31 Aug The highs and lows of an internship abroad
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An internship abroad can be incredible and life-changing. But we’re going to be honest: it can also be a bit of a rollercoaster. From the pressure of finding an internship to the joy of securing one. The thrill of being in a new city and then the eventual homesickness. The constant switching between the frustration from making mistakes and the satisfaction from fixing them.ch
We know that makes a global internship sound intimidating, but we also know for a fact that most, if not all, international interns go through that journey. After matching countless students with companies all over the world, we’ve heard all sorts of stories. And today, we’re sharing with you @Abraham Johnston’s story.
Does his story have a happy ending? Let’s find out!
Abraham watching a football game in his internship host city, Barcelona
The challenge of finding an internship
Abraham hails from Ontario, Canada. He majored in Business Administration at @Brock College and hoped to pursue an international internship in the vibrant city of Barcelona. But that didn’t come easy. Finding the right internship is about more than simply securing one, after all.
At Absolute Internship, our goal is to match students with companies that align with their career goals, interests, and long-term aspirations. That careful approach meant taking the time to find an opportunity that was the right fit for Abraham, helping ensure he could make the most of his experience abroad.
“Absolute Internship did me right with this position, although it did take a few tries,” he commented.
The fulfillment in finding the right internship
Abraham’s patience paid off. In the fall of 2025, he flew to Barcelona for his Business Development internship with @Costa Este, a hospitality company with several restaurants and event places all over the country.
Abraham and his fellow students received an orientation by Absolute Internship upon arriving in Barcelona
Business development internships focus on helping companies grow. Abraham spent his first week learning about Costa Este, from its corporate processes to the exciting events it hosts across Spain. As he dived more into his internship, among his tasks were:
- Implementing Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP) modules across Costa Este’s businesses
- Assisting with process improvement projects
- Collaborating with business directors for inventory
- Working with the security team on safety reports
“A few months ago, what I’m doing today was just an idea, something I was hoping to make real. Now, it’s part of my story,” he said.
The obstacle that is making mistakes at work
No company expects interns to be perfect. Internships are tools for learning, and with learning comes making mistakes. Still, it’s hard not to feel a bit dismayed when things don’t go smoothly.
At his internship, Abraham had a few slip-ups. One of them even happened on a Monday. There were a couple of errors on his sales report, and his supervisor pointed it out. What a way to start the week!
But Abraham is the kind of person who sees mistakes as learning experiences. Recalling that story, he shares: “Fue duro pero continúe esforzándose y pude reparar y aprender la manera correcta de hacer las cosas.”
[It was tough, but I kept pushing myself so I was able to make repairs and learn the right way to do things.]
Paella cooking class, because learning isn’t limited to the office!
Because of his adaptability, his growth mindset, and the way he handled constructive criticism, Abraham was eventually entrusted with more tasks and opportunities to contribute.
“Progress doesn’t always feel like a breakthrough. Sometimes, it’s just the quiet consistency that moves you forward day by day. [I’m] grateful for how far I’ve come,” he reflected.
The rush of living in a new city
A global internship means you spend weeks or months in a city with unfamiliar places, food, social cues, and other norms. Depending on how you look at it, that change can be really exciting or particularly daunting. Can you guess how Abraham felt?
His internship program in Barcelona lasted eight weeks. The language was not much of an adjustment, as he already spoke Spanish fluently, but he still had to navigate his way around the city and its people. A learning curve doesn’t have to be a bad thing, though. And that’s exactly how Abraham saw it.
“I had an incredible time. I loved meeting other people with aspirations and getting comfortable in a city so far away.”
He kept an open mind, took in as much as he could, and did his best to make the most out of his stay. He did touristy things like cooking paella and checked items off his bucket list, including watching an FC Barcelona match. But he also made himself comfortable and welcomed slower days.
Here are some of the habits that Abraham practiced during his time in Spain:
- Go to the gym every morning
- Notice the little things and take it all in
- Explore new routes to work
- Build meaningful connections
- Reflect on and document his experiences
“I am feeling grateful for the past few months with Absolute Internship. Working abroad has taught me to adapt, be creative, and make the most of opportunities,” he expressed.
The best way to handle an internship abroad
Abraham may have seen his fair share of highs and lows throughout his international internship program, but the way he handled them made all the difference in his experience. He celebrated his wins aptly and chose to treat setbacks as opportunities for growth. By the end of it, he took with him invaluable insights for his career, and countless memories he will never forget.
“I have got the opportunity to live through many beautiful things, but they all came with patience,” he agreed.
It’s your turn to go on an unforgettable and life-changing internship abroad! Our programs cover various industries in top cities across Europe and Asia. Send us a message to get started.
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