In-Person Internships Abroad
ISA In-Person Internships Abroad are available in more than 10 countries worldwide. Each placement is customized based on the personal and professional goals that you specified during the application process. Once abroad, you will intern for 32-40 hours a week while you immerse yourself in the culture and explore the country. With in-country orientation, excursions, and cultural activities ̶ in addition to the academic programming and our Professional Development Toolbox ̶ your in-person global internship will provide you with a robust experience that is focused on your goals.
- 10 countries available
- 8 - 12 weeks in Duration
- 32-40 hours a week
- Start in May, June, September or January/February
- Optional 6 academic credits
Check out our other program options.
Placements for In-Person Internships
We specialize in finding a placement that fits your goals. As part of your application, you will submit a cover letter and resume. The cover letter is where you will articulate what type of internship you are seeking and your personal and professional goals. You will then have an advising session to further define your areas of interest for our team before your application is sent abroad for placement. For more information, see What to Expect Throughout Your Program below.
Take a look at the Career Field page to see past internship placements.
What's Included
The ISA Internships team works with each applicant to learn about their personal and professional goals and interests, in addition to their education, work, or volunteer experiences. We believe that spending this time on the front-end with each applicant allows us to make great matches between each of our interns and one of our over 800 host companies.
Sample past placements can be viewed on our website, but this is by no means a comprehensive list of the breadth of internships that we can accommodate.
CUSTOM-MATCHED INTERNSHIP PLACEMENT
Our team of trained Program Managers and Career Advisors guides participants through the entire admissions process and abroad experience. We'll help you with program selection, resume advice, and pre-departure services including assistance with immigration visas, airline tickets, and orientation. The U.S. staff is in regular contact with the resident staff abroad who provide support to participants during their program.
INCLUSIVE ADVISING & SUPPORT
The on-site orientation experience is a multi-day, in-country orientation that blends adventure, lecture, and culture into an exciting and informative introduction to the intern's new host country. Each orientation is designed to:
- Inform participants of the cultural and professional experience that lies ahead.
- Guide each participant through a goal-setting activity to encourage them to reflect on their expectations for their experience abroad.
- Introduce participants to the local culture, in and out of the workplace.
- Prepare participants for health and safety issues in their host country.
- Provide participants an opportunity to socialize with other ISA participants.
ON-SITE ORIENTATION
The full-time resident staff is available to assist you with all aspects of your experience abroad. The resident staff provides support during official course registration and arranges the Bridging Cultures Program orientation, excursions, weekly meetings, cultural activities, and much more. Staff members are trained to ensure the well-being of each program participant and are dedicated to facilitating a positive and meaningful experience abroad.
FULL-TIME RESIDENT STAFF
Our team of trained Program Managers guides participants through the entire admissions process and abroad experience. We'll help you with program selection, resume advice, and pre-departure services including assistance with immigration visas, airline tickets, and orientation. The U.S. staff is in regular contact with the resident staff abroad who provide support to participants during their program.
PERSONAL PROGRAM MANAGER
The Professional Development Toolbox is designed to help develop your career readiness competencies before, during, and after your program. Through a series of resources, ISA will provide you the tools necessary for you to begin to reflect on and grow the key competencies as defined by the National Association of Colleges and Employers (NACE). Our goal is that through these resources and tools, the gap between the classroom and the working world closes for you. The Toolbox includes:
- Individualized Advising Session
- Resume and Cover Letter Advising
- Interview Coaching
- Pro-Tip Email and Video Series
- On-site Professional Development Activities
- Career Resource and Alumni Guides
PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT TOOLBOX
Full-time resident staff or trusted ISA partners assist interns with all aspects of their experience abroad including orientation, navigation of the internship experience, cultural activities and much more. On-site staff arranges excursions, weekly meetings, cultural activities, and much more. Staff members are trained to ensure the well-being of each program participant and are dedicated to facilitating a positive and meaningful abroad experience. Interns are provided with a 24/7 emergency ISA number upon their arrival.
24-HOUR EMERGENCY SUPPORT
The ISA Internships team works with each applicant to learn about their personal and professional goals and interests, in addition to their education, work, or volunteer experiences. We believe that spending this time on the front-end with each applicant allows us to make great matches between each of our interns and one of our over 800 host companies. Sample past placements can be viewed on our website, but this is by no means a comprehensive list of the breadth of internships that we can accommodate.
PLACEMENT SUPERVISION
In order to maximize cultural immersion, ISA develops unique professional development and cultural activities. These activities invite students to experience the local color of their host city, while learning about the history and culture of their new surroundings, as well as various aspects of the business culture of their host country. Cultural activities may include museum visits, attending sporting events, dance classes, cooking lessons, art and cultural festivals, etc. Cultural activities vary by site. Professional development events may include company visits, teambuilding exercises, personal branding workshops, or guest speakers.
CULTURAL ACTIVITIES & EXCURSIONS
All participants will have acces to ISA Internships' Online Orientation which includes comprehensive information on accommodations, communications, health, internship expectations, money, packing, transportation, work culture, and other valuable information specific to your host city. All students will be provided a final packet with arrival information two - three weeks prior to departure.
