Well-known as a beach holiday haven, Portugal is often overlooked as an internship destination. However, there are some exciting things to know about internships in Portugal. Beyond the food, wine, lively cities, and idyllic coastlines, there are thrilling possibilities for career exploration and practical professional experience with internships in Portugal.
With its vibrant economy spanning diverse industries like technology, tourism, wine, conservation, and renewable energy, Portugal offers a wealth of opportunities to kickstart your career. Meanwhile, the country’s welcoming locals, mouth-watering cuisine, and enticing nightlife make it a fun and exciting place to live and work while you do.
In this blog, we’ll run through all our top tips for internships in Portugal, a few general tips for traveling in Portugal, and make sure you know just what to expect from internships in Portugal.
7 Things To Know About Interning In Portugal
1. Professional Development
The most important part of what to expect from internships in Portugal is that they are a fantastic way to progress your career. They provide internationally respected professional development and practical skill-building opportunities.
Among the most useful things to know about internships in Portugal is that the country is home to a number of innovative, pioneering conservation initiatives. Portugal has a broad professional landscape of diverse industries but some of its most exciting opportunities are with its thriving and innovative environmental conservation scene. It has some of our best environmental internships for 2024.
Regardless of the industry you choose to work in however, internships in Portugal for foreigners are a fantastic way build career skills. With the right program, you’ll recieve the training and mentorship you need to develop role-specific skills and knowledge, while also gaining insight into a foreign work culture and ethos. This unique perspective can help you standout from the crowd in future job searches.
2. Soft Skills And Cultural Competency
This is one of the most important things to know about internships in Portugal and internships in general, is that you’ll grow and refine a foundational set of soft skills. Along with it, you’ll gain career-specific skills and industry insight, which will make you more valuable.
Often the greatest professional and personal impact of internships is the improvement of fundamental skills like time organization, communication, and problem solving, as these skills can affect all areas of life. Developing soft skills is crucial for success in any internship, and Portugal is an excellent place to enhance these abilities.
Another fantastic benefit of an internship in Portugal for foreigners is the chance to practice cultural competency which is an increasingly desirable trait on the job market. So, some advice for internships in Portugal: embrace the local customs and etiquette, and be open to different communication styles and work practices. This will not only improve your professional interactions but also deepen your understanding and appreciation of Portuguese culture.
3. Global Networking Opportunities
With a multicultural society, diverse industries, and a thriving economy, as well as a desirable lifestyle, Portugal’s professional landscape attracts businesses and talent from all around the world. As such, internships in Portugal provide a fertile environment for growing your contact list.
Networking is such a valuable career skill and internships abroad are one of the best ways to practice, as such they’re a big part of what to expect from internships in Portugal. Most internships in Portugal for foreigners will offer mentorship programs and specific networking events where interns can meet international professionals, industry experts, and the expat community. So, another of our top tips for internships in Portugal is to engage in as many company events, industry conferences, and social gatherings as you can.
4. Community Engagement
Making local friends is another part of what to expect from internships in Portugal.
As you live and work in Portugal, you will not only meet professional contacts but the members of the community you join. Portuguese people are known for their warmth and hospitality. Building relationships with locals will definitely enhance your experience, and also help you to get better acquainted with the culture and further improve your cultural competency.
With this in mind, one of our top tips for internships in Portugal, and general Portugal travel tips is to brush up on some basic Portuguese. While English is widely spoken, especially in business settings, learning basic Portuguese will help you integrate better. Even simple phrases can help make a positive impression on those you meet and make your internship more enjoyable.
5. Unique Wildlife And Natural Landscapes
Positioned on one of the most westerly corners of the continent in the Iberian Peninsula, Portugal contains some of Europe’s most striking coastlines as well as dramatic mountain ranges and quaint Mediterranean countrysides.
From the picturesque beaches of the Algarve to the lush vineyards of the Douro Valley and the mountainous regions of the north, there’s plenty to explore. Some great advice for internships in Portugal and one of the top Portugal travel tips is to visit the wonderful national parks and nature reserves in the country, such as Peneda-Gerês.
