Internship details
Agriculture internships in Italy involve contributing to seasonal production tasks on farms around Rome, as well as gaining skills in other agricultural ventures such as food analysis laboratories and food production companies. Interns gain hands-on farming experience and broader skills in production harvesting, laboratory data analysis and business development.
This is an in-country internship, with accommodation and meals provided.
As an Agriculture & Food Production intern in Italy, your placement will be based in rural areas around Rome, up to 90 minutes away from the city by train. Among the rolling green hills, you can intern on farms and orchards, in food production companies or food analysis laboratories. This presents opportunities to gain experience in producing meat or crops, or in other aspects of the agriculture industry such as business growth, research and development, or agricultural innovation.
If you’re interning on a farm or orchard, your duties will depend on the seasonal needs of your placement. Interns are able to learn about highly specific methods in the growing and cultivation of a wide range of foods, including:
- Medicinal plants
- Truffles
- Pomegranates
- Saffron
- Olives and olive oil
- Cheese
- Organic wine
- Honey
- Mushrooms
There are also unique placements with a popular pizzeria in Rome’s popular Capitoline Hill, a biodynamic farm, and alongside representatives of local buying groups.
If you’re looking for experience in a specific field, please include details in your application. Customized internships are designed to suit your own skills and interests. Specific requests are accommodated wherever possible but remain subject to availability.
When interning with a food production company or laboratory, you’ll build your understanding of the business that supports farmers and growers. Your exact tasks can vary based on your placement, but can include:
- Data analysis and reporting
- Business development
- Laboratory data analysis
- Preparing and presenting project results
- Participating in local and international fairs
- Event planning
- Meeting distributors, growers and local associations
Interns can also support the growth of your placement company by assisting with website maintenance, graphic design and digital marketing.
Interns collaborate closely with your supervisor, who will guide your progress and facilitate your learning. Your supervisor will speak English, though you should expect some interactions to be in Italian. Your supervisor will explain these interactions to you afterwards if need be.
It is important to note that internships in Rome include mandatory Italian language lessons, which are included within the minimum duration requirement of the internship. While your internship can be conducted in some English, a language barrier can still be encountered to a certain extent. Interns should be prepared for the very natural and normal frustration of not always understanding what is being said around them. Most interns are able to have a successful internship experience and it is essential to come prepared and willing to surmount a language barrier, as opposed to being intimidated by it.
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For beginners to the Italian language (levels A1 and A2), you’re required to complete a four-week Italian language course at an accredited language school in Rome before you start at your internship placement.
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Interns with intermediate Italian will complete two weeks of language lessons, prior to commencing the placement. If you have intermediate language skills, please note that you will be required to provide verification (such as a B1 or B2 level certificate) and/or demonstrate your listening comprehension and spoken proficiency. These two abilities (listening and speaking) are the most important skills that will be assessed, to determine if you’re able to complete your internship as an “intermediate” speaker of Italian.
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Additional language lessons can be arranged in-country, for those who wish to continue classes.
There is a lot to do in your spare time while completing your internship in Italy! Rome is an absolutely fantastic city to explore. Having been inhabited for the last three millennia, it’s brimming with ancient history, including almost 300 fountains and nearly a thousand churches. Not to mention the amazing eateries that will constantly tempt you! Walking tours of the city are highly recommended, as a fun and an interesting way to discover your bearings, along with everything else that the city has to offer. Our team in Rome is incredibly warm and welcoming, so you’ll have excellent support and advice when you’re looking to plan excursions and social activities. Considering that the pizza, pasta and gelato are so good, you’ll appreciate the fact that walking through the city is such enjoyable exercise!
Agriculture & Production interns learn from a qualified and experienced supervisor, and can be involved in:
- Seasonal farming, growing, harvesting and distribution activities
- Conducting laboratory and data analysis
- Presenting results
- Meeting farmers, distributors and association representatives
- Agricultural business development
Professional development opportunities:
- Learn hands-on farming techniques growing a wide range of products
- Develop understanding of laboratory research and processes
- Develop Italian language skills in a professional environment
- Gain practical skills and boost your employability, with guidance from Intern Abroad HQ’s Experiential Learning Curriculum to support your learning and cultural intelligence.
Typical schedule:
- Monday to Friday, 9am - 5pm
Internship highlights:
- Gain hands-on skills in a specific role that suits your interests in the agriculture industry
- Build your experience in the business of agriculture as well as on farms, orchards or vineyards
- Explore all the attractions of Rome and wider Italy, while enjoying amazing Italian food
Types of host organizations:
- Food producers
- Scientific laboratories
Keen to get started?
Taking the first step is easy! It is free to apply and takes just 5 minutes.
Submit an applicationProgram fees
It’s free to apply for this internship. Once we have reviewed your suitability and accepted you onto this program, you’ll need to pay a deposit of US$449 to confirm your place. The remaining balance of your Program Fee (less your initial US$449 deposit payment) will be due no less than 60 days before your internship start date.
Beginner Italian Language Speakers
| Internship Duration | Program Fee (USD) | |
|---|---|---|
| 10 weeks | 10 weeks | $6,582 |
| 11 weeks | 11 weeks | $6,974 |
| 12 weeks | 12 weeks | $7,371 |
Intermediate Italian Language Speakers
| Internship Duration | Program Fee (USD) | |
|---|---|---|
| 8 weeks | 8 weeks | $5,499 |
| 9 weeks | 9 weeks | $5,959 |
| 10 weeks | 10 weeks | $6,357 |
| 11 weeks | 11 weeks | $6,748 |
| 12 weeks | 12 weeks | $7,145 |
It is important to note that internships in Rome include mandatory Italian language lessons, which are taken in conjunction with the internship program. Beginners to the Italian language must commit to a minimum duration of at least 10 weeks, which includes Italian language lessons for the first 4 weeks. Intermediate Italian speakers (B1 or B2 or higher) must commit to a minimum duration of 8 weeks, which includes at least 2 weeks of Italian language lessons, prior to commencing the placement. If you have intermediate Italian language skills, you will be required to provide verification (such as a B1 or B2 level certificate) and/or demonstrate your listening comprehension and spoken proficiency. These two abilities (listening and speaking) are the most important skills that will be assessed, to determine if you're able to complete your internship as an "intermediate" speaker of Italian.
- To convert these prices to your local currency visit the XE currency converter.
- All payments attract a 5% transaction fee to cover international banking fees and currency charges. International wire transfer payments attract a minimum fee of US$75.
- Terms and Conditions apply
