Dear Danielle, my name is Henry and I’m currently in my junior year of college. Most of my friends are going abroad next semester, so I find myself facing FOMO, or the fear of missing out. I really want to see the world while building my resume with internship experience. What can I do with a psychology degree?
Hi Henry, thanks so much for reaching out about where to do an internship abroad as a psychology major. The good thing for you is that psychology is pretty universal, and a field that benefits from intercultural exchange and cross-cultural understanding. Doing an international internship in psychology is a great way to make you stand out among other psychology graduates in the job market. Here are a few destinations and types of internships for psychology majors abroad.
Colombia is the perfect destination for interns who are eager to dive into the medical side of psychology. Interns with an intermediate level of Spanish may be able to visit hospitals and other medical facilities, though Spanish is not a requirement. Colombia is unique, because very few other destinations abroad will allow interns to get as much hands on experience. If your level of Spanish is limited, you can do a research internship instead. Colombia is a great place for international interns because the weather is beautiful, the food is fresh, and the people and culture are very welcoming.
If you’re looking to learn more about the importance that psychology plays in business, Madrid is a good choice for you. Psychology majors who are eager to experience Spain can dabble in quite a few sectors of a company, including business, marketing, and HR. Businesses actually love when interns have a background in psychology because this can help them meet their goals with both internal and external communication strategies. Madrid is a great city for international interns who after work hours can enjoy tapas, attend a soccer game on the weekend, or travel to a nearby city in Europe.
Individuals who want to make an impact on the local community should apply for psychology internships in Dublin. Whether it’s working at an NGO, or crossing Psychology with Public Health, an internship in Ireland is a great way for you to get experience in your field overseas. This is also a great option for people eager to build their international networks, because by doing an internship with an NGO, you walk away with so many valuable connections from the local community. Dublin is great for interns who want to experience a smaller European city, build close relationships, and enjoy outdoor weekend adventures.
Hong Kong is a great option for interns who want to put their psychology skills to use in a business setting. Similarly to Madrid, psychology majors who want to go to Hong Kong can gain internship experience in the business, marketing, or HR departments at a company. With global communications more important now than ever, a psychology internship in an Asian country with such a strong economy is a great way to make you stand out. Outside of your internship, you can explore the lively city with fellow international interns, go on beautiful weekend hikes, and dare devils can even go to the world’s tallest bungy jump at Macau Tower.
Interns who are eager to experience a different culture while building their resume with psychology experience should look no further than Shanghai. It’s no secret that China is one of the biggest economies in the world, and a psychology internship at a business in Shanghai can help you learn why. Similarly to Madrid and Hong Kong, Shanghai is a great place for interns looking to gain HR and business related psychology internship experience abroad. After hours you can try all sorts of amazing street food, take a quick weekend trip to the Great Wall, all while building your international networks.
Photos
1. The Intern Group Colombia Instagram
2. The Intern Group Madrid Instagram
3. The Intern Group Dublin Instagram