Sustainable Tourism 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 students with at least one year of relevant college/university study in tourism, hospitality, fine arts, culture, history, classics, philosophy, 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 lessons for all interns. These are included within the minimum duration requirement of the internship.

Associated career paths: Eco-Tourism Guide, Education and Outreach Program Coordinator, International Aid/Development Worker, Environmental Scientist (Policy/Planning/Law), Ecologist, Biologist, Climatologist, Geology, Ranger

Minimum duration: 10 weeks for interns who are at a beginner level of Italian or 8 weeks for interns who already speak Italian at an intermediate level (B1 and B2 or higher)

Internship details

Sustainable Tourism interns in Italy are based with sustainable tourism operators and associations. Interns help to develop engaging experiences for visitors, developing and implementing sustainable tourism initiatives, including tours and policies, to provide modern and ethical options for responsibly-minded visitors.

This is an in-country internship, with accommodation and meals provided.

Rome is home to some of the world’s most popular tourist attractions, such as the Colosseum, Sistine Chapel, Pantheon, Trevi Fountain, Vatican Museums, and so much more. This beautiful city is a global leader in tourism, and many popular tour operators and tourism companies are adapting to the global appetite for tourism activities to be environmentally and socially sustainable. As a Sustainable Tourism intern, you’ll help to design sustainable tours and tourism policies to enable enjoyable tourism experiences that are ethical and environmentally responsible.

As an intern in Rome, you’ll learn about modern sustainability and creatively collaborate with your placement to explore how ongoing improvements can be applied within the tourism industry. You’ll develop your understanding of the industry and gain insight into the challenges, while also focusing on innovative solutions that improve brand awareness and maximize sustainable practices.

Interns are placed with tourism companies or associations which are focused on contributing to the Italian tourism industry in a more sustainable and responsible manner. Your exact role is customized to suit your own skills and interests within the scope of sustainable tourism. Examples of internship activities can include:

Conducting research and analysis on sustainable tourism
Meeting tour providers and tourists, assisting with tours and trip planning
Visiting and exploring potential new tours and attractions
Meeting with new tourism providers
Assisting during meetings with environmental protection associations
Business administration and development (e.g. website maintenance, graphic design, marketing, social media maintenance, competitor research, assisting with budgeting and ticketing)

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 interning closely with experienced supervisors to gain hands-on experience.

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.

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 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 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!

Sustainable Tourism interns learn from a qualified and experienced supervisor, and can be involved in:

Planning sustainable tours and activities
Establishing relationships between tourism operators and attractions, clients and authorities
Marketing and business development
Conducting research on sustainability within the tourism sector

Professional development opportunities:

Learn about the impact that tourism has on the environment
Learn about sustainability and how it applies to the tourism sector
Build relationships within the world class tourism industry in Italy
Develop a broad portfolio of skills in marketing and business development
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 practical understanding of sustainability techniques
Contribute to the innovation of the tourism industry as it adapts to become more sustainable
Explore the famous attractions of Rome and wider Italy, while enjoying amazing Italian food

Types of host organizations:

Tour operators
Tourism associations

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)
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

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. 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.

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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