The 10 Most Unique Internships Abroad in 2023 (Work & Travel!)

Internships are a fantastic way to build skills and get practical, hands-on training for your intended career path. But when it comes to turning a good resume into a great one, consider taking your internship overseas! All over the world, there are organizations ready to work hard to place you with companies that share your passions and align with your interests.

These internship providers were carefully chosen to reflect the best in support, benefits, safety, and participant satisfaction. As trusted organizations, they are experienced in facilitating great learning opportunities that are sure to foster personal and professional growth.

If you’re looking for unique internships overseas that will allow you to gain new skills and see the world this year, consider the following 10 best off-the-beaten-track opportunities for 2023.

The following internships are unique because they're not held within the confines of a traditional office. Travel internships abroad turn the world into your workplace.

Whether you're spending your work hours in the jungle, at an archaeological site, or in a studio, these unique internships abroad all come with similar benefits:

• You'll learn about your field where it happens. From archaeology in Rome to wildlife photography in South Africa, you will be truly immersed in real-world settings.
• You'll gain important skills and develop positive traits. Internships abroad cultivate independence and resiliency and show your commitment to intercultural communication and exchanges.
• You'll stand out to employers. Hands-on, international experience in your field will set you apart.

Program length: 1-52 weeks
Price point: $$$
What's included: accommodation, 3 meals a day/7 days a week, airport pickup, in-country transportation
Compensation: unpaid

✅ Pros:

• Gain extensive hands-on research experience across a wide range of specialties like statistical ecology, mammalogy, and herpetology.
• Past interns felt welcomed into the Hoja Nueva program like family, both by the staff and fellow participants.

❌ Cons:

• Living deep in the jungle isn't for everyone -- be prepared to live a rustic life and get dirty!
• Wildlife rehab interns must stay a minimum of two months.

Whether your passion is animals or conservation, you'll have the chance to experience both through an internship with Hoja Nueva. Interns will work at a remote research center in the Amazon where they will be close to nature and able to make the biggest impact. Tasks include water and wildlife research, community health and development projects, and animal care and rehabilitation.

Staff is trained in CPR and wilderness first aid guaranteeing an experience that's both fun and safe.

Program length: 3-8 weeks
Price point: $$$
What's included: hotel accommodation, breakfast and dinner 7 days a week, training, 1 excursion a week
Compensation: unpaid

✅ Pros:

• Get involved with a wide range of activities such as reef regeneration, reef monitoring, and marine photography.
• There are opportunities for total newbies to gain the experience and certifications needed to progress to Divemaster training.

❌ Cons:

• Interns must budget extra for daily lunches.
• If you're looking for PADI certification, Caribbean Reef Buddy provides advanced training through Scuba Schools International (SSI).

Earn your Scuba Schools International (SSI) professional Divemaster certification in Grenada and further your conservation or tourism career. Caribbean Reef Buddy's Divemaster internship is perfect for those looking for intensive training that will improve their diving skills and knowledge of scuba safety. Over a three-week period, students will earn their certification in addition to getting involved in marine conservation projects.

All equipment is provided but interns are encouraged to bring their own gear in order to get comfortable diving consistently with the same equipment.

Program length: 2 weeks to 3 months
Price point: $$$
What's included: accommodation, 3 meals a day/7 days a week, airport pickup, in-country transportation, reference upon request
Compensation: unpaid

✅ Pros:

• Alternate between working with domestic, farm, and wild animals -- get the experience to help you decide where you'd like to specialize in your future career!
• You won't just be shadowing with Oyster, you'll get to work hands-on with the animals through a variety of interventions.

❌ Cons:

• You will need some prior work experience with animals to participate.
• Be prepared to be on the move and to stay in potentially rustic accommodations like cottages and farmhouses.

If you’re looking for practical experience and love animals, roll up your sleeves and get behind the wheel with Oyster. During this internship, you'll work side by side with veterinarians who care for zebras, lions, and rhinos on a daily basis.

