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Frequently Asked Questions

Frequently Asked Questions

If you’re wondering how you can get an overseas internship, or how a remote or virtual internship works, these Frequently Asked Questions explain the whole process from applying to completing your international internship. If you have a question that isn’t answered here, our Intern Support Team is available to help – get in touch by phone for a chat or email us directly at info@internhq.com.

About Our Internships

Backed by a global team, Intern Abroad HQ is proudly brought to you by the same people behind International Volunteer HQ - trusted by over 117,000 volunteers around the world since 2007. As a registered New Zealand company (incorporation number 1936998) International Volunteer HQ is additionally verified by a number of reputable independent travel portals, such as Go Overseas and Go Abroad. Intern Abroad HQ is also verified by GoAbroad and GoOverseas. Our team has more than 14 years of experience in supporting students and young professionals from all over the world. You can connect with our online community via our social media platforms, including Facebook, Twitter, Instagram. If you wish to speak with a member of our team to learn more about our internship opportunities, please feel free to contact us.

Internships are opportunities that allow you to gain more insight and experience within your chosen career field or vocation. For example, this may mean investing your time to assist with activities alongside a veterinarian to learn more about animal care, or perhaps shadowing a health professional in a clinic or hospital to satisfy requirements for a qualification in nursing or medicine. Interns do not replace regular employees like a normal staff member. Instead, interns can invest their time to shadow, assist, and work under the supervision of professionals within a real-world workplace. The professionals who support you during an internship experience help you by acting as mentors, which enhances your knowledge of a career path. For more insight, check out how it works.

While paid internships offer the lure of some additional income, they are hard to secure, highly competitive for applicants who have limited experience, and the application process takes time – especially if you’re applying internationally. They may also not be in your best interest – after all, free or paid internships are designed around what the organization wants, not what will give you the most value and support in boosting your professional development and contributing to your own sets of goals.

Instead, there are many good reasons to work with an internship platform that charges a fee for customized placement provision and support, such as Intern Abroad HQ.

If you’re a student, graduate or young professional seeking international work experience, here are eight reasons why paying a fee for Intern Abroad HQ to organize your whole internship experience will deliver more long-term value to you than opting for a free or paid internship.

At Intern Abroad HQ we organize international internships for any student, graduate, or young professional who wants to advance their dream career through global work experience. Whether you choose to intern abroad or remotely, full or part time, we give you job-ready experience that will help you stand out to employers.

Yes, many of our international internships are available as remote placements that you can undertake without having to travel to the host country. These placements provide you with access to the same organizations, professional supervisors and internship work as if you were being hosted locally, but with communication taking place online rather than in-person. You’ll still reap the benefits of an exceptional international work experience. Learn more about our remote internship programs.

All Intern Abroad HQ’s internship programs offer international work experience with exciting, innovative organizations. Choosing to take on an internship in your local country won’t provide you with the same cross-cultural intelligence, global outlook and work challenges – all of which are highly desirable to employers in today’s globalized economy. You’ll also miss out on experiencing some of the incredible destinations around the world where our host organizations are located. Rolling admission dates ensure that internships are available year-round, with minimum duration requirements from just 2 weeks. Why not plan to enjoy the experience, see more of the world, expand your horizons, gain international networks, and receive the best outcome from the effort you’ve invested? For more insight, check out the interning abroad process.

Intern Abroad HQ offers international internship destinations across Africa, Asia, Central America, South America and Europe. Explore our Intern Abroad Destinations.

We’re proud to offer some of the world’s most flexible and diverse internship programs. There’s something for everyone and we strive to ensure the internship opportunities cater to various levels of experience and specialities - as well as to different duration needs. The general range of fields that we currently offer internships in includes:

  • Animal Care
  • Business & Economics
  • Education & Childcare
  • Engineering & Design
  • Environmental & Conservation
  • Healthcare & Special Needs
  • Law & Human Rights
  • Marketing & Communication
  • Management & Organization
  • Sports & Physical Education
  • Tourism & Hospitality

Browse our career fields to find the project best suited to you.

Yes, you are encouraged to apply! Many non-academic factors are taken into consideration when placing interns and it’s common for Intern Abroad HQ participants to be motivated by the opportunity to gain international experience, enhance global networks, and fulfil personal development goals.

Some internships are available for high school students who are under the age of 18. However, parental consent must be provided. For more details, please contact the Global Internships Manager directly by emailing info@internhq.com.

Friends, partners and university groups are welcome to join an Intern Abroad HQ internship program together. Depending on the destination/internship that you have in mind, we recommend that you contact our internships team for more advice or to answer any questions.

