Superb, Tantalising, Excellent, Magnificent! If you’re a STEM student, you know this acronym is filled with equal parts fun and difficulty. This conglomerate of hard science superpowers (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math) is taking over the educational world, and students are lining up to take advantage of the 4-for-1 interdisciplinary combo.
With its focus on solving practical, real-world challenges, internships in science for college students are a critical component of any STEM program worth its salt. STEM internships for college students are opportunities to explore the diverse ecosySTEMs and political sySTEMs of the world while gaining practical work experience in your chosen STEM field #doublewin.
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Einstein himself said it best, “Creativity is intelligence having fun.” So, smarty pants, go abroad and have fun!
Why STEM majors need international experiences
As an aspiring scientist-technologist-engineer-mathematician, you probably look for solid evidence before making major decisions like jumping off to find internships in science for college students, and you’re not wrong. So, let’s break things down a bit...
Exhibit A: Unbeatable Work Experience. Internships abroad are THE way to take your resume to the next level, and wow recruiters after graduation. You want to have a good job. Your parents (and nosey distant relatives) want you to have a good job. Summer STEM internships get you one step closer to being employed beyond your wildest dreams.
Exhibit B: Well-Rounded Education. Though STEM covers four disciplines, there’s still a lot it doesn’t touch. Taking your STEM-y skills out for a test drive in new international contexts will deepen your knowledge and understanding of the real communities and ecosystems that are impacted by your work.
Exhibit C: FUN! Getting in your summer STEM internships for college students doesn’t have to mean miserable summers trapped in a basement lab 50 hours/week. Science internships for college students abroad combine the same rigorous research with the joy of discovering new cultures and cuisines. Yum!
Gather all the evidence and compare STEM internships side-by-side with MyGoAbroad
STEM internships for college students are powerful learning experiences, resume toppers, and opportunities for personal development. That proof’s as positive as an atom missing an ion.
Here are a few great STEM research internships for college students you don’t want to miss:
Put your time abroad under the microscope, we guarantee you’ve grown some culture.
Science
Science internships for college students are as diverse as science itself. When in doubt, choose an opportunity that gets you one step closer to what you want to be when you grow up.
Animal Sciences / Zoology & Wildlife Sciences
Calling all animal lovers! Marine biology internships will have you swimming with dolphins and high-fiving turtles. At the same time, animal science programs and wildlife zoology programs take you further inland to where the company is of the furry and feathered variety.
Recommended program: Personalized Veterinary Experience in South Africa | African Conservation Experience
As a small animal vet, it was such a precious opportunity to work with large wildlife species, as we worked with some rare and beautiful animals. For example, one day we darted and treated a roan antelope (locals even told us they’d never handled one before!), another day we treated sable and nyala bulls and helped relocate them safely to other farms. On our final day, we darted a nyala, administered injections, and helped load him into a trailer for relocation. Watching how smoothly the team worked together was truly impressive. - Tereza- ACE Intern. Read more African Conservation Experience reviews
See all Zoology & Wildlife internship programs
Medical Sciences
Are you passionate about alleviating suffering the world over? Taking up a medical profession is a powerful way to lend a hand in people’s internal and intestinal struggles. The medical world is vast, so if you’re looking for something a bit more specialised, check out internships in biomedical science, kinesiology, food science, and health sciences.
Recommended program: Global Health & Pre-Medicine Internships Abroad | IMA
At Coast General, resources and technology are very limited, and these physicians and nurses must communicate with the patients and peers, which depends on human connection and in turn often creates a more positive experience for the patient. I specifically saw this at the medical clinics, as physicians had limited resources but collaborated and did their best to help every individual, which is something I deeply admire. - Kayla- IMA Intern. Read more International Medical Aid (IMA) reviews
See all Medical Sciences internship programs
Information Sciences
For four-year-old library prodigies like Mathilda (and later bloomers), STEM internships for college students in library and information science is like a dream come true: aisles of ancient books, the sweet silence of readers lost in another world. Master the Dewey decimal system in the magic of a foreign destination when you choose an information science program over other undergraduate summer research opportunities.
Recommended program: Internships in New York | The Intern Group
Not only did I professionally grow but also personally. Being independent in a city like New York teaches you so much about yourself. And not only that, but being surrounded by equally-minded, ambitious, and hard-working individuals that want to kickstart their career, it's the best internship programme to do. - Tian Liu, The Intern Group Intern. Read more The Intern Group reviews
See all Information Sciences internship programs
You and your STEM career will bloom abroad.
Technology
In the fast-paced world of technology, research internships for college students are a great way to tune in to the global techie pulse and up your professional game. Whether it’s computers or other devices that make your heart sing, our planet is filled with interesting hard/software to study and improve upon.
Recommended program: Renewable Energy Volunteer Internship | EcoSwell
The hands-on learning with the solar panels was another highlight. Taking measurements and observing how parameters changed based on the panel's condition was fascinating, and having the chance to ask technical questions to experts deepened my understanding. Overall, the blend of team camaraderie, real-world impact, and technical learning made this a truly valuable and rewarding experience. - Tadhg, EcoSwell Intern. Read more EcoSwell Reviews
First-time interns, you GOTTA download this ebook
Computer Science
Take a break from behind the screen to discover computer science from a new perspective overseas. Computers speak the same language the world over, so you’ll have plenty to bond over with your new international friends.
Recommended program: Internships in Barcelona | Adelante Abroad
My internship experience was particularly impactful. I was placed in a professional and welcoming environment where I was given real responsibilities, not just busywork. I felt like a valued part of the team, and I learned so much about the industry, local work culture, and how to collaborate across languages and cultures. It was challenging in the best way—pushing me to grow both professionally and personally. - Mckenna- Adelante Abroad Intern. Read Adelante Abroad reviews
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There’s no perfect code for STEM internships abroad, but the resulting application is just as fun and beautiful.
