In today’s globalized world, interior designers need exposure to a wide range of styles and influences if they want to stand out and find success in the industry. One of the best ways to launch your career and impress future employers is by adding an international interior design internship to your resume. This will help you to stand out in this highly competitive design field and demonstrate that you can collaborate with people from diverse backgrounds. An AIFS Abroad internship will help you build the interior design skills you’ll need to get a position in the industry as you create unforgettable memories.
While you develop your interior design career as an intern abroad, you can travel the world, dive into new cultures, and expand your global perspective—what’s not to love about an international internship? At AIFS Abroad, we offer incredible internships in cities around the globe, but here’s our list of the top five destinations for international interior design internships.
Want to lay the groundwork for a successful career in interior design? Explore AIFS Abroad’s top 5 global cities for interior design internships!
1. Florence
As the birthplace of the Renaissance and a global capital for art and design, Florence is an excellent choice for aspiring interior design professionals. In this Italian city, you can find art and architectural influences everywhere, as well as both new and old design principles that continue to shape contemporary interior design. In addition to the bold architecture that stands in the city like the iconic Cathedral of Santa Maria del Fiore, there is also a subtler, but no less important, legacy of design in the quality craftsmanship that continues to thrive in the city. You can find traditional craftsmanship and innovative styles, along with a blend of the two—a modern take on the old. With an interior design internship in Florence, you’ll have firsthand exposure to local designers that are influenced by these old traditions and are using their new ideas to create contemporary designs that are transforming the field. Intern in Florence and you’ll receive unique interior design experience you can’t get anywhere else!
When you’re not building your interior design career, you can explore everything this city has to offer. You can indulge in Tuscan food and drink, hang out at a lively piazza, or visit one of the city’s world-renowned art museums. Thanks to Florence’s central location in Italy, you can easily discover the rest of the country—stay local and view the idyllic Tuscan landscapes or go beyond to Rome, Milan, Venice, or neighboring countries like France or Austria!
2. London
London is an incredibly diverse city where cultural influences from all around the world come to meet. For interior design interns, this means the opportunity to gain experience with a wide variety of design styles and broaden your design horizons. London’s interior design scene isn’t just diverse, it’s also known for its high standards and ground-breaking trends. With an interior design internship in London, you can get hands-on experience at a small or mid-sized interior design firm and learn firsthand how unique designs are actualized and implemented. You’ll have access to a wide variety of materials and can hone your skills in an environment filled with a wealth of styles and influences.
With an international internship in London, you’ll have plenty of time to explore the city and discover why so many people fall in love with London. You can visit London’s many neighborhoods and find a plethora of different cultures all residing in an English-speaking city. You can seek out famous sites like Big Ben, the Tower of London, and Buckingham Palace. Or travel beyond the city’s borders—the rest of England, the UK, and Europe are waiting for you to experience!
3. Barcelona
Barcelona is a major city in the world of interior design and beyond. Barcelona’s interior design landscape features unique Catalan influences, rich historical traditions, and contemporary principles. Traditional interior design in Barcelona is extremely recognizable and very popular, known for its eclectic and striking visuals, combining bold colors and inspiration from the natural world. With an interior design internship in Barcelona, you can put yourself in the center of a city known for its design heritage and relevance in modern society. Wherever you find yourself interning in this city, you’ll be sure to gain valuable experience, learning under the mentorship of true experts in the field, and gain an impressive addition to your resume that is sure to compel future employers to learn more about you.
In addition to its interior design opportunities, Barcelona is a world-renowned tourist destination for good reason. It’s bursting with culture to experience from a wide variety of musical traditions to delicious Catalan cuisine. The city is also famous for its exciting nightlife that can be enjoyed for many hours—it’s typical for clubs in Spain to stay open until around 6 am! After a busy day at your internship or a night out bonding with colleagues or new friends, you can spend your day off relaxing on one of Barcelona’s many beautiful beaches.
4. Dublin
Dublin is a metropolitan city that is brimming with opportunities for emerging interior design professionals. The city is home to a growing number of interior designers, and thanks to local universities offering interior design programs, Dublin is quickly becoming a well-known destination in the industry. Ireland’s capital is renowned for its creative influences—it’s been a center of literature, art, and music for centuries. Dublin is filled with design firms which offer the chance to gain real-world experience and advance your career. With an interior design internship in Dublin, you can flex your creative design muscles in a metropolitan community filled with professional and personal opportunities for growth.
When you get an interior design internship in Dublin, you’ll find the city provides so much more than just professional development opportunities. In Dublin, you can immerse yourself in Irish culture, experience the ancient history and storied architecture in the city, and blow off some steam by enjoying Dublin’s famous nightlife. Also, beyond the city’s borders the rest of Ireland is just waiting for you to see!
5. Madrid
When it comes to interning abroad for interior design, Madrid is a no-brainer. The capital of Spain is a global hub for art, design, and business, and it was (and is) the home of many world-famous artists like Pablo Picasso and Francisco de Goya. Today, their art, along with many others, resides within Madrid’s many museums. Of course, Madrid is also known for its famous architecture like the Palacio de Cibeles and Royal Palace, and it hosts a large number of talented interior designers and quality design firms. The city itself is a living example of various design influences. With an interior design internship in Madrid, you can learn about local and global design trends that are shaping the industry and explore a range of niches and responsibilities that will help you develop your career and position yourself for success. Get inspired and apply for an interior design internship in Madrid!
Madrid is replete with activities to do and cultural experiences to be had. As the capital and most populous city in Spain, Madrid is at the center of Spanish culture and history and a great place to hone your Spanish skills. It’s also the geographic center of the country, making it the perfect home-base for adventures when you’re not at your interior design internship—take day trips to natural areas like Sierra de Gredos Regional Park, visit other cities like Seville or Granada, or explore the picturesque countryside. With an interior design internship in Madrid, you can have it all!
Looking to impress employers with an international interior design internship? Connect with new cultures and develop your career simultaneously with AIFS Abroad!
An international interior design internship is an incredible way to gain hands-on experience while immersing yourself in diverse cultures across the globe. AIFS Abroad provides unparalleled opportunities for aspiring interior designers in some of the world’s most exciting cities. With inclusions such as housing, insurance, career readiness programming, excursions and activities, on-site staff, and emergency support, you’ll have a stress-free global education and professional development experience. Don’t miss the opportunity to stand out in the competitive interior design world with an internship abroad!
