True or False? Mid-career professionals or people who’ve been out of the workforce for a while can’t participate in internships—let alone internships abroad.
Share your ideas and your expertise with internships for adults.
False. So. False. False, false, false. The falsest of the false.
Internships are no longer just an option for privileged teens and desperate college students trying to pad their resumes with work experience. Honestly, for anyone who’s been out of the workforce a while, a “returnship”—internships for career changers or adults over 40—is a second chance at reinventing yourself and your career. Still not quite convinced?
Read on to learn why interning as an adult, career changer, non-student, 40+ individual abroad is not only an option, it’s a really, really, really good option (+ the top internships for adults right now!).
Why consider internships for non-students / adults, let alone internships abroad?
You should consider internships for adults abroad for the same reasons we think those desperate college students should participate in internships abroad. Not only will you get invaluable professional experience, but the added challenge of navigating a new culture and intercultural relationships in the workplace will only make you better.
You left the workforce to raise a family, and now you’re ready to jump back in. It’s a tale as old as time. You stopped working full-time to raise a family, but now the kids are grown and off participating in cool experiences in college or abroad, and you’re like—uhm, what about me? Rather than being that stereotypical empty-nester or spending your day on a golf course, you want to get back in the game! Why should the kids have all the fun and professional development? You’ve got a lot to offer organizations around the world, so let your life experience do the talking and apply for internships for adults abroad.
You want to pursue something different—something you’re passionate about. The days of 30+ years at the same company, in the same field, or with the same job description are soon to be behind us and you’re ready for something new. Whether you’re a banker who’s always wanted to work with kids, a teacher wanting to get involved with grassroots human rights organizations, or working in any number of professions, but wanting to work in conservation, there are international internships for adults who would benefit from your experience.
There’s a learning curve with everything online, but you’re a quick study.
Top internships for adults around the world
No matter your timeline, previous work experience, or future career goals, these international internships
1. Intern in Ireland with Intern Abroad HQ
Flexible and affordable are the names of the game. You can intern for as little as two weeks or up to a full year, and Intern Abroad HQ will place you with a company that perfectly matches your interests, current skills, and career goals.
The program in Dublin specifically has internships for adults in marketing and public relations, tourism, and hospitality. Interns live with a homestay, which keeps costs low and cultural immersion at an all-time high. Plus, Intern Abroad HQ’s guided reflection course means you get the time and space for personal and professional development while putting your future employability through the roof. It’s what makes this one of the best internships for career changers or anyone getting back in the game after a long time out of the workforce.
- Where? Dublin, Ireland
- More info: Read Intern Abroad HQ reviews
2. Micro Business Internship with Maximo Nivel
Are you looking for internships for adults over 40 as a total and complete game-changer? This Micro business internship with Maximo Nivel could be just the ticket. If you have previous experience in business, you’ll be able to take that knowledge and apply it to business practices in the developing world while beefing up your Spanish business vocabulary.
These micro business placements are usually in small, local companies and focused on marketing, sales and client service, or accounting. A good handle on Spanish is required to be effective in this international internship, but don’t worry! If your Spanish language skills are not quite there yet and you want to improve, Maximo Nivel offers online Spanish classes and our Native Spanish Program to help you get there.
- Where? Costa Rica, Guatemala, Peru
- More info: Read Maximo Nivel reviews
3. Youth Social Work Internship in South Africa with Roots Interns
Roots Interns offers academic internships with grassroots projects worldwide to anyone looking for a program that balances meaningful work and valuable learning. With the help of our highly skilled and experienced team, you will be matched with the organization that best fits your internship goals and personal passions.
You can choose from a variety of fields such as Animal Welfare, Business Development, Community Development, Creative Writing, Education, Environmental Management, Event Management, Fundraising, Gender Equality, Human Rights, Law, Marine Conservation, Marketing & Communications, Media & Design, Medicine, NGO Management, Photography, Psychology & Social Work, Public Health, or Wildlife Conservation.
