Internship Abroad Programs | Projects Abroad US

Join one of our international internships and gain work experience overseas to boost your professional development.

This is what you can expect on one of our internship opportunities abroad:

Receive first-hand practical knowledge in your field to help your professional development
Gain international work experience through experiential learning
Hone vital professional skills like communication and organization

We’re here to help you find an overseas internship program that matches your requirements and level of experience. We offer a wide variety of short and long-term internship placements, perfect for students and those interested in summer internships abroad.

Whether you’re looking for a Human Rights Internship abroad or you want to get international medical experience, we’ll help you select your ideal global internship.

Options for Internships Overseas

View specific types of internship experiences using the links below:

During volunteer work abroad with children in Ecuador a young child swings on the playground while a volunteer supervises

Childcare Volunteer Opportunities Abroad

Volunteer abroad to support children in developing countries

Interns examine a boy during a health screening outreach on one of our medical placements abroad.

Medical Internships Abroad

Get first-hand medical experience interning in disadvantaged communities.

Four Projects Abroad conservation volunteers walk past a herd of giraffes in Tanzania

Projects: Animal Conservation Volunteering Abroad

Work on environmental, marine, rainforest, and animal conservation volunteering projects around the world

A group of Human Rights interns in Africa have a lively discussion while doing research for a case.

Law and Human Rights Internship Opportunities Abroad

Learn about legal services, human rights, and social justice in challenging environments

A Senegalese beneficiary discusses his business with a student doing a Micro-finance internship abroad.

Microfinance Internships Abroad

Help people realise their potential by setting up new businesses through interest-free micro loans

International Business Internships

Gain business skills while experiencing life overseas

Journalism Internships Abroad

Work on a newspaper, magazine, radio, or TV show on an overseas placement

An intern works with a horse on one of our Animal Care internships abroad.

Veterinary Experience Opportunities

Put your passion for animals to practical use in the developing world

A local social worker discusses an ongoing case with a student doing her Social Work internship abroad.

Social Work Internships Abroad

Work with local professionals to bring support to disadvantaged communities

International Development Internships Abroad

Learn about practical solutions to the challenges faced by disadvantaged communities

Conservation volunteers working together abroad

Volunteer Abroad with a Responsible Volunteering Organization

Help make a difference in local communities and learn new skills. Get involved in Childcare, Wildlife Conservation, and more

A volunteer looking at beaded jewellery during a Projects Abroad cultural exchange programme abroad.

Cultural Immersion & Exchange Programs

Join a cultural exchange programme overseas and experience a different way of life

Why do international internships?

A dentist gives an injection during a procedure in Argentina

An internship program abroad is an excellent way to:

Equip yourself with new knowledge and skills
Gain international work experience in your chosen field
Help you decide whether a specific career is really for you
Build an international network by working with a diverse group of local professionals and interns

Another advantage of getting work experience overseas is that you’ll improve valuable skills like communication and planning.

If an internship isn’t quite what you're looking for, then take a look at our volunteer projects abroad. You can work in Childcare, Conservation, and more.

“Overall I absolutely loved the Micro-finance project. It was an incredibly hands on project which not only allowed me to help women in need, but it also helped me learn and grow as an individual in my abilities..” - Jake J, Microfinance Internship in Tanzania

How do I get an internship abroad?

Our international internship opportunities are open to people from all backgrounds who are at least 16 years old. They’re particularly valuable if you’re about to enroll in college, are already a student, or looking for post-graduate internships abroad.

The process to get an internship abroad is simple: first, choose the customized internship that meets your professional goals.

For example, if you do an Engineering Internship abroad, you’ll gain practical work experience and skills that will help set you apart when you apply for jobs following graduation. Similarly, you can do a Business Internship abroad to land yourself a place at a more highly rated business school.

Requirements vary depending on the internship you choose, but for most internship work experiences abroad, you can join without any specific qualifications or expertise. Unless specified in the requirements, you don’t need to be enrolled in college to join our internships abroad.

You'll work alongside experienced professionals and you'll be guided every step of the way if you need it. Use their expertise for your own professional development.

At the same time, many of our internship placements are designed to have a meaningful impact in the communities you work in. For example, your Microfinance Internship abroad will be used to help local entrepreneurs grow their business. If you choose a Medical Internship abroad, your help will bring essential basic medical services to rural areas.

Throughout your project, you’ll be supervised by our friendly local staff. They’ll be available 24/7 to support and guide you through the work you do.

If you’re worried about how much you can really gain from an internship program when you’re going in with little experience, read our blog about volunteering abroad with no experience.

A Canadian micro-finance volunteer gives a lesson to local women in Arusha, Tanzania.

How do I find a summer internship abroad?

A staff member talks to Conservation volunteers about reforestation in Costa Rica

If you’re planning on working abroad for the summer to give your resume an extra edge, our projects are a great fit. They run throughout the year and have flexible dates, so you can do summer internships abroad with us any point over June, July, or August.

Summer is a popular time of year to do an internship program abroad, especially for high school graduates and university students. Many people ask us “when should I apply for a summer internship?” We recommend applying early (at least three months before you want to leave) to make sure you get a spot on the placement of your choice. This is especially important if you’re applying for a trip with fixed dates, as those fill up quickly!

Narrow down your choices based on your interests. If you’re passionate about helping animals, you could end up on a Wildlife Conservation Internship abroad or a Marine Conservation Internship abroad. Or maybe you plan to study English in college, in which case, you’d get a lot out of a Journalism Internship abroad.

