How to Apply for Internships Abroad

Where to find internships abroad

There is no single place for all international internships. Most students find them through several routes, and it helps to try more than one at the same time.

• Your own university. The career office, the international office and individual professors often have partner organizations, exchange agreements and lists of past placements. Some degrees include a work placement that can be done abroad, and then the university can help with the paperwork.
• Structured programmes. Governments, foundations, student associations and universities run internship programmes with a fixed application round, selection process and sometimes funding. Look for programmes in your field and check who is eligible by nationality, age and study status.
• Companies. Large companies often have graduate or intern schemes, sometimes with a separate page for international applicants. Smaller organizations may accept speculative applications, if you write a specific, short message.
• International organizations and NGOs. Many publish internship vacancies on their own websites, with clear rules about eligibility, duration and whether the position is paid. These are often competitive, so apply early and read the requirements carefully.
• Research placements. Universities and institutes abroad sometimes host visiting students for a summer or a semester. Contact a researcher whose work you know, with a short email that explains why you are interested in their lab or project.
• Alumni and personal networks. A former student of your department who now works abroad can tell you how their organization hires interns and may introduce you to the right person.
• Listings sites, including our own internships section, which collect opportunities from many organizations. Always apply through the official link of the organization.

Typical timelines

Timelines depend on the organization and the country, but internships abroad usually need more lead time than local ones. A realistic plan looks like this, counted backward from the start date:

• 9 to 12 months before: research programmes and organizations, check eligibility and make a list of deadlines. Large international organizations and competitive programmes often open applications many months before the start of the internship.
• 6 to 9 months before: prepare your CV, cover letter and references. Apply to several places, because many applications will not get a reply.
• 3 to 6 months before: interviews and offers. Once you have an offer, ask the organization for a written offer or internship agreement with the dates, tasks, supervisor and any payment.
• 2 to 4 months before: visa or permit procedures, insurance, funding applications and housing. Official procedures can take longer than expected, so ask about the processing time as soon as you have an offer.
• 1 month before: travel booking, budget check, copies of documents and a plan for your first days.

Paid and unpaid internships

Internships abroad can be paid, partly paid, covered by a stipend or unpaid. The rules about whether an internship must be paid, and how much, differ between countries and sometimes depend on whether the internship is part of your studies. Ask the host organization to say clearly, in writing, whether you will receive a salary, a stipend, expenses or nothing.

An unpaid internship is not automatically a bad one, especially when it is required by your degree or run by a recognized organization. But you should be able to answer a few questions before you accept it. Can you afford to live there for the whole period? Does the internship give you real tasks and a supervisor, or is it only unpaid labour? Does the organization have a clear structure and a good reputation? Do you receive a certificate or reference at the end? Be careful with offers that ask you to pay a fee to join, because this is a common sign of a scam or a commercial placement agency that offers little value.

Funding in general terms

If the internship does not pay enough to cover your costs, there are several types of funding to consider. Which ones are available to you depends on your nationality, your university and your field, so check each source directly.

• Your university or faculty, which sometimes offers mobility grants or travel funds for placements abroad.
• National or regional student funding bodies in your own country, which may support study or work periods abroad.
• Exchange and mobility programmes linked to a group of universities or a region.
• Foundations, professional associations and student organizations that fund students in a particular subject.
• The host organization or a partner, which may offer a stipend, free accommodation or meals.
• Your own savings or family support, and, if you have to borrow, a loan on terms you fully understand.

Visa and work permit: check official sources first

This is the part where students most often make costly mistakes. Whether you need a visa or permit, which type, how long it takes, what it costs and whether you may work during your stay all depend on your nationality, the destination, the length of the internship and the kind of agreement you have with the organization. A tourist visa or visa-free entry usually does not allow you to work, even as an unpaid intern, but you should not assume this. Check it for your situation.

Use the official website of the destination country's immigration authority or embassy, and the host university or organization's own guidance. Ask the host organization whether it supports visa applications, for example by providing an invitation or hosting agreement, and what they expect from you. Be suspicious of anyone who says that paperwork is not necessary, or who asks you to pay a private person for a visa. Keep copies of all emails and documents, and start the process as soon as you have a written offer.

Documents, language, housing and budget

Prepare a folder with the documents you are likely to need: a valid passport, with enough validity left after the end of the stay, a CV in the style of the destination country, a cover letter, transcripts or proof of enrolment, references or recommendation letters and, if the language requires it, a language certificate or a short statement of your level. Some organizations or authorities ask for official translations or certified copies, so ask which are required. Our guide on scholarship applications has a document checklist that you can adapt.

On language, be honest about your level. If the internship is in English but the daily life is in another language, learning basic phrases before you go will make life easier, and a short statement in your application that you are studying the local language can help. If your English is your second language, ask a teacher or friend to read your application for mistakes.

For housing, begin with your host organization or university, which may have student housing or advice. Use only trusted listings, never send a deposit before you have a written agreement, and be careful with landlords who refuse to meet or show the place. Housing costs vary widely between cities and are often the biggest part of the budget. A simple budget should include:

• Rent, deposit and the first month's costs.
• Transport to and from the country, and local public transport.
• Health insurance and any other required insurance.
• Food, phone, internet and a small amount for emergencies.
• Visa or permit fees and document translations.
• A reserve for the first weeks, because the first salary or stipend may arrive late.

How to word your application as an international candidate

Organizations are often worried about practical risks when they consider an international intern: Will the person be able to get a permit? Will they stay for the whole period? Will they cope with the language and the working style? Your application can answer these questions before they are asked.

State your situation simply in the cover letter or the email, for example: "I am a third-year Environmental Science student at [university] in [country]. I am available from June to August. I understand that I need a visa for this stay and I will apply as soon as I have an offer. I can work in English and I am learning [language]." Mention your availability dates, your language level and your study status, since many internships are restricted to current students or recent graduates. Do not hide the fact that you need a permit, and do not state that you have the right to work if you are not sure.

Then show what you can contribute. Give specific examples of tasks, projects and skills that are relevant to the work, and explain why this organization and this country interest you. Adapt every application, and avoid copying a general text. Our guides on writing a CV for internships and scholarships and on writing a motivation letter explain the structure.

Red flags

Be cautious if you see any of these signs:

• You are asked to pay a fee for the offer, the interview, the visa letter or a guaranteed placement, apart from the costs of official procedures that you pay to an authority.
• The organization has no website, no address, no named staff or only a free email account, and you cannot find independent information about it.
• The offer comes quickly without an interview, with big promises about pay, permanent jobs or visas.
• The tasks are unclear, or the "internship" looks like full-time unpaid work that replaces a paid employee.
• You are pressed to decide, send money, or share your passport and bank details immediately.
• There is no written agreement with dates, duties, supervisor and conditions.