- Where? South Africa
- More info: Read Roots Interns reviews
4. Find internships around the world with Connect-123
Connect-123 is all about tailor-made programs, which is great with your wealth of experience. You won’t be bored, and you will get exactly what you need out of the program. Programs are run in six different international locales: Buenos Aires, Cape Town, Shanghai, Dublin, Sydney, and Barcelona.
Because you get a custom experience, these are perfect international internships for adults looking to fill resume gaps and start a new career. Take a pick of fields from A to Z: Accounting to Zoology and everything in between. Start dates and durations are flexible, so you can plan around your busy schedule, and your family won’t miss you at Thanksgiving dinner.
- Where? Argentina, Australia, China, Ireland, South Africa, and Spain
- More info: Read Connect-123 reviews
5. Intern in Barcelona with Absolute Internship
Adults looking to start up in a new career should look no further than these full-time internships for adults in one of Europe’s startup capitals. That job market is competitive, but placements with Absolute Internship will help you stand out and reach your new career goals across 30+ fields. Graphic Design, Real Estate, Entrepreneurship, Marketing/PR, Business, or Tourism—take your pick. As part of your program, you’ll get plenty of individual professional development with company visits, career speaker events, and career workshops in addition to a wealth of cultural activities, day trips, and weekend excursions to help you gain valuable industry insights and explore Barcelona's history.
- Where? Barcelona, Spain
- More info: Read Absolute Internship reviews
Great internships for non-students abroad
Whether you haven’t worked in years or you’ve never had a career, you can start with internships for adults.
You’ve got your degrees, and you’re not looking to get academic credit. These are some of the best internships for non-students around the world. That doesn’t mean you won’t still learn a lot, so get ready!
6. International Internships in Scotland with AIFS
An international internship in Edinburgh gives you an amazing opportunity to live and work in a fascinating global city. Scotland's capital is set among towering hills, parks, and ancient buildings – many from the Middle Ages.
AIFS Abroad is dedicated to making your internship in Scotland an experience you’ll never forget. Students and young professionals, don’t miss out on this life-changing international opportunity!
- Where? Scotland
- More info: Read AIFS reviews
7. Intern in Dublin with the Intern Group
With so many European headquarters of tech giants like Microsoft, Google, Amazon, and Facebook, it’s no wonder they call Dublin the “Silicon Valley” of Europe. Whether you want to be the next Mark Zuckerberg or just work for him, The Intern Group offers successful applicants (of all ages and experience levels) the chance to gain invaluable professional experience in a dynamic European city.
But it’s not just for computer science nerds. The Intern Group can place you with one of its partner organizations across any field you’re interested in getting professional experience in. We’ll raise a pint to that!
- Where? Dublin, Ireland
- More info: Read Intern Group reviews
Perfect internships for career changers and adults over 40
You’ll find mentorship from other men and women in the office during internships for adults.
Whether you’re looking for a complete and total career change or just a change of scenery, these internships for career changers and adults over 40 will give you exactly what you need.
8. Education Internships in South Africa with VACorps
Have you got decades of education experience under your belt? No? Just passionate about education and hoping to break into the field and try something new? Well, either way, this education internship in South Africa with VACorps is just the ticket.
You’ll work as a supporting student teacher at a South African school. If you are interested in pursuing a career in education, getting that crucial classroom time under the supervision of a qualified teacher will be invaluable. Teaching internships for adults over 40 in Cape Town offer the ideal opportunity to gain practical international teaching experience while engaging South Africa’s spectacular culture.
- Where? Cape Town, South Africa
- More info: Read VACorps reviews
9. Intern in Argentina with CISabroad
CISAbroad offers great internships for career changers in business, education, and communication with the backdrop of Buenos Aires—the Paris of South America. You could find yourself working with large international companies or smaller entrepreneurial businesses. The city itself is always moving, with millions of people working, eating, and having fun at all hours of the day. So, it’s an exciting place to start your career change.
