Intern Abroad in the Creative Arts

For creative students and recent graduates, an international internship offers a chance to build portfolios while exploring the world. Whether your passion lies in photography, fashion, film, graphic design, or journalism, there are programs designed to nurture your talent and broaden your cultural horizons. 

Below are some of the best opportunities for creative‑minded interns—highlighting the organizations prioritized by our editorial team.

Intern Abroad HQ: Diverse Creative Fields

Intern Abroad HQ offers a dedicated Creative Arts & Media category with placements in photography, fashion, graphic design, journalism, and media. Programs blend practical projects with mentorship and an experiential learning curriculum to develop soft skills and produce reflective portfolios.

Destinations include:

• Arts – Argentina, Greece, Italy, and Spain. Interns might curate exhibitions, assist photographers, or produce travel photos for NGOs. 
• Fashion – Australia, Bali, and the Czech Republic. You could assist designers, participate in photo shoots, and learn about sustainable textiles. 
• Graphic Design – Ireland, Jordan, New Zealand, and South Korea. Interns design marketing materials, logos, and infographics for startups and NGOs, often in dynamic coworking spaces.
• Journalism & Media – Australia, Greece, Jordan, Morocco, and South Africa. Opportunities range from writing travel features for magazines to producing videos.

These internships are flexible, with year‑round start dates and affordable fees. They’re ideal for creatives seeking global exposure and a strong support network. Can’t travel? No problem! Explore remote opportunities here.

Projects Abroad

Projects Abroad offers Journalism Internships where you work on newspapers, magazines, radio, or television stations.

Destinations include Argentina, Ghana, and Mongolia. You’ll produce articles, conduct interviews, shoot photos, and learn media ethics. Projects Abroad ensures 24/7 supervision and accommodation.

African Impact

African Impact hosts a Wildlife Photography internship in South Africa. Interns photograph wildlife, receiving mentorship from professional photographers. The project fee includes accommodation, meals, and transfers. 

Applicants should have some photography experience and expect physically demanding work outdoors. 

Institute for Global Studies

GoIntern’s Art Gallery internship places creative students in small to mid-size galleries in Paris, London, Atlanta, and Sydney. You’ll gain real exhibition experience — gallery setup, art interpretation, marketing, social media, event planning, public relations, and customer engagement on the floor. 

Past interns curated shows, coordinated openings, sourced frames and backdrops, and boosted social media visibility for artists and owners. The hands-on scope means meaningful responsibilities, mentorship, and portfolio-ready work in Arts & Culture. 

Tips for Creative Interns

1. Build a Portfolio Before You Go – Showcase your best work in photography, design, or film. Intern supervisors often request portfolios during placement matching. A strong portfolio increases the likelihood of being placed in a project that aligns with your interests.
2. Learn the Local Language – Even basic phrases help you communicate with clients, models, and community members. Use free online courses or take language classes upon arrival.
3. Adapt to Different Styles – Fashion and media aesthetics vary by culture. In Bali, traditional batik patterns influence design; in Peru, Andean textiles inspire color palettes. Research local art history and be open to new influences.
4. Network proactively – Attend art exhibitions, film festivals, and meet‑ups in your host city. Connect with local artists on social media. Many creative jobs are secured through relationships rather than formal applications.
5. Respect Ethical Guidelines – When photographing people or communities, seek consent and avoid exploiting subjects. Follow your program’s ethical codes and be sensitive to cultural contexts.

Creative internships abroad offer more than portfolio pieces; they provide a chance to collaborate across cultures, challenge assumptions, and grow personally. By choosing programs with strong support and meaningful projects, you’ll return home with new skills, lifelong friendships, and a body of work that reflects a truly global perspective.

Launch Your Creative Career with an International Internship!

Ready to turn talent into a global portfolio? Creative arts & media internships abroad — spanning photography, fashion, film, graphic design, and journalism — offer mentored, hands-on experience plus the cultural fluency today’s employers value. With flexible, year-round start dates and strong support, providers make it simple to gain real-world skills, collaborate across cultures, and produce work you’re proud to share. 

The next step is clear: shortlist programs, refine your portfolio, brush up on local language basics, and apply early. Choose an ethical, well-structured placement, and you’ll return with confidence, contacts, and a standout body of work that proves you can create anywhere.