NGO Internships in New York City

Written by Admin | Dec 31, 2015 12:00:00 AM

NGO internships in New York City are a unique opportunity for a young person to prepare for a career in the non-profit sector and to give back to a community while also gaining real-world work experience. In New York City, an NGO intern will learn both office and field work, understanding the structure of an NGO and how it is run while also connecting to the humanitarian effort.

New York City’s wealth and immense population contribute to making it a top city for NGO internships, with countless NGOs involved in refugee work, healthcare, animal rights, sustainability, among many more humanitarian efforts. Some prominent New York City NGOs include the New York Foundation (community organizing), the Rainforest Foundation US (protects the rainforest and indigenous peoples) and the National Council of Women in the US (women’s rights).

Interns play an important role when working at NGOs, which are often not as fully staffed as the private sector. This means there are countless opportunities for an intern to grow and make real contributions to their workplace, while also preparing for their own career. Though NGOs are often open to hiring people from a variety of educational backgrounds, a vital part to landing a job at an NGO is having related work experience. Working at an NGO abroad in a competitive city like New York City will give a young professional the upper hand when they are looking for their first non-profit job back home. Moreover, the international aspect of an NGO internship abroad also gives an intern multicultural experience, which is highly valued in the non-profit sector.

Your life in the Big Apple

Those doing NGO internships in New York City live in private bedrooms in a residence set up for students, young professionals and interns. Accommodations are located in a safe New York neighborhood, just a few blocks away from Central Park. Close to cafes, museums and public transportation, interns will enjoy their time living the true New York experience.

“I go to Paris, I go to London, I go to Rome, and I always say, “There’s no place like New York. It’s the most exciting city in the world now. That’s the way it is. That’s it.” ― Robert De Niro

Live the melting pot

If you want to eat Thai food, see a Chinese parade and then dance Brazilian samba music all in the same day, New York City is the place to do it. You can travel to a different country just by walking a few blocks in New York. The city is famous for its diversity and various ethnic enclaves filled with people from all over the world. Whether in Chinatown or Little Brazil, these immigrant communities make the city special. As an international intern you’ll contribute to the city’s rich diversity, as people from all over the world flock to the city for its opportunity and culture.

Discover New York City

NGO interns will enjoy discovering New York City’s many unique and enjoyable sights and activities. A stroll through Central Park or even a picnic on a lazy Saturday is highly recommended. Interns also can’t miss a ride on the Hudson River for an unforgettable view of the city. New York City’s many museums could occupy NGO interns for weeks. A few highlights are the the Metropolitan Museum of Art and the MoMA museum of modern art.

Live from New York!

Home to famed live shows like Saturday Night Live, New York City is full of amazing live entertainment. Theatre, comedy, jazz… you name it and New York’s got it. The Comedy Cellar is the best place to see new and established stand-up acts, while the Apollo and Madison Square Garden book amazing musical acts. However, one of New York City’s most important claims to fame is Broadway, the city’s professional theatre district which offers the best live theatre in the world.

“The most wonderful street in the universe is Broadway. It is a world within itself. High and low, rich and poor, pass along at a rate peculiar to New York, and positively bewildering to a stranger.” – Frank Rich

Broadway comprises of 40 professional stages where the world’s best performers, directors, designers and playwrights put on breathtaking works that will make you cry, laugh and everything in between. Broadway attracts a large audience to see long-running musicals like Chicago or new and serious dramas. In 2014, over 13 million people saw shows on Broadway.