Volunteer abroad
Looking to volunteer abroad and make a meaningful impact while experiencing life in another country? At The Intern Group, our international internships connect you with organizations creating positive social and environmental change, allowing you to develop valuable professional skills while contributing to meaningful projects.
Whether you're taking a gap year, exploring a new culture, or gaining experience for your future career, you'll combine purposeful travel with hands-on international experience. With comprehensive support throughout your journey, you'll work alongside trusted organizations on initiatives that create lasting impact for local communities.
Volunteer abroad through a purpose-driven internship
While we don't offer traditional volunteer abroad programs, many of our international internships give you the opportunity to make an impact on the world by working with NGOs, charities, environmental organizations, and public sector initiatives.
Whether you're passionate about sustainability, social justice, public policy, or community development, you can gain valuable professional experience while contributing to organizations creating positive change, allowing you to travel with purpose and grow both personally and professionally.
Why choose a purpose-driven internship instead of traditional volunteering?
Traditional volunteer abroad programs often focus on short-term projects where participants donate their time. An internship program allows you to make a meaningful contribution while also gaining valuable professional experience and training that supports your future career.
By combining hands-on work with structured learning, you'll develop transferable skills, expand your global network, and contribute to organizations creating lasting social and environmental impact. It's an opportunity to travel with purpose while building experience that continues to benefit you long after your program ends.
Industries where you can make a difference
If you're looking to volunteer abroad while building your career, choosing the right field is key. Our internship programs span a range of industries where you can contribute to real-world solutions, develop in-demand skills, and gain hands-on international experience with companies and non-profits creating positive social and environmental impact.
Environmental Science & Sustainability
Turn your passion for sustainability into real-world impact through an Environmental Science internship abroad. Work with organizations focused on conservation, renewable energy, ESG, sustainable development, environmental education, and climate action. Depending on your placement, you could contribute to environmental research, policy analysis, sustainability initiatives, fundraising, project management, or community education.
Government & Politics Internships
Explore how policy shapes communities through a Government & Politics internship abroad. Gain experience with government organizations, think tanks, advocacy groups, and public affairs organizations while contributing to policy research, legislative analysis, international development, lobbying, communications, or community engagement.
Social Work Internships
Support organizations working to improve community wellbeing through a Social Work internship abroad. These non-clinical placements can provide experience with community outreach, education, fundraising, event planning, communications, and initiatives supporting areas such as homelessness, youth development, mental health, and access to essential services.
NGO & Non-Profit Internships
Make a positive difference through a NGO & Non-Profit internship abroad. Work with charities, NGOs, and mission-driven organizations tackling challenges in areas such as human rights, education, sustainability, international development, and community empowerment. Projects may include research, program coordination, fundraising, grant writing, communications, policy development, and community outreach.
Law Internships
Gain international insight into legal systems and their role in supporting individuals, businesses, and communities through a Law internship abroad. Work alongside legal professionals, public interest organizations, human rights groups, and policy teams, with opportunities to develop skills in legal research, case preparation, compliance, advocacy, contract review, and public legal education.
Languages & Translation Internships
Use your language skills to connect cultures through a Languages & Translation internship abroad. Support organizations working across international markets, education, NGOs, and global business while developing communication and cross-cultural skills. Projects may include multilingual content creation, interpretation support, language research, communications, or international marketing.
PR & Marketing Internships
Help purpose-led organizations amplify their impact through a PR & Marketing internship abroad. Work with charities, NGOs, social enterprises, and mission-driven businesses on projects such as content creation, social media, campaign planning, public relations, digital marketing, brand communications, and event promotion.
Business Internships
Use your business skills to help organizations grow through a Business internship abroad. Gain experience with mission-driven organizations, social enterprises, and businesses focused on sustainability, innovation, and community development, with potential projects in business development, operations, strategy, project management, stakeholder engagement, and sustainability.
Entrepreneurship Internships
Get hands-on experience building ideas and supporting innovative organizations through an Entrepreneurship internship abroad. Work alongside founders and growing businesses developing products, services, and solutions to social and environmental challenges, with projects spanning business planning, market research, product development, operations, fundraising, and innovation strategy.
Human Resources Internships
Help organizations build inclusive, supportive workplaces through a Human Resources internship abroad. Gain practical HR experience with charities, NGOs, social enterprises, and international organizations while contributing to recruitment, onboarding, employee engagement, learning and development, internal communications, and diversity and inclusion initiatives.
Internship destinations with social impact
From sustainability and environmental science to community development and social justice, our internship destinations offer different ways to combine professional experience with meaningful work. Explore destinations where your internship can help you contribute to projects that make a difference.