English is the default language for all of our internship programs. Some internships in Central and South America may require that you speak Spanish at an intermediate level, however we have options in diverse destinations that are perfect for sole speakers of English. Each project description outlines the requirements, so we recommend that you review the further details on our destinations page to ascertain what internship program will be the best match for you. Keep in mind that interns may have the opportunity to take language lessons during their programs, which we highly recommend and more affordable than at home. They are fun and will enhance your cultural and educational experience!

An internship is an amazing way to gain practical experience and bolster your resume, especially for college students and university graduates who are building their career pathways. Choosing an internship abroad or international remote internship offers the additional benefits of gaining overseas work experience and broader cultural immersion, both of which will help you stand out to future employers. The acquisition of relevant experience, in addition to emotional and cultural intelligence, can set you apart within a competitive workforce and compliment any degree or generic educational skills.

Internship Application Process

All internship program participants must be proficient in English and meet the eligibility requirements of their chosen internship program. All interns must present a clean criminal background check and are required to obtain travel insurance for the duration of their internship abroad.

Decide whether a remote internship or an internship abroad best suits your objectives, availability, and budget. If you’re interested in interning overseas, check out our range of exciting destinations to choose where you want to go.

Once you’ve chosen your preferred career field for your top destination or remote internship, submit your interest via our online application form (for free).

Applying takes just a few minutes and is just a formal expression of interest – so there’s no commitment needed at this stage. If you’re not 100% set on your dates, duration, destination, or career field, that’s okay! You can easily make changes to your application for free before you confirm your participation. We can also answer any questions you have.

Apply to Intern Abroad!

We’ll review your application to confirm you’re a good match for your chosen internship program and that there is availability for the dates you’ve requested. We can then accept you into the program. You can expect to hear back from us within two business days. Once you’re accepted, you can reserve your place by paying a deposit of $499 USD - review the program fees here. This confirmation allows us to reserve your desired internship dates while we arrange your placement and customize your internship. For more information, review the internship abroad process and the remote internship process.

We always encourage applicants to confirm participation as soon as they’re sure of their plans. This ensures you can lock in your desired internship and avoid missing out.For internships abroad, bear in mind that it’s often cheaper booking flights in advance as well. The remaining balance of your Program Fee will need to be paid:

  • For internships abroad, at least 60 days prior to your internship start date. This payment covers your airport pick-up, orientation, accommodation, meals (on selected programs), and 24/7 local staff support for the duration of your internship.
  • For remote internships, within 7 days of receiving your placement assignment. This payment covers the support provided by our local coordinator, who will work closely with you, your host organization, and your supervisor to maximize your learning experience.

Yes, this is no problem. After being accepted, if you’d like to change your internship program, destination, start date or duration - just contact your Internship Program Manager for assistance. Before you pay your deposit to confirm your participation, you’re welcome to make as many changes to your plans as you want. Once you’re happy with your application details, you can pay your deposit to confirm your internship and proceed to the next step of your planning.

Yes. As long as you reschedule your intern abroad program at least 60 days before your earliest registered start date, it’s free to change your start date, internship program or destination. Our flexible booking policy means that once you’ve paid your deposit, your money is protected.

If you are interning abroad, your Program Fee needs to be paid in full no less than 60 days before your start date. If you’re interning remotely, the balance of your Program Fee must be paid within seven days after your placement has been assigned.

Learn About Internship Fees

While paid internships offer the lure of some additional income, opportunities may be limited in your hometown - especially if you’re seeking a specific entry-level experience, to help develop your desired career path. Paid internships are highly competitive and require applicants to have sufficient experience. Such internships have no service obligation to ensure that you get value from the experience. Rather, they are designed around what the organization wants, which is not necessarily what will give you the most value in boosting your professional development.

Here are eight reasons why paying a fee for Intern Abroad HQ to organize your whole internship experience will deliver more long-term value to you than opting for a free or paid internship:

  1. We do the leg work of finding the perfect internship placement for you

  2. With over 280 career-focused internship options, we have one that’s perfect for you

  3. Because you pay us, we have a service obligation to you

  4. We work with companies and organizations who really value our interns

  5. All our internships are highly flexible and customizable

  6. Our exclusive Experiential Learning Curriculum links your internship experiences to critical employability skills

  7. If you’re looking to intern overseas, we’ll sort out your accommodation and meals

  8. We’ll help you secure academic credit from your internship

Click here for detailed information about why paying an internship specialist, such as Intern Abroad HQ, to arrange and facilitate your internship, ensures that value delivery is skewed towards you so you gain maximum benefit from the experience.

