Which Location for a Summer Internship: Lisbon or Budapest?

Internships are one of the best ways to gain professional experience while you’re still studying or trying to decide which career path you want to take. Many companies (us included!) offer summer internship programs that can last anywhere from a couple of weeks to a longer 3-month period.

Summer internships are often an incredible opportunity for undergrad students or fresh graduates to dip their toes into the working pool while traveling to a different city or country altogether. If you’re considering a summer internship abroad, you might already have a few favorite cities in mind. Ours will always be Budapest and Lisbon so if you’re undecided between the two, let us help you choose!

Summer Internship in Budapest

It’s no secret that we love living and working in Budapest. And we’re not alone! Budapest was named the Best European Destination 2019 and is one of Lonely Planet’s Best in Travel 2020.

But what makes Budapest so special? For us, it all starts with its excellent location. Set along the banks of the Danube River, Budapest is at the heart of Central Europe, making it a quick flight away from pretty much anywhere else on the continent. As an intern, this means you will have easy access to neighboring countries such as Austria, Croatia, Slovenia, and Romania to explore on the weekends!

It shouldn’t come as a surprise that Budapest’s international community continues to grow every year. And expats may come for the city’s strategic location, but they stay for Budapest’s enchanting atmosphere. From its beautiful architecture to its delicious summer fröccs – there is something in Budapest for everyone to enjoy.

As an intern, you will have plenty of options to choose from since many companies (like us!) have decided to set up their offices in Budapest. From big multinationals (like IBM and Bosch) to promising start-ups, you can gain valuable professional experience as a summer intern in Budapest in a variety of industries including tech, financial services, or even marketing.

While you’re here, you might want to pick up a few words in Hungarian! But don’t worry – you can easily get around the city speaking English. Another thing you don’t have to worry about is the cost of living since Budapest is a very affordable city, especially in comparison with other European capitals.

Summer Internship in Lisbon

Located on the west coast of Portugal along the Tagus River, Lisbon is one of Europe’s oldest cities. Its rich history permeates through its cobblestoned streets, ever-changing architecture, and stunning waterfront views. But Lisbon is more than just its past! Today, the city is one of Europe’s major start-up hubs and it attracts a vast expat community from just about every corner of the world.

That’s why finding English-speaking internship opportunities in Lisbon has never been easier! From tech start-ups to larger, fully established companies, you can find internship opportunities in pretty much any industry in Lisbon. While English will easily get you around the city without problems, you may also want to take the opportunity to pick up a bit of Portuguese. A simple attempt at “Olá” (Hello) and “Obrigado” (Thank you) is always a friendly way to mingle with locals!

In addition to its English-friendly atmosphere, Lisbon is also a perfect destination for an international internship because of how affordable it is. While housing prices have risen in recent years, the city remains quite inexpensive especially when in comparison to other European capitals. Rent, public transportation, and food prices are pretty reasonable, so you don’t have to worry about breaking the bank for a short 3-month internship.

In the summer, the warm weather makes the city come alive and you will easily find plenty to do in your off time: relax in the sun at the beach, grab a drink from a trendy rooftop bar, or dance the night away at one of the city’s many outdoor festivals. And if you’re feeling adventurous, there are plenty of picturesque towns to explore in the surrounding areas like Sintra, Cascais, Óbidos, and much more.

What About Both?

With two such great contenders, it might be too difficult for you to choose a favorite. But we have the perfect solution: a remote internship! While there are many benefits to applying for a remote internship program, one of the most important ones is that you can work from wherever you are. In fact, you may even be able to travel the world while gaining an incredible work experience.

Here at clovio, our fully remote team is based out of Budapest and Lisbon so our summer interns can work with us from one or both cities – whatever they prefer. And if you’re interested in knowing more about our internship program, get in touch with us for the opportunity to join our team!