Fee allocation & cost of living

Plan your internship abroad with a clear understanding of weekly living costs and what your program fee includes.

This page provides a clear breakdown of average weekly living costs for interns in each destination, including typical spending on food, transport, and day-to-day expenses. We also explain how your program fee is used to support your experience, from internship placement to on-the-ground support.

Use this guide to compare locations and make an informed decision about your internship abroad. 

TIG interns in Dublin

In-Country Spending per Week

While your program fee covers key essentials such as accommodation, airport pickup, cultural events, professional development, career coaching, and 24/7 support, you should also plan for your weekly cost of living during your internship abroad.

This includes everyday expenses such as:

  • Food and groceries
  • Transport
  • Social activities and entertainment
  • Personal travel and discretionary spending

Your average weekly spending will vary by destination and lifestyle, with some cities being more affordable than others. The estimates below provide a guide to typical weekly living costs for interns in each program location, helping you compare destinations and budget effectively.

 

Bangkok

Estimated total weekly spending:  ฿6,500–฿9,000 (≈ $180–$250 USD) 

Typical weekly expenses:

  • Food & groceries: ฿2,500–฿3,600 (≈ $70–$100 USD)
  • Transport: ฿500–฿700 (≈ $15–$20 USD)
  • Social activities: ฿2,100–฿3,200 (≈ $60–$90 USD)
  • Coffee, shopping & miscellaneous: ฿1,400–฿2,100 (≈ $40–$60 USD)

Summary:
Highly affordable city with low transport costs and flexible food options, ideal for budget-conscious interns. 

Dublin

Estimated total weekly spending: €160–€230 (≈ $175–$250 USD) 

Typical weekly expenses:

  • Food & groceries: €60–€85 (≈ $65–$93 USD)
  • Transport: €25–€40 (≈ $27–$44 USD) (Leap card provided with initial credit)
  • Social activities: €60–€70 (≈ $65–$76 USD)
  • Coffee, shopping & miscellaneous: €20–€40 (≈ $22–$44 USD)

Summary:
Moderate costs with expensive dining and nightlife, but manageable with smart budgeting. 

Hong Kong

Estimated total weekly spending: HK$1,500–2,000 (≈ $190–$255 USD) 

Typical weekly expenses:

  • Food & groceries: HK$700–1,000 (≈ $90–$130 USD)
  • Transport: HK$130–180 (≈ $17–$23 USD) (Octopus card provided with initial credit)
  • Social activities: HK$300–500 (≈ $38–$65 USD)
  • Coffee, shopping & miscellaneous: HK$150–250 (≈ $20–$32 USD)

Summary:
High-cost, fast-paced city with efficient transport and flexible spending options.

London

Estimated total weekly spending: £200–£320 (≈ $255–$410 USD) 

Typical weekly expenses:

  • Food & groceries: £50–£90 (≈ $65–$115 USD)
  • Transport: £35–£60 (≈ $45–$75 USD)
  • Social activities: £30–£70 (≈ $38–$90 USD)
  • Coffee, shopping & miscellaneous: £40–£120 (≈ $50–$155 USD)

Summary:
Expensive global hub offering top career opportunities, networking, and cultural experiences. 

Madrid

Estimated total weekly spending: €180–€300 (≈ $195–$325 USD) 

Typical weekly expenses:

  • Food & groceries: €50–€100 (≈ $55–$110 USD)
  • Transport: €5–€15 (≈ $5–$16 USD)
  • Social activities: €40–€100 (≈ $45–$110 USD)
  • Coffee, shopping & miscellaneous: €30–€80 (≈ $33–$87 USD)

Summary:
Affordable European destination offering low transport costs and strong quality of life. 

Medellín

Estimated total weekly spending:  COP 540,000–860,000 (≈ $135–$215 USD) 

Typical weekly expenses:

  • Food & groceries: COP 240,000–360,000 (≈ $60–$90 USD)
  • Transport: COP 60,000–100,000 (≈ $15–$25 USD)
  • Social activities: COP 120,000–200,000 (≈ $30–$50 USD)
  • Coffee, shopping & miscellaneous: COP 120,000–200,000 (≈ $30–$50 USD)

Summary:
Very affordable destination with low daily costs, vibrant lifestyle, and strong value for money. 