Engineering
If you’re an engineering student, you probably already know that you can engineer just about anything: tractors, electrical networks, computers, cocktails, dance parties... But you’ll never know the true universe of possibilities with an engineering degree, until you put your studies to work during STEM internships for college students. Whether you’re a genius of the chemical, mechanical, civil, electrical, or other variety, explore your horizons with summer STEM internships.
Recommended program: Engineering Internship in Vietnam | ABROADER
Coming to this internship in Vietnam, I wanted both to explore a culture completely different from my own and gain a head start into my career as an environmental engineer and I was not disappointed. I felt that even when I am not here for a long enough period of time to do something of great importance, I contributed to the host organization with my research into potential donors and other youth initiatives in climate change adaptation. - Maarten, ABROADER Intern. Read more ABROADER Reviews
Chemical Engineering
If you’re into transporting and transforming chemicals like any passionate chemical engineering student, why not experiment with transporting and transforming yourself with an internship overseas? Sign up before all the best research opportunities Argon!
Recommended program: J-1 Visa Sponsorship in USA for STEM Interns & Trainees | Spirit Cultural Exchange
Working in the U.S. has also exposed me to new technologies, industry best practices, and leadership styles that have shaped my professional growth.I am truly enjoying my time in the United States, exploring different places and experiencing the diverse culture. Each destination offers something unique, from vibrant cities to breathtaking natural landscapes. - Nanthakumar, Spirit Cultural Exchange. Read more Spirit Cultural Exchange Reviews
See all Chemical Engineering internship programs
Mechanical Engineering
The mechanics of interning abroad may be tricky, but they’re no match for mechanical engineering whizzes! Take your love of mechanics overseas to discover a whole new world of machinery and gain invaluable work experience.
Recommended program: Drone Technology Internship in Greece | Cerca Abroad
It has always been my dream to pursue a career in robotics. As a kid I’ve always chased that. So now, since I’m in college, I have chosen this internship, as I stumbled across this. So, my first step towards robotics was getting my own drone. As I came across engineering drones, I was really interested in this program. That’s’ why I’m here- I really like doing it. - Sarvesh, Cerca Abroad Intern. Read more Cerca Abroad Reviews
See all Mechanical Engineering internship programs
Civil Engineering
All disciplines of engineering can be humanitarian, but civil engineering work is particularly in tune with human users. Learn to design cityscapes and rural bridges across the world, and gain new perspective on communicating with stakeholders and cross-cultural collaboration with a civil engineering internship abroad.
Recommended program: STEM Research Internship Program (VSRP) | KAUST
KAUST VSRP program was an amazing experience for me in the professional way because I had the opportunity to understand how a real team of engineers work and I could put into practise all my years of formation. It was also a great personal experience as it made me grow as a human being and it made me know people and culture from all over the world expanding my was of thinking and living. - Matteo, KAUST Intern. Read more KAUST Reviews
See all Civil Engineering internship programs
Electrical Engineering
Interning in electrical engineering abroad is sure to be a whirlwind of new ideas and energy. Pack your plug converters, and dive into the complex electrical networks of a new country! Circuit properties may be the same everywhere, but expect plenty of new things to discover all around you.
Recommended program: CEA CAPA Internships in Rome, Italy
CEA was truly the best program I could’ve picked to do my internship abroad. They set me up with the perfect internship that I absolutely love. Also, our housing is amazing the apartment they placed my roomates and I in is so beautiful and it felt like home right when we got here. It was so easy for me to pick my roommates thanks to their roomate search on their website. - Avery, CEA CAPA Intern. Read more CEA CAPA Reviews
See all Electrical Engineering internship programs
There’s no way to doctor international experience on your resume, so you might as well sign up for STEM internships abroad.
Mathematics
Math is the original border crosser. You can intern in mathematics anywhere from Argentina to Romania, and eiπ + 1 = 0 will still be true.
Bonus: less is lost in translation when you do your summer STEM internships in math!
Recommended program: VAC Professional Internship Program
Cape Town was an easy choice for my internship. Having visited before, I already knew it was one of the most beautiful cities, with great weather and a vibrant culture. During my time here, I had the opportunity to intern with a professional organization in engineering, where I met a range of professionals and made valuable connections. It was a great way to gain experience while learning more about the industry in an international setting. - Jeremy, VAC Intern. Read more VAC Internships Cape Town reviews
See all Mathematics internship programs
Summer STEM Internships
Are you squeezing all the learnin’ you can out of those long summer days? Make the most of your summer vacations with STEM internships for college students. By the time you head back to school in the fall, you’ll have a sparkling resume and a new passion for your field of study.
STEM students are infamous for having heavy academic schedules (because, duh, four subjects in one!). That’s what makes summer STEM internships so great: they won’t take a moment away from your semester course load. Even the busiest students have time over summer break, and you’d be remiss not to take full advantage of undergraduate summer research opportunities!
Recommended Program: Independent Internship in Thailand with ISDSI
Undergraduate Summer Research Opportunities are Calling Your Name
Hey you! Yeah, you, in the glasses and lab coat! Inspired to discover the best STEM internships for college students? It’s time to let your stems carry you around the world in the name of science and learning. Onward and upward!
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Jade Lansing
GoAbroad Contributor
Jade is a freelance writer, teacher, intercultural exchange facilitator, and non-profit consultant. In the past, she managed a small Ethnographic Field School in Morocco, did research for the United Nations in Beirut, and edited a newspaper in Cairo. She has a master’s degree from the American University in Cairo, which mostly qualifies her to smoke copious amounts of sheesha and rant about foreign policy at parties.
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