For those already at university, the choice is a little easier; you’re likely to pick the project that most closely matches the subject you study. If you’re still at school and are unsure of which path to take, then read this popular blog post on the best summer internships for high school students for more inspiration.

“I came into my medical placement knowing nearly nothing about medicine other than the fact that I wanted one day to work in the field, and I left knowing exactly what branch of surgery I want to specialize in. It was one of the best experiences that I have had in my life.” - Jose L, Medical Internship in Mexico

Where can I find internships abroad?

When looking to do your internship in another country, it’s important to choose the program that contributes the most to your personal goals. Get in touch with a Project Expert, who can advise you on which options best fit your passions and ambitions. We have projects in 33 countries, so the choice is yours!

For Conservation Internships abroad, we work in numerous habitats, including the Peruvian rainforest, the Botswana bushveld, and the Galapagos Islands. Pick a location based on the kind of wildlife you want to help protect.

Of course, Medical Internships abroad are needed in every country. But the kind of conditions you treat will vary. Medical outreaches in Ghana focus on malaria testing and treating leprosy patients’ wounds, while medical interns based in Argentina pay special attention to raising awareness of diabetes and cardiovascular disease.

Let your interests lead you to the right destination. By working closely with our Project and Destination Experts, you’re bound to find your ideal work placement abroad.

What are the best internship abroad programs for me?

Our best study abroad internships are catered for your professional and experiential growth. Our best internship abroad programs are one that speak to your professional ambitions, personal interests, and one that fits with your schedule.

With us, you don’t need to worry about how to get an internship abroad. Our internship opportunities are open to people of all ages and occupations. They’re especially popular for:

High School Graduates
College Students
Recent Graduates

We recommend Flexi Trips for anyone seeking a study abroad internship aged 18 and older. You’ll be independent while still having the support of our in-country staff when you need it.

If you’re between the ages of 15-18, our High School Special programs are for you. You’ll work in a safe, supportive environment, and our staff will be by your side throughout your trip.

To learn more about the types of trips we offer, go to our trip formats page.

By interning abroad, you’ll gain practical work experience and skills that will help set you apart with university admission panels and future employers. In addition, we can easily organize research opportunities at your project if you need to collect data for a thesis.

Is an internship not quite what you're looking for? Take a look at our volunteer programs abroad. You can work in Childcare, Coaching, Building and more.

Projects Abroad interns edit a spreadsheet as part of their internship work overseas.

Do you have to pay for internships abroad?

Often people ask us, “can I do a free internship abroad?” If this was possible, then you wouldn’t have access to the hassle-free services we provide, as well as our gold standard for safety and support. Our internships abroad with accommodation allow you to focus on what really matters: your personal growth.

We want you to have an experience that’s really worth it, for both your personal and professional development. It’s an investment in your future career and a chance to have the best experience possible.

We don’t offer free or paid internships abroad, but we do provide you with the chance to shadow leading professionals, not to mention all the other benefits that are included in the price including food, accommodation, and much more.

Read more about our views regarding volunteering abroad for free. If you're wondering how to get a free internship abroad, we are glad to help with fundraising and grants for internships abroad to help cover the cost.

Is an internship abroad worth it?

When you travel abroad, you’re opening your mind up to new ways of looking at the world. This allows you to think more creatively and become the problem solver that employers are looking for. You may be asking yourself, are internships abroad worth it?

An internship abroad is invaluable for your professional development. By gaining real world skills, our internship placements provide you with global insight and international work experience that shows you are open-minded, driven, and globally conscious.

Say you do a Nursing Internship abroad. You’ll become educated on the health requirements of a completely new environment. Maybe you’ll be testing for malaria in Kenya or working with traditional medicine in Vietnam. Whatever you do, you’ll expand your skills by observing how professional nurses operate in other regions of the world.

Or maybe you work on a Human Rights Internship abroad. You’ll have firsthand experience of the importance of human rights in countries like Ghana. Your home country might already have LGBTQ rights in a way that Ghana sadly doesn’t. It’s only by experiencing these different legal systems firsthand, that you get a sense of just how valuable justice really is.

So the real internship abroad advantage is gained perspective. You’ll have a high-quality experiential education, shadowing experts, but in an environment that really pushes your limits. You’ll leave bursting with confidence and new professional experiences, ready to show employers what you’re capable of.

“Before Cape Town, I really knew nothing about human rights. Coming here not only enlightened me, but it impacted me in every aspect of my life. I can never forget these amazing people at Youngsfield, and everyone I met along the way. When I left, each one of the refugees hugged me and looked me deep in the eyes to tell me thank you. The gratitude and love these people possessed was incomprehensible.” - Emily D, Law & Human Rights Internship, South Africa

How long is an internship abroad?

Our customized internships are tailored to your schedule. Our most popular short-term internships abroad are called Flexi-Trips. You can join them at anytime throughout the calendar year. If you opt for a two-week internship abroad, this is a great option for that. You can decide to extend your trip at any time if you decide to stay longer. That way you can also complete a long-term internship abroad shall you choose.

We also have semester-long internships abroad that will allow you to fully immerse yourself in your internship placement. The longer you stay, the more you will be trusted by your colleagues and the more you will learn. Consider taking a semester abroad to study social work or international development, while truly making a difference on local communities. Your language skills will improve, as does your global experience.

If you are searching for summer internships abroad or winter-break internships abroad, we've also got you covered. Are you curious how to apply for a summer internship abroad? Contact a Project Expert today and we will help you find the perfect internship placement for your needs.