The Best Cities to Find an Internship Abroad in 2025

Interning abroad is growing in popularity – and for a good reason. Early on in your career, earning relevant international work experience will help you to expand your network, gain experience in global markets, and become adaptable in various work environments. Aside from the career benefits, interning abroad also allows you to travel and live in a new country, potentially picking up a new language and new international friends along the way.

Choosing a destination that fits your goals and circumstances is key to finding the perfect internship. Below are 10 cities that are among the best places to do an internship in 2025!

💰 Average monthly cost of living: $2,000-$2,500 USD
📝 Visa requirements: Temporary Work – Government Authorised Exchange visa
🗣️ Language: English

London is a leading global capital in arts, education, entertainment, finance, and media and is one of the most visited cities in Europe. As one of the most culturally diverse cities on the planet with an estimated 270 nationalities and 300 languages spoken, London is a perfect destination for a prospective intern with wanderlust. Although you’ll be based in England, you’ll readily make friends from around the world and work in a truly global setting, bolstering your multicultural skill set.

The London metropolitan area is the largest in Europe and is a true economic epicenter. With a GDP of nearly $1 trillion, the opportunity for career advancement with companies large and small is nearly infinite. Additionally, English speakers won’t have to navigate a language barrier, making it easier to integrate into a job.

England is consistently one of the most wish-listed internship destinations here at Go Overseas. Luckily, we have tons of great program providers, like Beyond Academy, that organize immersive internships in various fields across London and help you with things like visas and housing.

Read more: 8 Tips to Land a Paid Internship in London

💰 Average monthly cost of living: $1,600-$2,000 USD
📝 Visa requirements: Business Visa (F-visa)
🗣️ Language: Chinese

One of the fastest developing cities in the world and China’s largest city, Shanghai is ideal for prospective interns who want to fling themselves into the modern heart of one of the richest cultures in the world.

According to the World Travel & Tourism Council, Shanghai, a city with over 35 million inhabitants, consistently has the best-performing tourism industry globally. The city combines a futuristic skyline in the Pudong district with culturally historical landmarks and has one of the most innovative transportation systems on the planet.

While there is a language barrier for those who don’t speak Chinese, many international organizations have headquarters in Shanghai and offer English-speaking internships. Additionally, adapting to a bilingual business environment will help set you apart even further in the eyes of many employers.

Read more: How Much Does it Cost to Intern Abroad in China?

💰 Average monthly cost of living: $1,300-$1,700 USD
📝 Visa requirements: Student Visa or an Authorization of Residence for professional Internships
🗣️ Language: Spanish

Madrid, Spain’s capital city, is home to expansive boulevards, elegant architecture, and masterful works of art. Additionally, Madrid is one of the finance and education centers of Europe, home to 17 universities and 30 research centers.

For prospective interns who are also learning Spanish, the relatively low prevalence of English across Spain makes it a great destination if you want to be required to work in your second language. Although the language barrier presents additional challenges in the work environment, being immersed in the language and culture will enhance the benefits of your internship.

If you don’t speak Spanish or how low proficiency, there are indeed plenty of opportunities for English speakers as well.

Read more: All You Need to Know About Work Culture as a Teacher in Spain

💰 Average monthly cost of living: $2,000-$2,500 USD
📝 Visa requirements: Working holiday visa

Australia is one of the most desirable destinations for international travel, with hundreds of thousands of expats living and working in its many beautiful cities. Home to many of the largest Australian companies, Sydney is the country’s business center. It hosts around 60% of Australia’s tech companies and over 75% of Australia’s banking headquarters, making it the best city in Australia to pursue an internship.

The work culture in Australia is another desirable aspect of interning there. Workplaces are typically casual, with humor being an important aspect of communication both on and off the clock. That said, don’t mistake a fun-loving culture for a lack of productivity. Australians work very hard and tend to have a team-oriented approach.

Read more: What You Need to Know About the Australia Working Holiday Visa

💰 Average monthly cost of living: $2,800-$3,700 USD
📝 Visa requirements: J-1 visa

While New York City is renowned for being the world’s financial capital, the city has far more diversity in terms of industry. With a vibrant art and theater scene, those pursuing an internship in the arts or fashion will find countless opportunities with global leaders.

Completing an internship in New York is bound to make any resume stand out. The fast-paced and highly competitive business environment and multicultural populous will make your professional experience in New York challenging and highly rewarding. Additionally, during an internship in New York, the networking opportunities you’ll have will be second to none.

