Internships Abroad in Canada

Prepare for an Internship

Set goals

Setting goals that align with your work will look different than anyone else. Here are a few broad goals most people can use as inspiration.

• Identify key technical skills and connections to prioritize during the internship. By focusing on these, even small tasks can be seen as contributing to your long-term career goals.
• Use this time to strengthen academic skills and develop a plan to apply insights to the classroom or office. Connecting theory and practice turns work experience into a lasting asset that improves future performance.
• Challenge personal boundaries by seeking tasks just outside comfort zones at work and in personal growth. Growth rarely occurs in safety, so embracing manageable discomfort unlocks new capabilities.
• Define specific professional traits and mirror those values in supporting colleagues. Reliability goes beyond deadlines; it builds integrity and makes you a desirable team member.

Understand the benefits

Canadian internships are well-regarded and offer a good base of benefits:

• Real-world experience that aids academics or professional development. Interning in a large country like Canada offers dynamic, hands-on experience.
• Networking with like-minded peers and mentors. Interning in a field that excites you means there are plenty of connections to make.
• Experiencing new cultures. While part of the program, you’ll experience how people in different parts of the world live professionally and personally.
• Build your education and resume. The rest of the benefits all build up to this, in a professional manner! People pay attention to those who’ve interned abroad.

Things to know

Interning in Canada combines valuable work experience with the chance to explore its diverse culture and landscapes. Here’s what to know about life and logistics before you go!

• Living basics. Affordable housing, including company-arranged options, is available, and many internships are paid. Interns gain job experience, amenities, and exposure to Canada’s bilingual culture and varied climates.
• Permits & visas. Interns need a work permit, sometimes a study permit, often arranged by schools. The visa process is straightforward, with many companies offering support. Internships last 6 to 12 months with flexible hours.

Choose a Location

Canada offers diverse internship opportunities, but the benefits and programs can vary between provinces and cities. Here are three top choices for internships.

Vancouver

Vancouver attracts thousands of interns annually, with its otherworldly location on the coast and proximity to the United States. The city's high quality of life, opportunities, and beautiful surroundings make it a highly desirable location for interns.

Toronto

Toronto is known for internship placements in the arts, sciences, architecture, and finance sectors. The city is home to prominent media companies, making it an excellent choice for aspiring arts and culture-related students. Toronto's competitive business environment provides valuable training for interns in the corporate sector.

Ontario

Ontario offers a unique blend of urban and rural internship opportunities. Urban internships focus on finance and information technology, while rural placements often revolve around agriculture. This balance makes Ottawa an exceptional location for interns seeking diverse experiences in both settings.

Choose a Field

Canada’s multicultural environment, strong economy, and emphasis on creativity in all sectors make it an ideal choice for those looking to start a career in these fields. Here are a few highlights available!

Business

Since business is one of the most popular and largest-reaching fields, it’s no surprise that Canada has great offerings. Learn anything from the administrative side to marketing in a large and successful business landscape.

Sustainable Development

Canada has been actively working on its sustainable development goals, so of course, there’s an opportunity in the field to intern. Regardless of your interest, you can bet that internships can offer you plenty of opportunities!

Marketing, Advertising, & PR Internships

Canada offers excellent options for marketing, advertising, and PR internships. Cities like Vancouver, Toronto, and Montreal host vibrant industries, providing hands-on experience in diverse sectors. While not necessarily as large as the USA's field, it still has a lot to offer.

Tips and Advice

An internship in Canada doesn’t have to be as complicated as you might think. Follow these steps to find the right opportunity, handle the essentials, and prepare for an unforgettable international experience.

1. Get matched

If you’re ready, our Online Advisor can match you with internships in Canada right now. Matches are sent to your inbox!

2. Choose a program

As you are starting your matching process, sign up for a MyGoAbroad account and compare internships side-by-side.

3. Choose how long to stay

Timing is important—opt for what works for you! A few things to think about:

• Summer. Probably the best season to intern in Canada, with warmer weather and many opportunities widely available.
• Fall. As the seasons change and summer swells settle down in cities to welcome fall, opportunities become available both through academic means and non.
• Winter. Some people prefer Canada’s snowy season! The divide between busy and quiet seasons lies on either side of New Year's, respectively.
• Spring. We all know seasonal opportunities start in the spring as everyone shakes off that last bit of cold weather.

4. Funding & scholarships

GoAbroad can help you get instantly matched with funding opportunities for internship programs in Canada. Just fill out our scholarship and deals application and see what awaits you!

5. Apply

It’s time to apply for an internship in Canada once you’ve found some programs! Just go to the program page of your selected option and click "Inquire Here" or "Apply Now." After you apply, a program coordinator will reach out with the next steps.

6. Get your essentials

After all of that, and you're booked to go, it’s time to apply for your passport and visa, book your flight, and buy travel insurance. Bon voyage!