Your admissions team will also provide you with visa information and offers guidance for each of our program countries and their corresponding U.S.-based consulates. More limited support will be provided to non-U.S. citizens. Visas are required for U.S. citizens for the following countries: Austrlalia, China, England, New Zealand, and Vietnam.
VISA SUPPORT
Housing is included in all in-country programs. ISA Internships offer the following housing options to students:
- Homestay: Some ISA Internship programs offer the option for participants to stay with local families.
- Apartments: Many ISA Internship programs offer the option of apartment-living.
- Residence halls: Dorms, guesthouses and student residencies are available in some ISA Internship locations.
- Student hostels: Some ISA Internship programs offer the option of living in student hostels.
HOUSING
Transportation is provided from the airport for participants who arrive during the designated pick-up times.
AIRPORT RECEPTION
Academic Credit
You have three options. We can help you find what’s right for you.*
Option 1 - Transfer Credit from University of South Florida
ISA Internships has partnered with University of South Florida to offer a U.S. transcript and award 6 academic credits for 8-week or 12-week programs. Credit will be based on the successful completion of written academic assignments, evidence of reflective learning, and an evaluation from your host organization supervisor. The additional cost of academic credit is $375, and includes a transcript with an A-F letter grade from University of South Florida.
In order to be eligible for transfer credit from University of South Florida, participants must be full-time students who have completed at least 24 credit hours, or recent graduates from a bachelor degree program. Participants must have a minimum GPA of 2.5. Please note that some placements may have more stringent eligibility requirements.
Option 2 - Credit from Your Home Institution
Students may work with their home university to receive academic credit for their program. Each academic institution has a unique policy for granting internship credit, thus students should inquire about receiving academic credit with their home university advisors, professors, and/or academic department heads.
Option 3 - Just Do It for The Experience
You can just participate for the experience and choose to not earn any academic credit at all. Please note that Australia requires credit for visa eligibility so you will need to select either Option 1 or Option 2 to intern in this location.
Academic Credit Amounts:
In-Country Internships:
- 8-week internships - 6 credits
- 12-week internships - 6 credits
To get a better understanding of your options, reach out to an ISA Advisor by calling 512-480-8522 or emailing
Housing Details
ISA Housing provides the opportunity for interns to experience aspects of the local lifestyle that are inaccessible to the average visitor. The experience of living in another culture will be both educational and rewarding so long as you stay open-minded. Housing options vary based on location, but in general, you will be placed in housing that has been vetted by ISA's on-site staff and is within an hour commute to your internship by public transportation. Your housing may be any of the following:
Homestay
Each homestay is carefully selected by the on-site staff and provides a great avenue for you to become immersed in the local community. The number of participants per room, internet access and meal inclusion varies from host family to host family.
Apartments
All apartments are located near public transit routes and are fully furnished. Your apartment will have a fully-equipped kitchen. The number of participants per apartment, internet access and laundry facilities vary from apartment to apartment.
Student Residence
Student Residences are a cross between dorm-style living and a boarding house. They are located off campus and are not affiliated with a university, however all residents are students. The number of participants per room, internet access, kitchen facilities and the method of laundry vary by city.
Hostel/Goshitel
Hostels or Goshitels are the best option for housing in some locations. They are typically located in a central area near public transportation and points of interest. You may share a room with another ISA participant. Rooms offer single beds, an attached bathroom and a locked closet for personal belongings. Room cleaning and bed linen services are included.
Career Readiness Course
The Career Readiness Course was developed with the National Association of Colleges and Employers (NACE) career-readiness framework in mind. This optional course provides you with:
- Resources to aid in your professional development
- Webinars to learn about networking and discovering your strengths
- Tips and tricks for delivering a winning elevator pitch.
By completing the course, you can earn a digital badge to post on your LinkedIn profile.
Skill Survey Assessment Tool
Premiere access to SkillSurvey's Career Readiness Project:
- Access self-assessment tools and supervisor surveys that allow you to measure the skills you gain during your internship
- Compare yourself to entry-level job applicants from over 100 different institutions around the U.S.
- Analyze gaps and areas for improvement in 8 core areas of career readiness, providing a roadmap for your development
Advising Sessions
An individualized advising session that covers:
- Resume and cover letter improvements and interview techniques
- Ongoing advising/coaching before, during, and after your internship to assist you with any challenges and support your learning journey
On-Site Workshops and Support
Goal-setting tools and activities:
- Professional development workshops and activities
- Personal internship supervisor
Eligibility
ISA In-Person Internships are available to current students and recent graduates who meet the following eligibility requirements:
- Must be proficient in English, as all application and enrollment processes are in English
- Internships will be conducted in either English or the language of the host country
- Interns must have a 6 or above on the IELTS or a minimum of 65 TOEFL score
- An English language assessment may be conducted with non-native English speakers
- A Spanish language assessment may be conducted for those students interested in interning in Spanish
- Must be at least 18 years old and have graduated high school by the start date of the internship program
- Must have a minimum of 2.5 GPA (3.0 for Tokyo)
- Program Eligibility by Citizenship: There are specific eligibility requirements for some program locations based on immigration visa regulations. Please reach out to us via email if you have questions about eligibility.
