Are creative internships abroad worth it?

06 Aug Are creative internships abroad worth it?

Creative careers can be competitive, which is why gaining real-world experience early can make all the difference. Whether you’re interested in graphic design, video production, or the arts, internships give you the chance to apply your skills, build your portfolio, and learn directly from industry professionals.

Just ask @Anna Miklyayeva, a BA Film student at the University of Essex in England, who flew to Lisbon last summer for her internship as a Production Assistant with animation studio @LisbonWorks.

Anna (top most) with fellow students in the internship abroad program

“This experience allowed me not only to develop practical skills within the animation and film industry, but also to gain a deep understanding of how post-production works from the inside,” she reflected after completing her internship.

Takeaways from a video production internship

Video production requires skills of all kinds, from technical ones to creative and soft skills. At LisbonWorks, Anna had the opportunity to hone plenty of them. Her tasks included:

• Video editing and sound adjustment – Combining her creativity, technical knowledge, and the use of industry tools
• Monitoring production schedules and deadlines – Sharpening her organizational and strategic planning skills
• Conducting final checks of sound and subtitles before TV delivery – Allowing her to apply her technical skills into real-world projects
• Facilitating communication between departments – Improving not just her communication skills, but cross-cultural collaboration

She got to support the company’s processes at all stages of production, giving her end-to-end exposure to what actually happens in animation studios.

“This [internship] significantly strengthened my ability to work within tight production timelines and helped me develop strong attention to detail, time management, and communication skills,” she recounted.

“I am grateful to the LisbonWorks team for this opportunity for professional growth.”

The perks of a creative internship in Lisbon

Some cities’ strengths are in finance, while others are in entrepreneurship. But when you’re talking about an international video production internship, you can’t go wrong with Lisbon, a city that thrives on creativity.

A hub for innovation

Lisbon is one of Western Europe’s rising innovation hubs. The city attracts talent and companies from all around the world, so there is an ever-growing transformation powered by a multicultural environment. This makes it a great place for creative spaces like startups and coworking spaces to thrive, and the perfect training ground for students pursuing creative careers.

Where creativity spans traditional and contemporary

Creativity can look like many different things. For Lisbon, it goes from its world-renowned hand-painted ceramic tiles called azulejos, to modern media production studios like LisbonWorks. Its creative culture spans centuries, and is seen as a key to the city’s booming economy. An internship in a city that’s all in on creativity? Yes, please.

An inspiring backdrop

It’s true that our environment influences our creativity, and when you’re surrounded by architecture that holds centuries of history and culture, it’s easy to find creative fuel. For interns like Anna, inspiration didn’t end after stepping outside the office. Because then, she was stepping into picturesque Lisbon streets that filled her with wonder.

“I really liked Lisbon. I really enjoyed [the] trips and activities.”

The best way to jumpstart an international creative career

In her LinkedIn bio, Anna mentioned that she’s “passionate about building a career in the media and marketing industries.” With both media and marketing being inherently global fields that cater to and communicate with diverse audiences, having international exposure while still in university gives her a great advantage.

Not only did her internship with LisbonWorks allow her to apply her knowledge in a professional setting, it also improved skills that, according to her, are “essential for working effectively in an international creative environment.” To add to that, she gained a more global perspective—both in and outside the office.

“I really enjoyed spending time with Absolute Internship and other students. [The staff] were taking us to great places and we had so much fun,” she shared, referring to the cultural activities and day trips that came with her internship abroad program.

Exploring Lisbon with her fellow international interns

It didn’t end with Lisbon, either. After her program with Absolute Internship, Anna proceeded with an opportunity to work as an Assistant Director in a commercial production studio in Almaty, Kazakhstan, showing just how much value she places in early international work experience for her creative career.

Interested in a global internship in creative industries such as Video Production, Arts, and Fashion? We can help you find them in thriving cities like Lisbon, Seoul, and Paris! Send us a message and let’s get you started on your international creative journey.