The 10 Most Unique Internships Abroad in 2025 (Work & Travel!)


Internships are a fantastic way to build skills and get practical, hands-on training for your intended career path. But when it comes to turning a good resume into a great one, consider taking your internship overseas! All over the world, there are organizations ready to work hard to place you with companies that share your passions and align with your interests.

The following internships are unique because they’re not held within the confines of a traditional office. Instead, you’ll learn about your field in the places where it happens. From archaeology in Rome to wildlife photography in South Africa, you will be truly immersed in real-world settings.

These internship providers were carefully chosen to reflect the best in support, benefits, safety, and participant satisfaction. As trusted organizations, they are experienced in facilitating great learning opportunities that are sure to foster personal and professional growth.

If you’re looking for unique internships overseas that will allow you to gain new skills and see the world this year, consider the following 10 best off-the-beaten-track opportunities for 2025.

1. Break into the film industry with Capital Placements in London

A group of interns stand on a bridge in London with Big Ben in the background.

Program length: 6-52 weeks
Starting from: $5,100 USD for 6 weeks
What’s included: paid placement, airport pickup and dropoff, visa assistance, 24/7 emergency support, career coach, social and networking events, travel medical insurance
Compensation: paid

Pros:

  • Capital Placements guarantees a paid internship!
  • There are plenty of opportunities to see London and network, something hugely important within the film industry.

Cons:

  • The base price does not include housing, but they do offer accommodation for a higher cost.
  • Due to visa restrictions, you can’t change companies if you experience difficulties with your placement.

Get your foot in the door of a highly competitive industry with a paid film and media internship in London through Capital Placements! As a film and media intern in London, you’ll have the opportunity to get involved in all stages of the filmmaking process. Gain experience in project management, pre/post-production, script development, and talent acquisition while networking with industry professionals. Interns should have basic knowledge of directing and leadership skills and be able to take on projects independently.

Outside of your internship, Intern Abroad HQ organizes social and networking events to meet other interns as well as professionals in the field. Live in one of the most exciting cities in the world and pursue your dreams of a film career!

“Capital placement was incredibly helpful with helping me pursue my career.”

Carla

Program Details

Program:

Internships in London with Capital Placement

Provider:

Capital Placement
Learn more.”>

Starting Price:

$4,700.00 USD

4.89 Rating

based on 56 reviews

  • Growth

    4.85
  • Support

    4.9
  • Fun

    4.85
  • Housing

    4.55
  • Safety

    4.75

Good for Students, Building your resume, Groups

2. Become a marine conservation diver with Caribbean Reef Buddy in Grenada

A diver taking an underwater photo of a turtle.

Program length: 3-8 weeks
Starting from: $4,020 for 4 weeks
What’s included: accommodation, meals, SSI Open Water SCUBA Course, SSI Advanced Adventure Diver SCUBA Course, 30-40 survey dives a month, equipment, 24/7 support
Compensation: unpaid

Pros:

  • Get involved with a wide range of activities such as reef regeneration, reef monitoring, and marine photography.
  • There are opportunities for total newbies to gain the experience and certifications needed to progress to Divemaster training.

Cons:

  • Interns must budget extra for food as the program fee only includes 2 meals a day from Sunday to Friday.
  • If you’re looking for PADI certification, Caribbean Reef Buddy provides advanced training through Scuba Schools International (SSI).

Earn your Scuba Schools International (SSI) professional Divemaster certification in Grenada and further your conservation or tourism career. Caribbean Reef Buddy‘s Divemaster internship is perfect for those looking for intensive training that will improve their diving skills and knowledge of scuba safety. Over three weeks, students will earn their certification in addition to getting involved in marine conservation projects.

All equipment is provided but interns are encouraged to bring their own gear in order to get comfortable diving consistently with the same equipment.

“Coming here has been a revelation! These guys really know what they’re doing and have a programme which is structured perfectly to prepare you to become a divemaster. They’re thorough, diligent and very very professional. I came away knowing that I needed to continue in this direction because diving is the career choice for me.”

Mike

Program Details

Program:

Research Divemaster: Marine Conservation Program in Carriacou, Grenada

Provider:

Caribbean Reef Buddy
Learn more.”>

Starting Price:

$8,040.00 USD

5.00 Rating

based on 14 reviews

  • Impact

    5
  • Support

    5
  • Fun

    5
  • Value

    4.85
  • Safety

    4.85

Good for Solo Travelers, Couples, Adventure travelers

3. Photograph endangered animals in South Africa with African Impact

Three lions on a rock.

Program length: 8-12 weeks
Starting from: $6,355 for 8 weeks
What’s included: accommodation, 3 meals a day on weekdays, in-country transportation, airport pickup, training and extensive mentoring
Compensation: unpaid

Pros:

  • Past interns felt safe and comfortable at the lodge where they stayed.
  • This program is suitable for beginners to professional photographers.

Cons:

  • Participants must come with their own SLR camera and laptop.
  • You will need to budget extra money for weekend meals.

