Looking for a unique internship opportunity to gain relevant and practical international career experience? Intern Abroad HQ offers flexible and affordable internships in Cusco, Peru! As the ancient capital of the Inca Empire, Cusco is a fascinating city, maintaining a strong cultural identity, while also offering modern comforts. Internships in Peru provide cultural immersion like no other, as well as amazing placement opportunities that make a real impact!
Internships in Peru are available within the following fields:
Interns can choose a minimum duration of 2 weeks, up to 24 weeks, with start dates available year-round. Let us take care of connecting you with a network of experienced host organizations within your field, while also arranging your airport pick up, accommodation, meals and providing comprehensive in-country support.
Contents
- What do people love about Cusco?
- What are the most popular internships in Peru?
- Can I intern in Peru if I don’t speak Spanish?
- What might a typical day look like for an intern?
- How can interns spend their weekends?
- When is the best time of year to intern in Cusco?
- What is the food and accommodation like?
- How much spending money should I budget?
- What is the best advice for this internship destination?
- I'm ready! How can I start planning my internship abroad?
What do people love about Cusco?
Cusco offers a striking balance of local culture, cuisine, and customs, while also accommodating international influences from all over the world. You can hear multiple languages spoken around the city and smell the aroma of food from different cultures, when walking around the city center.
Visitors to this city love the energy of such a big city infused with the simplicity and kindness of a culture less consumed by technology and materialism. This simple yet beautiful way of life gives you less distractions, time to reflect, to pause and appreciate the impressive surrounding Andes, or the intricacy of the historic buildings. It truly is a magical place!
Local people find working with international interns a pleasure too, as they bring unique perspectives, ideas, stories, and walks of life with them. They love getting to know students and learning about their experiences in different corners of the world!
“Overall, Cusco is an amazing city. I am so glad I took the opportunity to travel before working. I learned so much about myself by being away from home. I loved all the weekend trips to places with the best views and best company. I have met so many people from different parts of the world and it’s amazing how close we all have become.” - Erica Frey, Physician’s Assistant internship in Peru
What are the most popular internships in Peru?
Typically we see lots of interns eager to assist with Youth Development & Education or in medical clinics, which is wonderful.
The great thing about internships in the fields of education and health, is that there are really a lot of diverse options. For example, interns can choose from:
Our Marketing & Communications internship program has hosted some really special people over the years, so the collaboration that international interns bring is incredibly worthwhile.
Finally, Veterinary & Animal Care internships are also available for friends of the animals. This field is hard work but very rewarding and high impact!
“I’m currently studying Psychology, so being onsite for this internship allowed me to apply learned theories and developmental skills first hand. This experience allowed me to explore a whole new perspective on how psychology is applicable to youth. I now feel more appreciative of what I have, more empowered, and understand that there is a real need for people like myself in the field of Psychology.” - Javan Tate, Psychology internship in Peru
Can I intern in Peru if I don’t speak Spanish?
All our internships in Peru have Spanish language requirements which range from beginner to intermediate/advance. You can check the eligibility requirements of the various internships in Peru when you explore each option.
We strongly encourage everyone who is not yet fluent in Spanish to take Spanish language lessons during their internship. The lessons are designed to enhance program engagement, confidence, and cultural integration. Regardless of which internship field you choose, it’s important to have a good attitude and take the initiative to start conversations and to interact with people. This will only enhance your learning and cultural immersion!
“My sole purpose of going to Cusco was to learn Spanish. For anyone looking to improve their Spanish, Cusco is the place to go! The locals are always willing to help you out. My private Spanish lessons helped me a lot to gain more fluency and proficiency, as well as talking with my host family every day.” - Alex Curtis, Marketing & Communications internship in Peru
What might a typical day look like for an intern?
A typical day may start with enjoying a breakfast of hot tea, bread and jam, and fresh fruit with your host family, and walking to Spanish class. You may spend the morning brushing up on Spanish, preparing to communicate with children, patients, or supervisors at your internship.
Then you will typically head back home to enjoy a nice big lunch (the biggest meal of the day) with your host family before catching the bus to work at your internship for the afternoon.
After returning for dinner with your host family, you might play with the children in your home, watch a movie, or do some journaling (reflective journaling is a component of the Intern Abroad HQ Experiential Learning Curriculum).
Otherwise, depending on the day of the week, you could meet up with other interns, show off your karaoke or salsa skills, enjoy a Pisco Sour, or simply walk around the city to enjoy the sounds and sights!
“My experience through Intern HQ was wonderful! I interned for 6 weeks in Cusco at a local clinic, with the Physician’s Assistant Internship. I interned from Monday through Friday, from 8am till noon, or 1pm. The rest of the time, I was free to explore Cusco and hang out with different people that I had met through dinners and the various activities of the week. It was really interesting to see how healthcare worked in Peru, and the internship lined up with my career goal of being a pediatrician.” - Anna Chiang, Physicians Assistant internship in Peru
How can interns spend their weekends?
If you like to shop, there are many “baratillos” to check out all around the city. Baratillos are kind of like flea markets, usually open on Saturdays, where you can find cheap goods and souvenirs to take back home, or maybe try some local fruit. Haggling is a fun way to get the most bang for your buck, and is an art form you will learn to perfect in the baratillos!
There are also museums, cathedrals, art galleries, and Incan sites right here that are must-sees. As the historic capital of the Inca Empire and UNESCO World Heritage Site, there is a lot to see and do within the city center alone (not to mention all the excellent restaurants). Buy a “Boleto Turístico del Cusco”, which covers admission to a large number of excellent attractions within the Cusco and Sacred Valley region.