While the Argentine accent takes a little getting used to—even with a base level of Spanish—the great city of Buenos Aires is easy for anyone to love. Explore many of the city's parks, learn to tango, and sip “mate" as you soak up all that the city and your internship have to offer.
- Where? Buenos Aires, Argentina
- More info: Read CISabroad reviews
10. Business internships in Thailand with Asia Internship Program
Nestled perfectly in Southeast Asia, Thailand quickly became a hotspot for businesses to settle in and travelers to backpack through. As a fast-growing and highly internationalized market, it is a perfect place for professionals of any age to develop their skill set and help develop their career path.
Asia Internship Program makes it easier for you to find the right internships for adults over 40 in Thailand. As you continue to build on your career foundation and move forward, AIP will place you with one of their partner organization, giving you plenty of opportunities to rebuild your resume, network, network, network, and explore a new career in business.
- Where? Bangkok, Chiang Mai, Pattaya, or Phuket
- More info: Read Asia Internship Program reviews
Best summer internships for adults
You know all about the rise and grind—even with your time out of the workplace.
Summer internships aren’t just for those desperate college students anymore. These summer internships for adults will give you a taste of life abroad and a new career without the daunting long term commitment of a three to six-month or even a year-long program.
11. Sydney Internships with Beyond Academy
Beyond Academy offers one of the best-rated internship programs in Sydney. Recognized on GoAbroad for alumni success and backed by 500+ five-star reviews worldwide, we deliver tailored internships, cultural immersion, and career-building opportunities to help you thrive in Australia.
We’ll carefully design your Sydney Internship Program so it has the perfect ingredients for your career success. From picking the right role for you within our extensive network of partner firms, to workshops and 1-to-1 coaching that equip you with skills and insights to thrive in your internship and beyond. Our Sydney internship runs in 18 industries, with monthly start dates and durations from 1-6 months.
- Where? Sydney, Australia
- More info: Read Beyond Academy reviews
12. Open Campus Block in Shanghai with CIEE
Your CIEE Summer Global Internship program in Shanghai lasts 8 weeks and features two key components: A full-time internship with an international organization (approximately 30-40 hours per week) and an internship seminar. Enhance your experience with co-curricular and extracurricular activities while building career skills, expanding your professional network, and immersing yourself in Chinese culture. Live, learn, and work in Shanghai!
Shanghai is China’s vibrant, cosmopolitan city, celebrated for its dynamic skyline, unique blend of traditional Chinese and modern global cultures, iconic landmarks like The Bund and the Oriental Pearl Tower, world-class museums, bustling street food scenes, stylish cafés, high-end shopping districts, and scenic waterfronts. Whether you're majoring in business, science, engineering, technology, communications, psychology, health sciences, liberal arts, language, or fine arts, Shanghai is the perfect place to study or intern abroad.
- Where? Shanghai, China
- More info: Read CIEE reviews
13. Summer Human Rights Internship in Tanzania with Projects Abroad
Interested in exploring a new career in human rights and advocacy? Summer internships for adults with Projects Abroad in Tanzania allow you to work alongside a respected humanitarian organization while gaining direct experience in human rights in practice.
You’ll work closely with an independent NGO that strives to impact the lives of those who are most vulnerable, working directly with the local communities, assessing their needs, and putting strategies in place to overcome difficulties in the areas of education, community health, counseling, legal aid, and socio-economic empowerment.
- Where? Arusha, Tanzania
- More info: Read Projects Abroad Reviews
International internships for adults are the next big thing
You’re back in the game!
So get out there and explore roads previously not taken! With our careers extending longer and longer, there’s no need to stick with the same ol’ same ol’. If there are fields you want to explore and places you still want to discover, internships for adults abroad are how you’ll get your foot in the right door.
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Erin Oppenheim
GoAbroad Contributor
Erin is a news and current events junkie, all about that #IntlEd life, and is also the funniest person she knows. She just wants to be a guest on a podcast— doesn’t matter which one.
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