Spain
Intern in Madrid, Spain
Madrid is one of Europe's most dynamic cities, with a well-developed mental health and social services sector that gives psychology students a rich professional environment to learn in.
Internship Fields
Psychology Internships Abroad
Gain the Hands-On Experience That Sets You Apart in Psychology
Passionate About Psychology? We Have an Internship for You
Psychology is a field where real growth happens through real experience. Reading about human behavior in a classroom is one thing; observing, assisting, and working within a functioning clinical or community setting is another. A psychology internship abroad gives you that direct exposure, and it does so within a cultural context that deepens your understanding of the human mind in ways a domestic placement simply cannot.
Internships in psychology with Adelante Abroad are available in Madrid, Seville, Chile, Uruguay, and Oaxaca, Mexico. There is also a separate observation and research program in Scotland. An intermediate level of Spanish is required for most placements in Spain and Latin America, as you will be working directly within Spanish-speaking environments.
Why Choose a Psychology Internship Abroad?
An international psychology internship does more than build your resume. It challenges your assumptions and expands your perspective. Here is why psychology students choose to intern abroad with Adelante:
Gain direct field exposure early
Adelante placements put you in a real clinical or community setting from day one, not just observing from the sidelines.
Strengthen your graduate school application
International clinical or research experience signals maturity, initiative, and cross-cultural awareness to psychology graduate programs.
Develop bilingual professional skills
Working in Spanish-speaking clinical and community environments builds the language skills that make you a stronger practitioner with diverse populations.
Explore different areas of psychology
Past interns have worked across a range of specializations within the field, including clinical practice, counseling, research, and community mental health.
Earn academic credit
Most Adelante interns receive academic credit through their home university, with full documentation support from our team.
Psychology placements are best suited for students currently enrolled in or recently graduated from a psychology or related program. Prior coursework in psychology is required for clinical and private practice placements. For the Scotland research program, only four to six participants are accepted each year, so applying early is strongly encouraged.
What Will You Do as a Psychology Intern Abroad?
Psychology is a broad field, and our placements reflect that. Here is a look at the types of work our psychology interns have taken on across their placements:
Shadow a Clinical Psychologist in Private Practice
Work closely with a practicing clinical psychologist, sitting in on sessions that cover stress, anxiety, family and marital conflict, and other mental health concerns. This type of placement is observational in nature and requires prior studies in psychology along with an intermediate level of Spanish.
Work Within Non-Profit Organizations Serving the Community
Some placements are within non-profit organizations that work with underserved populations, including immigrant and refugee communities, at-risk youth, individuals experiencing homelessness, survivors of domestic violence, and LGBTQ advocacy groups. These placements combine psychology with community support work and are a strong fit for students interested in counseling, social work, or community mental health.
Participate in Academic Research in Scotland
For students with a strong research focus, Adelante offers a highly selective psychology research placement at prestigious universities in Edinburgh and Dundee. You will work directly alongside PhD faculty members and their research teams on lab projects that vary each year. This program runs in summer and accepts only four to six participants annually.
Support Mental Health Programming and Outreach
Contribute to mental health awareness workshops, community education sessions, and outreach programs designed to connect underserved communities with mental health resources. These roles are a strong fit for students interested in public health, preventive care, or community-based psychology practice.
Destinations
Our Top Psychology Intern Abroad Destinations
Spain
Intern in Seville, Spain
Seville is a culturally immersive Spanish city with a strong community-oriented culture, making it a meaningful setting for psychology and social services work.
Latin America
Intern in Chile
Chile has a growing mental health awareness movement and a strong network of community organizations, offering psychology students a genuinely impactful experience in Latin America.
Latin America
Intern in Uruguay
Uruguay is known for its progressive social policies and well-regarded social services sector, making it a strong destination for psychology students interested in community-based work.
Latin America
Intern in Mexico
Oaxaca is one of Mexico's most culturally significant regions, with deep community roots and a strong tradition of grassroots social and mental health work.
Intern in Scotland
Scotland is home to some of the UK's most respected universities, with active research programs and clinical labs that offer psychology students a world-class academic environment.
Programs
Programs With Psychology Placements
Madrid
Internships in Madrid
Intern in Madrid with housing, placement, and language classes included. Guaranteed placements across 30+ fields, programs starting monthly.
Seville
Internships in Seville
Intern in Seville with housing, placement, and language classes included. Guaranteed placements across 30+ fields, programs starting monthly.
Viña del Mar – Valparaíso
Internships in Chile
Intern in Chile with housing, placement, and language classes included. Guaranteed placements across 30+ fields, programs starting monthly.
Montevideo – Punta del Este
Internships in Uruguay
Intern in Uruguay with housing, placement, and language classes included. Build your resume while living in Montevideo or Punta del Este.
Oaxaca
Internships & Volunteering in Oaxaca, Mexico
Volunteer or intern in Oaxaca, Mexico across a range of fields. Affordable programs with housing included and flexible durations from 2 to 6+ months.
Edinburgh
Observation & Research in Scotland
Apply for an Observation and Research program in Scotland with assignments in Psychology, Ecology, Veterinary, Speech Pathology, and more.
