Environmental and social impact has always been at the heart of what we do, which is why our parent organization, International Volunteer HQ, has been a Certified B Corporation since 2015.
B Corp is a symbol of sustainability, inclusivity and quality, showing that we have been externally audited and holding us to the highest social and environmental standards.
Intern Abroad HQ is the first and only remote and overseas internship provider that is B Corp certified.
How did Intern Abroad HQ become a B Corporation?
As a certified B Corp, Intern Abroad HQ and our parent company International Volunteer HQ have undergone a rigorous and extensive assessment on the company’s impact on its workers, customers, community and environment. But it doesn’t end there. B Corp is a long-term commitment, and the process continues with a regular annual recertification process.
Intern Abroad HQ’s operations are Carbon Neutral
Intern Abroad HQ is proud to be certified Zero Carbon Business Operations. Since April 2019, we have measured and offset the carbon footprint of our business operations to ensure these have no negative impact on the climate. The solar panels in our head office provide most of our electricity requirements and we have purchased certified carbon credits with Ekos to offset non-renewable head office energy consumption and business travel undertaken by our staff.
These certified carbon credits are sourced from projects that grow and protect forests in our home country, New Zealand, as well as other neighbouring Pacific Islands. These projects help to deliver climate resilience, waterways protection, erosion control, biodiversity conservation and community economic development.
Using business as a force for good
We believe that business should be contributing positively towards society. That’s why we only offer ethical, locally-driven internship programs that deliver a positive impact to the host organizations we support as well as our interns. Local teams determine the focus of our internships, because they best understand the needs of their organization.
Being seen as ‘good’ through marketing is easy, but actually doing good is where many companies fall short. The B Corp stamp ensures we are dedicated, accountable, responsible and 100% transparent with our customers, communities, employees and the environment.
How does Intern Abroad HQ put B Corp values into practice?
Here are a few examples of how we use B Corp’s best practice guidelines to ensure maximum benefit to interns, communities, employees and the environment.
We’ve got a big vision for the role that Intern Abroad HQ will play in enabling people anywhere in the world and do something positive in the community, and this Certification is a symbol of our commitment to realizing that vision in a responsible and sustainable way. We hope other entrepreneurial businesses will be inspired to join the movement too.
For interns:
Place interns with experienced professionals in enriching organizations to empower them to learn new skills and explore their career path.
Ensure internships are affordable, flexible, accessible and customizable to people of all ages and from all backgrounds with remote and overseas options.
Support interns beyond their placement with an experiential learning curriculum, giving them the tools to boost their resume, create strong job applications or obtain academic credit.
Provide wrap-around support, guidance and coaching from a supervisor, coordinator and internship manager.
Regularly audit internships to ensure they are effective, safe and well-run.
For local organizations & communities:
Ensure placements are genuinely beneficial to the local organization, so that interns are making a valuable contribution where it is needed.
Ensure all projects work sustainably towards the long term goals of the local organization or community.
Screen interns for qualifications and criminal convictions, manage expectations and cap numbers when a placement reaches capacity.
Provide regular training to the local teams on best practice intern management.
For employees:
Promote diversity and inclusion in the workplace.
Prioritize operational savings and sustainable spend.
Ensure internal transparency within the business.
B Corp symbol attracts talent and new employees.
Collaborate, build relationships and learn from fellow B Corps.
For the environment:
Offset carbon emissions for all staff flying to visit/audit internships.
Encourage interns to offset carbon emissions with a Carbon Footprint Calculator.
Run a wide-range of environmental conservation internships, which help promote sustainable practices across a variety of organizations.
Read what our recent interns have said
”This Social Work internship provided insight into potential therapeutic professions, as well as my own capabilities within. I feel more empowered and confident having an idea of my role and gauging my experience level.”