Program Reviews

Honestly one of the best decisions I’ve made during my college career. I went into it not knowing what to expect, and left the program a different and better person. I was able to grow both professionally and personally through my internship as well as through meeting so many new people! Exposing oneself to a different culture is something I believe everyone should do as it really broadens horizons. This program offers so many locations so there is a plethora of experiences to choose from. I wouldn’t trade this experience for anything!!!

My time in Barcelona was really a dream come true. From the culture, food, language, and customs I learned so much. The architecture of various places such as Catalunya, Tibidabo, and La Sagrada Familia was stunning, to say the least. Not only that but the historical elements of this city were truly fascinating. I knew immediately that I could see myself living in Barcelona in the future. For my internship, I worked for a non-profit organization called APSOCECAT who serves the deaf-blind community. My job was to research how dance can improve the lives of deafblind people and strategies and methodologies for introducing it to them. Upon completion of this research, I felt so accomplished. I was able to come up with a strategy for introducing my passion of dance to a new community. It was a truly humbling experience.
Outside of the office, I spent my time soaking up the Barcelona sun, visiting different places and artifacts and of course trying their cuisine. In more ways than one, Barcelona reminded me of my home, New York. They had an active nightlife and you could find a plethora of food options- from sushi and ramen to burritos and burgers, I fell in love with the city more and more every day. The Absolute Program gave me a tribe of people from various countries and states. I have made some great friendships that have continued even after leaving Barcelona. This is an experience that I will remember forever!

Participating in this program was one of the best career decisions of my life. The program does a great job of ensuring career development and success. You are able to experience another culture and explore all the amenities it has to offer while pursuing your career endeavors with help and support throughout the way.

From networking experiences to panels, from cultural excursions to discussions, the program provides you with the opportunities to expand your career development. I would definitely recommend it to anyone seeking challenge and adventure.

Throughout my experience, I have gained career and personal growth. I have also developed life long connections. The program does a great job of providing participants with a well-rounded experience.

I had an unforgettable experience interning in Barcelona and could not recommend it more. I gained not only valuable work experience, but I was able to completely immerse myself in a different culture. During the program, you are able to attend workshops that help you develop your resume and reflect on your work experience. These workshops were a great step in helping participants achieve and conceptualize their desired career path. Not only that, but small, optional trips were organized on the weekends. These trips were a wonderful way to further explore the culture of the place that I interned in. All the people that I met through the Absolute Internship program were incredibly driven and inspiring. This created a wonderful learning environment that I will not forget!

I loved the experience and I loved everything we were able to do. I would recommend it to anyone that wants an experience abroad and is not afraid of meeting new people and getting to do new things. It is also a perfect way of building up your CV and spending the holidays if you don’t have anything else planned. The best part about the entire experience is that you are never alone. You get to meet a lot of people that are in your same position and as such you get to not only make new friends but also go and have new adventure together. If you are afraid that you might not get alone with your roommate or other people don’t be, because the Absolute Internship coordinator and there to help you with anything, and I really mean ANYTHING, even something that one might think stupid.

The Lisbon trip was honestly a great experience for me.

The city in general is a great place if you're someone who is worried that they will feel out of place in a foreign country, because it's so diverse and plenty of people speak English and Spanish. It has a rich culture which you feel when you're there whilst also having a good nightlife and buzzing tourist atmosphere. Whether you're a European like me or someone from another continent, Lisbon is a great place to live for a short period of time, with relatively low prices and plenty of things to see if you are a bit of a traveller (plus there's beaches nearby - the temperatures are above 30 degrees celsius in summer).

Absolute Internship (AI) were quick to resolve any issues I had during the 6 weeks I was in Lisbon and always made it clear that they wanted to help improve my experience in any way I could, albeit both their advice on how to make the most of the trip and their communication prior to me coming to Lisbon wasn't great. When I applied for the program around January-time, the person from AI who was finding me a job was at times slow to respond to my emails but did make a clear effort to find me an internship that suited what I wanted to get out of my experience (any job in marketing). I had secured the job by the end of February and AI's payment scheme meant that I only paid the total amount once I'd secured the right internship for me. When I'd arrived in Lisbon, the AI coordinator taking us was very quick at responding to my messages, and I was repeatedly reassured that if there were any issues I had with any aspect of the course, I should let the coordinator know as soon as possible, which was helpful.

