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 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!
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 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.
Duration |
Program Fee (USD) |
|---|---|
| 8 weeks | $5,725Equivalent to $102/day |
| 9 weeks | $6,185Equivalent to $98/day |
| 10 weeks | $6,582Equivalent to $94/day |
| 11 weeks | $6,974Equivalent to $90/day |
| 12 weeks | $7,371Equivalent to $87/day |
- Accommodation
- Meals
- 24/7 in-country support
- Airport pick-up
- 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
- International reference letter
- Certificate of Internship Completion
- Visa (if required), flights, travel insurance (mandatory), vaccinations, criminal background check
- Transfer back to the airport at the end of your internship program
- Optional extras, such as language lessons
- Souvenirs and leisure activities during your free time
- Personal spending money to cover basic expenses such as drinks, snacks, laundry, public transportation, and any meals not included in your Program Fee
- A deposit of $449 USD is required to secure your internship
- 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.
- Balance of your Program Fee is due 60 days before your internship start date.
- All payments attract a 5% transaction fee to cover international banking fees and currency charges.
- Terms and Conditions apply.
