Agriculture & Production Internships in Rome

Internship: Abroad

Country: Italy

Internship details Program fees Additional information Arrival/Orientation Accommodation Meals Extra activities Photo gallery Country profile

Eligibility requirement: Suitable for interns with at least one year of relevant college/university study in agriculture or a related field. High School graduates aged 18+ may be accepted, depending on the strength of their application (including any relevant experience, with a desire to learn and grow within this field).

Language requirements: Internships in Rome include mandatory Italian language lessons, which are included within the minimum duration requirement of the internship. Internships can be conducted in English or Italian.

Associated career paths: Food Technologist, Food Production Manager, Agricultural & Food Science Technician/Scientist, Nutritional Therapist, Product/Process Developer, Quality Manager, Regulatory Affairs Officer, Laboratory Technician, Technical Brewer, Toxicologist, Horticulturist, Soil and Plant Scientist

Minimum duration: 8 weeks for interns who are at a beginner level of Italian or 6 weeks for interns who already speak Italian at an intermediate level (B1 and B2 or higher)

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 English, interns are encouraged to use the opportunity to practice your Italian skills where possible. The willingness to do so will enhance your engagement and enjoyment of the experience.

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.
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 may be asked to provide verification (such as a B1 or B2 level certificate).
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 application

Program 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)
8 weeks	8 weeks	$5,725
9 weeks	9 weeks	$6,185
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)
6 weeks	6 weeks	$4,716
7 weeks	7 weeks	$5,108
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 8 weeks, which includes a 4-week introductory Italian language course and the remaining weeks in a full time internship placement. Intermediate Italian speakers (B1 or B2 or higher) must commit to a minimum duration of 6 weeks, which includes a 2-week Italian language course and the remaining weeks in a full time internship placement.

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

Program fee for abroad internships

What it covers

Securing your internship placement
Personalization of your internship plan
International reference letter
24/7 in-country support
Airport pick-up
Program orientation
Internship placement
Experiential Learning Curriculum
Accommodation & meals
Italian language lessons

Arrival and Orientation

Internships in Rome begin monthly, with the exception of August. Other exceptions to general start date availability throughout the year may occur when start dates are closed due to public holiday disruptions or if the program has already reached capacity. Beginner Italian language speakers typically begin the program on the first Monday of the month. Two start dates per month are available for intermediate Italian language speakers (B1 and B2 or higher).

Airport pick up and accommodation are included in the Program Fee. The accommodation is covered from the Sunday night before the Monday start date - interns are required to arrive no later than the Sunday before their Monday start date, as all orientations are held on Mondays.

All participants fly into the Leonardo da Vinci–Fiumicino Airport (FCO) or Ciampino–G.B. Pastine International Airport (CIA), in order to receive their airport pick up and be transported to the homestay accommodation. Note that all participants are advised not to book flights until they have first registered to confirm their internship placement.

Orientation is held on the afternoon of the Monday start date and covers important details for your internship, including introductions, information about culture, customs, rules, expectations, safety, language lessons, cultural excursions, and more. Your specific internship placement orientation will follow, as you’ll be shown how to travel to and from your internship and be introduced to the team you’ll be joining.

If you are planning to spend time independently in Italy prior to your internship and will not require an airport pick up, we can arrange an alternative pick up from another location within Rome. Otherwise, you may make your own way to the local team’s office on Monday for your start date (and opt to have the return transportation to the airport covered, instead of your airport pick up).

Accommodation

All interns in Rome are hosted in various homestay accommodations. Living with an Italian family offers full daily cultural immersion into the lifestyle, language, and cuisine.

Homestays are typically situated within 20 minutes walking distance to the local team’s office (where the Italian language lessons also take place). The maximum commute time to internship placements is usually between 30-40 minutes by public transportation (metro or bus). If interns prefer to stay at a homestay that’s further from the office, yet closer to the internship placement instead, this request may be granted (subject to availability).

