Best Psychology Internships Abroad 2026 & 2027

🎓 Why do people do Psychology internships?

Having worked with successful psychology interns from all around the world, there are a range of ambitions and motivations that drive the decision to take part in these experiences. At the heart of each person’s goals is an ambition to experience more of the world, grow from new challenges, and establish a strong professional foundation for future growth.

Here’s just a glimpse into the “why” which inspires our psychology interns:

1. To experience new places and meet new people.
2. To guide my understanding in the career I intend to pursue.
3. To put what I have learned in university into practice.
4. To connect with like-minded peers and professionals.
5. To gain new perspectives on the way mental health can be supported.
6. To deepen my understanding of my future career.
7. To fulfil my academic requirements and/or earn college credit.
8. To ensure that I’m 100% ready to start my career.
9. To better understand different values and build my own cultural intelligence.
10. To help make a positive difference for others.

Whether you’re pursuing a degree in psychology or wanting to gain some experience as you launch your career - a Psychology internship offers valuable, hands-on learning that goes far beyond the classroom. It strengthens your résumé, enhances graduate school or job applications, and provides practical training in real-world settings. A Psychology internship abroad is the perfect opportunity to apply your academic knowledge, collaborate with highly skilled professionals, and enhance your global awareness at the same time!

“For me, this internship also served a way to earn academic credits and use my time strategically. Rather than repeating coursework at the university level, I can acquire practical knowledge and skills through Intern Abroad HQ, which will allow me to focus more deeply on advanced studies in my future Master’s program.” 💬 Mahmoud Srour, remote Clinical Psychology internship, hosted out of India

📋 What are the requirements to be accepted into a Psychology internship?

The eligibility requirements for our Psychology internships tend to vary slightly depending on the destination you are applying for. For most, interns should ideally have at least one year of relevant college / university studies in a related field.

If you are not sure whether you meet the requirements, don’t let that stop you from applying! Our Program Managers will be able to advise and guide you to find the ideal internship experience.

“This internship allowed me to acquire work experience in the field of psychology, a subject I am currently studying in university. Through observing interactions between the counselor and client, writing reports, and completing additional research on different patient cases, I have gained insight on a career as a psychologist and enhanced my knowledge in various areas of psychology.” 💬 Georgena Tsz Yi Hung, remote Developmental Psychology internship, hosted out of India

✍️ What can I expect from a Psychology internship?

Psychology internships offer immersive experiences, which you should approach as an opportunity to learn, shadow professionals, and contribute your own skillsets as appropriate. It’s important to manage your expectations by noting that interns are unlikely to have a leading role in delivering therapy or being directly responsible for patient care. However, you will be supported to learn and gain real-world experience, assisting your supervisor or other professional team members.

Across the internship destinations that we offer, there is a broad range of placements available, which can host psychology interns. For example, psychology clinics, hospitals, private practice clinics, non-profit organizations, social service organizations, healthcare centers, educational institutions, sporting organizations, and more.

Psychology internship activities will vary depending on your level of experience, language skills, client permissions, and the progression of different projects at the time of your participation.

Some general examples of psychology internship tasks may be related to:

• Observation and shadowing of treatments
• Coordination of educational activities and training
• Needs assessment and intervention planning
• Case study analysis
• Clinical administrative support
• Community outreach activities
• Resource development.

Psychology interns should always come prepared to cooperate with full flexibility and sensitivity, especially while seeking to enhance their cultural intelligence and reflection on approaches that may differ. The inclusion of an intern in any treatment with a patient will always be subject to the clients agreement and relevant confidentiality requirements of the clinic.

“My three-month internship in Madrid was a uniquely valuable experience that strengthened my development as a 21-year-old aspiring clinical psychologist. What made it truly stand out was the chance to work directly with real patients through one-on-one sessions, allowing me to apply theory in practical, meaningful ways and confirm my passion for clinical work. Overall, this internship offers future students real therapeutic responsibility, cultural immersion, and a genuinely caring team. It is an exceptional opportunity for anyone seeking meaningful clinical experience early in their career.” 💬 Leona Vujicic, Psychology internship in Madrid, Spain

🌎 What destinations offer Psychology internships?

The destinations where you can complete a Psychology internship abroad are:

• Athens, Greece
• Thessaloniki, Greece
• Barcelona, Spain
• Madrid, Spain
• Valencia, Spain
• Belize
• Cusco, Peru
• Cape Town, South Africa
• Arusha, Tanzania
• Zanzibar

If you prefer to complete an internship which you can conduct from wherever you are based and on your own schedule, we offer a large range of remote Psychology internships which you can explore here.

“During my internship I enjoyed the balance between exploring Athens and engaging in meaningful, hands-on work. Visiting iconic cultural sites was incredible, but the most fulfilling aspect was the experience I gained at the centre. I participated in therapy sessions, shared ideas, and built connections with both patients and staff.” 💬 Veronica Shaukry, Psychology internship in Athens, Greece

Explore Psychology internship destinations

⏳ How long can I do a Psychology internship for?

Depending on the destination you choose, our Psychology internships abroad can last anywhere from 2 to 24 weeks, giving you the flexibility to design an international experience that truly fits your goals.

