How to Wow Everyone & Intern Abroad in High School

You wanna be the cool kid everyone wants to sit with at lunch? The one never alone in the bleachers, the one all the cheerleaders are high-fiving in the hallway, the one always picked first for group projects? Of course you do! There is an easy way to practically guaranteed prom royalty status, and it doesn’t involve winning the talent show or becoming president of Latin club.

Magic solution: high school internships abroad.

It’s actually the most awesome deal ever: Global exposure, college app glitter, fun travel, invaluable personal growth, and the possibility of extra pocket cash for hanging out in a foreign country—you’ll get all that and more when you intern abroad in high school. Not only will you be the one coming back after summer vacation with all the best stories, but you’ll walk with a different stride, bring back new fashions, and make even your teachers jealous. While everyone else will be picking up babysitting gigs, volunteering at the pet shelter, or binge watching all the latest Hulu shows, you’ll be building libraries in Nicaragua, following in the footsteps of fashion designers in London, or hanging out with lions in Kenya. 

Yeah, definitely beats taking care of your little brother for two months. 

6 steps to intern abroad in high school

Step 1: Figure out your why

There are many reasons to intern abroad in high school: language practice, cultural immersion, gaining experience and making contacts in a specific field, living in a specific country, making a bit of cash, adding some WOW! factor to your college resume. With thousands of high school internships abroad programs out there, it’s important to focus on the most important thing that you want to get out of this experience. Write down exactly why you want to intern abroad (other than the passport stamps and gelato dates, of course) and then you can narrow down fields and internship types to match your need.

Step 2: Decide when and where

Figure out how much time you can spare and when the best time to do so is. Then, decide where in the world calls to you the most: somewhere English-speaking with minimal culture shock or something completely out of your comfort zone? This is your time to connect with your inner Buddha or whip out those latino vibes! Anything is fair game, but personal preference (and maybe budget) is the only factor between picking Antarctica or Angola. Same applies for deciding between a couple of winter weeks or a summer month of two.

Step 3: Research programs

Maybe it’s not as fun as the “abroad” part, but it’s certainly better than researching the Great Depression for history class. The time you put in now is maybe the most important, so don’t get lazy on this step: research costs, organize facts, read reviews, understand program procedures, check visa requirements, and read all the fine print to find the perfect program from you. GoAbroad is your best bet, but there are plenty of other virtual places to help you on your quest, such as #internship hashtags on Twitter or other social media hacks.

[7 Questions to Ask Before Choosing Your High School Travel Program]

Step 4: Apply and take care of formalities

Once the perfect program has been found, it’s time to apply! Get ready for paperwork, potential passport and visa applications, parental permission slips, and waiting times for replies. Be sure to check all requirements so that you don’t get caught at the border with the wrong entry stamp or arrive to work without a laptop.

Step 5: Raise some money

Chances are, you’re not a millionaire in high school yet, so it’s time to be nice to Mom & Dad and see how much they are willing to contribute to your adventure. Just remember (and remind them)—high school internships abroad are a great investment! It’s also a good idea to check out other money resource ideas, such as FundMyTravel, and read through GoAbroad’s scholarship tips.

[Your New How-To Guide on Paying for Internships Abroad]

Step 6: Prepare & go!

Now is the fun research: read up on the culture of the country you will be interning in to make the overseas transition easier. This includes basic phrases and cultural/work etiquette (dress, greetings, social expectations, etc.) to make sure that you aren’t stepping over any lines on the first day. Educate yourself on the climate of the place to pack accordingly, figure out a phone plan abroad, unblock your credit card for international travel, host a temporary farewell party, give a peck to the parental units, and get comfy in that airplane seat to foreign lands.

[Tips to Prepare for Travel Abroad in High School]

3 recommended high school internships abroad

1. API High School

This 10-day high school internships abroad program is offered by Trinity College and API, so you will be working alongside both fellow college students and STEM professors. Focusing on mathematics and technology, this program is perfect for those that geek out over gravitational laws and long equations. Based in Dublin, there is no need to learn another language, but between leprechauns and meat pies, there’s still plenty of opportunity to immerse in a new culture and pick up a cute accent. Other than studying at Ireland’s oldest university and meeting world-renowned staff, perks include weekend outings to scenic cliffs and old castles amid fields of endless green.

• What? Science, technology, engineering, math
• Where? Ireland
• More info: API program details

2. China Internship Placements

If China sounds like your cup of green tea, then this organization is leading internship opportunities in the region for over ten years. Not only do you learn basic Chinese and get plenty of cultural exposure (and endless baozi), but you also have a variety of cities and environments to choose from. While this is technically a “gap year program”, you can customize time lengths and program foci to really accommodate your interests and time availability. If you aren’t 100% sure about the direction you want to take professionally, CIA lays out various career choices, explains post-grad opportunities, and dedicates time to helping you make a secure decision.

• What? Various fields
• Where? China
• More info: CIP program details

3. Instituto Hemingway: Culinary Arts

For those that dream of paella and pulpo a la gallega when confronted with unidentifiable globs of food at the cafeteria, this program is a perfect fit. Learn traditional culinary secrets of Spain, while polishing your resume with modern European experiences. There is a two week Spanish language course before the program, and placements range from small restaurants in villages to resorts in tourist towns. In English, local chefs explain ingredients, kitchen standards, desserts, and typical foods- then, it’s hands-on fun. Work weeks consist of 30 hours, monetary compensation is offered, you get a culinary certificate, and there is plenty of accommodation and application guidance. ¡Vamos!

• What? Culinary Arts
• Where? Spain
• More info: Read Instituto Hemingway reviews here

[Browse ALL International Internship Opportunities Here]

Impress everyone—including college admissions counselors ;-)

First stop—international internship for high schoolers. Next stop—top of your graduating class.

Intern abroad in high school! The above is only a snippet of sample ideas to fuel daydreams in algebra class, but the list of opportunities and places is endless, so don’t place limits on yourself. Whether you want to dip your toes in a field before committing to it in a college degree or you are ready to rocket your way to the top of the field, internships abroad in high school add a great character boost, have the chance to improve foreign language fluency, and make even the most bland daily routine seem exotic.

 If you want to stand out above the entering college crowd and put photos in your mental yearbook that won’t fade anytime soon, start taking action toward making a high school internship abroad reality. After all, there is more to the awkward teens years than waiting for the school bus and skipping gym class; there is a whole meaningful world to discover and conquer!