Success in the Non-Profit sector requires a unique set of soft skills, global awareness, and hands-on experience. One of the best ways to prepare for a career in NGOs is by gaining international work experience.
Here’s why interning abroad is a game-changer for NGO professionals:
1. Learning how to work through cultural differences
NGO work often involves collaborating with diverse teams. An internship abroad immerses you in a different cultural context, teaching you how to overcome language barriers and embrace diversity—a crucial skill for any global non-profit career.
2. Picking up another language
Of the many sectors with a demand for bilinguals, the Non-Profit sector is at the top of the list, especially in international aid, refugee support, and community outreach. The best way to work on language skills is through immersive learning experiences interning abroad.
3. Many non-profits have an international focus
NGO careers often cross international boundaries – or at least deal with people from different parts of the world. Having spent time living and working at a non-profit in another country, NGO interns can feel confident they’ll prove themselves as internationally savvy employees and will make them a stronger candidate for full-time roles.
4. You’ll identify universal problems and solutions
Interning abroad exposes you to innovative approaches to social challenges like poverty, education, and healthcare. Understanding how different nations tackle systemic issues enhances your ability to develop effective solutions in your NGO career.
5. Learning how to communicate with a language barrier
Developing your non-verbal communication skills will come in handy in a Non-Profit career. When you come across people who speak a foreign language, you’ll be comfortable finding other ways to express yourself. You’ll also learn which are the most important words to pick up in a foreign tongue. Picking up another language is another great reason why NGO interns should go abroad.
6. You’ll better understand economic development
For those who are from “developed” countries, it’s impossible to understand what a “developing” country is like without seeing it with your own eyes. NGO interns will see how complex issues of hunger, poverty, domestic abuse and health are when a country has low GDP. On the flip side, you also might intern at an NGO in a wealthy country with a big budget, able to take on ambitious projects aimed at helping others. In each context, NGO interns will come back home with a more nuanced view of development issues in the world.
7. You gain experience working outside your comfort zone
Non-Profit work often demands adaptability, emotional resilience, and problem-solving skills. An NGO internship abroad pushes you beyond your comfort zone, helping you build confidence, leadership, and the ability to work under pressure.
An NGO internship abroad offers real-world experience, cultural exposure, and essential career skills. Whether you’re passionate about human rights, education, healthcare, or environmental work, taking your internship global is a strategic step toward a successful non-profit career.
