Beyond Academy

Program Reviews

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Cole
5/5
Yes, I recommend this program

Tokyo internship

This is great for someone who wants business experience in Tokyo but doesn’t know how or where to start. They pair you with a good company. I learned a lot about working in Japan. There are a lot of great events. My favorite was the mount Fuji day trip. Communication was also excellent! Made many friends and memories. My internship was the right amount of working to learning ratio. I knew almost zero Japanese before coming and I felt very although it would have been helpful at times you only need to know the basics. I would recommend visiting Japan before taking this opportunity however as there is a learning curve.

What is your advice to future travelers on this program?
Take advantage of all the events you won’t regret it.
Pros
  • Great communication
  • The people are very kind and helpful
Cons
  • Needs to apply months before internship takes place
  • Helps to know Japanese
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Kyle
5/5
Yes, I recommend this program

Once in a Lifetime Experience!

One day I was just scrolling around Instagram and then suddenly I came across an ad from Beyond Academy. It sparked my interest because I wanted to get an internship to boost up my resume & also explore Japan as well. So I went through the process & eventually I landed an internship in Tokyo. When I first landed in Haneda Airport for the first time, it felt so surreal to me because going to Japan has been my dream for a while & now it finally came true. My internship experience was really amazing, the office I worked at was great & I made friends with my fellow co-workers. My boss was also super goated as well, he would usually provide snacks for us & even treated dinner for us one day. I also made some good friends with the other interns through the many events in this program & made a ton of memories in Tokyo that I'll cherish forever. If you're reading this review right now, I definitely recommend signing up for this program if you're interested in doing an internship in Japan. Sure, the trip will cost a lot of money depending on how long you stay but both the internship & exploring what Japan has to offer will definitely be worth the money & the experience at the same time.

What is your advice to future travelers on this program?
I definitely recommend future interns to buy a sim or esim card if possible before landing in Japan. Sure, I was able to get by Tokyo & somehow not get lost once with just free wifi but it's way more convenient if you have a sim card. Also, please try to get a Suica or Pasmo card asap when you arrive at the airport, these are cards that will help you get through gates at train stations and they're basically a necessity to have in Tokyo, because you will definitely use the train everyday whether that would be for work or traveling. I had to buy train tickets for my first week & it got kinda annoying quick. It didn't take until over a week for me to finally get a Suica card (at one of the exits in Shinjuku or Tokyo Station I think?). There are also mobile apps that you can download on your phone and you can scan your phone at the gates to get by, though this only works for iPhone users.
Pros
  • Commuting is pretty convenient around here, doesn't take that long wherever you want to go.
  • There are conveince stores & also vending machines everywhere if you're feeling either hungry or thirsty.
  • There is just so so so much stuff to do in Tokyo & there's always something for everyone with Shibuya & Akihabara being the top cities I visited the most.
Cons
  • For some reason, trash cans are oddly rare in Japan but this is because the country is pretty clean. Still, sometimes I have to store my trash in my backpack or tote bag until I finally find a trash can somewhere or when I get back home.
  • This is just a nitpick, but I don't like how train stations are windy, I lost one of my straw hats because of that. Oh, & trains can definitely be crowded at times, especially during rush hour.
  • The trip just went by super fast, wish I could stay here forever ;((((
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Scarlett
5/5
Yes, I recommend this program

Beyond Academy in Amsterdam

I had a great experience with Beyond Academy in Amsterdam! I enjoyed the internship they helped me find, and I liked the people I met. My group leader (Brooklyn) was also very helpful. She was great at responding, gave some great suggestions for around Amsterdam, and was super fun to be around! I met some great people who had a lot of the same interests as me. Exploring Amsterdam was also amazing, this city was great to be a solo traveler, and I saw some amazing museums and other tourist attractions. Overall I had an extremely positive experience.

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Emilia
5/5
Yes, I recommend this program

Fashion Internship in Seoul

Going abroad for an internship sounds as exciting as it is terrifying, but BeyondAcademy and its team helped to completely dissipate any fears I had. Staying in a city as big and as culturally significant as Seoul, I was terrified at first of everything, be that getting around, communicating with others, respecting social norms I may not be aware of, or any other fears someone new to a country might face. Thankfully, BeyondAcademy’s Seoul community was so warm, inviting, and helpful, I never hesitated to ask for help or clarification. Welcoming me with gifts to help me settle in, occasionally checking up in between the busy days of work, and of course the thoughtfully organized weekly activities were just some of the factors that made me feel not so alone. Getting to experience a fashion internship in Seoul, which was nothing but exhilarating, would not have been the wonderful experience that it was, without the kind community and its coordinators around me.

If you did this all over again, what's one thing you would change?
I would not be so scared to go and explore on my own at first! I was definitely pushed outside my comfort zone being so far away from my home, but I feel I didn’t push myself far enough and thus wasn’t able to experience all that my city offered. So next time I would definitely make it a goal of mine to prepare better, be braver, and make time to see and experience more.
Pros
  • Experiencing a completely new culture
  • Learning important skills for my career
  • Building a new community in a foreign country
Cons
  • Homesickness
  • Tiring and long days
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Allison
4/5
Yes, I recommend this program

Learning and Living in London

Living in London for two months was an absolutely incredible experience! From meeting people from all over the globe to experiencing the city’s history, I learned so much and explored so many amazing places. There was always something to do! For anyone who will be in London for the first time, I have two words for you: afternoon tea. Do it. Multiple times. It is divine.
As far as my internship goes, I was living in Greenwich and working in Battersea. Opposite sides of London, but one thing you’ll learn quickly in London is that every trip, no matter what, will be at least an hour long. But I loved it. I got to read a ton during the commute, I was walking at least 3 miles every day, and I met up with so many people from all over the world for dinner and other events. Some I met through Beyond Academy, others I met while working or going to places and talking to random people I thought were interesting — a strategy I highly recommend. Overall, it was an amazing experience and I am so grateful for the two months I had in London.

