NGO Support Internships: Intern abroad in Rome, Italy

Italy Internship Abroad Law & Human Rights Support

NGO Support internships in Rome provide valuable opportunities to support and learn. Whether addressing social inequality or community development, NGO Support internships can enrich your understanding of grassroots initiatives and operational requirements. This exposure is beneficial for those pursuing careers in sustainable development, education, social services, or any field focused on making a positive impact.

What to expect from your NGO Support internship:

Gain diverse insight into NGO communications, fundraising, research, and operational requirements.
Learn about social and community priorities being addressed within a European context.
Enhance your understanding of daily responsibilities and practical activities required of NGO professionals.

Your internship abroad host organization:

NGOs
Non profits
Charities

Apply for free

On this page:

Arrival & Orientation

Accommodation & Meals

Weekends & Travel

Country Info

Gain academic or course credit

Fully hosted experience from $5633

Includes accommodation

Start dates monthly

Minimum duration 8 weeks, up to 12 weeks maximum

Includes Italian language lessons

Get job-ready with our Experiential Learning Curriculum

Suitable for English language speakers

Eligibility requirement

NGO Support internships in Rome are suitable for students and recent graduates with at least one year of relevant college/university study in a related field, such as International Development, Social Work, Law, Political Science, Education, Business, Marketing, etc.

Language requirements for this internship

Internships in Rome include mandatory Italian language lessons, which are included within the minimum duration requirement of the internship.

Associated career paths

Potential career paths supported by this internship include Domestic and International Advocacy, Human Rights Lawyer, Social Worker, Fundraiser, Humanitarian Service Worker, Educator, Policy Developer, Public Health Worker, Diplomat, Foreign Affairs Worker, Journalist, Campaign Manager, Public Sector Worker, Political Advisor, Program Educator, Volunteer Coordinator, Administrator

Internship details

Famous for its rich history, architecture, and vibrant culture, Rome draws millions of visitors each year. Yet beyond the tourist attractions, many communities face a range of diverse social and economic challenges. NGOs across the city are dedicated to supporting vulnerable populations and promoting social inclusion. Gain insight into the goals, impact, and complexities of their initiatives in Italian society.

This is an in-country internship, with accommodation included. You can explore remote internships, if you are looking for an internship program that you can undertake from home.

As an NGO Support intern in Rome, you’ll play an active role in supporting daily operations - from fundraising and public outreach, to educational programs, advocacy campaigns, digital media, content development, and administrative support. This practical learning experience offers an excellent opportunity to develop your professional skills and build your resume, while contributing to meaningful social impact.

You’ll gain practical knowledge in communication, cross-cultural engagement, and nonprofit operations - all of which are valuable assets for a future career in human rights, community development, or international advocacy.

Come prepared to adapt to how NGOs in Rome operate, according to their organizational size, culture and hierarchy, along with any resource limitations or bureaucracy requirements. There is fantastic opportunity to build transferable skills and cultural intelligence within a European context.

Do I need to speak Italian for this internship?

Italian language proficiency is not a requirement to join. However, interns should expect that a language barrier can still be encountered to a certain extent. Come prepared and willing to surmount a language barrier (and ask for help when needed), as opposed to being intimidated by it.

To support you further, all internships in Rome include mandatory Italian language lessons, which are included within the minimum duration requirement of the internship:

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. This is included in the internship program and the lessons will commence according to your chosen internship start date.
Interns with intermediate Italian will be required to complete just 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.

Additional lessons can be arranged in-country, for those who wish to continue their Italian language education in Rome.

Typical Schedule

Approximately Monday to Friday, up to 30-40 hours per week.

What are the career benefits of interning abroad as a NGO Support Intern?

NGO Support interns learn from a qualified and experienced supervisor, and can be involved in:

Developing outreach initiatives for seeking grants, funding, and other types of support.
Supporting logistical and administrative operations, including fundraising, reporting, and awareness campaigns.
Developing online content and improving NGO networks.
Raising awareness related to the NGOs core mission and projects.
Supporting ongoing strategies and outreach campaigns.

Professional development opportunities:

Learn about the logistical and administrative requirements of NGO operations.
Gain understanding of how to support and advocate for vulnerable communities.
Learn from diverse perspectives related to best practice.
Gain practical skills and boost your employability, with guidance from Intern Abroad HQ’s Experiential Learning Curriculum to support your learning and cultural intelligence.

Are you eligible for this internship?

Submit a free application so we can confirm your eligibility and check availability for your preferred dates.

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Italy photo gallery

Our commitment to providing safe internship experiences

Academic credit available for all internships

Get course credit from your college or university while completing your internship abroad or a remote internship program. It's a great way to meet your academic requirements and gain valuable experience at the same time.

