Are you ready to take your career to the next level and gain valuable international experience? Interning abroad offers an incredible opportunity to not only immerse yourself in a new culture, but also to develop hands-on professional skills that will set you apart in the competitive job market.
Unlike traditional study abroad programs, an internship abroad provides real-world experience that goes beyond textbooks, giving you an edge in both your academic and professional journey. This unique experience will not only enhance your resume but also open doors to exciting career opportunities, boosting your confidence and skill set in ways that will make you stand out to future employers.
In a world of rising inflation, we understand that cost can be a concern, but we believe money should never stand in the way of pursuing your dreams. Think of the cost of an international internship as an investment in your future - an investment that will pay off exponentially as you gain global experience, build your network, and sharpen your professional abilities.
There are countless ways to make your dream of interning abroad more affordable. With the right approach, you can unlock the door to a world of opportunity without breaking the bank. Here’s how to make it happen:
1. Plan ahead!
The number one thing you can do to keep costs down is to get organized and book your internship early! This not only allows you to secure your first choice of travel date and lock in cheaper flights, but also opens up the opportunity to pay your program fee in installments and opt for our flexi booking option. Both of these are designed to make your payment and planning more manageable and stress-free
Once you’ve been accepted onto your chosen internship, you can reserve your place by paying the program fee deposit. This payment serves as the first installment of your program fee total and is subtracted from the remaining balance. Remember, your program fee includes important services, such as internship placement arrangement, airport pick up, orientation, and other essential support. Early confirmation allows us to reserve your desired internship dates while we arrange your placement and customize your internship.
Spots are limited and assigned on a “first come, first serve” basis, so to avoid disappointment, get your plans to the front of the queue to avoid missing out.
2. Gain academic credit for a fraction of the price
Maximize the value of your internship experience by using it as a platform to gain academic credit. If you’ve always wanted to travel or study abroad, and were planning on doing it anyway, why not also ensure that you’re academically rewarded for the experience? Whether applying for academic credit via your home institution, or via Intern Abroad HQ’s School of Record partnerships, you may find it could actually be cheaper than earning the same number of credits physically on campus (especially for out-of-state students).
3. Book your flights early
Flights can be one of the more pricier elements of interning abroad. For this reason, planning ahead so that you can book your airfares early and get much cheaper, more flexible options is key!
Pro tips for booking cheap flights:
- Choose to fly on a Tuesday or Wednesday instead of the weekend.
- Book 40-70 days ahead of your planned departure date.
- Book in January for spring break dates and for flights to Europe or Asia for travel in May.
- Use flight comparison sites to ensure you are getting the best deal.
4. Choose a strategic destination
Choose a destination that’s geographically closer to you to secure cheaper airfares. South Africa and New Zealand are popular study abroad destinations, but the cost of airfare to these destinations may be a lot higher compared to countries nearer to you.
Here are some of our top recommendations for cheap flights based on your home country:
- Interns from the US, Canada and Latin America - Head to Costa Rica, Peru, Guatemala, or intern in New York!
- Interns from the UK and Europe - Check out Spain, Greece, Ireland, Italy, the Czech Republic, or even Morocco and Tanzania!
- Interns from Australasia and Asia - Bali, Japan, South Korea, Thailand, Australia and New Zealand are great nearby options!
You may also choose a destination with the most inclusions - while every internship destination we offer includes essential services (like comfortable accommodation and airport pickup), some go above and beyond to provide even more value.
Depending on the internship location, you may also enjoy perks such as daily meals, language lessons, airport drop-off, tours, and even a PADI Open Water certification! When planning your internship abroad, take the time to research each destination. Whether you’re looking for more practical support, additional cultural experiences, or unique certifications, there’s a perfect fit for every budget and career path. By choosing wisely, you’ll maximize the value of your investment, ensuring you get the most out of this life-changing experience and more bang for your buck!
5. Choose a shorter duration
Before applying for an internship abroad, consider your budget and how long you want your experience to be, as the duration of your experience will impact the program fee.
A short-term internship (just 2-4 weeks, for example) will be a lot more affordable compared to a long-term internship (8 weeks or longer). This is because the program fee includes accommodation - and in many cases, meals as well! The longer you stay, the higher the cost.
If you want a long-term internship, consider destinations where the cost of living is lower. Popular choices include internships in Africa, Asia, Central or South America.
If you want to intern in a country where the cost of living is higher - such as Spain or Greece, you might choose a shorter internship duration, to help control your budget.
6. Pick your dates like a pro
It goes without saying that if you head overseas during peak travel periods the costs will be much higher! Because RISEWAYhas flexible year-round start dates, you can schedule your internship at any time of year depending on when works best for you.
Consider interning outside peak travel seasons to get more affordable flights, especially in destinations where the weather is mild year round. Choosing a “shoulder season” for your internship also enables you to beat crowds of tourists and secure better deals for booking activities and excursions.
7. Look for scholarships and grants
If you are currently studying, we would encourage you to check directly with advisors at your academic institution, as they can often advise if there are opportunities and support available to you. There are many organizations that offer scholarships and grants specifically for students looking to intern abroad. Sometimes all it takes is a quick online search to see what’s available! Make sure you also keep an eye on our scholarships page and sign up to our newsletter to ensure you’re the first to know about scholarships, competitions, special offers and funding opportunities.
8. Consider a remote internship
Our remote internships are designed to provide you with the same rewarding personal development experience as our overseas internships – but without the added cost associated with international travel! Start when you like, choose your own hours, and intern online from anywhere in the world!
9. Find a provider where your dollar works for you
With Intern Abroad HQ, we make your journey seamless and transformative from the moment you arrive. From your airport pickup to personalized orientation and comfortable accommodation - many internship programs also include select meals - we’ve got all the details covered so you can focus on what matters most: your growth.
But it doesn’t stop there. You’ll receive tailored support every step of the way to secure the perfect internship placement, and our ongoing coaching will guide you in honing your skills and unlocking your full potential. Through an immersive experiential learning curriculum, we empower you to not just gain experience, but to thrive and build a future that is as limitless as your ambition.
Why wait? Start planning your internship abroad today! Not only will it make your adventure more affordable, but it will also take the pressure off, giving you peace of mind and the excitement of knowing you’ve secured an incredible opportunity for the best price!
Just submit your application to begin. It doesn’t cost anything to apply and won’t take more than 5 minutes. However, your formal expression of interest provides the foundation for us to help you take the next steps.
