Internship details
Social Work interns gain skills and experience helping disadvantaged individuals and communities in Italy. Intern in local, national, or international associations, helping to raise awareness, organize fundraising, promote economic and social welfare and assist underprivileged people in a range of ways.
This is an in-country internship, with accommodation and meals provided.
Social workers require enormous passion and empathy to work with underprivileged people and provide assistance to improve their quality of life in a range of ways. By completing a Social Work internship in Italy, you’ll gain real life experience in how best to deliver this assistance, enabling you to provide efficient service and understanding that complements your passion to reduce societal inequalities.
Interns are placed in a range of local, national and international organizations, such as NGOs and youth centers, which provide both specific and general support to disadvantaged communities in Rome. Your exact role will depend on your own skills and interests, as internships are customized to suit you. It will also vary based on the exact needs of your placement organization. Examples of internship activities may include (but aren’t limited to):
- Providing assistance directly to disadvantaged people
- Assisting children with extra-curricular activities, homework and mentoring
- Helping to organize and run summer camp activities for children
- Contributing social media and website content to raise awareness of social issues
- Conducting research and analysis of social work trends and needs
- Event planning and fundraising
If you have specific skills or would like to focus your internship on a particular area, please include details in your application. Requests are accommodated wherever possible, but are subject to availability. Regardless of your exact role, you’ll be working closely with experienced supervisors to gain hands-on experience and contributing to improving the quality of life of underprivileged people.
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.
-
Italian language beginners (levels A1 and A2) are 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!
Social Work interns learn from a qualified and experienced supervisor, and can be involved in:
- Working with disadvantaged people to address their needs
- Mentoring and tutoring students
- Contributing to awareness and fundraising campaigns
- Creating website and social media content
- Planning and organizing events
Professional development opportunities:
- Build your understanding of common needs among disadvantaged communities and how to address them
- Develop storytelling skills creating compelling and engaging content to raise awareness of social issues and support fundraising campaigns
- Gain mentoring skills with young people
- Build 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 first-hand understanding of how best to assist underprivileged communities
- Build trusting and supportive relationships that improve the quality of life of locals in Rome
- Explore all the attractions of Rome and wider Italy, while enjoying amazing Italian food
Types of host organizations:
- Social assistance organizations
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 |
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.
