Want to hear from a college student who did a full-time international internship in Portugal? We recently spoke with AIFS Abroad participant Iman from Colorado State University who spent her summer interning abroad in the seaside city of Lisbon.
Ready to learn more about Iman’s experience as an intern abroad in Lisbon with AIFS Abroad? Read on!
Choosing an Intern Abroad Program Destination & Term
Deciding when and where to intern abroad can be difficult for many students and graduates (our team can help with that!) who don’t know where to start.
The summer is a fantastic time to intern abroad—it allows you to make the most of your summer, simultaneously expanding your career skills and cultural horizons in time to return home for the fall semester. Iman found that summertime was an excellent season for interning in Lisbon, specifically:
“I chose to go in the summer, arriving in early June, which was perfect since it wasn’t peak tourist season yet, and the weather was still mild. June is also the ‘Month of the Saints’ in Portugal, with the Festas de Lisboa bringing the city to life—every street was packed with people dancing, live music echoed everywhere, and it felt like the whole city was out celebrating together. The energy was incredible, and getting to experience this tradition alongside locals made my time in Lisbon truly unforgettable.”
Choosing the location was easy—after visiting Lisbon prior to her international internship, Iman decided she needed to go back!
“I had visited Lisbon once before, and even in that short time, I fell in love with its atmosphere. The city is vibrant and colorful, and the people stood out to me for their kindness and unique personalities. There’s a constant flow of positive energy that makes Lisbon feel both exciting and welcoming. I would recommend this program to students who want to experience European city life but also appreciate a more laid-back, beachy environment. If you love sunshine, coastal views, and a slower pace of life while still being in a dynamic and culturally rich city, Lisbon is the perfect place.”
Internship Experience
AIFS Abroad full-time internship programs will place you in a vetted local organization or company that aligns with your career goals and experience level. We have on-site support staff who visit internship facilities before you are accepted to a program to ensure they are up to our high standards. Because of the high confidence our team puts in these organizations, in addition to the support staff who are there to help you deal with any issues, our interns consistently report overwhelmingly positive experiences that help them develop their career skills and unlock professional opportunities.
Hear Iman describe her internship experience:
“I interned at a [local] gym, where I worked as a Marketing Intern. My role involved creating social media content, updating the company’s website, and assisting with marketing campaigns. I was responsible for developing Instagram posts, engaging with the gym’s community online, and helping to promote events and classes. Additionally, I worked closely with my boss to plan and execute marketing strategies, which included gathering feedback and analyzing the success of different campaigns. The internship gave me hands-on experience in a dynamic, fitness-focused environment.”
She worked on several important projects that helped her cultivate her marketing skills:
“One of the most notable projects I worked on was rebuilding the gym’s website, which gave me hands-on experience with web design and allowed me to apply my marketing knowledge to improve user experience and functionality. I also helped plan and promote an event for the gym, where I collaborated with the team to create marketing materials, manage logistics, and engage with the community. These projects were incredibly valuable for my career development, as they taught me how to balance creativity with strategy, manage large-scale events, and refine my skills in both digital marketing and project management.”
Full-time interns are required to spend 35 – 40 hours per week at their internship site; however, every placement is different, and schedules can vary depending on your responsibilities and your host organization’s hours of operation. Here’s what Iman’s international marketing internship schedule was like:
“I [interned] every day (Monday-Friday) from 10 AM to 5 PM and typically got new tasks each day. Each morning, I would start by creating Instagram content to plug into the scheduled social media posts. After that, I’d get an hour for lunch, often going out with my boss or friends I’d made at the gym. I’d sometimes even get the chance to participate in a class if it was not full that day, which was a fun way to break up the day. In the afternoons, I’d focus on remaining tasks like answering emails, updating the website, or working on other marketing projects. By 5 PM, I’d wrap up and head home, ready to take on the next day.”
Work Culture in Lisbon
One common thing Americans report when they intern abroad in Europe is how much they enjoy the work culture abroad. American work culture is often fast-paced and doesn’t prioritize well-being as much as productivity. However, many European countries and businesses prefer a more relaxed work-life balance, as Iman explains:
“The work culture at [my host company] was very chill and laid-back, with a focus on enjoying the environment and staying active. While there was still structure—I had to be at [my internship] full time and stick to my hours—it never felt restrictive because the environment was so fun and engaging. As long as you got your work done, you had the freedom to manage your day. This was different from the American work culture, which is often more individualistic and fast-paced, with a constant push to stay busy. At [my host company], there was a perfect work-life balance that made it easy to stay motivated and truly enjoy the work I was doing.”
Not only was the work culture in Lisbon a plus, but Iman also enjoyed some unique benefits at her company:
“My company offered some great perks! I was able to use the gym for free whenever I wanted, which was awesome since it was such a big part of the culture. For lunches, they would treat me, and there were always snacks and coffee available, which made the work environment even more enjoyable. It really added to the overall positive and welcoming vibe of the team.”
Co-Workers as an Intern Abroad
At every AIFS Abroad internship, you will be working alongside other people—allowing you to receive mentorship and build connections at your host company. Iman’s experience with her boss and colleagues helped her grow professionally:
“My supervisor and the team were really nice and fun to be around, creating a positive and supportive atmosphere. My boss’s leadership style was definitely more hands-off, which I wasn’t used to at first, but it gave me the space to figure things out on my own. While it took a bit of time to adjust, I appreciated the trust and autonomy, which ultimately helped me grow and become more independent in my work. It was a refreshing change that taught me to take initiative and manage my responsibilities with confidence.