If you’re choosing a remote Psychology internship, these are even more flexible, as you can easily schedule a part-time remote internship schedule around other work, study, sport, or family commitments.

Choose a remote internship schedule from the following:

• 100 hours (3 weeks full time, or 5 weeks part time)
• 250 hours (8 weeks full time, or 12 weeks part time)
• 350 hours (13 weeks full time, or 17 weeks part time)

“I was grateful that I was able to observe real client-counsellor interactions and sessions, this gave me knowledge on the structure and communication style of counseling sessions and helped me learn to observe behavior. Learning about autism and women’s empowerment in particular, will help me with my future career as well as all of the relevant skills I developed along the way. I found the Intern Abroad HQ portal very useful as it contained all of the information I needed to know about the internship in one place. It prepared me well and gave me insight into what I should expect. When I started my internship, any queries that I had, I was able to contact my supervisor and these were resolved almost immediately.” 💬 Grace Czakan, remote Developmental Psychology internship, hosted out of India

🏆 What are the top tips for a successful Psychology internship?

One of the most important tips for any Psychology intern is to be as open-minded as possible. It is possible that the destination you choose will have a different approach to Psychology and different ways to diagnose and treat mental health disorders. Don’t arrive expecting to encounter the same approaches you are used to back home. An open mind to these differences will allow you to learn from these practices, and provide you a much more well-rounded perspective of Psychology.

Another key recommendation is to always strive for open communication. Your internship supervisor, as well as us at Intern Abroad HQ, want you to have the best possible experience. Communicating openly with your supervisor will allow them to understand your own skills and background better, as well as any preferences you may have.

Maintaining a positive, adaptable attitude is key to getting the most out of your internship. Interns who adjust quickly to new environments and are always eager to help tend to gain far more from the experience - both personally and professionally.

“This internship contributed enormously to both my personal and professional development. Personally, it pushed me outside my comfort zone and strengthened my adaptability, cultural awareness, and resilience in new environments. Professionally, I gained hands-on experience in diverse mental health services, from conducting assessments and follow-ups to assisting in the methadone clinic and supporting patients in recovery. Working in a low-resource setting also taught me to be creative, resourceful, and collaborative in problem-solving.” 💬 Shonda Rossman, Psychology internship in Zanzibar

💬 How can I learn about the experiences of other interns?

Psychology internships are popular year-round! There are ample resources available, where you can learn about the experience that previous Intern Abroad HQ interns have had. To get inspired by their insights, check out a range of our psychology intern success stories. You’ll learn more about what to expect, how to prepare, and more:

🌎 Psychology internships abroad ✈️

• How a Clinical Psychology internship in Madrid gave me a clearer vision of the Psychologist I want to become
• The lessons I learned in Zanzibar as an international Psychology intern
• Everything you need to know about a Psychology internship in Spain
• Exploring different Social Work approaches on an internship in Zanzibar
• Unexpected challenges and heartwarming surprises on an internship in Zanzibar
• Developing my professional brand on a Psychology internship in Spain
• Expressing my creativity through a Psychology internship abroad in Athens, Greece!
• What is a Psychology internship in Zanzibar really like? Here’s my inside scoop!
• A Year After: Reflecting Upon My Clinical Psychology Internship in Zanzibar
• How my internship opened my eyes to the exciting reality of a career in psychology
• My eye-opening experience as a Psychology intern in Zanzibar
• How I diversified my experience with Psychology internships in Athens and Cape Town

Explore intern abroad destinations

💻 Remote Psychology internships 🛜

• How I integrated knowledge into practice with an amazing Psychology internship mentor
• How my online internship helped prepare me for a career in Developmental Psychology
• Developing valuable skills with my remote Clinical Psychology internship
• What I gained from my Remote Psychology internship
• Exploring Mental Health Care professions through my Clinical Psychology internship
• How I gained mentorship through my Developmental Psychology internship
• How I built emotional intelligence through my Child & Youth Mental Health internship
• How I supported mental health and wellbeing as a psychology intern
• How an Introduction to Counseling Skills internship provided practical experience
• How My Virtual Psychology Internship Will Help Me Become a Therapist

Explore remote internship opportunities

✅ How can I plan my own internship?

Ready to take the first step?

1. Submit your application to make your formal expression of interest. It is free to apply and only takes 5 minutes. This step enables us to provide you with an opportunity to begin the reservation process.

2. Connect with your Internship Program Manager. We’re here to address any questions, provide consultation, and ensure that you’re well supported to plan for the journey ahead. Want to chat to someone straight away? No problem. You can contact us toll-free to get the answers you need.

3. Begin the placement process. Your internship is secured via deposit payment of US$499, as this enables us to start making specific arrangements for your Psychology Internship abroad. Once registered, you’ll gain access to tools such as your preparation check-list and detailed Program Guide. We recommend advance planning, so that you can lock in a great internship placement and take care of travel arrangements early. You must confirm no less than 60 days before your chosen start date as this is the deadline for program fee payment.

4. Pack your bags! Once you’ve confirmed your internship, we’ll help you to begin working through the preparation check-list. This is when things really start to get exciting. We make it user-friendly to turn your goals for travel and career progression into a reality!