With African Impact‘s wildlife photography internship, taking pictures is more than just a way to capture incredible memories — it’s a way to raise awareness. Both aspiring and seasoned photogs will contribute to an important body of work to be used for conservation and education while growing their own portfolio. Interns will stay near Kruger National Park while they receive expert mentoring from professional conservation photographers.

Through their partnership with The African Impact Foundation, African Impact gives its interns the opportunity to attend cultural presentations, discussions on poaching, and even stargazing under the open South African skies.

“I always wanted to come to Africa as a photographer. The experience changed me. I had tears leaving the place.”

Brigitte

Program Details

Program:

Internships in Africa with African Impact

Provider:

African Impact
Learn more.”>

Location:

Multiple Countries

Starting Price:

$1,295.00 USD

5.00 Rating

based on 12 reviews

  • Growth

    5
  • Support

    5
  • Fun

    5
  • Housing

    4.85
  • Safety

    5

Good for Solo Travelers, Students, Adventure travelers

4. Learn traditional medicine with Linguistic Horizons in Peru

Man jumping in the air by Machu Picchu.

Program length: 2 weeks to 6 months
Starting from: $2,895 for 2 weeks
What’s included: shared accommodation, breakfast and lunch or dinner on weekdays, airport pickup, excursions, guided hikes and cultural activities, workshops, health & accident insurance
Compensation: unpaid

Pros:

  • You’ll be acclimatized to the change in altitude with a hike.
  • There are no educational or degree requirements to participate — just a passion for traditional medicine and nutrition!

Cons:

  • Additional trips, like Machu Picchu, aren’t included but can be purchased separately.
  • Be prepared for lots of walking and hiking — those with mobility difficulties may find this program challenging.

Linguistic Horizons prides itself on its commitment to meaningful and impactful projects and their Holistic Nutrition and Natural Medicine internship is no different. Set in the Sacred Valley of the Incas in Peru, participants will learn from local professionals and holistic medicine and nutrition practitioners.

Excursions will focus on exploring organic farming, hunting for medicinal plants, and visits to markets to identify superfoods. Interns will also engage in hands-on workshops to gain skills in vegan cooking, herbology, and cleanses. Outside of the learning opportunities, guided hikes and cultural activities will introduce participants to the beauty and heritage of the local areas.

If health and medicine aren’t for you, they have a wide range of other fields available that can be personalized to your interests.

“The program and experience was indeed a trip of a lifetime, and it will forever change me as a person. The hardest part was leaving this incredible place, as three weeks was just not enough time!”

Alex

Program Details

Program:

Customized Internship: Sacred Valley of the Incas, Cusco

Provider:

Linguistic Horizons LLC
Learn more.”>

Starting Price:

$2,895.00 USD

4.94 Rating

based on 16 reviews

  • Growth

    5
  • Support

    4.95
  • Fun

    4.95
  • Housing

    4.95
  • Safety

    5

Good for Adventure travelers, Solo Travelers, Students

5. Investigate ancient ruins with IES in Rome

The neon word "ROMA" glows in the air in front of the Colosseum in Rome.

Program length: semester (3 months)
Starting from: $9,347 for 1 semester
What’s included: shared housing, 3 academic credits, excursions, virtual orientation, support from local staff
Compensation: unpaid

Pros:

  • Part-time internships allow you to explore Rome in your free time.
  • Past interns felt they could totally immerse themselves in Italian daily life, including learning about the culture and taking language lessons.

Cons:

  • Budget more for food — it’s not included.
  • Rooms are shared between 2-3 same-sex interns — if you’re someone who needs alone time this could be a concern.

Aspiring archaeologists have the unique opportunity to work on real-life digs in Rome with IES Abroad. Participate in excavations, document artifacts, and help preserve Italian cultural heritage during your semester abroad.

Outside of your part-time internship, you will have the option to take survival Italian language classes as well as go on excursions with fellow interns. You will also have the opportunity to bond with your IES roommates by making dinners together at your apartment or taking trips around Rome, Italy, or the rest of Western Europe.

If you’re looking for a short-term internship, they also do a summer session!

“Not only did I learn to adapt to a new work environment and culture but I also learned a lot about myself and improved my cultural intelligence. I gained worldwide skills that you can’t learn back at home, and I was also able to attend networking events and met professionals who come from all over the world and found themselves working in Rome.”

Sol

Program Details

Program:

IES Internships Rome

Provider:

IES Abroad
Learn more.”>

5.00 Rating

based on 5 reviews

  • Growth

    4.8
  • Support

    4.8
  • Fun

    4.8
  • Housing

    5
  • Safety

    4.8

6. Learn to lead safaris as a field guide with GVI in South Africa

People in a truck watch a line of elephants.

