5 reasons to intern abroad, according to a student from England

07 Aug 5 reasons to intern abroad, according to a student from England

In the summer of 2025, Jessica Hargreaves, a student at the University of Liverpool in England, embarked on a Public Relations internship that changed her life. It was all the way in Barcelona and lasted four weeks, through a program facilitated by an internship abroad provider, Absolute Internship.

As she wrapped up her time in the city, Jessica took time to reflect on her experience and listed five reasons why students like her should also consider internships abroad. Let’s dive into each one of them!

You can try new activities

Trying new things isn’t something you can only do when you’re abroad. We know that. But there’s something about being in an unfamiliar place, surrounded by unfamiliar faces, that just makes people feel more comfortable to do things they normally wouldn’t.

For Jessica, Barcelona gave her the space to be more active, from playing beach volleyball and getting competitive during a “Sports Night,” to running with Anna Archer, a British fitness influencer who organizes run clubs all over the world.

“[Absolute Internship’s staff] encouraged our sports activities, even getting involved the majority of the time.”

You get to explore a new city and culture

Along with trying new things, an internship abroad also introduces you to a whole new city and culture.

There’s always something new and exciting around the corner: dishes you’ve never tried or activities you’ve never done, like cooking paella. You also get to visit places you’ve only seen online, such as the incredible La Sagrada Família, which Jessica explored during a scavenger hunt as part of her international internship program.

“[The scavenger hunt] was a great way to meet my fellow interns whilst getting lost in the city of Barcelona.”

“This experience has been an insightful introduction into the Spanish work culture and has allowed me to understand a dynamic and multicultural environment,” Jessica confirmed.

You gain invaluable work experience

While the traveling aspect of an internship abroad is an exciting perk, the main event is the internship itself. With industries and workplaces becoming increasingly global, having the knowledge and skills to navigate multicultural spaces has become crucial among students. This is where international internships come in.

“Your CV will thank you; international experience stands out.”

At her internship with tech consulting company @Fundació KIMbcn, Jessica was able to apply her skills in real-world projects, like creating presentations for events. The extra challenge was that they were for a demographic she was still getting to know, pushing her cross-cultural communication skills more than ever.

“This month grew my confidence, independence, and developed my knowledge into practical skills,” she shared shortly after her internship.

You meet people from all over the world

Since Jessica took part in a structured internship abroad program, she didn’t go through all of it on her own. She had fellow international students in Barcelona who were experiencing the same things as her, from adjusting during their first few days to having lunch together even on work days.

“An unforgettable experience with the most amazing people!”

Living and working abroad is such a unique thing to go through together, and it creates some of the most solid friendships between international students.

When asked what the highlight of her experience was, Jessica wrote about the people she met: “The people I made friends with made the experience 100% better.”

Your life will forever be changed

Finally, a global internship will transform your life in ways you may or may not expect, both professionally and personally. In Jessica’s case, her time abroad showed her a path she never considered before.

“I discovered how much I value international experience and working in new environments. That experience played a big role in motivating me to pursue another global opportunity.

“I would like to thank the team at Absolute [Internship] for the support whenever needed and the organised events throughout my stay.”

In her LinkedIn bio, Jessica described herself as a driven individual actively looking for opportunities, challenges, and projects that will advance her career. Her Barcelona internship was exactly that and more. It allowed her to get to know herself better and showed the things she didn’t know she was capable of. She rated it a 10 out of 10.

Still, this is just the beginning of Jessica’s global career. And we can’t be more excited to see where she takes it from here!

Come intern abroad with Absolute Internship! We provide internships with top companies across Europe and Asia, spanning various industries from Public Relations to Information Technology.

Our programs include a guaranteed internship, student housing, 24/7 onsite support, cultural activities and trips, a pre-departure orientation, and access to a network of international students and alumni.
Your international career is waiting. Send us a message, and we’ll help you get started.