We work hard to keep our internship programs as affordable, flexible, and accessible as possible. Our low Program Fees open up career development and academic credit opportunities for those who may otherwise be unable to source or afford an international internship or long-term study abroad experience.

Most other international internship or study abroad providers charge a lot more than we do. So how is Intern Abroad HQ able to offer high quality, fully-hosted internships at such an affordable price?

  1. We don’t offer all those “inclusions” that you’ll never use

  2. We support interns to gain academic credit without any additional charges

  3. Our Experiential Learning Curriculum deepens the impact of your internship

  4. Our affordable accommodation options support cultural immersion

  5. Our internship programs are run by locals, keeping costs down

  6. Maximizing accessibility to internships has always been our mission

  7. As a certified B Corporation, our ethics are regularly audited and held accountable

Find out how we keep our fees so low here

Intern Abroad HQ has endeavoured to make international internship opportunities as affordable and accessible as possible - however, we understand that traveling overseas always comes with a price (i.e. airfare, travel insurance, tourism activities). If you’re looking for a cheap international internship, we suggest that you consider destinations that are geographically close to you - as this might help you to secure cheaper flights. Our commitment to providing affordable internship opportunities means that you can choose short-term durations, which minimizes in-country costs for you (because program fees are always influenced by your duration, since they cover meals and accommodation). compare Take a look at our internship fees to find an internship abroad that will work for your budget. If you’re looking for a more economical option, you can also consider a remote internship.

The deadline for full payment of your intern abroad fees is no less than 60 days before your scheduled start date.

In the case of remote internships, payment of the full Program Fee balance must be made within seven (7) days after the placement has been assigned.

Intern Abroad HQ does not permanently offer any grants or scholarships, but you can check out our scholarships page for useful resources on grants and funding opportunities for interns. From time to time we may list special scholarship promotions on our social media and website. To ensure you hear about these, sign up to receive our newsletters, or you can follow our Facebook, Instagram or Twitter pages.

Preparing For Your Internship

Each academic institution has a unique policy for granting internship credit and as an intern you are responsible for discussing academic credit options with your university or college in advance. Click here to learn more about how to obtain course credit and meet your academic requirements on Intern Abroad HQ internships.

Whether or not you would need to obtain a visa prior to travel is influenced by your nationality (the country that has issued your passport), the country you are traveling to for your internship, and the number of weeks that you aim to intern abroad for. In many cases, interns are eligible to receive a tourist visa, which is stamped into their passport upon entry to a foreign country. This can grant permission to stay for a specified amount of time. In some cases, you may need to apply for the visa in advance, through the country’s embassy or consulate which is located nearest to you. We recommend that you contact our internships team so that we can provide you with more specific information that pertains to you and your internship travel plans.

If you are aged 18 or over, it is a requirement to obtain a criminal background check, as you won’t be allowed to begin your internship program if you cannot produce this document. The guidelines for obtaining a criminal background check can vary depending on the country you live in. Usually there are two approaches - obtain one from an online provider or contact your local police department, so that they can guide you on the process, turnaround time, and any associated costs. If you’re an international student, based outside of your home country, different logistics could also apply. Contact your Program Manager for more information.

Travel insurance is an important requirement for all interns that travel overseas with Intern Abroad HQ. Safety is a top priority for us and we do our utmost to ensure that you’ll have an excellent time during your internship journey. Part of this strategy involves making sure that you’re in the best possible position to receive assistance should any unexpected incidents affect your travel plans or time spent abroad. Your travel insurance policy should include comprehensive coverage for medical emergencies, travel disruptions, personal property that is lost or damaged whilst traveling, and last-minute trip cancellation (due to unforeseeable events that are out of your control). Although you may already have private health insurance, a specific travel insurance policy is necessary to add invaluable layers of security and peace of mind to your time spent traveling.Intern Abroad HQ offers its own travel insurance cover for our interns that has been customized specifically for the types of claims you may need to make while traveling abroad with us. Learn more here.

We always recommend that you discuss your specific travel plans with your doctor (or a specific travel doctor). Vaccinations are generally a personal choice but may be legally required depending on where you wish to travel to or through (e.g. the Covid-19 vaccination or the Yellow Fever vaccination can often be required). It’s important to consider all of the destinations you plan to visit for tourism purposes, not just the area where you plan on being based for your internship program. It’s wise to see your doctor at least -8 weeks before international travel. In addition to discussing vaccinations, your doctor may also be able to assist with providing first aid kit essentials, such as prescriptions for electrolyte, antiseptic cream, antihistamine, antidiarrheal medicines, anti-malarial medication, etc.

