Upcoming Website Maintenance

Early this Monday morning U.S. Central Time the IES Abroad website will undergo scheduled maintenance. During this time some or all features of the site - like login and account creation - may be unavailable, but we expect this disruption to be brief. Thank you for your patience.

Guaranteed Placement Internships Abroad for College Students

An internship abroad is a professional work experience in another country that combines career development with cultural immersion—and with IES Internships, it's also credit-bearing and comes with a placement guarantee.*

We work with you to find a role in your field of interest, across a network of cities that spans five continents. Whether you're looking for a full semester of professional immersion or a focused summer experience, there's an internship program designed for everyone. 

Why Intern Abroad With IES Abroad

Real professional experience in another country, academic credit toward your degree, and the support of a team that knows your city.
Background Image Mask
What it is

Credit-bearing internship programs with guaranteed placement*

Background Image Mask
Who it's for

Undergraduate students and recent grads

Background Image Mask
Terms

Full-Time Semester, Full-Time Summer, Remote and Part-time internship

Background Image Mask
Locations

15+ cities including London, Dublin, Milan, Barcelona, Sydney, and more

Background Image Mask
Hours/week

16–40 hrs/week (varies by term and location)

Background Image Mask
Credit

Typically 3 to 6 credits (varies by term and location)

Background Image Mask
Duration

4–6 weeks depending on term

Background Image Mask
What's included

Placement, predeparture advising, housing and on-site support

Background Image Mask
Paid/unpaid

Most internships are unpaid, for-credit—see why, and what you get instead

Popular Destinations for Internships

View All View All Destinations
aerial view of the sydney opera house

Sydney

How to Get an Internship Abroad

Choose the Term and Check your Eligibility
Most programs are open to juniors and seniors with a GPA of 2.5 or above. Some programs accept recent graduates. Options include full-time semester, full-time summer, or part-time semester on top of your study abroad program.
Pick a Field
Tell us what you're interested in. Your IES Internships Advisor will help match you with the right city and placement.
Apply for Your Program
Complete your online application and submit your supporting materials—résumé, cover letter, and anything else your program requires
Confirm Your Spot
Submit your Confirmation Form in your Student Portal by the deadline to secure your place on the program.
Interview & Crush It
Your Internship Coordinator will help you prepare for your interview. Then go get the placement!

Requirements to Intern Abroad

student wearing headphones sitting at control desk with multiple large screens showing camera angles and a person standing

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

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.

student in professional attire sitting at desk with computer and other office supplies in front of large window

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)

education cape town

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)

student sitting in front of bookshelf at desk with computer typing

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)

two students sitting across from each other at a paper filled desk in front of a wall that reads the name of the company Baasbox

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)

four students standing in front of painting
IES Abroad Milan

Paid vs. Unpaid Internships

Our internship programs are unpaid and designed for academic credit. In return, you receive meaningful benefits: academic credit toward your degree, guaranteed placement in your field*, a career-focused seminar, housing, and on-site support from a team that knows your city well. Most students say the experience itself is what stays with them. You gain hands-on exposure inside a global organization, build an international network, and learn how to navigate a new professional environment. These are the stories and skills that stand out in interviews. After interning abroad with us, you will not just have something to talk about in an interview, you will have experiences that stay with you long after you return home.

Chimdi Marcus Headshot
“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
two students in front of wall of framed brands pointing
IES Abroad Sydney

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

Find internships in your field

All of our global full-time internship destinations offer placements in a variety of fields from film to finance to health care and more.

Explore our most popular internship fields below.

The placements below are not an exhaustive list, so let your IES Internships Representative know if you would like additional examples. Once you confirm to a program, the on-site Internship Coordinator will work with you closely to find an internship placement based on your interests.

Find Your Perfect Internship
Background Image Mask
Archaeology, History & Museum Studies
Background Image Mask
Art, Design & Fashion
Background Image Mask
Biology, Chemistry & Physics
Background Image Mask
Business
Background Image Mask
Communications, Journalism, Marketing, Media & PR
Background Image Mask
Computer Science, Data Analytics, Math & Statistics
Background Image Mask
Creative Writing, English & Publishing
Background Image Mask
Education & Social Work
Background Image Mask
Engineering
Background Image Mask
Environmental Studies and Sustainability
Background Image Mask
Film, Music & Performing Arts
Background Image Mask
Health
Background Image Mask
International Relations, Political Science & Law
Background Image Mask
Sports & Exercise Science
student sitting on couch typing on laptop that contains various stickers
Michalina M. • Lehigh University

Remote Internships

With a remote internship with a company abroad, you’ll get global experience (and optional academic credit) without the cost of international housing, insurance, and travel. Participate in our remote, 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 collaboration skills that are increasingly relevant in today’s hybrid and distributed work environments.

“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

Placement Examples

Costs and Funding for Internships Abroad

Close up of 100 Yuan folded in half with the Great Hall of the People on Tiananmen Square in the background

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.

View Fees on Your Program Page
four students standing on grass and smiling with a mountanous sunset in the background

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.

Apply for Scholarships & Aid
Money Belt

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.

Learn What Study Abroad Costs

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.

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).

“My internship was the most rewarding experience of my life.”

Abigail U. • Indiana University • London Summer – Internship

Add Global Brilliance to Your Résumé

Find Your Program 

Apply Now 

students at Versailles on a summer day