When you start looking into internships abroad, there always seems to be that one major buzzkill that suddenly surfaces: money. Where the heck does one come up with the cash to fund this vital career-furthering venture?
Budgeting is one of the hardest parts of traveling abroad.
There is no denying the incredible opportunity represented by an internship abroad, but far too often the cost discourages potential interns from ever even applying. With such a large pool of international internship prospects, in which paid ones seem so few and far between, it can quickly become exasperating and even tempting to rethink one’s agenda altogether.
So, in an effort to bust down this roadblock standing between you and your internship abroad, we are spilling the beans on everything we know about all expense paid internships abroad. Because, yes, they do exist.
What expenses are covered in “all expenses paid” internships abroad?
With all expenses paid internships, there are a lot of different types of compensation you can look forward to while interning abroad that may prove just as beneficial as a stack of cash.
Students especially may find that paid internships abroad for college students comes in the form of receiving academic credit. This comes in extremely handy in killing two birds with one stone, so to speak, as interning through your school may allow you to get real life work experience (not an unusual requirement for graduation or job applications) while earning class credits. In fact, many unpaid internships only accept full-time students in a relevant field, but can these can also be considered as paid research internships abroad.
You may not be able to go shopping every week during your all expense paid internship abroad, but there are plenty of other perks.
If your school is willing to consider your internship abroad for credit, ask about scholarships as well. Scholarships are available for those who plan to intern abroad both through universities and through private sources, which cover the costs of things like travel and living expenses for international internships. Check your financial aid status as well, and your student loans could also fit the bill.
If you are no longer a student, don’t fret. Paid internships abroad for graduates also exist. Sometimes when organizations or companies that can’t afford to actually pay interns with money, they will instead offer some other type of living stipend or provide and/or cover the cost of living and food expenses while abroad.
Even if nothing else seems to compensate the international internship costs, the learning experience, chance to travel, and career networking you receive during your time interning abroad should carry significant weight in the “pro” column of your decision making data sheet.
As cool as it might be to live out of a van while you travel, it probably won’t be necessary.
Still, while it may not be possible to simply avoid paying the costs of your international internship upfront, it is certainly possible to break even by saving or earning money in other areas, something that your friends interning in the U.S. will likely struggle to do. Keep in mind that even though some internships abroad will get you pretty darn close to $0, there’s no such thing as free lunch. Legit all expense paid internships abroad are something a little different. They are called jobs.
17 fully paid internships abroad
So without further ado, here are some ideas for all expenses paid internships abroad we’ve promised to gift you. A list that serves as proof they are not the elusive imaginary unicorns you once thought they were. Here are 17 all expense paid internships abroad you must check out:
1. Premier TEFL
If you’re like us, you know that interning abroad for a measly 1-2 months just isn’t going to cut it. That’s why we love this opportunity from Premier TEFL—a nine month internship in glorious Spain! That’s more than enough time to find your favorite churro spot and add some serious street cred to your international resume. If you dream of working in education or with ESL student learners, this is THE internship opportunity of a lifetime.
- Where: Spain
- More info: Unique 9 Month Paid Internship in Spain
2. Goldman Sachs
Students and recent grads who are hoping to gain experience in the financial services industry can do so in a competitive international environment, with colleagues who are at the top of their game. Just make sure you have a polished resume and are really to compete with the best for a very limited number of positions. This is one of those fully paid internships abroad that will set you apart in the your upcoming career search, marking you as a notable candidate for future employers. It will also equip you with incredible skills and give you the hook-up when building your network of professional contacts.
- Where: Worldwide
- More info: Goldman Sachs Internships Abroad
3. KONE
You may not have heard of KONE, but they're actually an international leader in the escalator and elevator industry, have been voted one of the world’s most innovative companies by Forbes, and they offer all expenses paid internships abroad! While this is definitely a great industry for an engineer major, KONE also has internships in IT, business, law, and other disciplines. Plus, they WANT you to intern in another country, so their International Trainee Program (ITP) includes round-trip travel expenses in addition to your salary. Oh, and they’ll arrange your accommodations and make sure you have an in-country point person to support you.
- Where: Worldwide
- More info: KONE International Trainee Program
4. Deloitte
A powerhouse of business both in the United States and throughout the world, Deloitte’s all expense paid internships abroad program abroad brings students all around the world in a number of different fields. Given that Deloitte is considered one of the “Big Four” professional services firms, it’s also an experience that will look amazing on your resume. From business technology to corporate finance to consulting, there are endless options!
- Where: Worldwide
- More info: Deloitte’s Internship Program Abroad
5. L’Oreal
Intern in HR in Malaysia, in operations in France, marketing in Dubai or Brazil, retail in Italy or Sweden, research in Switzerland, or finance in Hungary. The possibilities are endless with French owned beauty and cosmetics company. Their Global Opportunity Programme encourages students and young graduates to intern in other countries across the globe. They also have a huge variety of opportunities that are sure to be relevant to your studies and geographical interests.
- Where: Worldwide
- More info: L’Oreal’s Global Opportunity Programme
6. Cultural Homestay International
Sign us up for CHI’s three-month minimum internship placements in the cultural powerhouse of Germany! This is your chance to have unparalleled access to the German language and culture, not to mention adopt an international family of your own. If you love children and want a career that focuses on childhood development, you’d be hard-pressed to find better all-expense paid internships abroad.
- Where: Germany
- More info: Au Pair Abroad in Germany
7. IAESTE
The IAESTE Internship Placement Program offers students who are studying subjects in the technical field with the opportunity for paid internships abroad. The program offers support for work visas and accommodations beforehand, as well as cultural excursions and networking opportunities once you arrive. As with most paid internships, this program is extremely competitive. With the technical field being such a large field with so many qualified applicants, this particular paid internship will be an especially difficult one to snag. Be sure to put a lot of effort and special care into your application, so that you stand out!
