Background: Experiences of medical specialist trainees in psychiatry can be informative for those who seek to improve post-graduate training. This study aimed to explore the experience of child and adolescent psychiatry (CAP) trainees across different training settings and cultures worldwide to seek out similarities and differences. Methods: A convenience sample of CAP-trainees (n = 36) and -trainers (n = 54) was recruited internationally. All provided a narrative account on aspects of training in their region (n = 27 different countries), either first-person (trainees) or through external perception (trainers). Thematic analysis was used for inductive treatment of the data. Results: Trainees’ and trainers’ perspectives covered psychological security of the educational framework (including a comprehensive curriculum; social support and recognition of local context), specific skills to be acquired during training and the effects of the social-cultural dimension on mental health (training). Trainers’ perspectives highlighted the importance of support and training for supervisors; an overall view to make sense of the training framework; and of looking at training through objective and subjective frameworks of thinking to understand and guide trainees’ pathways. Conclusions: Experiences from international psychiatry trainees suggest themes that may guide further development of international standards in psychiatry specialist training on a tailored and consistent supervision framework for trainees. For their trainers, a learning community may offer ongoing support, supervision skill development and help reflect on overall views on systems of care. © The Author(s) 2025.