Boost Your Résumé With IES Internships

Our international internships are the career-making experiences you’re looking for: a full-time (summer or semester) or part-time (semester) internship that boosts your résumé while showing you the world. Through our internship programs, you’re placed with a reputable company where you can have an impact. Gone are the days of getting coffee or making copies; with an IES internship, you’re developing professional prowess and putting all these years of education to real, professional use.

Benefits of Interning Abroad With IES Internships

With an internship abroad, you’ll enjoy the exhilarating challenge of real-world experience combined with professional skill building and cultural immersion.
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Predeparture Advising

We'll guide you through every step of the process.

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On-Site Support

There are dedicated staff on the ground in your host country.

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Well-Located & Vetted Housing

Rest easy in your new apartment, homestay, or residence hall.

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World-Class Academics

Supplement your internship with a career-focused seminar.

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Rigorous Health & Safety

Highly-trained staff both at our headquarters in Chicago and globally.

How to Get an Internship Abroad

Choose the Term
Options include full-time semester, full-time summer, or part-time semester on top of your study abroad program.
Pick a Field
Research the locations and industries that interest you, and work with your IES Abroad Internships Advisor to nail down a combo.
Apply for Your Program
Open an online application, and then submit all your supplemental materials like résumé, cover letter, etc.
Confirm Your Spot
Submit the Confirmation Form by the deadline in your MyIESabroad account to ensure your spot on the program.
Interview & Crush It
Work with your Internship Coordinator at your Center to set up and prepare for your interview, and then nail it!

Requirements to Intern Abroad

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  • Eligibility Criteria
  • Application Materials
  • Language Proficiency

Eligibility Criteria

  • At least 18 years of age
  • Enrolled in or graduated from a full-time degree program within the past five years. Note: some countries may have visa restrictions based on full-time student enrollment.
  • At least sophomore status at application, rising junior status prior to departure; freshmen and full-time graduate students will be considered
  • Minimum GPA of 2.5

Find Your Program

Start exploring internship programs that fit your personal and professional goals. From a full-time internship in Santiago to a part-time internship while you study abroad in Barcelona, we offer internships abroad in nearly all of our locations across the globe.

Semester Internships   Summer Internships

Types of Internships Abroad

Full-Time vs. Part-Time Internships

Depending upon your career and academic goals, you can either study abroad while gaining credit and participating in a part-time internship, or you can or participate in a full-time internship for college credit.

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Full-Time Summer

Keep your semester plans at school and spice up your summer with an international professional internship. Choose your location and apply to an IES Abroad summer internship program. (3, 6, or 9 credits)

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Full-Time Semester

Establish a new routine and get deeply acquainted with your internship and new city for a whole semester. Choose either fall or spring and apply to an IES Abroad Semester Internship Program. (3 credits)

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Full-Time or Part-Time Remote

You choose the term you want to intern, what you want to do, location preference, how many hours you want to work per week, and we make it happen. (3, 6, or 9 Credits)

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Part-Time + Semester Study Abroad

Choose either fall or spring and apply to and IES Abroad Program. Throughout the application process, you'll have the option to add a part-time internship. (3 credits)

Paid vs. Unpaid Internships

As a study abroad and internships provider, we offer unpaid, for-credit internship placements in 12 cities and remotely. We understand that an unpaid internship doesn't work for everyone's plan, but there is a plethora of benefits that we offer that you can only get through IES Internships. These are things like a guaranteed placement in your selected field, personalized predeparture advising, on-site support, well-located and vetted housing, world-class academics and faculty, and rigorous health and safety. After interning abroad with us, it’s not just that you’ll have something to talk about in an interview; it’s that you’ll have something to talk about for the rest of your life.

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“There is a great support system over at IES Abroad that is willing to support you every step of the way. Also, reach out to the program Ambassadors!”
Chimdi M. • University of Toledo • Cape Town Summer - Internship

Industry-Specific Opportunities

When you're an IES Intern, you're guaranteed a placement in the field of your interest. Because your internship is personalized for your career goals, each placement looks different. If you're looking for inspiration, use these real-life student placements as examples, and explore our internship programs by field.

Explore Internships by Field

“Be as specific as possible. Be honest about your career goals and interests. IES Internships will work with you to make sure you end up with a fulfilling internship. Ask yourself ‘does this placement align with my career goals and interests?’ Be confident and optimistic!”
Mia W. • North Carolina A&T University • Cape Town Summer - Internship

Placement Examples

Virtual Internships

With a remote internship with a company abroad, you’ll get the global experience (and optional academic credit) without the cost of international housing, insurance, and travel. Participate in our virtual, international internship in your field of interest from anywhere that's convenient for you, whether that's home, school, or vacation. It’s the same hands-on professional experience you’d get abroad, plus remote and virtual working skills that are super relevant to today's hybrid office culture.

“Before interning through IES Abroad, I already had an interest in working abroad or working for a large company with an international presence. I have a passion for travel and would love the opportunity to experience new countries and cultures throughout my professional career. My international internship experience through IES Abroad, though remote, reaffirmed these goals and made me even more excited to pursue a career that takes me to other countries!”
Jessica F. • Lehigh University • Remote Internship

Costs and Funding for Internships Abroad

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Program Fees and Costs

If you choose to add a part-time internship onto your study abroad program, your part-time internship is included in the program fee. If you're doing a full-time internship program, your program fees and general costs will depend on where you go. See your program page for more details on fees.

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Scholarships and Financial Aid

We believe that financial limitations shouldn't be a barrier to studying and interning abroad, that's why we have a robust scholarships and aid program. Applying is easier than you think: submit the 10-minute aid application, and within 5 business days we'll tell you exactly how much aid you'll get.

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Cost of Living Abroad

There are some obvious costs that go into studying and interning abroad like tuition, housing, and required health insurance. There are also some not-so-obvious things like round-trip airfare, textbooks, meals, cell phone, local transportation, optional IES Abroad field trips, and other personal expenses like a weekend trip outside of your host city.

Frequently Asked Questions

Latest from #IESinternships

See what it's like to intern abroad in real time. Follow @IESabroad on all your favorite social media platforms for the latest videos, photos, blog posts, and updates from our students and staff around the world.

“My internship was the most rewarding experience of my life.”
Abigail U. • Indiana University • London Summer – Internship

Add Global Brilliance to Your Résumé

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IES Internships Full-Time and Remote Programs Guarantee

IES Internships guarantees students a placement in their fields of choice, as indicated on their internship application. If we are unable to offer an internship placement in the student’s expressed fields of choice, based on interests, qualifications, and needs of the internship host(s), at least two weeks before the program start date, despite their participation in the process and satisfaction of all program requirements, then the student has the option to receive a refund of the full amount paid to IES Internships or the chance to transfer to an IES Abroad program of comparable length and value in the same location (subject to satisfying applicable visa requirements and IES Internships’ academic program requirements).