- Where: Worldwide
- More info: IAESTE Internship Placement Program
8. Oyster International
Ready to make your experience nearly jump off the page of your resume? Work with Oyster International in hospitality in wintry, wonderful Canada. Get up close to ski runs, re-acquaint yourself with the outdoors, master the art of customer service. There’s nothing stopping you from signing up for this once-in-a-lifetime hospitality internship opportunity abroad. Work for six months over the summer or winter season while earning a decent pile of looneys and tooneys!
- Where: Canada
- More info: Oyster International
9. H&M
For those with a passion for fashion, H&M’s internship program gives interns a glimpse of how a multinational company operates. It allows you to live and work in one of Europe's most premier cities, and gives you inside access to the production of one of our most basic necessities: clothes. Also, hopefully, free shoes. Furthermore, 50% of H&M's interns have later come on to work for them full time—meaning, this internship isn't just an internship, it's an opportunity to live and work abroad permanently if you do well.
- Where: Sweden
- More info: H&M Internships Abroad
10. The Fulbright Program
The Fulbright Program is one of the most esteemed full paid internships abroad for those looking to gain international experience. Although there are many different kinds of Fulbright programs, ranging from grants for academic study, to financial support for work abroad, to paid teaching positions, all Fulbright programs include some kind of funding for its participants. The Fulbright Program is also known throughout the world, and is guaranteed to elevate your resume, making you a much more competitive candidate when applying for future jobs. The Fulbright Program is one of the most exclusive programs out there, so get ready to compete with the best and brightest for a limited amount of available positions.
- Where: Worldwide
- More info: The Fulbright Program Internships Abroad
11. Google
Welcome to the big leagues. If you’re ready to take your career prospects to the next level, consider one of the full paid internships abroad with Google. Obviously, these are tough internships to get. You’re going to need to be on your A-game to snag one of these, but interning with Google while living in Dublin or Paris, for instance, will definitely set you apart from other applicants in the future. These paid internships abroad for graduates are also a great opportunity to network your way into a future job!
- Where: Any of Google’s international locations
- More info: Google’s International Internships
12. U.S. Department of State
The U.S. Department of State’s Internship Program offers students the incredible opportunity to intern abroad at a U.S. Embassy in a number of countries. This internship is technically unpaid; however, once you’ve applied and been offered the internship, you can apply for the Pamela Harriman Foreign Service Fellowship. This fellowship provides a $5,000 stipend for one intern at each embassy abroad, to fund their experience. It’s competitive, but the possibility of interning at a U.S. Embassy in another country is an incredible experience, and worth the hard work of applying!
- Where: Worldwide
- More info: U.S. Department of State Student Internship Program
13. The World Bank
While most World Bank positions are in Washington, D.C., there are typically a quite a few positions up for grabs abroad as well, and all internships are paid! Internships are offered in economics, finance, human development, social science, agriculture, environment, private sector development, as well as other related fields. The catch? You must be enrolled in a graduate program, and in most cases, you will need to know a second language.
- Where: Worldwide
- More info: The World Bank Internship Program
14. KPMG
KPMG is a global network of firms providing audit, advisory, and tax services. They don’t necessarily look for students with any specific major, but they want smarts and some interest in finance. The fact that they cover ALL costs—visas, health insurance, flights, local transport, and centrally-located local accommodations—would be enough to make just about anyone take an interest in finance. They also provide a local orientation, driving lessons, and will connect you with other American employees on assignment in your host location.
- Where: Worldwide
- More info: KPMG Global Internships
15. EA Ski & Snowboard Training
Interning abroad doesn’t have to be synonymous with stuffy office or the #cubiclelife. There’s a lot to learn from hands on internships too—especially ones that take you to the slopes! Head to Japan for a paid internship abroad as a ski or snowboarding instructor. Gain skills in cross-cultural communication and hospitality while receiving a unique and comprehensive introduction to work culture in Asia.
- Where: Japan
- More info: Intern Abroad in Japan with EA
16. Work & Travel Argentina
This work exchange program will add some major “ka-pow!” to your resume. If your long term goals include a career in hospitality or hotel management, where better to start than the ground up? Work regular hours in exchange for a place to rest your head and eat loads of empanadas. Master Spanish along the way—and knock out bucket list experiences like hiking Patagonia or making a fool of yourself trying tango in a public square. These stories might not show up on your CV, but they’ll give you enough experience to benefit every future step of your career.
The best part? These experiences can double as paid research internships abroad—get insight on what YOUR future hotel will be like. ;-) #mogulinthemaking
17. LoPair China
Mandarin immersion—check. Meaningful relationships with a Chinese family—check. Powerful international experience to add to your resume—check check.
What more could you want from a paid internship abroad experience? Get up close and personal with modern Chinese culture as you live with a family abroad (and get paid for it!). Another perk? Chinese kids are really, really cute.
- Where: China
- More info: Working With Chinese Children
Making the most of all expense-paid internships
Interning abroad is one of the best things you can do for yourself, personally and professionally.
An internship requires sacrifices regardless of its location. Money, time, and (sometimes extreme) effort are all expected from interns nowadays. However, the educational and professional rewards for all of your hard work will be even greater when interning abroad, which is what internships are all about.
That being said, finances are going to be a factor no matter where you complete an internship, so looking for internship opportunities available in other countries is a great way to expand your options and potentially save a lot of money relative to your peers (and you’ll having bragging rights too).
So if you are willing to think outside the box and consider interning abroad, and follow the tips above, you will be well on your way to making your internship abroad a memorable and affordable experience! Even though you will have to shell out a little dough, money spent interning abroad is never wasted. Travel is the only thing you can buy that makes you richer.
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