Interns can expect to have their own bedroom but may be accommodated alongside 2 to 3 other students or interns. Bathrooms are shared. Living is comfortable and WiFi is provided. Laundry is included - usually it will be done once a week.

Meals

Internships in Rome include two meals per day, served at the homestay (Italian breakfast and dinner).

Breakfast may consist of coffee and milk (or tea), bread or biscuits and jam. (Other breakfast items, such as cereals and fruits are not provided).

Lunch time in Rome is typically between 1 and 2:30 pm. There are many excellent restaurants to choose from in Rome and they typically offer special lunch menus in the afternoon, which are designed to provide an affordable set meal option (they could range anywhere between €9 and €20). One or two pizza slices can be €5-6. Some famous dishes to try include pasta all’amatriciana, pasta alla carbonara, pasta cacio e pepe, or agnello alla scottadito (grilled lamb). The internship program fees do not include lunch, so interns will be free to determine how they wish to accommodate their midday meal - whether through dining out or packing their own snacks.

Like breakfast, dinner is served at the internship homestay. Dinner time is typically served later in the evening (about 8-9pm). Typical dishes may include pasta, salads, soups, meat, rice dishes, cheeses, affettati (cold meat cuts, usually pork, chicken or beef) etc.

Please be sure to let us know of any specific dietary requirements that you have in advance (i.e. allergies and intolerances), so that we may ensure your hosts are aware and make recommendations to you accordingly.

Activities and tourism

Language lessons and internship schedule

It is important to note that internships in Rome include mandatory Italian language lessons, which are taken in conjunction with the internship program. This approach is designed to enhance the enjoyment of being in Italy, while developing professional social, and cultural competencies.

Beginners to the Italian language must complete the 4-week introductory Italian language course (included in their total duration) before beginning their full time internship placement.
Intermediate Italian speakers (B1 or B2 or higher) must complete the 2-week Italian language course (included in their total duration) before beginning their full time internship placement.

The Italian language instruction is offered through an accredited provider and member of the Association of Schools of Italian as a Second Language (ASILS).

Weekends and travel

There’s so much to see and do within the city of Rome, it can almost seem overwhelming! However, our internship hosts in Rome have the best advice and know all the tricks for getting around and making the most out of your time. They are happy to coordinate cultural excursions directly - whether you want guided museum tours, evenings at the opera, or tickets to sporting events. When you’re ready get out of the city and explore the Roman countryside, you won’t be disappointed by a visit to Sermoneta. With its Caetani Castle and beautifully preserved medieval churches, it’s considered to be one of Italy’s loveliest towns. Sermoneta is also home to the Gardens of Ninfa. Famed for their romantic atmosphere, the expansive gardens contain ruins, towers, frescos, and over 13,000 varieties of plantlife. Rome’s central location in Italy makes it conveniently situated to visit other Italian cities, such as Florence, Venice, Milan, Sicily, and Tuscany, as well as other destinations within Europe. Transportation systems are fast and economical, connecting Rome to both regional and international destinations.

Country profile

Capital	Rome
Population	61.7 million
Languages	Italian
Currency	Euro (EUR)
Time zone	UTC+01:00

Weather and climate: Italy has a diverse climate, which is influenced by the Apennine Mountains, which form the peninsula’s backbone, and the Alps, which make up most of its northern boundary. Four different seas also surround the Italian Peninsula and influence it’s weather patterns - the Mediterranean, Adriatic, Ionian, Ligurian, and the Tyrrhenian. Due to its geography and longitudinal stretch, the climate ranges from humid subtropical to oceanic. In particular, the Po valley has harsh winters and hot summers.

Focusing on Rome, where the internships are based, summers are short, hot, dry, and humid, while the wintertime is long, cold, wet, and often cloudy. The hottest months of summer are from mid June till mid September. During this time, the average daily high temperature is above 82°F / 28°C. The colder months are from late November through late March, when the average daily high is below 60°F / 15°C. The coldest day of the year is typically recorded in January. The wetter time of year is usually September through May.

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