Internships in San Francisco, United States

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4 Internships in San Francisco, United States
Beyond Academy
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The city of new ideas and big visions, San Francisco is home to independent thinkers for generations leading up to today’s tech visionaries. An internship in San Francisco lets you appreciate the city’s status as a liberal global centre, and the world's no. 1 start-up hub. We’ll carefully design
Stage-Global
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Have you already secured your Internship, Traineeship, Research Scholar or Specialist program in the U.S. and now need J-1 visa sponsorship? Stage-Global is here to help! After you have found and secured a position at a U.S. company, you can apply for J-1 visa sponsorship through Stage-Global. We m
Institute for Global Studies
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Intern abroad with IGS, choosing from placements across diverse areas of technology – processes, computer software, computer hardware, and data constructs. Previous participants have worked with top IT companies around the world. Our last placement was with a robotics firm that needed software suppo
See All 2 ProgramsA Guide to Internships Abroad in San Francisco
What You Need to Know to Intern Abroad in San Francisco
Contrary to popular belief, you don’t need to be a coding guru in order to benefit from an internship in San Francisco. While Silicon Valley is right down the road and many young professionals do work in the technology sector, this city in California offers options for all types of internship seekers.
Popular types of internships in San Francisco. As a major business hub, San Fran is heavy on internship opportunities in certain sectors, but don’t let that deter you if you’re not studying business or technology. The city is also home to many marketing firms, and as a major tourist destination, there are tons of options in the hospitality sector, too. Even interns who want experience in fields as diverse as environmental issues or human rights will find dozens of hard-working non-profits that could use a hand in the Bay area.
Short term internships and summer internships vs. long-term internships in San Francisco. Internships come in all shapes and sizes, and it’s up to you to determine the best fit. When thinking about how long your internship should be, it’s important to consider factors such as your school calendar, budget, and learning objectives. Sometimes a short-term internship is all you can manage, and while it’s certainly better than nothing, if you’re able to swing a six- or twelve-month internship, go for it! The longer you spend in SF, the more you’ll learn about your industry, the city, and American culture.
Unpaid vs. paid internships in San Francisco. It’s important to consider payment when applying for internships, as life in San Francisco is not cheap. Many internships here are paid, which can help with costs like rent and meals. Opportunities in smaller organizations are more likely to be unpaid, so you’ll need to be honest about your budget before accepting an unpaid internship offer.
Life in San Francisco, USA for International Interns
San Francisco is a great place to gain professional experience, but it’s the time you’ll spend outside of the office that will make you fall in love with this hilly, foggy city. Not only will you get stunning views of the Golden Gate Bridge and the Pacific ocean on the regular, you’ll also have access to an endless buffet of world cuisine, live music every night of the week, and more parks than you can realistically visit during your time here.
The Bay Area has a diverse population, meaning you’ll quickly feel at home while interning in San Francisco as you explore its various neighborhoods. Spend a day walking through Chinatown or try some Dungeness crab in Fisherman’s Wharf. Once you’ve ticked all of the tourist boxes, spend some time getting to know your own neighborhood and check out the local cafes, shops, and bars. San Francisco is one of the most walkable cities in the country; delightful surprises are around every corner if you take the time to look.
GoAbroad’s Inside Scoop for Interns in San Francisco, United States
San Francisco is a popular city, and these days everyone wants to experience its magic. Unfortunately, this means that housing costs have shot up quickly and finding an affordable place to stay in the city proper can be difficult. Unless your employer has arranged housing for you or your internship provider has included housing in your program cost, plan on spending quite a bit on lodging, even if it’s a small room in a shared house. Luckily, with all the city has to offer, you won’t be home much!
International interns should also be mindful of the visa process required to pursue an internship in the United States. Most likely you’ll need to apply for a J-1 visa, which allows students and young adults the opportunity to participate in an internship for up to twelve months. There are many companies that can assist you with the application process, but keep in mind that it can take between six and ten weeks to complete the process and obtain your visa. Planning ahead is the best thing you can do to ensure you start your internship successfully.
Choosing to intern abroad in San Francisco is a great way to gain top-notch experience in your field and experience a laid-back, Californian city at its best. Not only will you come away with an impressive resume, you’ll also get a taste of American culture, from networking events to happy hours. You may even miss the long slogs up San Fran’s notoriously steep streets someday!
If you’re still not convinced that San Francisco is the place for you, check out other internship locations in this comprehensive guide to interning abroad in the United States.
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Latest Program Reviews
Perfect IT internship + travelling
November 05, 2020by: Luke Hardman - United StatesAs an IT student, this internship was perfect for me. I get to learn more about computer systems from a different country, and get to travel also! It was hitting two birds with one stone. This was my first time to leave my country; hence, I was nervous to go at first. Yet, IGS assured me that I am well taken care of, and that they will help me attain my fullest potential. IGS fulfilled their promise, and I thank them for that.