Career Opportunities Abroad
When you intern abroad, you get the chance to build a global professional network—who knows where it will take you and what doors it will open up later on! Iman was offered a job if she wanted to stay after her program, and while she didn’t take them up on it (she still had to finish college!), she knows now that she wants to live and work abroad in the future:
“If I didn’t have to come back and finish my undergrad, I probably would have taken them up on it. This experience really solidified my desire to live in that kind of environment permanently. It showed me that, while I want to pursue grad school, I can use it as a stepping stone to eventually move abroad. It helped me realize how much I value the international work setting and the opportunities it can provide for my career.”
Building Personal Relationships
While you may set out for your international internship by yourself, you’re sure to make friends as soon as you arrive in your host country. You’ll meet fellow AIFS Abroad program participants, locals, and expats, and you’ll be able to build relationships with people at your internship!
“I really made an effort to put myself out there and meet as many people as possible. One thing I did was follow influencers who lived in Lisbon and reached out to them for recommendations. A few responded, and I was even introduced to a WhatsApp group chat of girls from all over the world who had just moved to Lisbon! It was an amazing way to meet new people, and through that group, I formed great friendships that made me never want to leave the city.”
Whether you’re looking to connect with professional colleagues or make a new friend, Iman offers the following advice:
“My advice for future [interns] is to put yourself out there, don’t be afraid to reach out to locals or other newcomers, and embrace the opportunities to connect—whether it’s through social media, events, or just being open to meeting people in everyday situations. You’ll be surprised by how many meaningful connections you can make!”
Language Learning
Many prospective study abroad and intern abroad participants wonder, “Do I need to know the local language to intern abroad?” No! You don’t need to be fluent in another language to study or intern abroad, and many programs, like Iman’s, don’t require any native language proficiency—English is enough!
Iman encountered an unexpected language environment when she arrived at her host company, and used it to improve her Portuguese skills:
“My experience was quite unique, especially since my boss, who spoke English, got into a motorcycle accident the day I was supposed to start my internship. When I went to the gym to introduce myself, one of the coaches didn’t speak any English at all, which was a bit of a shock. I texted my boss to check if I should still go in, and he was really supportive, keeping in touch with me for the first two weeks while he was recovering. None of the staff at the gym spoke English, so I had to really step up my Portuguese. My language skills improved a lot, and I started taking classes to get better. Luckily, I had an amazing team who wanted to practice their English, so we helped each other out—I’d practice Portuguese with them, and they’d help me with my English. My advice for anyone learning a language while abroad is to immerse yourself as much as possible, ask questions, and don’t be afraid to make mistakes!”
Housing
All AIFS Abroad international internship programs include housing. Intern housing guarantees a private room within a shared AIFS Abroad student residence. Hear why Iman loved her program housing:
“I absolutely loved the housing we received in Lisbon! We lived in Saldanha, one of the best areas for living, and our apartment was amazing—huge individual rooms, a nice kitchen, two bathrooms, and an incredible balcony/window setup. The only challenge we faced was figuring out how to take out the trash, which, for some reason, felt way more confusing than it should have been. Thankfully, our Program Directors were super helpful and guided us through it in person when they were available!”
Personal Growth
When you choose an international internship, you’re signing up for both professional and personal growth—for Iman, and many others, it’s a life-changing experience.
“The entire experience helped me grow in so many ways, but my internship, in particular, had the biggest impact. I truly adapted and learned so much throughout the process—from navigating a new work environment to building strong relationships with my coworkers. Taking language classes and immersing myself in the culture pushed me outside my comfort zone, but in the best way possible.
By the end of my time abroad, my coworkers felt like a temporary little family, and that sense of connection changed the way I see my life and what I want my future to look like. It reinforced my passion for working in international environments and showed me the value of stepping into new experiences with an open mind.”
Why AIFS Abroad?
The reasons to choose AIFS Abroad are too many to count! Here’s why Iman chose to intern abroad with us:
“I chose AIFS Abroad because of their strong reputation for providing structured and supportive study [and intern] abroad experiences. I had heard great things about how they help with housing, cultural integration, and overall transition, which made [interning] abroad feel much less overwhelming. Their internship opportunities really stood out to me because they offered both international work experience and a strong support network, making my experience abroad even more valuable.”
Final Thoughts & Advice
For anyone who’s thinking of studying or interning abroad, Iman leaves you with these final thoughts:
“You are about to embark on an adventure that will change your life in ways you can’t even imagine yet. Get ready to grow, be challenged, and experience more than you ever thought possible. Say yes—to new friendships, spontaneous trips, unfamiliar foods, and moments that push you out of your comfort zone. Some of the best memories happen when you least expect them.
You will have days where you feel on top of the world, exploring a new city with people who feel like lifelong friends. You will also have days where you miss home, question everything, or feel out of place. That’s all part of the experience—embrace it. Every challenge will make you stronger, more independent, and more confident in yourself.
Put yourself out there. Talk to locals, join group chats, ask for recommendations, and build connections. The people you meet will shape your journey just as much as the places you go. Most importantly—soak it all in. Time will fly by faster than you expect. Live every moment, take the photos, laugh too much, and be all in.
This isn’t just a trip—it’s a chapter of your life that will stay with you forever. Go make it unforgettable.”
Are you ready to take the leap and intern abroad like Iman did in Lisbon with AIFS Abroad? We’d love to help you start your journey!
Here at AIFS Abroad, we know a thing or two about helping college students and recent graduates intern abroad. Our programs come with many valuable inclusions, which takes a lot of the stress out of planning. From coordinating your housing to providing things like integrated career readiness, comprehensive insurance, 24/7 emergency support, on-site staff, and cultural and social activities and excursions, you’ll take comfort in knowing you’ll have support throughout your entire experience abroad.
