Intern Abroad HQ offers affordable Social Work internships that empower you to create real change. Whether you’re looking to build valuable soft skills, expand your global perspective, or grow your international connections, this is your opportunity to stand out!
Take it from Muhammed - a student at the University of Bradford, currently completing his Social Work degree - who spent two transformative weeks in Zanzibar on a Social Work & Education internship. What started as a step outside his comfort zone became a journey of personal discovery and professional development. From navigating cultural differences to contributing meaningfully to the local community, Muhammed gained clarity about his future and left a positive mark along the way.
Hi Muhammed! How was your first week in Zanzibar different to what you imagined?
Going into my internship I had prepared myself for a challenging yet rewarding experience. I expected language barriers and cultural differences. However, my first week turned out to be different in ways I didn’t anticipate - especially in how quickly I felt welcomed and how strong the human connection was, despite those challenges.
I imagined it would take time to build trust with the children at my placement, but many of them opened up almost immediately. Their warmth, curiosity, and eagerness to engage surprised me. It made me realize that while we came from completely different backgrounds, kindness and attention are universal.
I also expected to feel more like an outsider, but the staff treated me like part of the team from day one, patiently guiding me through their routines and encouraging me to ask questions.
What sort of challenges did you encounter?
One of the most personally challenging aspects of my internship in Zanzibar has been adjusting to different cultural norms and expectations, particularly around schedules and communication.
Coming from a more structured environment, I initially found it difficult to adapt to the more relaxed, fluid concept of time - for example, activities often started later than planned or changed at the last minute. At first, I found this frustrating, but I gradually learned to let go of rigid expectations and embrace a more flexible, patient approach.
Another challenge came from witnessing the way some topics, like HIV or mental health, were approached. There were moments when I realized that certain assumptions I held - such as open discussion of illness being helpful - didn’t always align with the local cultural context.
For instance, stigma around HIV was still present in some ways, and staff sometimes avoided talking about it directly. I had to learn to respect these boundaries while still supporting the children sensitively and appropriately.
Overall, these challenges have taught me to slow down, observe before reacting, and approach differences with curiosity rather than judgment. I’m learning that cultural sensitivity isn’t just about avoiding offense - it’s about genuinely trying to understand and respect another way of life.
How has the internship contributed towards your long term career goals?
My internship with an NGO in Zanzibar has been a deeply meaningful step toward my long-term goal of working in global health and community development, particularly with vulnerable or underserved populations. Being in this role has given me real-world insight into how health, social, and cultural factors are all deeply interconnected - something I had only studied in theory before arriving.
One of the most valuable skills I’ve developed is cultural competence - learning to communicate, collaborate, and adapt in a setting that is completely different from my own. I’ve learned to listen actively, read non-verbal cues, and approach unfamiliar situations with humility and patience - all of which are critical skills for anyone working in international development, social work, or public health.
I’ve also strengthened my emotional intelligence, particularly through working with children affected by trauma, illness, and loss. Supporting them required empathy, consistency, and emotional resilience - qualities that will be directly applicable to future roles in health services, counseling, or NGO work.
In what ways do you feel more empowered to be successful in your field?
This international Social Work internship has significantly increased my sense of empowerment to succeed. Working directly with children living with HIV in a challenging environment has deepened my understanding of the complexities individuals and communities face - especially regarding health, stigma, and social support. Experiencing these realities firsthand has strengthened my empathy and commitment, which I believe are essential qualities for an effective social worker.
As a result of this internship in Zanzibar, I also feel more equipped with practical skills, such as cultural competence, active listening, and emotional resilience, which are critical for building trust and supporting vulnerable populations. The experience has shown me the importance of humility, patience, and adaptability - qualities that will help me navigate diverse social contexts and advocate sensitively and effectively.
At the same time, the internship has made me aware of the limitations I may face - such as systemic barriers and resource constraints - which can sometimes feel overwhelming. However, this awareness doesn’t discourage me; rather, it motivates me to seek collaborative solutions, advocate for broader social change, and continually develop my skills and knowledge.
Overall, I feel more confident that I can contribute meaningfully to social work by combining compassion with practical strategies and by understanding the broader social and cultural contexts affecting individuals’ lives.
Ready to plan your own international internship?
Our step-by-step guide on how it works provides you with more information on how to get started. The process is user friendly - just submit your application to begin. It doesn’t cost anything to apply and won’t take more than 5 minutes. However, your formal expression of interest provides the foundation for us to help you take the next steps.
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We organize everything, including local accommodation, from only $1129 USD