Top travel destinations are of course Machu Picchu and the Sacred Valley. There is lots more to see, such as Rainbow Mountain, Humantay, Lake Titicaca or even the jungle!
“If you are an adventurer, Cusco is calling your name. The area is beautiful and there are so many cool places to explore. I promise you won’t have enough time to see it all. Plan your weekends ahead of time because in a blink of an eye they will be gone! Now quit reading this review and go apply for an internship with Intern Abroad HQ. I promise you will have an experience of a lifetime!” - Alex Curtis, Marketing & Communications internship in Peru
When is the best time of year to intern in Cusco?
You can join the internship program year-round, so find the time that works best with your availability!
Day time temperatures in Cusco are typically around 20°C / 68°F year round. However, nights are colder from November through March. The coldest months of the year are June and July so if you’re looking for a “summer internship” just bear in mind that Cusco is in the southern hemisphere and situated at high altitude, so you will need nice, cozy, warm layers.
June is a special month to be in Cusco, as the Inti Raymi festival is celebrated during the winter solstice and represents the Inca New Year. This is a significant cultural festival, which frequently attracts many tourists.
“I had the opportunity to work with a local midwife in Cusco, Peru this summer and it was fantastic! I also took Spanish lessons during my internship. The lessons were great, and they organized weekly outings/events/parties for the interns, so it was super easy to meet people. I made a good group of friends and we had tons of fun! Intern Abroad HQ was wonderful in helping me prepare for my trip. They were always there to answer questions, provide information, help me book excursions, and make sure everything was taken care of before I left.” - Nikki Castro, Midwifery internship in Peru
What is the food and accommodation like?
You can expect your homestay accommodation to be a little different from your own home. However, our host families are extremely accommodating and welcoming. They provide a safe and supportive environment for all interns, especially those who may be traveling alone for the first time. You will have a private bedroom and access to shared living areas, as well as a shared or private bathroom.
We work with very kind families who love having students in their homes and will do everything they can to make sure you are comfortable while you are here. These families have some pretty great cooks who can whip up special Peruvian dishes for you. Breakfast will often be simple and consist of bread, spreads, juice, coffee or tea, and fruit. Lunch and dinner are generally the biggest meals of the day, and often consist of soup, pastas, vegetables and chicken.
If you want to participate in the program alongside friends, this is no problem - arrangements can be made to ensure you’re accommodated together.
“During the internship, I had an amazing experience with my host family. 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 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 and l am truly going to miss them. Words cannot describe how much I enjoyed my experience in Peru. Three months was not nearly enough time.” - Angelica Ante, Physicians Assistant internship in Peru
How much spending money should I budget?
Your internship Program Fee covers your airport pick up, accommodation and meals. However, you will need to budget for your extra snacks, bottled water/drinks, transportation, weekend travel, shopping, personal expenses, and return transport to the airport. About US$50 per week should be sufficient to cover basic expenses such as laundry and public transportation. However more should be budgeted for social and tourism activities.
It’s wise to research tourism activities in advance to get an idea of what you’d like to do and how much you need to earmark for this. The city of Cusco is a World Heritage Site by UNESCO and you can visit many notable buildings in the area. These kinds of local activities will usually cost a lot less than taking excursions further afield, such as planning a visit to Machu Picchu.
“I had a wonderful time in Cusco, Peru where I worked in a small clinic near the Plaza De Armas. The program is very involved with your social life and helping you settle into your homestay and workplace. I learned so much in the 9 weeks I was there and enjoyed every last second. You can’t beat these prices and this program placement. I would recommend it to anyone!” - Isidra Garza, Physicians Assistant internship in Peru
What is the best advice for this internship destination?
It can be a pretty big and scary step to travel to a different country. However, if you are ready to embrace a new culture and willing to immerse yourself here wholeheartedly, it will be one of the coolest and life-changing opportunities for you!
Be open, curious, adaptable, and ready to expect the unexpected! Try new foods, listen to new music, learn new words and dances! If you travel with an open mind and willingness to learn new things from others, you will be all set for one of the most incredible adventures.
Try not to be afraid to speak in Spanish, just give it a whirl, and have confidence in yourself. Definitely check out the available Spanish classes during your internship program, as these can help tremendously. (You can also take classes online before you come or use a language app to practice for free).
The best way to make an impact is to ask yourself what specific skills and talents you can offer, and apply these here in Cusco. MEveryone has something special to offer! Discover what it is for you and find ways to share your strengths.
“I would 100% recommend an internship abroad to anyone! As soon as the opportunity became available, I jumped! Often when these opportunities arise, it is too easy to turn them down and convince yourself that going somewhere unknown is just too hard. But once you’re there, it is easy to understand why pushing yourself is worth it. Take a chance and go in with open eyes” - Jackson Hill, Physical Therapy internship in Peru
I’m ready! How can I start planning my internship in Peru?
Found your ideal opportunity yet? Check out our amazing range of internship opportunities offered out of Cusco, Peru!
Submit your interest via our online application form (for free). We’ll review your application to confirm you’re a good match for your chosen internship program and that there is availability for the dates you’ve requested. We can then accept you into the program.
Once you’re accepted, you can reserve your place by paying a deposit of $499 USD. This confirmation allows us to reserve your desired internship dates while we arrange your placement and customize your internship. Then let the adventure begin!