My mentor was so sweet and helpful
November 05, 2020by: Krystal Sho - JapanMy IGS mentor was very helpful to me. She always checked up on me and was really concerned about what I could learn in my internship. She was also very cheerful and accommodating. Even though I am introvert in an entirely different country, I never felt like I was alone. Thank you very much, IGS, for providing outstanding mentors. My fellow interns and I did both on-air and behind-the-scene positions that are great additions to our résumés. This is especially helpful to me, as I consider working in the field of Marketing in the near future. They even assured me that I will receive a Letter of Recommendation upon successful program completion. Yay!
Looking forward to another internship
October 29, 2020by: Amjelee Keyser - CanadaWell, I was an intern on the second track, where we worked for smaller professional organizations, and I was assigned to an organization that caters to ecotourism and environmental conservation. We are assigned to their IT department and assisted them in all the functions that allow them to effectually communicate with their clients. My desired country for this internship was Hawaii, and it was fulfilled!!!! I wish I could go on an internship again, but in a different country next time. Looking forward to it! Please accept me again, IGS :)
Prepared us for the real deal
October 29, 2020by: Daniel Bowman - United StatesInformation Systems, Technology, Computer Science, and Business are my main fields of interest. In my recently-concluded internship with IGS, I acquired valuable real-world experiences, not just book theories.. IGS realy prepared us 4 the actual practice of IT, considering that we also received a Letter of Recommendation upon successful program completion. Thank you very much, IGS. I am eternally grateful.
SO HAPPY TO TAKE THIS INTERNSHIP *happy cries
October 29, 2020by: Jem Jacobs - Hawaii (USA)IM SO HAPPY I TOOK THIS INTERNSHIP HUHU As a multimedia intern, I am glad to learn new production techniques using the latest editing softwares and methods. Usually, the latest softwares come at a very expensive price; but here, I learned it FOR FREE! We were also able to work with a team of respected media experts. They gave us career advising, which really inspired me to do better and be just like them in the future :)
Great cointernz
October 29, 2020by: Michelle Nguyen - VietnamMy favourite part of the internship is developing rapport with my co-interns,, I broadened my global network, experienced field filming, and at the same time enjoyed and went on trips in our host city,, I will remember it for the rest of my life, for sure,,
My inner computer nerd was jumping for joy
October 14, 2020by: Jamal Singh - IndiaDuring my IGS internship, we learned about computer softwares and hardwares – my main interests and passions! I also acquired additional knowledge on data constructs and communication strategies - great additions to my stock knowledge. I was under the first track for the interns and we solved the IT needs of large businesses and firms. It was challenging at the start but I liked that we survived it anyway. My inner computer nerd was jumping for joy!
My dream to be an associate of a top robotics firm came true
October 14, 2020by: Jordan Chapman - United KingdomWorking with Mr. Smith was the most remarkable experience for me. I never knew my dream to be an associate of a top robotics firm would come true! The housing, setup, airport pickup, pre-trip reader, and office support are all provided by IGS, which makes our lives hassle-free. All we need to think about is how to enjoy and learn from our internship.
So many multimedia opportunities
October 14, 2020by: Nancy Burton - American SamoaHonestly, I’ve been interested in working closely with leading producers and on-air talents, and this is the best fit for me! My experience in film and editing was helpful, but my other colleagues who were not that experienced still had a great time. There are so many multimedia opportunities provided to us. Thank you, IGS!
Sparks up my creativity!
October 14, 2020by: Donna Angelie Sazs - United StatesI am grateful for IGS that I gained hands-on experience in the news and entertainment industry. I particularly enjoyed doing backstory research – it sparks up my creativity by crafting history for characters and plots!
These guys are real pros
June 17, 2020by: Max L.I compose my own music and really wanted to work in a sound studio to learn more about the craft. IGS helped locate one of the premier sound editing studios in Sydney. Top artists from around the county come here to create musical scores for movies, documentaries, commercials and their own private gigs. They got me my own studio space to work on my sound. And, I am able to assist other producers on some really exciting projects. Learning on the latest equipment and seeing how professionals organize their music will really help me for the future. The director of the studio even had me and my cousin over for dinner. These guys are real pros.
The amount of responsibility I am given
May 23, 2020by: Henry D.The coolest part of working at the Virtual Reality Studio is the amount of responsibility I am given. From Day One they trained me to be a Game Master. I do the same job that the owner of the company does. First I introduce clients to the rules of the game and how the equipment works. Then comes the neat part. I monitor the mainframe computer when the participants are playing. On my screen, I see what the players see. If the players are on Mars and they can’t find a tool they need, I give them a hint. My job is to keep the game moving along and allow the players to feel challenge, but give tips when they are frustrated.
Latest Interviews

Samantha Haase
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Sobia Khan
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Maria Maldonado
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Ibukunoluwa Adebayo
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I wanted to develop new experiences and expand my network and horizon. I traveled abroad before this experience for my first Master's degree. Another...

Jahaira Rodriguez
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