As someone who was concerned about whether this company were legit or not (and if I'd just paid a large sum of money to a bunch of scammers), I was relieved to find early on that they were as legit as I'd hoped, and most of the others on the course had found AI through their universities, which was also reassuring. I was satisfied with the quality of AI's care and support, although I know that there were others that were unsatisfied with some responses to their more serious issues (e.g. they really didn't want to continue with their internships but AI couldn't find them another one).

I was the only Brit and European on my course, with the others coming from North America, South East Asia and the Middle East - they were all a great group of people and we did quite a few activities together, which was nice. The social side of this trip was great and although it was a bit lonely to start with, as expected, I'm really good friends with many of the people I met on this course - no need to worry about whether you'll make friends or not!

Overall I would highly recommend the Lisbon trip! As someone who has been on a poorly run internship scheme before, AI definitely offered a professional internship scheme that I'm grateful I went on and was worth the money in my opinion.

Where shall I start?....I have always dreamed of interning abroad so when this opportunity came along I couldn’t refuse. Once I arrived in Lisbon I must say it was quite different than being in America, and took me a little time to get accumulated to what would be my new life for six weeks. However, my coordinator Aiste did a great job at making me feel right at home, along with the other amazing members in my group. I really loved the trips and events that Absoulte Internship organized for us, it allowed us to experience the culture, traditions, and learn the history of Portugal overall. To anyone who is considering interning abroad “DO IT”,your life will never be the same. Remember your dreams are worth investing in, so why not start now!

Lisbon was an amazing experience. I was nervous to be over seas for 6 weeks at first but the people and city made me feel right at home. You learn new things everyday at your internship and have wonderful experiences along the way. Absolute also always has cool events planed. I would highly recommend taking this opportunity! This opportunity is great for adventuring and learning and simply seeing more of the world and experiencing other cultures. There are millions of things to do in Lisbon so you can never get bored. Also, at your internship you will learn many new things if you apply yourself and ask to push your limitations. If you do this, your employer will certainly help you achieve that next step. Remember, this is the best time in life to make mistakes, as an intern.

I'm doing an internship in Tokyo this year in Graphic Design and I can say with 110% surety that this is a total waste of money.

AI physically lied on there marketing about what is included and what is not, to name a few: breakfast, laundry etc. They also catch you by saying that transport and data being included and once you arrive they mention that it is only included for the first month.

They have no communication between co-workers and we were left stranded for the company visits because program coordinators are incapable of answering their phones.

Also, note that when a time and place is arranged for a meet-up they will leave without you and not communicate where they're going so you'll be stranded at night with nowhere to go. Without providing you with a top-up as promised

When I requested a refund I was told that to receive a refund YOU SHOULD APPLY FOR ONE 12 WEEKS BEFORE THE PROGRAM STARTS. Oh yes, they literally take your money and give you a slap-dash to pacify you.

In terms of work, they promise a life-changing event: this is not the case. They just pair you with anyone that DOES NOT match your CV.

I can list a million other things that they false advertise. Like once you complain they send you a policy saying that they cannot be held responsible for any information on their website!

Just don't do it, it's a total waste of money and absolute basically steal your money and they don't care if your happy or not.

When I complained about the level of service and the product not being as advertised I was responded with a "thank you for your feedback". The program is a total scam!! It's not a coincidence that you can't find any bad reviews. They blocked my roommate from all social because of her reviews. They also deleted all her negative reviews.

I had an extraordinary time in Singapore with my fellow students and the Absolute staff. Carol and Nina were excellent in our transition and I always looked forward to seeing them throughout the trip. Very friendly, helpful and were amazing to be around. The lodging throughout Malaysia and Singapore was top notch and could not have asked to stay in finer hotels.

Absolute placed me into my internship right off the bat and it was a perfect fit for what I was looking for. I learned many countless skills while abroad. Everyone in their college career should have an opportunity to study abroad or at least go abroad. This is an opportunity of a lifetime and to get the confidence of working in a foreign environment will help me moving forward. I am so glad I was able to go on this trip as it has impacted my views and skills greatly. I wish I could go back right now with my group to experience it all again.