Internships Abroad | Gain international work experience

Join one of our international internships and gain work experience overseas to boost your professional development.

This is what you can expect on one of our internship opportunities abroad:

Receive first-hand practical knowledge in your field to help your professional development
Gain international work experience where you learn by doing
Hone essential transferable skills like communication, independence, and organisation
Immerse in a new culture to broaden your global perspective

We’re here to help you find an overseas internship programme that matches your requirements and level of experience. We offer a wide variety of short and long-term internship placements, especially in the medical field, which are perfect for students and those interested in summer internships abroad.

Not quite what you’re looking for? We also offer a huge range of volunteer opportunities abroad, from conservation to childcare and everything in between. Check out our volunteer abroad page for more information.

Frequently asked questions about internships abroad

Why do an internship abroad?

An intern abroad participates in a legal clinic with the help of a lawyer in Cape Town, South Africa.

An internship programme abroad is an excellent way to:

Equip yourself with new knowledge and skills
Gain international work experience in your chosen field
Help you decide whether a specific university course or career is really for you
Build an international network by working with a diverse group of local professionals and interns

Work experience overseas also helps develop valuable, transferable skills like communication and planning. More on that below!

“Overall I absolutely loved the Micro-finance project. It was an incredibly hands on project which not only allowed me to help women in need, but it also helped me learn and grow as an individual in my abilities.” - Jake J, Microfinance Internship in Tanzania

What will I learn on an internship abroad?

The practical and professional skills you’ll develop on your internship opportunity abroad depend on the field you work in. For example, medical interns might learn about different diseases while business interns learn financial management skills.

However, there are some things you will learn on every international internship, regardless of your field. These transferable skills are crucial differentiators when applying to jobs or university.

For example, guided international travel like this can help build your confidence, adaptability, and independence. It will also expand your global perspective and intercultural communication skills.

“I came into my medical placement knowing nearly nothing about medicine other than the fact that I wanted one day to work in the field, and I left knowing exactly what branch of surgery I wanted to specialise in. It was one of the best experiences that I have had in my life.” - Jose L, Medical Internship in Mexico

What are the advantages of an international internship over one in the UK?

When you travel overseas, you’re opening your mind up to new ways of looking at the world. This allows you to think more creatively and become the problem solver that employers are looking for.

Say you do a Nursing Internship abroad. You’ll become educated on the health requirements of a completely new environment. Maybe you’ll be testing for malaria in Kenya or working with traditional medicine in Vietnam. Whatever you do, you’ll expand your skills by observing how professional nurses operate in other regions of the world.

Or maybe you work on a Human Rights Internship abroad. You’ll have firsthand experience of the importance of human rights in countries like Ghana. It’s only by experiencing these different legal systems for yourself that you get a sense of just how valuable justice really is.

So the real advantage of an internship abroad is gaining perspective. You’ll have a high-quality experiential education, shadowing experts, but in an environment that really pushes your limits. You’ll leave bursting with confidence, ready to show employers what you’re capable of.

To prove this, we regularly survey our participants to find out about their experience and what they learned. Here’s what they had to say:

96% feel more confident interacting with people from different cultures
94% reported that they have a better understanding of global challenges
93% think the skills and knowledge they developed will help them in future
91% are more confident in handling life’s challenges

Among international medical interns, our participants said:

96% felt their medical internship improved their experience of studying medicine
93% claim their experience improved their medical school application
88% believe the experience they had with Projects Abroad could not be accessed at home

How do I intern abroad?

A healthcare volunteer in wearing a protective mask and gloves treats a patient on a medical internship in Ghana

Our international internship opportunities are open to people from all backgrounds who are at least 14 years old. They’re particularly valuable if you’re about to join university, already a student, or looking for graduate internships abroad.

(If you are a teenager looking to intern abroad, some programmes have specific eligibility requirements based on age. Check which projects you are able to join on our High School Special eligibility page.)

For example, if you do an Engineering Internship abroad, you’ll gain practical work experience and skills that will help set you apart when you apply for jobs following graduation. Similarly, you can do a Business Internship abroad to land yourself a place at a more highly rated business school.

Requirements vary depending on the internship you choose, but for most internship work abroad, you can join without any specific qualifications or experience. Unless specified in the requirements, you don’t need to be enrolled in university or at school to join our internships abroad.

You'll work alongside experienced professionals and you'll be guided every step of the way if you need it. Use their expertise for your own professional development.

At the same time, many of our internships are designed to have a meaningful impact in the communities you work in. For example, your Microfinance Internship abroad will be used to help local entrepreneurs grow their business. If you choose a Medical Internship abroad, your help will bring essential basic medical services to rural areas.

Can I do a summer internship abroad?

On a law internship abroad in China, an intern smiles as she works at her desk

If you’re planning on working abroad for the summer to give your CV an extra edge, our projects are a great fit. Most run throughout the year and have flexible dates, so you can start whenever suits you.

Our most popular projects are our summer internships abroad, operated exclusively for teenagers through school holidays. These summer internships for UK students, called High School Specials, have 24/7 supervision, a fully curated itinerary, and group social activities.

These projects also run in limited numbers around Christmas and Easter, so you can travel during the breaks in your studies.

If you’re still at school and are unsure of which path to take, then read this popular blog post on the best summer internships for high school students for more inspiration.

Where can I do my internship abroad?

When looking to do your internship in another country, it’s important to choose the programme that contributes the most to your personal goals. Every project in every country is different, so it’s important to know what you are looking to get out of your internship abroad.

Our advice would be to get in touch with a Project Expert, who can advise you on which options best fit your passions and ambitions. They know our projects inside out and can provide recommendations based on your needs.

For example, we offer Medical Internships abroad in several destinations, but the kind of conditions you treat will vary. Medical outreaches in Ghana focus on malaria testing and treating leprosy patients’ wounds, while medical interns based in Argentina pay special attention to raising awareness of diabetes and cardiovascular disease.

Let your interests lead you to the right destination. By working closely with our Project Experts, you’re bound to find your ideal work placement abroad.

Why should I pay for an internship abroad?

Paying for an internship abroad allows you to have an experience that is both excellent for your personal development and fully managed on your behalf.

It allows us to provide you with comfortable accommodation 24/7 staff support, three meals a day, comprehensive pre-departure assistance, and the chance to learn from experienced, local professionals.

We handle all of the logistics so you can focus on having an incredible experience while developing your professional skills. An international internship is an investment in your future, and one that is well worth the cost.

Read what others have to say about their experiences with Projects Abroad and find out why we’re rated ’Excellent’ on Trustpilot.

What is the right age to intern abroad?

Sometimes people worry that they’re not the right age for an international internship. They’ll ask if 25 is too old to intern abroad, thinking it’s something only for high school students preparing for university. This isn’t the case.

Our international internships are open to anyone over 14 and usually don’t require qualifications, which is why they’re so popular among younger people. But you’re never too old to travel abroad, learn new things, and enhance your career. For certain international internships, you’re required to have university experience in the subject, or you need to speak a language like Spanish or French.

The right age to intern abroad is whenever you feel ready to dive into a new exciting experience aimed at your personal and professional development! Who knows, you might just find the perfect career change waiting for you across borders?