Development is an incredibly broad professional area that encompasses many more specific industries within. Government, economics, engineering, medicine, education, environmental studies, urban planning: all these fields and many more have their place in the overarching framework of development, and all can be applied toward the combined effort to create infrastructure and opportunity for the world’s less fortunate.

So while it may be impossible to peg a single type of development internship abroad considering all the different types of work the field encompasses, the principal point is that essentially any subject area you’ve studied can be applied toward some sort of development work. Most of the highest level development planning comes from NGOs or otherwise international organizations, while concrete on-the-ground projects are often the terrain of more localized groups or administrations.

Both of these branches of development (high-level planning, on-the-ground implementation) can be equally rewarding formats to being with a development internship abroad, depending on your ultimate career ambitions. Most development internships abroad tend to last between three and six months, and some can also offer the opportunity to earn academic credit along with your daily work. Not a bad option for those still enrolled in school and looking to get a step ahead!