Read more: The Complete Guide to Internships Abroad in the United States

💰 Average monthly cost of living: $1,700-$2,000 USD
📝 Visa requirements: General visa
🗣️ Language: Japanese

Tokyo is a massive cultural destination in one of the world’s most influential countries. Japan is one of the most important global economic forces – especially in automobile manufacturing, electronic goods, and high-tech industries.

While your work experience will be world-class, an internship in Tokyo will certainly challenge you. The work culture in Japan is taken very seriously, and no matter the industry, there will be high expectations for your quality of work.

There are many international companies and diplomatic missions headquartered in Tokyo. Expats commonly live in the central areas of Minato-ku and Shibuya-ku. While knowing Japanese is a huge benefit for internship seekers, Tokyo is a genuinely international city, and there are opportunities for English-only speakers, often centered in these areas.

Whether you find an English-speaking or Japanese-speaking internship, expect to be immersed, delighted, and challenged while interning in Tokyo.

Read more: How to Get a Job in Japan

💰 Average cost of living: $1,800-$2,000 USD
📝 Visa requirements: Student Trainee visa
🗣️ Language: French

Paris, the capital of France, has been one of Europe’s leading centers of fashion, the arts, and science since the 17th century and still makes up a third of the GDP of France, and second in all of Europe, only to London.

The Parisian economy is principally driven by commerce and services, but its heart is driven by the arts and fashion. Ideally, for students of French and lovers of culture, Paris is not only an economic powerhouse but also a romantic backdrop for personal exploration and creative expansion.

Finding an internship in France can be highly competitive, although speaking French is a significant advantage.

Read more: All You Need to Know About Internships Abroad in France

💰 Average cost of living: $1,500-$1,900 USD
📝 Visa requirements: Study or internship training visa

With a low cost of living and bustling culture, Florence is a fantastic city for an internship abroad. As a small, walkable city, travelers can easily navigate through the city center quickly and safely. While Rome is considered the economic center of Italy, Florence is the capital of culture.

Florence has a long history of economic development spanning throughout the medieval and Renaissance periods and still going on to this day. While historic workshops still produce leather goods, jewelry, and art, Florence is now also home to many large, multinational corporations. With many historic buildings, there is significant architectural restoration in Florence, attracting those interested in architecture and design.

Read more: What to Know Before Learning Italian in Italy

💰 Average cost of living: $2,200-$2,800 USD
📝 Visa requirements: Unpaid internship visa (short-stay C visa) or Internship Employment Permit
🗣️ Language: English

The Irish give hospitality a good name, with Dublin garnering a reputation for its friendliness and welcoming nature. Between its reputation as an economic hub, rich history, and engaging nightlife, interns will join millions of yearly tourists in falling for Ireland.

The hospitality sector in Ireland benefits from a special reduced tax rate to support the thriving industry. This provides even more opportunities for companies in Dublin to expand, also increasing access to internships. Working in the hospitality industry in Dublin is a great way to form an international community and gain global work experience.

💰 Average cost of living: $1,800-$2,300 USD
📝 Visa requirements: D-4 visa for professional training
🗣️ Language: Korean

As one of the world’s largest cities and a cultural and business powerhouse globally, Seoul is an incredible city to pursue an internship abroad. Home to companies like Hyundai and Samsung, Korea has a thriving economy relevant on the world stage. Additionally, Korea is a powerful player in the geopolitical landscape and a close ally of the US.

The US embassy, UN, and the Seoul Metropolitan Government all have internship programs in Seoul designed to provide young adults with highly relevant professional and public service experience.

Read more: 10 Cheapest Countries to Live in and Work

Popular internship provider IES Abroad conducted an alumni survey that found that 75% of students with an international internship found work within 2 months of graduating.

Here are some other proven benefits of completing an international internship:

• Grow your confidence and independence
• Expand your international professional network
• Gain new language skills and cultural insight
• Understand your field from a global perspective

To maximize the professional benefits of your international internship, don’t forget to put it front and center on your resume!

The most important decision about your international internship is deciding where to go. After all, this destination will begin to shape your professional trajectory so it’s a critical investment of your time and energy.

• Select a location that welcomes international workers: You don’t want to get your heart set on a location that doesn’t accept interns with your passport (or makes the visa process extremely difficult).
• Focus on your field: Ultimately, your chosen internship location should help you gain hands-on experience in your desired field! Go where your industry is celebrated and where you’ll experience the most growth.
• Consider what languages are spoken: if English is the only language you know, doing an internship in a country where it isn’t widely spoken may be a challenge for you. Make sure you pick a location where a massive language barrier won’t derail your productivity.

Pursuing an internship abroad in any of our top recommended cities worldwide will leave you with more than just a great-looking resume. You’ll walk away a more independent, mature person with countless memories you’ll cherish forever. Where will you go?

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