Traveling abroad is far from the only excuse we can use to get us off the couch and out in the wild. Being in the classroom or volunteering in one thing, but gaining real-deal professional skills is another.
You won’t break the bank thanks to these cheap internships abroad!
Dive into a new culture while interning abroad. In fact, more and more commonly, students from all over the world are opting to hit the road (or air) to complete internships. It’s an excellent way to test-drive both living and working abroad all while gaining reputable professional experience. Read on to learn more about inexpensive internships abroad, how you can find one, and where you should go.
Can I find free internships abroad?
You can certainly find free internships abroad. Better yet—you can even find paid internships abroad (and we’re happy to tell you all about them!). Further, in some countries (ahem...France), it’s the law that interns must be paid. Not many countries have such laws, but it could be worth your while to know where you might be paid for your labor if you are otherwise unable to fund an internship overseas. On the other end of the spectrum, certain organizations might expect you to move to the expensive city of Geneva and intern for free (cough, the World Health Organization, cough). It really depends on who you want to intern with and where you want to carry it out. What’s slightly complicated about internships abroad are local labor laws. To be paid, you have to legally be in the country. And that takes more than a stamp upon touchdown at the airport.
That being said, companies and organizations most often have to sponsor you. More often than not, students pay to have their international internships coordinated for them. This, my friend, might be one of the reasons why free internships can be few and far between. Understanding more about the cost and fees relevant to international internships will help you make a game plan for finding inexpensive internships abroad—ones that offer great value and service but won’t make you go broke.
Truthfully, “free internships abroad” might as well be unicorns.
There are a bunch of affordable and low cost internships abroad. Just continue scrolling to find more! P.S. If you’re on the fence about this whole paying for internships abroad, have at look at our how-to guide which can give you some food for thought.
Our roundup of low cost internships abroad
If you can’t find free internships abroad, what is the next best thing? Low-cost internships—and maybe even ones that are paid internships abroad. Read on to get started!
1. Human Rights internships in South Africa with Connect-123
In a country still known for its institutionalized racism, there is more work than you can image in the social justice arena. Find inexpensive internships abroad in South Africa with Connect-123! Translate that theory into practice with a legitimate internship on the Cape. South Africa has been and continues to be a hot-spot for those passionate about human rights. This tailor-made internship offers assistance from start to finish. But that’s not all, putting that internship aside, let’s not forget that Cape Town is known for its renown beaches and scenic escapes. Accumulate professional and cultural experience in Africa thanks to Connect 123’s cheap internships abroad!
- Location: Cape Town
- Rough program cost: A flat fee of $2,450 with housing (where there’s a pool) included
- More info: Read Connect-123 reviews
2. Journalism Internship in Ethiopia with Projects Abroad
Work with professionals in the industry while honing reporting and journalism skills with these cheap internships abroad from Projects Abroad. Propose, mine, and produce multimedia print, radio, and television content. This cool gig gives you the opportunity to be out in the field (or bush) to collect content. It also allows you to give a go with formatting in post-production design, too. If proofreading and editing is your things, just say so and you can do that along the way as well. This unique opportunity allows you to interact with people from all walks of life spanning diverse societal groups. Customize this affordable internship abroad to fit your needs. Placements range from one month to one year.
- Location: Addis Ababa
- Rough program cost: ~$3,500 USD
- More info: Read more about Projects Abroad
3. Content Marketing Internship in the Philippines with us (GoAbroad)!
A few times a year, GoAbroad takes on new marketing and content interns in our Philippines office. We pride ourselves in offering inexpensive internships abroad for motivated, hardworking, and creative travelers. If you’re mature, quick-witted, full of great ideas, and can handle the heat of the Eastern Visayas, this might be for you. You will have the opportunity to work alongside management, web and graphic designer, content creators, all while collaborating with a dynamic international marketing team. You’ll have the opportunity to gain international business skills as well. You will be communicating with people from all over the world. There’s a free internships abroad for you!
- Location: Tacloban
- Rough program cost: No fee plus travel and housing expenses are included
- More info: Read more here
4. Communication Internship in China with USEH International
Gain real life communication skills with a paid internship in one of the world’s largest emerging markets. Choose between three, six, and 12 month internship placements in one of the countries largest cities. This program is open to both those currently obtaining their degree, college graduates, and anyone with a high school diploma with two or more years of professional experience. This program starts you off with a hearty introduction to become oriented with both the culture, and the job itself. Perform like a star and you might be able to prolong your working visa up to a year thanks to ESEH International’s cheap internships abroad.
