Internships Abroad : Discover Different Types of Internships!

What is an internship abroad?

An internship abroad can be an incredible opportunity to gain some work experience while also seeing the world. The typical candidate for an internship abroad would be students or recent graduates, though this is not a requirement and anyone can do an internship abroad! 

During an internship, you can gain:

•  real, hands-on experience in a professional setting related to your field of study or career interests. These internships will also expose you to a different cultural environment, allowing you to develop crucial soft skills and broaden your perspectives.
• They can also help you to develop language skills, adaptability, and a broader understanding of international practices in your chosen field.

 

Internships abroad can vary in:

•  duration, ranging from a few weeks to several months, 
• type of organization and purpose (e.g. international companies, non-profit organisations (NGOs), or governmental institutions).

 

There are many different types of internships abroad, in just about any professional sector you are interested in. Many NGOs offer internships all over the world. There are internships abroad in the fields of medicine (healthcare), engineering, humanitarian, wildlife, etc. Some of the most popular industries for internships abroad include business, communications, teaching, tourism and healthcare, though there are, of course, countless others!  An internship could also be either paid or unpaid, though you will gain invaluable experience either way.

Internships abroad are on the rise as students look for ways to travel while also furthering their career and making valuable connections.

In a report from UNESCO Institute of Statistics, the number of international mobile students almost tripled during the last two decades. There are a myriad of benefits to be had from interning abroad, both in terms of personal development and in a professional context.

As reported by Go Abroad, statistics from UC-Merced indicated that 80% of students who either studied or interned abroad stated that they were better able to adapt to diverse work environments.

When interning abroad, there are many organisations, destinations and opportunities available. There is not necessarily one destination that is ‘better’ than another and choosing where to want to go can be a challenge. Where you go will largely depend on what you want to focus on. 

For example, according to a report by Go Overseas in which they analysed various popular interning destinations, the best location for teaching internships is Vietnam! The best for health and medicine was found to be Costa Rica, best for wildlife conservation was South Africa and best for engineering was China. When choosing a program and destination, looking at the type of internship you are interested in is a crucial consideration and will certainly help you make your decision. 

Humanitarian internships abroad

One of the most popular types of internships is a humanitarian internship abroad. 

This usually involves working with organisations or projects that focus on addressing social, environmental, or human rights around the world. 

These internships will provide you with hands-on experience and allow you to contribute to meaningful projects while gaining insights into the challenges faced by communities in need. Within the sector of humanitarian internships, there are also so many different directions you could go. Humanitarian organisations help with anything from youth support and women’s empowerment to economic and community development! 

With a humanitarian internship abroad, you will not only gain invaluable experience in your chosen field, but will also be helping a community and immersing yourself in another culture! 

For example, if you are interested in engineering, a humanitarian project constructing earthquake-resistant buildings could be the perfect opportunity to apply your knowledge and make a real difference, while also enabling you to experience the life and culture in Nepal first-hand! There are plenty of humanitarian internships abroad out there just waiting for you!

NGO internships abroad

Another type of internship is an NGO internship,

 a work placement in a non-governmental organisation, which is usually dedicated to addressing societal, environmental or humanitarian issues. 

If you are interested in helping communities or the environment, interning for an NGO could be the way to go! NGO internships are generally project-focused and are non-profit as well. Although most NGO internships are unpaid, they can still be very rewarding in other ways, such as helping you to make useful connections, gain work experience, learn new skills and make real change within a community. There are countless NGOs out there committed to helping with a wide variety of issues. Many humanitarian internships are also NGO internships. However, not only are there humanitarian-focused NGOs, but there are many options for environmental internships in NGOs all over the world. Whatever cause you are passionate about, chances are that there are other people out there who are too!

Animal internships abroad

Some internships abroad focus specifically on animals and wildlife. 

An animal internship abroad will give you the opportunity to benefit animals and explore another country. 

It is important to note that animal internships are not the same as wildlife internships, in that an animal internship could have you working with veterinarians, in animal shelters or in a wildlife sanctuary, whereas a wildlife internship is specifically limited to non-domesticated animals. 

For animal internships, the focus can vary widely, ranging from domesticated animals to wildlife, to marine life, or perhaps even some combination of all these options! These internships could involve activities related to habitat conservation, research, recording data, caring for the animals, etc. The specific tasks you might have will depend on the internship you choose, of course, though you can rest assured that an animal internship abroad will be a very rewarding experience!

