An internship where every minute is a learning experience

21 Apr An internship where every minute is a learning experience

Some assume that an internship is simply spending a month or two serving coffee and taking notes during meetings. In reality, a well-structured internship can become one of the most transformative experiences in a student’s life.

Take @Avery Brickman as an example. This Public Relations student at the @University of Oregon spent her winter completing a 10-week international internship in Barcelona with @Flatwhite Studio: Design & Communications. From the very beginning, her experience showed how an internship abroad can turn every moment into an opportunity to learn, grow, and gain real-world experience.

During her time in Barcelona, she took on meaningful responsibilities, collaborated with professionals, and fully immersed herself in both her industry and a new culture. Experiences like this show what an internship can be when students are given the chance to step outside their comfort zone and make the most of every opportunity.

An internship that’s always on

During her internship, Avery shared regular updates on her LinkedIn and would often describe her program as “busy” and “rewarding.” In her first week, she had already made great progress and quickly became involved in Flatwhite Studio’s daily work. She sat in on team meetings, contributed to discussions, and helped with content strategy right away.

“It’s been an exciting introduction to PR and communications. I’ve already gained valuable insight into how creative ideas are developed and executed in an agency environment. I’m very grateful for a strong start!” she wrote in a LinkedIn post.

Alongside Avery’s own initiative, her host company made sure to create an experience filled with opportunities to learn. During her time at Flatwhite Studio, the team even organized a photoshoot within the length of her internship so she could gain exposure to that part of the creative process.

In addition to shoots and team meetings, she worked on a variety of tasks that helped her build real skills in the PR field, including:

• Supporting work for PR clients
• Managing social media accounts, including content creation, copywriting, and scheduling
• Designing proposals
• Coordinating potential shoot locations
• Gathering creative inspiration and references
• Creating scene concepts

Public relations is a fast-paced industry that covers many different areas, and Avery’s experience shows how an internship can give exposure to more than just one role. Instead of observing from the sidelines, she was able to participate in different parts of the creative process and see how ideas turn into real campaigns.

The perks of international exposure are limitless

Working internationally means stepping into a completely new environment where everything can feel strange at first. Over time, that unfamiliarity becomes one of the most valuable parts of the experience. Living in another country helps you become more aware, more adaptable, and more confident in situations you would not encounter at home.

“We told her European coffee breaks are longer,— she’s still processing that information,” @Sandra Kassubeck Navarro, Founder of Flatwhite Studio, joked. On a more serious note, she said:

“We love having people traveling to work with us! Not only do we learn from other cultures, but they also bring their own touch to Flatwhite Studio.”

Commuting abroad is a learning curve for sure!

Working at a company that welcomes international interns also means meeting people from all over the world. This creates an environment where collaboration naturally goes beyond work tasks. During her internship, Avery met two other interns from Brussels, Belgium. 

“Our only common language is Spanish, so I’ve been exercising that skill even further. I’m so grateful to be in a program that encourages collaboration and growth beyond my comfort zone,” she shared.

With fellow students in Absolute Internship’s winter program

Being part of an international workplace does not only mean adjusting to different ways of working. It also means learning how people communicate, socialize, and connect outside the office. And those everyday interactions become part of the learning experience, too.

The 5 to 9 of an international intern

No time is wasted during an internship abroad. The learning continues long after the workday ends.

Outside office hours, Avery had to get used to a new commute system in a new country. Her daily routine quickly became something special, with a train stop right in front of the beach. She could eat lunch by the water, walk past the ocean on her way home, and watch the sunset after work.

Just a regular day in Barcelona

Simple moments like grocery shopping, ordering coffee, or visiting museums became opportunities to understand the culture more deeply. Learning how things work in another country builds independence and confidence in ways that a classroom never can.

Outside of her host company, Avery also connected with other students in Barcelona who were part of the Absolute Internship program. Together, they spent weekends traveling, immersing in the local culture, and making the most of their time abroad.

An unforgettable weekend trip to Italy

“[Another] busy and rewarding week has come to a close and become a reminder that growth does not happen in one place. Between my internship and a weekend of travel, I have spent my time balancing a variety of professional and personal experiences,” she said.

Beating the rush of summer internships

While many students choose to intern during the summer, Avery decided to go abroad during the winter term.

Choosing an off-peak season does not mean fewer opportunities. In some cases, it can actually mean the opposite. With fewer interns in the city and in the workplace, there can be more room to take on responsibility and get involved in projects.

Spain is gorgeous in winter

Avery’s winter internship allowed her to experience Barcelona in a completely different way, with a calmer atmosphere and a more local perspective on the city. Spending the winter in Spain gave her a unique look at daily life that most summer travelers never see.

Enjoy some of the photos that Avery took during her winter internship:

The many ways an internship abroad can change your life

An international internship gives you experience in your field on a global scale. You learn how to work with people from different backgrounds, adapt to new environments, and understand how your industry operates in another part of the world. These are skills that can set you apart when starting your career.

But living in another country also teaches lessons that go beyond professional development. You learn how to be independent, how to adapt quickly, and how to feel comfortable in unfamiliar situations. From communicating in another language to understanding different cultural norms, every challenge becomes part of your growth.

“This experience has been made possible through Absolute Internship, whose support and structure have helped me transition smoothly into working abroad in Barcelona,” Avery wrote.

Interested in an international internship like Avery’s? Send us a message! Our programs are designed to help students grow in their careers while living and working in some of the most exciting cities in the world.