- Location: Beijing and Shanghai
- Rough program cost: ~$300-$1000 USD per month
- More info: Read USEH International Inc. Reviews
5. Community Development Internship in Thailand with Global Visions International
GVI’s inexpensive internships abroad program options include getting set up at the gorgeous Thai province of Phang Nga. Interns develop creative strategies and activities to stimulate children with mental and physical impairments. Challenge accepted? Great. Oh, remember those United Nations Sustainable Development Goals you learned in Pub Health 101? Here’s an opportunity to put that knowledge to practice. If you have the energy after this dynamic internships, our recommendation is the hit the food markets and the mountains. P.S. Chiang Mai is a diverse, bustling, yet peaceful city in the north. I definitely recommend it for cheap community development abroad. ;-)
- Location: Chiang Mai
- Rough program cost: ~€2500
- More info: Read GVI reviews
6. Hospitality Internships in the UAE with CareerDC
Dubai is a fascinating place. A city with the infrastructure to manage millions, i mean, many millions of people, yet it still feels a bit like a ghost town in certain areas. This rapidly changing city thrives off of tourism—tourist come from all over the world. Whether Aussie’s stopping on a layover to Europe or Asians wanting visiting for a complete holiday. What a fascinating place to gain experience in the hospitality industry Oh, talk about an affordable internships abroad! This program is founded upon a six month internship, which included housing and a living stipend (aka a monthly “salary”).
- Location: Dubai
- Rough program cost: No fee + monthly stipend ~$250/month
- More info: Read more about CareerDC here
7. Agriculture Internship in Vietnam with Kaya Responsible Travel
If plants and food and the environment are your thing, look no further. Spend one to three months in this southeast Asian country while getting your hands dirty in policy, research, education, and services related to agricultural development projects. Whether you're interested in program development and implementation, or children’s education, there are a wide array of topics to suit both your academic and professional desires. You’ll have the opportunity to rub elbows with both national and international organizations. On another note, Vietnamese cuisine is evidently to die for.
- Location: Ho Chi Minh City
- Rough program cost: ~$3400
- More info: Read Kaya Responsible Travel reviews
8. Public Relations Internship in India with Pave Internships
These cheap internships abroad in the subcontinent is concentrated around a print publication (aka, a magazine). You’ll be managing the press, aiding the distribution, organizing launch parties and other events, along with a host of other operations. Collaboration with artists and other creative will allow you to enhance your design skills. Stints are anywhere from two up to 12 weeks at a time. Why not experience the inner workings of an Indian publishing house?
- Location: Kolkata
- Rough program cost: ~ 2300
- More info: Read more on Pave Internships
9. Human Resources in England with Absolute Internship
Spend your summer on (one of) the Queen’s lands thanks to Absolute Internship’s cheap summer internships abroad! Though this low cost internship abroad is in English, you certainly won’t be lacking any culture living in London. It’s much more than posh accents and double-decker buses flying by on the opposite side of the street. This company has been working with interns for many years. They have even placed over 4000 interns at over 800 companies worldwide. It’s a large program with participants from all over the world. You’ll certainly broaden your horizons with this one.
- Location: London
- Rough program cost: ~$600-900/week
- More info: Read Absolute Internship reviews
10. Intern in Ireland with The Intern Group
The Intern Group hooks it's participants UP with not only a meaningful, hands on internship in the field of their choice, but a variety of other perks as well—social hangs and cultural events, an on-call therapist (if the work days get tough or homesickness is overwhelming), not to mention a public transport card to help make a smooth transition to life on the Emerald Isle. The only question remaining is: shall we travel to Galway or Cork this weekend?
- Location: Dublin
- Rough program cost: ~$800/week; minimum six weeks
- More info: Read reviews of the Intern Group
[Browse ALL International Internships]
4 more tips to keep your international internship costs down
Internships, especially unpaid ones, can get a bit pricey sometimes. Keep a few of these points in mind to realize your inexpensive internship abroad.
- Tip #1. Rent a room in a shared apartment or flat. This is not the time to try out living solo—you’re already forking out costs for other overhead things, so try to minimize what you’re spending on your rent / accommodations. Renting a room with other international interns will save you money and provide you with a more autonomous, yet community-oriented experience.
- Tip #2. Book a round-trip ticket. You know, one way tickets are almost always more expensive than if you book the round trip ticket from the get-go. If possible, fly on Tuesdays, Wednesdays, and Saturdays—the cheapest days of the week!
- Tip #3. Walk or bike to work. Save on those taxis, Lyfts, Ubers, et. al and other pricy transit options by walking or biking to the office. It’s an invigorating start to the day which will help you maintain your focus even through your afternoon slump. What’s more, you’ll have the opportunity to take in more of the scenery too—get to know your neighbors!
- Tip #4. Pack your lunch. Eating out adds up real quick. By brown-paper-bagging it, you will have more money to spend on other fun activities! Since eating out can be a great opportunity to get to know your new coworkers in more relaxed setting, we recommend mixing up your lunch options—leftovers one day, a bite and a bond with coworkers the next. Just keep an eye on your spending so you don’t go overboard!
You’re ready for a kickass internship without a big-ass expense
Pleasure doin’ business with ya!
Free internships abroad might be a unicorn, but you see, there are a bunch of viable options for both practically free and affordable internships abroad. Weigh your options and keep the ball rolling. It’s only a matter of time.
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