Melbourne

Estimated total weekly spending:  A$300–A$500 (≈ $195–$325 USD) 

Typical weekly expenses:

  • Food & groceries: A$50–A$70 (≈ $33–$45 USD)
  • Transport: A$0–A$40 (≈ $0–$26 USD)
  • Social activities: A$50–A$100 (≈ $33–$65 USD)
  • Coffee, shopping & miscellaneous: A$50–A$100 (≈ $33–$65 USD)

Summary:
Higher-cost city known for food and culture, manageable with a balanced lifestyle.

New York

Estimated total weekly spending: $490–$870

Typical weekly expenses:

  • Food & groceries: $130–$220
  • Transport: $30–$40
  • Social activities: $130–$270
  • Coffee, shopping & miscellaneous: $90–$220

Summary:
Premium-cost city with high living expenses but unmatched energy, culture, and opportunities. 

Tokyo

Estimated total weekly spending: ¥20,000–¥30,000 (≈ $135–$200 USD) 

Typical weekly expenses:

  • Food & groceries: ¥10,000–¥14,000 (≈ $65–$95 USD)
  • Transport: ¥0–¥4,000 (≈ $0–$27 USD) (Metro pass included for many participants)
  • Social activities: ¥4,000–¥8,000 (≈ $27–$55 USD)
  • Coffee, shopping & miscellaneous: ¥3,000–¥7,000 (≈ $20–$47 USD)

Summary:
Balanced cost city with affordable food and efficient transport, especially with included metro pass. 

TIG interns in Madrid

Currency note

USD conversions are approximate based on average exchange rates in 2026 and are provided for comparison purposes. Actual costs may vary depending on exchange rate fluctuations and personal spending habits.  

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Budgeting Resources and Support

Plan ahead to manage your internship abroad costs effectively.

Helpful Resources:

What your program fee covers

Your program fee supports your full internship experience from placement to on-the-ground support.

Key inclusions:

  • Guaranteed internship placement
  • Accommodation and airport pickup (in-person programs)
  • Local support and 24/7 assistance
  • Career coaching and professional development
  • Cultural events and community experiences

The program is designed to reduce stress, improve safety, and help you focus on gaining real-world experience.  You can learn more about the advantages of using a program provider versus arranging a DIY internship here. 

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Accommodation & Logistics – 40%

We partner with trusted, pre-vetted accommodation providers to secure high-quality, safe, and well-located housing. While some participants explore other options, arranging accommodation independently can involve logistical challenges and added stress. Our option is designed to offer a smooth, worry-free transition, so you can focus on getting the most out of your program from day one. It also covers essential arrival logistics, such as airport pickup and basic accommodation setup. It’s designed to help you settle in comfortably and safely during your time abroad. This does not apply for our Virtual programs and is reflected in the cost of those programs.

Events, Activities & Community – 5%

This covers cultural experiences, excursions, and community events organized by your local Experience Coordinator(s) to help you connect with your host country and fellow program participants.

Learning, Professional Development & Wellbeing – 5%

This includes access to tools and support such as professional development assessments (e.g., DDI), workshops, accessibility accommodations, alumni services, and mental health support (e.g., access to Talkspace).

Staffing & Support – 35%

This covers the people who make your experience possible, from the on-the-ground Experience Coordinators to your Participant Success Advisor, Admissions Consultant, and Company Partnerships Team who match you with the best internship for your career goals. It includes ongoing assistance before, during, and after your program, such as full visa guidance, emergency support, post-program support, and round-the-clock help.

Technology Platform – 10%

This helps power our digital infrastructure, including the platforms that support your onboarding, learning modules, internship matching, and progress tracking.

Program Operations & Development – 5%

Behind the scenes, your fee supports the continuous improvement of the program, including curriculum development, quality assurance, 24/7 health and safety support, organization insurances, and data security to ensure everything runs smoothly.

Remote Program Fee Allocation

The remote program fee reflects the fact that, unlike our in-person programs, there are no accommodation or housing costs. Instead, the fee is focused entirely on the support, resources, and career development that underpin your remote internship experience.

Your fee goes towards:

  • Guaranteed remote internship placement with a company aligned to your career goals
  • Personalized career coaching, including application and interview support
  • Professional development training to build in-demand, remote-ready skills
  • Dedicated program support before, during, and after your internship
  • Global community access, including virtual networking and events
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I think the most important thing that I'll take away from this experience is being able to have worked with so many different people from different backgrounds. It really gives you a more open mind on how to go about things and how to face challenges.

Demi Geurtsen

University of Groningen

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