London
As one of the world's leading centres for charities, NGOs, public sector organizations, and social enterprises, London offers exceptional opportunities to gain volunteer experience while contributing to meaningful projects. Whether you're passionate about sustainability, public policy, or community wellbeing, you'll work alongside organizations tackling local and global challenges in one of Europe's most influential cities.
Available career fields:
Bangkok
Discover Thailand's vibrant capital while supporting organizations focused on environmental sustainability, conservation, and community development. Bangkok's growing non-profit sector provides opportunities to contribute to projects that make a lasting impact while experiencing a rich and diverse culture.
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New York
From international NGOs to policy organizations and advocacy groups, New York is home to some of the world's most influential organizations. Build valuable professional experience while contributing to volunteer projects focused on public policy, social justice, human rights, and community engagement.
Available career fields:
Medellín
Recognized globally for its remarkable social transformation, Medellín offers a unique opportunity to volunteer with organizations driving community development, environmental sustainability, and public policy. It's an inspiring destination for interns who want to contribute to projects creating meaningful, long-term change.
Available career fields:
Melbourne
Known for its commitment to sustainability, innovation, and quality of life, Melbourne is an ideal destination for aspiring changemakers and volunteers. Gain practical experience with organizations working across environmental initiatives, social services, and community programs while enjoying one of Australia's most dynamic cities.
Available career fields:
Dublin
With a welcoming culture and a strong community sector, Dublin offers opportunities to volunteer with charities and organizations dedicated to improving lives across Ireland. Gain hands-on experience supporting initiatives that promote social inclusion, education, and community wellbeing.
Available career fields:
Madrid
Madrid is a vibrant European capital with a strong community of businesses, non-profits, and organizations working on social and environmental initiatives. Build practical experience while supporting projects that contribute to local communities and exploring Spain's culture, language, and international connections.
Available career fields:
Tokyo
Tokyo combines global influence with a strong culture of innovation, making it an exciting destination for interns interested in business, technology, sustainability, and community-focused work. Gain international experience while contributing to organizations working on projects that address social, environmental, and economic challenges.
Available career fields:
Hong Kong
As a major international business and financial hub, Hong Kong offers opportunities to gain experience with organizations working across business, social impact, and community development. Its unique position between East and West makes it a dynamic setting for interns looking to build a global perspective while contributing to meaningful projects.
Available career fields:
Who can volunteer abroad?
Volunteering abroad is for anyone who wants to make a positive impact while gaining valuable international experience. Whether you're exploring a future career, looking to develop new skills, or hoping to travel with purpose, there's an opportunity to match your goals.
Our international internships are popular with:
Under 18s
Gain early professional experience through eligible programs while building confidence, developing transferable skills, and exploring future career interests in an international setting.
University students
Complement your studies with hands-on international experience, strengthen your CV, and develop practical skills while contributing to meaningful projects abroad.
Recent graduates
Build your résumé with practical international experience, expand your professional network, and develop in-demand skills that help you stand out to employers.
Gap year travellers
Combine purposeful travel with valuable professional experience, immerse yourself in a new culture, and return home with skills that support your future.
Career changers
Explore a new career path, gain practical experience, and develop transferable skills that help you confidently take your next professional step.
Young professionals
Expand your global network, gain experience, and strengthen your skills while supporting organizations creating positive social and environmental impact.
We've placed interns at 3000+ companies around the world, including:

What's included?
This comprehensive internship program includes...
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Guaranteed internship
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Exclusive workshop series
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Professional development materials
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Career advancement training
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Global community & network
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Alumni success coaching
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CV improvement tool
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24/7 support
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Visa support
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Accommodation
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Airport pickup
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Cultural & social events
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Dedicated 1-1 advisor
How it works
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1
Apply online
Apply for an internship in your chosen career field.
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2
Interview
During the 20-30 minute interview with our admissions team, we'll ask you more about yourself, why you want to do an internship, and your preferred destinations, career fields, and program types. This is also an opportunity for you to ask us any questions you might have about the program. If your interview is successful, confirm your enrolment with a tuition deposit
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3
Realize your potential
Collaborate in the placement process & accelerate your career
Watch stories from our global alumni
Join our 15,000+ global alumni
It made transitioning to Japan a lot easier. All of us click very well in my shared house but there were a few people that were a little shy and I felt that the events that went on, the more and more they were coming out and opening up. I definitely think the experience has impacted me very positively, as well as friends that I think I’ll keep in contact with for years and years.
Max Stockley
New Zealand intern in Tokyo
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1
Apply online
Complete the easy online application form.
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2
Interview
Schedule a 20-30 minute interview to discuss your studies, qualifications, and preferred internship details. If your interview is successful, confirm your enrolment with a deposit
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3
Realize your potential
Collaborate in the internship placement process & accelerate your career



