GoAbroad data shows sharp rise in career-focused programs abroad

A recent year-over-year analysis of internship search data on GoAbroad.com reveals a clear trend: students and young professionals are increasingly pursuing international internships aligned with career development in 2025. The dataset, which compares user views of internship program field pages between the first quarter of 2024 and 2025, reveals new insights reflecting the dynamics in both professional fields and preferred internship destinations around the globe.

Highest interest fields for internships abroad

Business & Finance

Business and finance internships remain appealing, particularly due to globalization and the interconnected nature of markets, providing interns with critical exposure to international trade, financial analysis, and economic strategies. Focused internships on areas such as accounting or economics, and even niche areas like fashion business, are seeing growth in interest as well. Overall business and finance industry internships have seen a 50-77% increase in views over last year.

Tourism & Hospitality

As global travel continues to rebound post-pandemic, there’s a renewed interest among students and recent graduates in gaining international experience in tourism and hospitality, evidenced by both fields seeing a 68% growth year over year. With tourism-dependent economies ramping up hiring to meet growing demand, especially in emerging destinations, job opportunities in these industries are expanding. At the same time, travelers are increasingly seeking personalized, experience-driven services, pushing the industry to recruit fresh talent with cross-cultural and hands-on skills, making international internships a great way to stay competitive.

Psychology

Psychology internships abroad have witnessed remarkable growth, surging by nearly 54%. This significant increase highlights a rising curiosity among students and young professionals to understand human behavior across diverse cultures, preparing them for global careers in counseling, clinical practice, or organizational psychology.

Computer Science

Computer Science internships have surged by 48%, continuing their upward trajectory as digital innovation reshapes every sector of the global economy. This growth highlights the escalating demand for tech-skilled talent worldwide, driven by rapid advancements in AI, cybersecurity, and software development. As organizations across industries embrace digital transformation, students are seizing internship opportunities to build practical experience and stay competitive in a tech-centric job market.

Nutrition

Nutrition internships abroad have seen a 68% increase over last year, a trend closely tied to growing global attention on health equity, food security, and preventative care. As countries grapple with both undernutrition and lifestyle-related health crises, there’s heightened demand for professionals who understand nutrition in a global context. Students are increasingly seeking immersive experiences that allow them to address real-world health challenges, particularly in underserved or cross-cultural communities. This surge reflects a broader shift toward holistic, globally informed approaches to healthcare and public health policy.

International Relations

There have been notable increases in interest for political science (50%) and international relations (65%) internships on GoAbroad.com during the first quarter of 2025, aligning with global trends emphasizing the importance of international experience in these fields. As geopolitical dynamics become more complex, there’s a growing demand for professionals equipped with firsthand understanding of diverse political systems and international affairs. Internships abroad offer students and recent graduates invaluable exposure to global policy-making processes, diplomatic practices, and cross-cultural communications.

Emerging internship destinations

United Arab Emirates

The UAE has seen a substantial 54% increase in internship interest, driven by its robust economy, technological advancements, and vibrant cultural scene. Cities like Dubai and Abu Dhabi offer thriving environments for both business and tech, as well as cultural internships.
Other Middle Eastern countries, including Saudi Arabia and Qatar, are also showing growing interest, up 80% and 56% respectively.

China

The 69% year-over-year increase in views of China internship pages on GoAbroad.com reflects a growing global interest in gaining professional experience within one of the world’s most dynamic economies. This surge spans various cities, including Shanghai and Chengdu, and encompasses multiple fields, with hospitality showing the most significant growth. China’s hospitality industry is experiencing a robust recovery, with domestic travel surging and efforts to attract foreign visitors intensifying. Interning in China offers students and young professionals the opportunity to gain hands-on experience in a booming industry, immerse themselves in a rich cultural environment, and build valuable professional networks. This trend aligns with the broader global movement towards seeking international experiences that enhance employability and cultural competence.

England

Internship views for England on GoAbroad.com rose 25% in early 2025, with London leading the surge at nearly 50% higher than last year. The city’s multicultural environment and concentration of global firms make it an attractive destination for those aiming to enhance their global employability and professional networks. This aligns with the increasing demand for international internships that offer practical experience in dynamic, globally connected settings.

Spain

Spain’s internship popularity continues to grow, showing a 43% growth in interest overall. Interns are drawn by the country’s rich culture, historical depth, and opportunities to develop Spanish language skills. Not only Madrid and Barcelona are attracting prospective interns, there is also growing intrigue to find placements in Salamanca, Marbella, Granada and many other Spanish cities.

Declining options

In contrast, interest in online internships has notably declined year over year, likely due to the pandemic now being in the rearview. Additionally, United States internships have seen a decline since 2024, with a 50% loss in interest, despite still being the top destination of interest. This is likely tied to the recent changes to policies and overall uncertainty for visa accessibility.

Growth in short term internships

Short-term internships (one to three months) saw a remarkable 63% increase on GoAbroad.com, driven by shifting preferences toward flexible, immersive experiences that fit within academic breaks or busy schedules. As more students and young professionals look to gain global exposure without committing to long-term programs, these internships offer a practical solution—especially in fast-paced industries or for those testing new career paths. The rise also reflects a broader trend toward micro-experiential learning, where short, intensive stints abroad provide meaningful skills and cultural insight in a compressed timeframe.

What’s still to come in 2025

These evolving trends highlight a strategic shift among young professionals towards selecting internships that provide significant cultural enrichment alongside career advancement. This suggests a growing desire among interns to combine practical professional experience with profound cultural immersion.

Looking ahead, we can predict even greater diversity in both internship fields and locations throughout the remainder of 2025, with fields like artificial intelligence, renewable energy, and mental health expected to attract increasing interest. Destinations that blend innovation with cultural richness—such as emerging markets in Asia and the Middle East—will likely continue to see rapid growth. Internship providers and prospective interns should anticipate and prepare for these exciting opportunities, fostering collaborations that can pave the way for groundbreaking international experiences.

For more information, feel free to reach out to the GoAbroad team at data@goabroad.com.