Looking for international internships that provide housing? As part of your fully hosted experience, Intern Abroad HQ’s Program Fees cover your accommodation for the duration of your internship abroad. Most of our internships offer homestay accommodation with a local host family, which allows you to be immersed in the local culture within an intimate setting. We also have internship options that offer shared lodging, which gives interns the opportunity to socialize and benefit from cultural exchange, and private room accommodation.
These internship housing and accommodation options are the most affordable and authentic way for interns to experience the local culture. They enable us to keep our Program Fees low and provide our interns with a fully immersive international learning experience.
Why our internships have housing provided
Our goal is to make finding and participating in an international internship as simple, straightforward, affordable, and stress-free as possible.
That’s why we organize all your in-country essentials for your internship abroad: a fantastic placement, professional local supervision, airport pick-up, 24/7 local support, and conveniently located accommodation that’s comfortable and safe. Most of our internship abroad programs also include a selection of meals, which further minimizes the cost of living abroad.
Where you stay and who you interact with during your internship have a significant impact on your overall experience. Our in-country coordinators are local people who are active within the local community. They carefully select internship housing and accommodation options based on safety, quality, convenience, social immersion and budget. With accommodation taken care of, we remove the stress, risk and time investment from having to make these arrangements yourself.
Flexible internship housing and accommodation arrangements
If you’re an independent traveler with accommodation preferences in mind, we are able to offer the following on select internship abroad programs:
- Extra nights of accommodation before/after your internship
- Dietary requirements
- Accommodation upgrades
Please contact us for more information regarding which internship locations will be able to accommodate your accommodation and dietary preferences.
Homestay accommodation
The nature of homestay accommodation varies by destination. Most homestays are an apartment or house with one or more spare rooms that are used to host our international interns.
The portfolio of accommodation hosts is managed by our team of local coordinators, who vet and support the network. This allows for quality control and the provision of accommodation options for interns with particular preferences or requirements. It also enables them to introduce interns to other participants on the program who may be staying at different accommodation sites.
At all accommodations, interns are provided with their own key and can come and go as you please. However, you will be expected to be courteous to others and respect everyone’s privacy and safety. If you’re planning on interning alongside a partner or friend, please let your Internship Program Manager know so we can accommodate you together.
In most homestay accommodation, home cooked meals are provided for our interns and are included with the Program Fee. However, you don’t have to be there for every available meal, as you’ll likely want to enjoy some of the local restaurants and spend weekends exploring the region. You’ll just need to advise your host if there are meals you don’t plan to join. This approach is much more economical than making your own arrangements for food and accommodation during your program.
What our interns have to say about homestay experiences
”I thought that I would be alone and discovering Costa Rica independently. However, my host family welcomed me with open arms and took me to see so many different cities. We travelled to Cariari, El Tortuguero, Zarcero, and San Carlos - all within the first week! I could tell that my host family took care to ensure I could take in as much of Costa Rica as possible during my time on the internship. I was grateful to have been placed with such a loving and caring family, as they made this transition so much easier for me.”
”During the internship, I had an amazing experience with my host family - Ana Maria and Carlo. They welcomed me into their home from the very first day. Living with a family that was not my own was a scary thought, but I couldn’t have asked for a better experience. I felt safe and comfortable in the home, and they were very supportive and accommodating to my needs. They are the type of people who truly want to give students an immersive cultural experience by living with a host family, and I am truly going to miss them.”
”I’ll particularly miss my host family after this internship, as we bonded and formed a deep connection with each other. They made me feel so at home, and I will miss that experience.”
”My host family was sooo sweet, caring and loving. I still keep in contact with them today! It was an unforgettable, fulfilling experience.”
”I really enjoyed staying with a host family. This helped me to work more on my Spanish and become further acquainted with the culture. By the end of my time in Costa Rica, my host family became a second family to me. I would make the decision to intern through Intern Abroad HQ a million times over.”
”My host family was absolutely incredible. They were the kindest, self-less, and most inspiring people I have met. They made me feel right at home and never made me feel like I was just another student at the dinner table. Leaving them was so hard and I cannot wait for the day I can go back.”
”At my homestay, Annie and Carlos were great! Very hospitable and loving. They always asked if we were okay and if we needed anything. All they had to offer was more than enough. Their charisma and parental guidance made this trip feel very home-y. I enjoyed every moment with them and could not speak more highly! I loved that we ate lunch together every single day and had great conversations. It made the host family experience one to remember. Of course, the food was great too! It helps that Carlos was a chef!”
Shared lodging accommodation
Some internship abroad destinations offer accommodation in dedicated lodging which is shared with other interns. The types of facilities and amenities vary by destination. Living spaces are usually shared, such as common areas, kitchens, bedrooms and, in some locations, bathrooms.
Shared lodging offers greater interaction with other program participants, so this is a good option if you want to socialize with other interns from all around the world. However, this offers less immersion in the local culture and language than a homestay.
What our interns have to say about shared lodging experiences
”The camp represents a mini-world, with different people from around the world. The location is in the midst of the South African bush, near the mighty Oliphant’s River. The camp has boundaries on all sides and has specific quarters for interns, separate quarters for guides, shared kitchen, lounge and dining areas, as well as a computer data room. We take turns preparing meals in groups, which is also a wonderful and new experience for me. Each and every member of the group participating in cooking and dining together, followed by cleaning of utensils, makes me feel the sense of togetherness that I enjoy within my family back home.”
”I loved the accommodation. We all had roommates, so we had to be respectful and mindful of those around us. It was important to have a ‘go with the flow’ attitude. Overall, it was great sharing a house with so many amazing people from around the world and was fun always having friends to come home to. We had endless movie nights, gatherings and dinner parties. It was incredible.”
Private room accommodation
Accommodation upgrades and private rooms are available in select destinations. These preferences should be communicated in advance, so that the Program Management team can advise you accordingly.
