Your resume is ready for its moment in the sun. An internship abroad can give you a competitive edge when you’re applying for jobs in the future, letting you in on new ways of understanding your college major while building real-world skills you’ll draw on for years to come.
Interning abroad is the smart choice for current college students and recent graduates alike, helping you set yourself apart in the job market. But why intern in Portugal? If you’re hoping to gain a new perspective on what you’re studying and get some on-the-job practice with one of the most spoken languages in the world, you’re in the right place.
No matter your academic and professional interests, there’s an internship to fit your goals here. Cities studded with hills, wind-carved golden coastlines, enough food and wine to fill your itinerary, and a healthy dose of sunshine in a safe and affordable location—this country has its own CV that’s sure to impress.
14 reasons to intern in Portugal
As far as international internships go, Portugal has some of the best opportunities in the world!
You’re calculating the credits you need to finish your degree, you’re assessing the kinds of experiences that will make you more employable after graduation, and you’re asking yourself: Should I intern in Portugal? We’re here with fourteen ways of answering YES:
1. You’ll gain skills to launch your career
An internship abroad comes with plenty of benefits. Sure, you’ll gain practical knowledge of your chosen field and achievements you can stick on your resume, and that’s reason enough to intern in Portugal.
But interning abroad is not just about data sets and portfolios. You’ll also build those “soft skills” you hear as buzzwords in the future of work, like adaptability, resilience, and empathy. You’ll gain all that and more by working alongside Portuguese colleagues and learning how to navigate an unfamiliar workspace, country, and language.
2. Portuguese language skills translate to a professional edge
There’s no better way to learn Portuguese than hands-on experience. Learning a language means a variety of career benefits, from more (and higher-paying!) job opportunities to the ability to build relationships.
Portuguese is one of the best languages to learn for business, too, so you’re giving your resume a serious boost and opening doors in the global market when you lean into learning the language while interning.
3. But you don’t need to speak Portuguese to intern
Putting in the time to learn the local language will enhance your intercultural learning and make your experience in Portugal richer, but you don’t already need to speak Portuguese to intern. You’ll find plenty of internships open to English speakers. In Portugal, it’s easy to do an internship related to your major or to gain new skills in a career field you’d like to explore.
4. The affordable cost of living is easy on your budget
Skip Europe’s big cities and opt for a more affordable way of living.
Expat life in Portugal is all about rich cultural experiences, without emptying your wallet. As one of Western Europe’s most affordable countries, Portugal makes exploring, learning, dining, and wine-ing a breeze on a student budget. Budget-friendly groceries, restaurants, public transportation, and entertainment let you make the most of your time abroad.
5. Safety is a priority
Is it safe to intern in Portugal? According to the Global Peace Index, when you choose to intern in Portugal, you’re choosing one of the safest countries not just in Europe but in the entire world. How’s that for a good reason to pick Portugal as your internship destination?
6. World-class opportunities abound in the capital
Lisbon delivers when it comes to the high-quality internships you expect from a capital city. It’s a hub for both international students and globally focused companies, and many locals have a high level of English (and love of Lisbon’s buzzing nightlife).
You can feel ancient history pulsing through the streets of Lisbon, but the city doesn’t skimp on modern amenities—or internship opportunities. The Portuguese finance and technology sectors have footholds here, and there’s plenty to explore in fields like architecture, business, education, and more.
7. You can’t beat this location
The views will *never* get old!
Beaches and mountains around the corner, easy access to travel to the rest of Europe and beyond. If you’re searching for a strategically located and well-connected home base, you’ll find it in Portugal. Hop on a train or plane when you have downtime from your job and catch the travel bug (well, if you don’t already have it!).
8. Places close to “home” offer ideal exploration
Jetsetting around Europe has its temptations, but don’t overlook your temporary home for travel while you’re interning. Besides can’t-miss cities (looking at you, Lisbon and Porto), there are the bays, beaches, and golden cliffs of the Algarve, the Douro Valley’s vineyards, World Heritage-designated Évora, and the list goes on. Even a low-key walk through your neighborhood lets you see the country’s rich history and culture for yourself.
9. Portugal is a foodie’s paradise
You should intern in Portugal if tasting your way through your time abroad sounds like your idea of adventure. Though other destinations like Italy and France have fixed themselves in traveler’s minds as Europe’s go-to foodie spots, you can’t miss Portugal if you’re after culinary escapades.