All Intern Abroad HQ programs require that interns have intermediate to advanced English language skills. Some Intern Abroad HQ internship programs in Central and South America may require that you speak Spanish at an intermediate level - however, we have options all around the world that are suitable for people who only speak English. Each internship description on our website outlines any internship eligibility requirements, so we recommend that you review these details when reviewing the destinations, to ascertain what internship opportunities will be the best match for you. Many internship destinations additionally offer language lessons, which we highly recommend. Taking the time to learn some second language skills is a great way to enhance your cultural experience and build your resume.

Intern Abroad HQ is passionate about personal and professional development, so we offer interns the special opportunity to continue upskilling through the Global Travel Academy and the CCELT Online TEFL Certification Course. If you will be interning in Latin America and would like to build your Spanish language skills prior to your start date, ask your Internships Manager about online Spanish classes. See the services page of our website for more details.

Your Internship Experience

Some of the internship programs that we offer have a broad number of placements available within the field. For example, if you choose a Health & Medical internship, then the specific clinic or hospital where you’d complete your internship would need to be assigned by our team of in-country coordinators. Once you have applied and paid the deposit for your chosen internship, then your specific placement will be determined by our local team. A number of factors are taken into consideration when making this arrangement, such as:

  • The available options within the community at the time of your internship.
  • Your unique skills, interests, qualifications and preferences.
  • The duration of time that you will be interning for.

Depending on the options available, our local team may request an online meeting with you, in order to introduce you to a potential placement match. This process helps to ensure satisfaction with your placement, while providing the best support to you in advance of your internship start date.

Intern Abroad HQ program fees are designed to ensure that the majority of your essential living costs abroad - such as meals and accommodation - are affordably taken care of. The type of accommodation and meals that are covered on your internship vary, depending on the internship destination that you choose. Any interns with special dietary needs must ensure that they let us know in advance (this information can be noted when you apply to intern abroad). For more information, please visit the specific destination page that you are interested in via our Intern Abroad Destinations webpage.

When you arrive at your internship destination, you will be met by a representative of our local host organization. You will then be transported to your accommodation and introductions will be made accordingly. Before beginning your internship placement, you’ll receive an orientation which covers important details (such as information about support, getting around, communication, safety, rules and expectations, things to see and do, and more). Our local coordinators are available to provide interns with 24/7 support.

Where possible, we try to place interns alongside each other. However, interns are also matched to placements depending on the internship field they have chosen and other important considerations - i.e. language ability, any stated preferences, duration of stay, and level of experience and qualifications. Therefore, we do not guarantee that interns will always work alongside other interns at their specific placement. However, general professional and social networking opportunities are usually available through shared contact with the local team and internship accommodation.

Whether you are interning abroad or remotely with Intern Abroad HQ, our Experiential Learning Curriculum is included on all internships. This established learning model is based on tried and tested educational methods, which takes your international internship to the next level. Once a week, you’ll receive a reflection exercise to complete, which will be focused on a specific topic. Each will provide an introduction to the topic, the learning objectives, and a series of thought-provoking questions for both personal and professional development considerations. You’ll document your reflections on each topic and submit them as online journal entries. Your Internship Program Manager will review your submissions for each exercise and can provide feedback and guidance to maximize your self-development. At the completion of your internship, you’ll receive a consolidated compilation of your experiential learning reflections. This document serves as a permanent record of your experience, which you can draw upon in the future when preparing for college or job interviews. This may also contribute to Course Credit and Academic Requirements. Interns additionally receive a certificate of internship completion, which can accompany a letter of reference from your internship host organization.

At Intern Abroad HQ, we believe that experiential learning will help you to build the broader sense of self-awareness, cultural intelligence, and comprehensive soft skills that employers look for. Employers want to hear about what you have learnt on your internship and how you will apply your skills and experiences to handle diverse situations or solve problems in the future. The ability to articulate yourself in this manner is more impactful than just listing off a series of tasks or roles which you have done. Our interns say that our focused reflective exercises really help them to articulate their values, goals, competencies, and strengths on their resumes and in job or college interviews. Gain more insight into the experiences of others via our reviews and success stories.

Absolutely! The programs allow free time over weekends and we hope that you will take advantage of the opportunity to explore the attractions within and around the area. The hosts in-country are always happy to provide guidance on fun things to see and do.

Yes - upon completion of your internship, you’ll be able to request a letter of recommendation from your Internship Supervisor. This is an official document that references your accomplishments, provides feedback on your contributions, and highlights your particular learnings and achievements. If you have completed your weekly written reflections, you may additionally request a secondary letter of reference from Intern Abroad HQ, which focuses on the development of universally transferable employability skills.