What’s included
Every Adelante Program Includes
Affordable Programs
Both our Internship Abroad and Study Abroad Programs are among the most affordable you’ll find. Explore a new country and gain meaningful internship experience that makes a difference, without being limited by your budget.
Centralized Accommodations
Enjoy your own private room in a shared city-center apartment, conveniently located near your placement, local life, and weekend adventures.
Guaranteed, Contracted Internship Placement
You’ll receive a signed contract from your host organization before you arrive. We have placed 100% of our candidates in one of their requested fields and stand behind that with a guarantee.
Customized Program Building
Your Adelante director builds your placement around your background, interests, Spanish proficiency level, and areas of interest. No cookie-cutter placements.
Guided Reflection Exercises
We help you identify and articulate the skills you’ve built abroad, an essential step in translating impactful international work into language that resonates on your resume, in interviews, and on graduate school applications.
Academic Credit Support
Nearly every Adelante intern who needed academic credit has received it. We provide full documentation and can work with your home institution to meet their requirements.
How to apply
How the Application Process Works
Apply Online
Fill out our simple online application. There is no fee to apply, and it takes only a few minutes to get started.
Get on the Calendar
Eligible candidates receive a link to schedule a free, first assessment interview by phone or Google Meet.
Interview
We’ll learn about your background, areas of interest, Spanish level, and goals so we can start building the right placement for you.
Interview Results
In real time or within 1–2 business days, you will receive your interview results by email. Successful candidates receive an acceptance letter with clear next steps.
Confirmation
Confirm your spot within one week of acceptance with a $325 confirmation fee. This means there is no tire-kicking, and you are committed to going abroad. A second interview and full placement details follow soon after.
Pre-Departure
Once confirmed, you will receive a comprehensive Pre-Departure Information Packet with everything you need to prepare for your time abroad, including visa guidance if required, along with cultural prep.
Reviews
Hear From Adelante Abroad Candidates
Read what past interns, students and volunteers say about their time abroad with Adelante.
Jenni M.
St. Cloud State University, MN, USA
Psychology · Scotland
I could not have asked for a better internship opportunity than the experience I had here in Edinburgh. All of the people who we interacted with for our program were so friendly and helpful. Our living situation was spectacular- right off the Royal Mile! The actual internship…
I could not have asked for a better internship opportunity than the experience I had here in Edinburgh. All of the people who we interacted with for our program were so friendly and helpful. Our living situation was spectacular- right off the Royal Mile! The actual internship program at the University was absolutely outstanding. We had the opportunity to learn new software, code data, run participants, research new literature, and I even had the opportunity to work with a professor to collaborate on a brand new study. Definitely the right program fit for me and has immensely grown the confidence and ability I have in my research skills. I would definitely recommend this program to anybody that wants to further their research experience in a unique and independent way.
Leonor G.
Nottingham Trent University, England
Psychology · Madrid, Spain
I was in Madrid for nearly 2 months doing an internship in clinical psychology. My experience was very good in terms of professional and personal development. Throughout my internship, I was able to improve on employability skills and gain practical and in-depth knowledge that…
I was in Madrid for nearly 2 months doing an internship in clinical psychology. My experience was very good in terms of professional and personal development. Throughout my internship, I was able to improve on employability skills and gain practical and in-depth knowledge that will for sure help me in the future. In addition, I was fortunate enough to enjoy my time in Madrid and share this experience with amazing people. It also helped to have Adelante staff’s support throughout the whole time. My internship also allowed me to gain practical experience and more in-depth knowledge of clinical psychology whilst working in a good professional environment.
Jacob G.
Furman University
Psychology · Mexico
I wanted to learn what it would be like to work as a psychologist and Adelante helped me reach this goal. I had a great [internship] connecting me with local psychologists to learn, assist with presentations, practice Spanish, observe therapy sessions, and even lead sessions on…
I wanted to learn what it would be like to work as a psychologist and Adelante helped me reach this goal. I had a great [internship] connecting me with local psychologists to learn, assist with presentations, practice Spanish, observe therapy sessions, and even lead sessions on my own. I also was afforded plenty of time and flexibility to travel throughout Oaxaca. I had some of the best food I’ve had on my travels, some of the kindest people I’ve met, and some of the best places to visit, from the vibrant city to the ruins to the mushroom mountains and to the beaches on both sides. One could spend a lot of time studying and traveling Oaxaca, and by the end, they will want to make it home.
Why Choose Adelante Abroad?
Adelante Abroad has earned the trust of thousands of candidates worldwide through 25 years of guaranteed placements and life-changing experiences. Since 1999, we’ve specialized in providing affordable, customized internship and study abroad programs across Spain, Latin America, and Scotland, and we’re not a large, impersonal agency. We’re a team of seasoned travelers and international education professionals who’ve lived abroad ourselves and know what it takes to make your experience a success.
Every program is built around you: your goals, your values, your background. With in-country directors operating full-time in every city where we have programs, you’re never on your own. No matter where in the world you are.
Ready to Take Your Psychology Studies into the Real World?
With a guaranteed placement, a dedicated in-country team, and a program built around your goals, you have everything you need to make your time abroad count.