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For anyone seeking to explore burgeoning tech and business industries set against stunning, historic landscapes, Portugal is an excellent choice to intern abroad. At the heart of the country’s economy and culture is its capital city, Lisbon—a beautiful city brimming with career prospects for budding professionals. AIFS Abroad offers several intern abroad programs in Lisbon, providing college students and recent graduates with valuable opportunities for professional development and the captivating culture and views this city is renowned for. Want to learn what it’s actually like to intern abroad in Portugal?
Hear from two people who did an internship abroad in Portugal with AIFS Abroad!
Nathalia: Social Media Marketing in Lisbon
Meet Nathalia, a graduate student at the University of South Carolina who did a social media marketing internship in Lisbon, Portugal, during the summer.
Below, Nathalia discusses with a fellow AIFS Abroad intern why Lisbon is an ideal city to intern abroad in:
Nathalia: “The life of an intern in Lisbon is pretty great. We [intern] from 9 – 5, Monday through Friday, and we have the weekends off. After work, we usually go to parks… Lilly, what else do we do after work?”
Lily: “We go to dinner downtown, we explore downtown, we have dinner locally where our apartment is.”
Nathalia: “Lots of options… The vibe is pretty great. It’s full of young people, a lot of college students—there [are] a lot festivals. It’s pretty laidback. Portuguese people are very nice [and] welcoming.”
Lily went on to explain that while speaking some of the Portuguese language can help, it is by no means required to intern abroad in Portugal:
“You do not need to speak Portuguese to do the program. Although it is helpful, it is not a requirement. But we are learning as we go—I’ve learned a couple words and phrases.”
Want to hear what Nathalia’s program is like and her responsibilities as a full-time intern in Lisbon? Below, she provides some more details:
“There’s five of us [in the AIFS Abroad internship program in Lisbon] and we’re all doing digital marketing. I’m specifically doing Instagram posting and writing content, [including] writing articles for LinkedIn. So, all of us are doing something [in the digital marketing field].”
While professional development is a huge part of every AIFS Abroad internship program, as Nathalia explains, the program is rewarding in other ways, too:
“The benefits are more than just gaining skills that I haven’t learned in college. To me, it’s more about the whole experience, experiencing the culture and food (the food in Lisbon is amazing), meeting new people, and definitely making friends for life.”
Iman: Marketing Internship in Lisbon
Iman from California State University, Chico, did a marketing internship in Lisbon. Hear why she chose to intern abroad in Lisbon in the summer:
“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.”
As Iman describes, the positive, welcoming atmosphere and great weather makes Lisbon an excellent city for an international internship:
“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.”
Want to know what an internship in Lisbon involves? Hear Iman explain some of her projects as an intern abroad below:
“One of the most notable projects I worked on was rebuilding [my host company’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 [my host company], 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.”
As Iman explains, her internship abroad in Lisbon helped her grow exponentially—both personally and professionally:
“The entire experience helped me grow in so many ways… 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.”
These impacts aren’t short-lived either! As Iman notes, the impact of her internship abroad will shape her future for years to come:
“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.”
Discover all Portugal has to offer—intern abroad in Lisbon with AIFS Abroad like these students did!
AIFS Abroad offers several intern abroad programs in Portugal, each tailored to meet specific academic, personal, and professional preferences. Wherever you intern abroad, go with AIFS Abroad and take advantage of our valuable program inclusions (which really take the stress out of planning!), such as housing, trips and excursions, social and cultural activities, 24/7 emergency support, integrated career readiness, and the support of our trusted on-site staff.