As a mobile vet, your office and patients will change day-to-day. This will allow you to work with several kinds of animals and see different places throughout South Africa. Wildlife specialists will train you to provide a wide range of medical care that encompasses domestic animals in villages, agricultural livestock in remote locations, and wildlife in game reserves.

Participants must have some experience working with animals. Current 2nd- or 3rd-year vet students can join a separate internship better suited to their experience and learning needs.

Program length: 8-12 weeks
Price point: $$$
What's included: accommodation, 3 meals a day on weekdays, in-country transportation, airport pickup, training and extensive mentoring
Compensation: unpaid

✅ Pros:

• Past interns felt safe and comfortable at the lodge where they stayed.
• This program is suitable for beginners to professional photographers.

❌ Cons:

• Participants must come with their own SLR camera and laptop.
• You will need to budget extra money for weekend meals.

With African Impact's wildlife photography internship, taking pictures is more than just a way to capture incredible memories -- it's a way to raise awareness. Both aspiring and seasoned photogs will contribute to an important body of work to be used for conservation and education while growing their own portfolio. Interns will stay near Kruger National Park while they receive expert mentoring from professional conservation photographers.

Through their partnership with The African Impact Foundation, African Impact gives its interns the opportunity to attend cultural presentations, discussions on poaching, and even stargazing under the open South African skies.

Program length: 2 weeks to 6 months
Price point: $$$
What's included: shared accommodation, breakfast and lunch or dinner on weekdays, airport pickup, excursions, guided hikes and cultural activities, workshops, health & accident insurance
Compensation: unpaid

✅ Pros:

• You'll be acclimatized to the change in altitude with a hike.
• There are no educational or degree requirements to participate -- just a passion for traditional medicine and nutrition!

❌ Cons:

• Additional trips, like Machu Picchu, aren't included but can be purchased separately.
• Be prepared for lots of walking and hiking -- those with mobility difficulties may find this program challenging.

Linguistic Horizons prides itself on its commitment to meaningful and impactful projects and their Holistic Nutrition and Natural Medicine internship is no different. Set in the Sacred Valley of the Incas in Peru, participants will learn from local professionals and holistic medicine and nutrition practitioners.

Excursions will focus on exploring organic farming, hunting for medicinal plants, and visits to markets to identify superfoods. Interns will also engage in hands-on workshops to gain skills in vegan cooking, herbology, and cleanses. Outside of the learning opportunities, guided hikes and cultural activities will introduce participants to the beauty and heritage of the local areas.

If health and medicine aren't for you, they have a wide range of other fields available that can be personalized to your interests.

Program length: 2-6 months
Price point: $$$
What's included: professional and career coaching, access to the ABI networking platform, pre-departure and visa support
Compensation: unpaid or paid, depending on specific placement

✅ Pros:

• ABI partners with over 250 international companies including CBS and Vice.
• You'll be coached before going into the interview process to ensure you do your best to land the position you want.

❌ Cons:

• Due to visa restrictions, you need to be currently enrolled in a university or have graduated in the last 12 months.
• Housing is not included in the program fee and can get expensive in Berlin.

ArtBound Initiative helps you break into Berlin's iconic arts scene with an internship in a variety of fields. Interview for positions within studio art, art administration, gallery and curation, cultural management, design, film production, and more. ABI's personalized coaching and mock interviews will help you secure a place in a top company doing what you love.

Generally, short-term internships are unpaid, but some companies may offer stipends or payment to interns who commit to longer durations. US citizens can intern visa-free for up to three months. For longer stays, an internship visa is required, but don't worry! ABI is here to guide you through the process.

Program length: 6 months or 1 year with an optional add-on of 1, 3, or 6 months
Price point: $$$
What's included: shared housing, all meals, all equipment, in-country transportation, airport pickup, certifications, pre-departure support, 24/7 emergency support, career coaching
Compensation: unpaid

✅ Pros:

• This experience is extremely immersive and will directly expose you to the big 5 animals, countless birds, and diverse plant life.
• Past interns made fast friends with other like-minded participants on base and bonded over a passion for wildlife.