Nursing internships abroad

A nursing internship abroad gives nursing students/graduates the opportunity to gain real work experience in a healthcare setting as well as broaden their perspectives and explore a new country. 

A healthcare internship abroad will have you practising and improving your nursing skills, while also gaining an understanding of global healthcare practices. It should be noted that some medical internships may have different requirements regarding the qualifications that you must have in order to participate. 

In some cases, you might also be limited in what you are legally able to do in a given internship, depending on the internship itself as well as the host country and local laws. Nevertheless, a nursing internship can be a very fulfilling experience, giving you real hands-on experience and allowing you to see firsthand what the healthcare system of another country looks like!

Environmental internships abroad

Another very popular choice for internships abroad is an environmental internship abroad. 

This type of internship encompasses many programs all over the world working on a wide variety of issues. There are projects related specifically to habitat preservation, sustainability initiatives, environmental research, etc. 

There is also quite a range regarding qualifications for this internship field. You could choose to pursue a more specialised internship such as an ecology internship, which requires some level of higher education in a specific field. However, there are also options for those with no experience or expertise in any particular field, such as a biodiversity internship. Within the category of environmental internships abroad, there are countless options to choose from, though no matter what you choose, you will be making a positive difference, gaining valuable experience and learning about new cultures!

Engineering internships abroad 

If you are an aspiring engineer, an engineering internship abroad could be the perfect opportunity for you! 

With this type of internship, you will gain practical experience and be able to see the effects of your work on a community, while also improving your resume! Living abroad will broaden your horizons and teach you valuable life skills as well. Engineering internships can vary quite a bit depending on your specific interests/expertise, such as design, analysis, project management, etc. 

Many engineer internships abroad are in a humanitarian or environmental context so you really do see the positive impact of the work you do, such as a humanitarian construction and renovation internship. Engineering internships are more specialised and therefore generally require some qualifications or experience in order to participate. 

FAQs

What should I pack for an internship abroad?

• The packing list will vary quite a lot depending on the location and nature of your internship. However, in general you will want comfortable clothes that you don’t mind getting a little dirty as most internships are very hand-on. Some internships will require specific clothing requirements, such as a nursing internship. Be sure to check the requirements, weather, etc. for the internship you are interested in!

Does an internship abroad look good on a resume?

• ABSOLUTELY. An internship abroad is not only work experience to put on a resume, but it also shows a range of soft skills that are invaluable to employers. Working abroad demonstrates adaptability, independence, and teamwork, just to name a few!

How do I choose an internship abroad?

• Choosing an internship abroad can be quite daunting as there are so many options. Instead of trying to choose from all these options, start to identify what you are interested in and narrow down your choices. If there is a specific cause you want to support, a skill you want to learn or a place you want to go, this can already get you on the right path to find the internship that is right for you!

Is paying for an internship abroad a good idea?

• Although many internships abroad are not paid, they are still extremely beneficial. The cost of an internship abroad may cover a variety of services so when making your choice be sure to note what is included. Finding a trustworthy internship abroad can be difficult without help, so the cost of the program is largely to help with this, in addition to continuous support, airport transfers, accommodation, food, etc. (though what is included varies on a case-to-case basis). An internship abroad can provide you with countless benefits so the cost of the program itself is definitely worth it much of the time.

Can I apply to internships abroad with no work experience?

• YES! Not all internships abroad require work experience. More specialised ones such as nursing or engineering internships may require some level of education or experience but there are countless others that anyone meeting the requirements (age, language level, etc.) is eligible for without prior experience!

 

Conclusion 

Is an internship abroad a good idea? Depends on whether you want to add to your resume, experience another culture, have an impact on a community and make memories to last a lifetime! With so many internships abroad available, everyone is sure to find one that piques their interest. 

Whether that means interning in an NGO, supporting sustainability initiatives, shadowing medical professionals or helping to design earthquake-resistant buildings, there is something out there for you! 

• From interning abroad you can have a truly immersive experience and use your skills and knowledge in a real-world context. 
• An internship abroad is a great way to kick-start or advance your career with the work experience you will gain, the connections you will make and the soft skills you will develop. 
• Working while travelling is the perfect way to see the world and invest in your future simultaneously. 

So, if all that appeals to you, an internship abroad might be calling your name!