. If you're considering doing something similar, I highly recommend Absolute Internship and an international experience like mine.

What is your advice to future travelers on this program?
Make the most out of it and try to go out of your comfort zone!
Pros
  • Constant support from PCs, always ready to help with anything, work-related or logistical.
  • The placement team genuinely understood your skills and goals, resulting in a near-perfect fit.
  • networking events and cultural Activities that connect you with interns from all over the world, not just work colleagues.
What other participants should know
  • Participation fees (plus Stockholm's cost of living) can be steep.
  • Two months goes by fast; just as you settle into the role, the experience is already wrapping up.
  • The quality of the internship depends heavily on the specific company you're placed with, so it's not guaranteed to be the same for everyone.
Michele
4/5
Yes, I recommend this program

Knowing Swedish Culture

My two-month experience with Absolute Internship in Stockholm was truly transformative. From the very beginning, the placement team took the time to understand my background and career goals, matching me with a company where I could gain meaningful, hands-on professional experience rather than just routine tasks.

Living and working in Stockholm was an incredible opportunity. The on-site support was excellent, ensuring a smooth transition into both the workplace and daily life in Sweden. Beyond the internship itself, the program organized great networking events and cultural activities that allowed me to connect with fellow interns from all over the world.

This experience significantly boosted my resume, helped me develop key industry skills, and gave me firsthand insight into an international work culture. I highly recommend Absolute Internship to any student or young professional looking to accelerate their career abroad.

Emma
5/5
Yes, I recommend this program

Shanghai Intern with Absolute Internship

Absolute Internship gave me an incredible opportunity this summer. For the first time, I was able to visit China and complete an eight week internship abroad in Shanghai. It was an incredible time where I was able to put past skills to use, all while gaining new ones. Additionally, Absolute had structured a great program with a strong balance of planned activities and free weekends to explore the city on one's own. Absolute hosted several day trips and two weekend trips, all with chaperones and busses that drove us to our locations. They planned activities for us, got our train tickets, and essentially made sure all we had to do was show up. It was amazing not to have to worry about details all while getting to see new places. One thing I absolutely loved was the housing Absolute chose to put my program in - we were in an apartment with our own rooms. Being able to come home after a long day at work to an empty room was incredible. I don't know if I would have been able to finish the program as happy as I did if I had to share a room the entire time, knowing I would've been incredibly burnt-out the entire time. It definitely wasn't the 'best' part of the internship, but it made it much better.

What was the most nerve-racking moment and how did you overcome it?
The most nerve-racking moment for me was taking the first metro ride to my work. My commute was over an hour, and I had to take the metro and then a bus. My Chinese is maybe the level of a toddler's, so I was double checking my map app every 5 seconds making sure I was headed in the right direction. A tip would be to (a day or two before your internship) take a trial run to see realistically how long the commute would be. Doing this helped prepare me for when I actually had to go to work.
Pros
  • Being able to visit China for the first time
  • Learning about the design process from a professional point of view
  • Being able to build my resume
What other participants should know
  • I wasn't able to work on my language skills as much as I'd like
  • It was expensive, and having to spend money every day began to wore me down
  • Very tiring and long days
sandra
5/5
Yes, I recommend this program

best internship experience ever!

Working as a marketing and business development intern at a open innovation company based in Lisbon was one of the most rewarding and best experiences of my life. Absolute Internship was amazing in connecting you with a great host company, taking care of finding great accommodations as well as taking our internship group on beautiful day and weekend trips to Lagos, Ericeira, Porto, and Sintra (I did the 8-week internship program).
Portugal itself is one of the most beautiful places ever with a beaches, city-life, nature and just overall amazing balance.

What was the most unfamiliar thing you ate?
Coming into this experience, I was pretty neutral about fish like tuna and sardines, I didnt have it much, but after leaving Portugal I can now confidently say I love fish and am actually more of a pescatarian nowadays.
Pros
  • Safe and easy to get around for english speakers
  • welcoming culture, vibrant social life
  • Great for Business careers
What other participants should know
  • not a lot of mexican food
  • lot of walking, hills
  • Not everyone speaks english
Angelika
5/5
Yes, I recommend this program

Amazing experience that expanded my skills and confidence

My internship with Absolute Internship in Shanghai was an incredibly valuable experience that helped me grow both personally and professionally. I worked in a dynamic environment where I supported event logistics, venue research, communication tasks, and day‑to‑day operations. The placement allowed me to develop stronger organisational skills, improve my communication, and gain confidence working in an international setting.
Living and working abroad pushed me outside my comfort zone in the best way. I met amazing people, explored a new culture, and learned how to adapt quickly in a fast‑paced work environment. The support from Absolute Internship was consistent, and the experience helped me build a clearer sense of direction for my career. I left feeling more independent, capable, and motivated.

What was the most surprising thing you saw or did?
One of the most surprising moments of my internship was discovering how advanced and accessible robotics are in China. During our venue research, I suddenly found myself surrounded by different types of robots - from a robot dog trotting around the exhibition hall to autonomous delivery robots navigating the space. I wasn’t expecting to interact with so many futuristic machines in one day, and it made the whole experience feel like stepping into a sci‑fi movie. It was a moment that genuinely made me stop and think, “Wow, this is the future happening right in front of me.”
Pros
  • Incredible cultural immersion
  • Supportive program staff who were available when needed
  • Met amazing people and expanded my global network