Grab a staple dish like bacalhau à brás or pastel de nata, sample all sorts of seafood, and don’t forget about the wine while you’re treating your taste buds. You’ll find some of the best wine spots simply strolling around your local streets after work.
10. You’ll live in a welcoming environment
You’ll love exploring your new host city in your downtime.
Not only is it safe to intern in Portugal, it’s also ideal for a welcoming experience. In fact, Portugal has a reputation for warm hospitality. You can count on locals (both in your workplace and those you meet while you’re out exploring) to help you out when you need it, so you’ll feel comfortable practicing your newfound Portuguese language skills and diving into work projects.
11. You’ll build a thriving international network
You’ll quickly see why Portugal is one of the best countries to live and work in Europe. The friendly locals and international students you meet and the relationships you form at your company all come together to help you build a global network. These are the connections you can count on as you apply for jobs, now and in the future.
12. The forecast calls for adventure
No matter the time of year you decide to intern in Portugal, you can look forward to weather that lets you get out and explore. The country overall has hot, dry summers and mild (though sometimes rainy) winters. You’ll have easy access to gorgeous coastlines just calling for a day lounging on the sand or practicing your surf skills. Not a bad way to fill your days off!
13. Choices, choices, and more choices
No matter what your internship goals are, Portugal has you covered.
You have choices in Portugal to create an experience that fits your goals, whether that means going for a full-time internship or interning while you study abroad. Portugal is home to companies and organizations that really get the value of cultural exchange.
You can work in a huge assortment of sectors too. From marketing to environmental studies, art history to culinary arts, you’ll find internship opportunities in just about any field. It’ll quickly become clear why interning in Portugal is a great choice for anyone looking for experience beyond the classroom.
14. You’ll come home with increased cultural awareness
Living and working abroad means building cultural awareness, helping you to become a mindful inhabitant of a global world…not to mention a top candidate for tons of job opportunities. Employers value people who can work with folks from different backgrounds. You’ll have an entry on your resume to prove exactly that.
But your experience goes well beyond landing future jobs. You’ll also grow as a person as you learn new perspectives and find meaning through traveling to new-to-you places.
Get matched with 5 internships in Portugal for FREE
3 internships in Portugal to get you started
If all those reasons to intern in Portugal still aren’t enough, consider one more: You’ll find so many programs just waiting to get you set up with an internship in this fun and friendly country. Here are three of our favorites:
1. Marketing and Fundraising Internship in Portugal
- Why? Looking to get career-enhancing skills while making a real difference? This internship will add to your marketing and fundraising tool kit as you craft materials to support work in the environmental sector. You’ll gain hands-on knowledge about the nonprofit world, learn practical skills you can put to use in your future career, and surround yourself with nature in Portugal while you’re at it.
- Where? Santarém
- Read Roots Interns reviews
2. Intern in Lisbon with Absolute Internship
- Why? Enjoy the best of expat life in Portugal in a vibrant yet incredibly liveable city. Portugal’s capital is the place to go if you’re looking for a mix of history and modernity, creativity and culture, so it’s no wonder you’ll find internships in an assortment of industries here. You can take your pick of sectors to explore, then complement your time on the job with Absolute Internship’s Career Speaker Series and networking events. Weekend and after-work excursions in Lisbon and other areas of Portugal round out the package.
- Where? Lisbon
- Read Absolute Internship reviews
3. AIFS Abroad Internships in Lisbon, Portugal
- Why? Full-time (and guaranteed!) internships in a wide range of career fields make kick-starting your career in Portugal easier than ever. AIFS Abroad helps you work toward your goals for the future thanks to one-on-one coaching and support. With both summer and semester internships available, you’re sure to discover the perfect opportunity among the hills and historical sites that make Lisbon such a charming place to live.
- Where? Lisbon
- Read American Institute For Foreign Study reviews
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Doing an internship in Portugal can change your academic and professional careers!
Portugal, with its rugged coastlines and sun-soaked beaches, rich history and welcoming people, provides an ideal setting for an internship. You’ll learn about your academic field in ways you simply can’t when you’re relying solely on textbooks. Finding an internship here means finding yourself in a safe and friendly setting, so let Portugal put you on a path to career success.
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