6. Great Tourist Activities within the Country
Beyond the amazing opportunities for professional development, Portugal is an incredibly exciting place to live and work. This is one of the top reasons to intern in Portugal.
The country is a veritable treasure trove of events, festivals, and activities for interns to enjoy in their downtime. You can discover historic landmarks in Lisbon, medieval castles in Sintra, Roman ruins of Conímbrigasuch as the Belem Tower, or the historic town of Santarém. For something more active, you could try surfing in Nazaré, wine tasting in the Douro Valley, or hiking along the Rota Vicentina.
Located on the western edge of Europe, Portugal is an ideal hub for exploring the rest of the continent. With budget airlines and well-connected train services, you can easily travel to neighboring Spain or other European countries like France, Italy, and Germany.
7. Health and Safety
As the cherry on top, internships in Portugal for foreigners are straightforward and hassle-free to arrange, as well as incredibly safe. With a high standard of healthcare and low crime rates, Portugal is widely considered a safe country for visitors and interns alike. Moreover as a member of the EU, a three-month tourist visa is easily applied for.
Our safety tips for internships in Portugal as well as safety tips for traveling in Portugal include making sure you have adequate health insurance coverage. For any of the activities, you’ll be engaged in, it’s not a bad idea to familiarize yourself with local emergency numbers and healthcare facilities in your area.
3 Internship Opportunities in Portugal
1. Media Internship
Join a passionate team and build an impressive media portfolio while promoting vital conservation work in Portugal. This internship offers the opportunity to use various multimedia tools to create and share stories that inspire and educate audiences about environmental issues.
You’ll assist in producing content for a monthly TV program and social media, capturing images and videos of sanctuary animals. The program utilizes high-tech equipment, including underwater cameras and drones. Your creative ideas will help highlight the sanctuary’s essential work and engage the audience. This hands-on experience will enhance your media skills, deepen your understanding of the environmental sector, and provide insights into nonprofit operations.
2. Veterinary Internship
Participating in a veterinary internship with NGOs in Europe offers a transformative experience for those passionate about animal care and aspiring to pursue a career in veterinary medicine. This program, set in Portugal, provides a distinctive environment where interns can work with a wide range of animals, from domestic pets in cities to livestock in rural areas, and even wildlife in their natural ecosystems.
Interns take on meaningful responsibilities, including monitoring animal health, performing routine checkups, delivering necessary treatments, and collaborating on care strategies. The program emphasizes hands-on learning, fostering both technical abilities and a deeper understanding of veterinary practices. With Portugal’s diverse habitats as the backdrop, this internship provides a well-rounded opportunity to develop practical expertise while gaining firsthand exposure to the challenges and rewards of veterinary work in Europe.
3. Reforestation And Biodiversity Internship
Join an exciting conservation program aimed at reforesting 27 hectares of land to support a thriving ecosystem for native plant and animal species in Portugal. As an intern, you’ll manage and monitor forested areas, conduct wildlife and plant surveys, and strategize to enhance biodiversity.
This role involves critical research that will contribute to the organization’s communications and educational content. Gain practical experience in conservation, working in an international nonprofit setting. You’ll stay at the sanctuary in Santarém, provided with accommodations and amenities, while actively contributing to the development of local biodiversity.
Tips Like These Will Help You Have a Successful Experience in Portugal!
So, as you can see there are some fascinating things to know about internships in Portugal. Internships in Portugal offer the perfect blend of professional growth, cultural immersion, and fun. From enhancing career-specific skills to building soft skills and cultural competency to making local friends and trying a new adventure activity, Portugal provides a rich and rewarding internship destination.
For more info on what to expect from internships in Portugal, what to know about Portugal before you go, and more advice on internships abroad in general, get in touch. Discover your perfect internship with Roots Interns and embark on a transformative journey in Portugal.
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This blog was written by Tom Rusbridge