What is your advice to future travelers on this program?
1) Get Citymapper to help you get around London — it is a lifesaver!
2) Budget a little extra for transportation. The trains add up quickly! Use Citymapper to find the cheapest routes.
3) Go to places alone and try new things! You’re in a new city with so many new experiences. It can get a little overwhelming. So put yourself out there a bit and meet people! There are a LOT of people solo traveling or visiting London right alongside you.
4) The second week will be the hardest (at least it was for me). I started getting homesick, I was exhausted from the abundance of new experiences, and I got lost on the tube. Biggest advice here is to take a deep breath and know you’ll get through it.
5) Groceries are super cheap. Definitely enjoy the multiple cuisines that London offers, but save your budget a bit by cooking at home.
Pros
  • Gained friends from around the world
  • Stepped out of my comfort zone and grew from it
  • Learned from the people I met at my internship
Cons
  • High transportation costs
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Bethany
4/5
Yes, I recommend this program

Review

I did a 6 month internship through beyond and I felt like I got a lot out of it. I feel like it is more beneficial if you go for a longer period of time because you get to experience more while you are in Seoul. I really enjoyed all the activities that were planned. Also, my internship was enjoyable and I learned a lot from it over the 6 months. It is was a bit hard to adjust at first, but after a couple of weeks or so I found myself becoming more comfortable especially with the rush hour subway journeys to and from work.

What was the most unfamiliar thing you ate?
The army stew was quite interesting to eat. It is quite literally just broth with random things thrown in. The one we had included mini sausages, beans, cabbage, pak choi, spam and ramen noddles. It was so random but it tasted great.
Pros
  • Get to learn about Korean work culture
  • Experience new foods
  • Be able to see the sights during the events
Cons
  • Sometimes things were a bit rushed
  • Some available accommodation is a bit uncomfortable
  • N/a
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Daniela
5/5
Yes, I recommend this program

Expensive, but absolutely worth it!

When I first stumbled upon Beyond Academy and the possibility to do an internship abroad, I definetely thought it was a scam - but I was proven wrong! Although the program fees are not peanuts and I would prefer to have more transparency on what the fees are used on, I am so happy with how the program went! Twice a week all of the lovely coordinators did their best to plan social events to explore Seoul, although some of the planned activities where a little too stressful with too places you needed to visit (for example the Hanbok event) or places closing soon (DDP Design Plaza). But most of the time the days are planned well and it was a great way to catch up with the other interns in the programm, so you feel integrated and not alone in a new environment.
As for my internship company - I really learned a lot in my field of video editing and social media! Obviously there were ups and downs within the time being in the intern company, but for me it was a great opportunity to improve my resume and portfolio! For reference I did 3 months and for me it was the perfect length to have enough time to learn and integrate more into the company.
So I would definetely recommend doing this experience if you have some savings, want to improve your resume and explore a new city!

Pros
  • Improving my resume and portfolio
  • Regular activities to explore the city and meet other interns
  • You are not alone in an unfamiliar city
Cons
  • Expensive Programm Fees
  • Some companies are lying with their promises to the interns
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Nicole
5/5
Yes, I recommend this program

Beyond experience

I had an excellent time and thoroughly enjoyed the Beyond Academy activities. My favourite was definitely going to Cambridge, kind of wish there were more out of London trips too. Also really enjoyed the pub quiz activity and game night. The community coordinators were extremely fun and very nice and supportive. However I do wish there were more career building/advice activities or lessons. For example maybe meeting with industry professionals or one on one coaching with an industry professional.

What is your advice to future travelers on this program?
Go for as many Beyond activities as you can!
Pros
  • Good community
  • Good activities
  • Amazing community coordinators
Cons
  • Went by quick
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Bela
5/5
Yes, I recommend this program

Tokyo Internship

I did a six month internship in Tokyo and it was one of the best experiences of my life. It was incredible to be able to work and explore in Tokyo. I was able to build up experience for my resume while immersing myself in a different culture, meeting different people, and seeing so many amazing sights. There are varying options for industries to intern in and places to spend the internship. I was also able to improve my language skills however it was not necessary for the workspace. There were also community activities to participate in almost every week and it’s easy to meet other interns. I highly recommend this to students who want to build their resume while traveling a new place.

What is your advice to future travelers on this program?
Try to do as much as possible. Don’t be afraid to try new things or travel.
Pros
  • Unique work experience
  • Networking oppurtunities
  • Travel opportunities
Cons
  • Language barriers in daily life
  • Accommodations are random and can be poor quality
  • Communication with coordinators could be better
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Catrin
5/5
Yes, I recommend this program

Barcelona Internship Experience ❤️

I had a memorable, valuable, and worthwhile experience with Beyond Academy 🚀

My internship consisted of me learning new skills in 3D modeling software with a startup company. My colleagues were very friendly and supportive!

I feel very grateful and blessed to have made lifelong friends at my accommodation (a co-working and co-living space) and created memories that I will always cherish!

Being the only intern on the programme, on a personal level I enjoyed it very much given the fact I tend to struggle in groups! So it was a lovely experience to have 1 to 1 cultural and social activities with my community co-ordinator, Letícia. I also attended a few language exchange meetings and salsa classes in my spare time in order to meet others who could help me with my Spanish and to immerse myself fully into the culture!

Letícia is a wonderful human being who I've enjoyed getting to know over these last few months! She is a very organised, considerate and empathic, individual and if I ever needed any advice with my internship experience or emotional support, I felt very comfortable with her.

All in all! A truly rewarding, exciting and valuable experience 🚀 I am glad I chose Barcelona! ❤️