Learn about course credit

Program fees

Applying for our NGO Support Internship is completely free! The support package covers the assistance we provide in finding your internship and arranging your living accommodations in your host country, ensuring you thrive during your program.

Please note that a deposit of US$499 is required to confirm your place. The remaining balance (minus your initial US$499 deposit) is due at least 60 days before your internship start date.

Duration	Program Fee (USD)
8 weeks	$5,633 Equivalent to $100 /day
10 weeks	$6,425 Equivalent to $91 /day
12 weeks	$7,118 Equivalent to $84 /day

A deposit of $499 (approximately 499) is required to confirm your participation. This is subtracted from the Program Fee total.
Internships in Rome include Italian language lessons. Beginners complete 4 weeks of lessons. Intermediate Italian speakers (B1 or B2 or higher) complete 2 weeks.
Balance of your Program Fee is due 70 days before your internship start date. The Program Fee payment can also be completed in installments through our Zero-Fee Payment Plan. Learn more.
All payments attract a 5% transaction fee to cover international banking fees and currency charges.
Terms and Conditions apply.

Airport pick-up
Select activities
Italian Language lessons
Accommodation
24/7 in-country support
Program orientation
Dedicated support before, during, and after your internship
In-country guidance for social and tourist activities
Sourcing and securing your internship placement
Personalization of your internship plan
Coaching from your supervisor
Documented portfolio of your experiential learnings
Academic credit facilitation
International reference letter
Certificate of Internship Completion

All meals
All in-country transportation
Transfer back to the airport at the end of your internship program
Visa (if required), flights, travel insurance (mandatory), vaccinations, criminal background check
Personal spending money for snacks, drinks, public transport, laundry, and leisure activities during your free time.

Popular add-ons & experiences in Rome

Take your internship to the next level with Intern Abroad HQ's affordable activity and tour add-ons in Rome! Explore your options below and learn how to book them once you've been accepted onto an internship program.

Italian Cooking Class

$112

View all add-ons & experiences

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. 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.

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

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.

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).

The last night of the accommodation is the Friday night of the final week, leaving interns free to depart on Saturday. Extra nights of accommodation, outside of the program dates, can be arranged in advance and are subject to availability.

All participants are advised not to book flights until they have first registered to confirm their internship placement.

Check what's required to visit Italy

Check out the widget below to learn about the visa requirements for the NGO Support internship in Italy, based on your country of residence.

Accommodation and WiFi

All interns in Rome, Italy, are hosted in various homestay accommodations. Homestay accommodations provide international interns with an extra layer of support, while also providing a valuable opportunity for cultural immersion.

There are usually 1-3 guest bedrooms available in most home-stays and everyone has their own private single-sex bedroom (unless special requests are made in advance to share with a friend or partner).

Given that homestay accommodations themselves may be mixed-gender (with single-sex bedroom allocations for guests), guests must be prepared to share common living spaces with mixed-gender, such as shared kitchen, living, dining, and bathroom areas.

Living is comfortable and WiFi is provided but it may not be the same as the network and broadband connection you’re used to accessing at home. Laundry is included within homestay accommodation - usually it will be done once a week.

Accommodation is typically situated within 20-30 minutes walking distance to the local team’s office (where the Italian language lessons also take place). The commute time to internship placements can vary. Although some are quite nearby, in many cases, interns should expect a commute time of 30-45 minutes by public transportation (metro or bus). If interns prefer to stay at accommodation which is further from the office, yet closer to the internship placement instead, this request may be granted (subject to availability).

In the event that home-stay accommodation has reached maximum capacity, interns can alternatively be accommodated in an apartment, sharing with other interns or Italian language students. Requests for any exceptional accommodation arrangements must be communicated in advance of the internship start date.

Please note that the accommodation pictured in the photo gallery of this webpage is provided as an example. Since we work with more than one apartment, the exact accommodation that you’re assigned may differ from the photos. Rooms sizes vary.

Meals

Internships on this program do not include meals, as affordable supermarkets are easily accessible and accomodation will have kitchen facilities for you to utilise. Italy has a thriving coffee culture which is delightful to partake in (there is also WiFi in almost all coffee shops and restaurants). For eating out, interns may budget approximately 3 - 5 Euro for a light breakfast (about US$5 - 7) and 5 - 10 Euro for a simple lunch (about US$5 - 12). There are ample dining options ranging from budget to high end. Italian cuisine offers a range of incredible dishes to experience, including well known classics such as pizza, pasta, and more.

How to obtain course credit and meet your academic requirements on Intern Abroad HQ internships

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Essential country information

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.