❌ Cons:

• Long-term programs can be expensive -- check out GVI's scholarships.
• Life on base isn't always luxurious. You may take the occasional cold shower and will have to wash laundry by hand.

GVI's career internships give you long-term opportunities to break into the conservation field. Choose from 6 months or 1 year and spend your time with Field Guide Association of Southern Africa (FGASA) certified trainers learning the ropes of field guiding.

At the conclusion of your internship, you'll be able to show off a range of qualifications including The FGASA Apprentice Field Guide (NQF2), CATHSSETA National Qualification (NQF2) in Nature Guiding, Cybertracker track & sign, a wilderness first aid certificate, and more. This will make you extremely marketable for a position in the field. What's better, GVI has a career guarantee -- interns who train for three months or more have a job waiting for them at the end of their internship!

Program length: 6 weeks
Price point: $$$
What's included: hostel accommodation, excursions, hybrid internship, access to coworking space, daily mentoring
Compensation: unpaid

✅ Pros:

• Past course instructors have included staff from Google, Meta, and Microsoft.
• Alumni loved the support and guidance from the program staff and instructors.

❌ Cons:

• Meals are not included so you will need to budget extra money for meals out or cooking at your apartment.
• This is a bootcamp program so it may not be right for you if you're looking for a long-term internship.

iXperience in Lisbon offers a hybrid internship program that pairs technical skills training with a local internship. For the first two weeks, you'll focus on studying your chosen specialization online. The following four weeks, you'll be interning at a local company full-time 3 days and week, and part-time the remaining 2.

Supercharge your future career in data science by studying things like data analytics, machine learning, and data visualization. Or, specialize in software engineering and gain skills in HTML, CSS, building databases, and implementing APIs. Whatever you choose, you are guaranteed to be highly marketable and sought after by employers within the tech field.

Program length: semester (3 months)
Price point: $$$
What's included: shared housing, 3 academic credits, excursions, virtual orientation, support from local staff
Compensation: unpaid

✅ Pros:

• Part-time internships allow you to explore Rome in your free time.
• Past interns felt they could totally immerse themselves in Italian daily life, including learning about the culture and taking language lessons.

❌ Cons:

• Budget more for food -- it's not included.
• Rooms are shared between 2-3 same-sex interns -- if you're someone who needs alone time this could be a concern.

Aspiring archaeologists have the unique opportunity to work on real-life digs in Rome with IES Abroad. Participate in excavations, document artifacts, and help preserve Italian cultural heritage during your semester abroad.

Outside of your part-time internship, you will have the option to take survival Italian language classes as well as go on excursions with fellow interns. You will also have the opportunity to bond with your IES roommates by making dinners together at your apartment or taking trips around Rome, Italy, or the rest of Western Europe.

If you're looking for a short-term internship, they also do a summer session!

Program length: 6-24 weeks
Price point: $$$
What's included: career development and networking, local activities and day trips, airport pickup, visa support
Compensation: unpaid or paid depending on specific internship placement

✅ Pros:

• Beyond Academy puts a major focus on professional development like career coaching, workshops, and networking.
• Alumni of the program rave about the support they receive while in London.

❌ Cons:

• Accommodation is not included and must be arranged on your own or through the program at an extra cost -- London is expensive!
• Participants must budget extra for meals while interning in London.

Beyond Academy offers prospective interns a way to step into the bustling world of fashion in London. Known as one of the "Big Four" in the fashion world, London stands with New York, Paris, and Milan as a top destination for those seeking the glitz of the catwalk.

Your internship with Beyond Academy is tailored to you and your interests. You can be matched with fashion-focused positions within areas like design, photography, journalism, public relations, marketing, and more. There really is something for every intern.

Past interns benefited from extensive professional networking and support. You can expect to come out of your program with a polished CV, new industry contacts, and new friends.

Let this list encourage you to take a chance on an interesting internship abroad. You might be surprised by what you can learn if you’re willing to take on something a little more unconventional than a typical 9-to-5. Fuel your passion and gain a unique perspective in 2023!

Read next: How to Budget for Your Internship Abroad