Program length: 6 months or 1 year
Starting from: $15,495 for 6 months
What’s included: shared housing, all meals, all equipment, in-country transportation, airport pickup, certifications, pre-departure support, 24/7 emergency support, career coaching
Compensation: unpaid

Pros:

  • This experience is extremely immersive and will directly expose you to the big 5 animals, countless birds, and diverse plant life.
  • Past interns made fast friends with other like-minded participants on base and bonded over a passion for wildlife.

Cons:

  • Long-term programs can be expensive — check out GVI’s scholarships.
  • Life on base isn’t always luxurious. You may take the occasional cold shower and will have to wash laundry by hand.

GVI‘s career internships give you long-term opportunities to break into the conservation field. Choose from 6 months or 1 year and spend your time with Field Guide Association of Southern Africa (FGASA) certified trainers learning the ropes of field guiding.

At the conclusion of your internship, you’ll be able to show off a range of qualifications including The FGASA Apprentice Field Guide (NQF2), CATHSSETA National Qualification (NQF2) in Nature Guiding, Cybertracker track & sign, a wilderness first aid certificate, and more. This will make you extremely marketable for a position in the field. What’s better, GVI has a career guarantee — interns who train for three months or more have a job waiting for them at the end of their internship!

“GVI has given me the confidence to push myself in ways I didn’t think I ever could, I have found the courage to leave my job of 8 years in Central London to chase my dreams of working in wildlife conservation full time.”

Rebecca

Program Details

Program:

GVI, Ethical Impact: Internships in South Africa

Provider:

GVI
Learn more.”>

4.81 Rating

based on 26 reviews

  • Growth

    4.7
  • Support

    4.65
  • Fun

    4.8
  • Housing

    4.35
  • Safety

    4.8

Good for Solo Travelers, Students, Photographers

7. Join the fashion scene in London with Beyond Academy

A man and woman smile at the camera while on a boat in Cambridge, England.

Program length: 6-24 weeks
Starting from: $4,290 for 6 weeks
What’s included: career development and networking, local activities and day trips, airport pickup, visa support
Compensation: unpaid or paid depending on specific internship placement

Pros:

  • Beyond Academy puts a major focus on professional development like career coaching, workshops, and networking.
  • Alumni of the program rave about the support they receive while in London.

Cons:

  • Accommodation is not included and must be arranged on your own or through the program at an extra cost — London is expensive!
  • Participants must budget extra for meals while interning in London.

Beyond Academy offers prospective interns a way to step into the bustling world of fashion in London. Known as one of the “Big Four” in the fashion world, London stands with New York, Paris, and Milan as a top destination for those seeking the glitz of the catwalk.

Your internship with Beyond Academy is tailored to you and your interests. You can be matched with fashion-focused positions within areas like design, photography, journalism, public relations, marketing, and more. There really is something for every intern.

Past interns benefited from extensive professional networking and support. You can expect to come out of your program with a polished CV, new industry contacts, and new friends.

“I feel like I was able to grow professionally and personally during this program. The support team encouraged me to step outside of my comfort zone, which gave me the opportunity to make new friends and great memories.”

Robert

Program Details

Program:

London Internships with Beyond Academy

Provider:

Beyond Academy
Learn more.”>

Starting Price:

$3,600.00 USD

4.92 Rating

based on 37 reviews

  • Growth

    4.65
  • Support

    4.95
  • Fun

    4.9
  • Housing

    4.55
  • Safety

    4.95

Good for Students, Building your resume

8. Gain hands-on research skills in Scotland with Adelante Abroad

Three people smiling while sitting in a bus

Program length: 5 weeks
Starting from: $5,375 for 5 weeks
What’s included: private room or shared apartment, pre-departure orientation, airport pickup, excursions/day trips to landmarks
Compensation: unpaid, but academic credit may be offered

Pros:

  • Adelante Abroad emphasizes the importance of self-growth. Students and interns are encouraged to participate in guided reflection exercise worksheets and prompts designed to help participants achieve concrete, quantifiable skills.
  • Alumni of the program praise the independence they were offered and the professional, friendly environment.

Cons:

  • Spots are limited so apply early!
  • Daily transportation is not included in the program cost, so make sure you budget for transportation passes.

Adelante Abroad‘s Observation & Research Internship Placements allow interns to participate in hands-on projects at prestigious facilities throughout Scotland. The internship is highly customizable, with the choice to be placed in fields such as agricultural business, animal behavior, veterinary, speech and hearing sciences, and more.

Their internships are full-time for six weeks and are aimed at students who are dedicated to their field of interest, excited about gaining international work experience, and want to boost their resumes. Placements are very limited, as they only select 1-2 candidates for most fields.

Past interns benefited from getting to shadow professionals in the field, the independence they were given on tasks, and the life skills they gained from navigating a new country on their own. You’ll depart from the program with not only applicable skills to use in your career and future but also an improved sense of independence and discipline!

“I am now a vet student and I believe that my experience in Scotland helped set me apart from the other applicants!”

Nicole

Program Details

Program:

Observation & Research Internship Placements in Scotland

Provider:

Adelante Abroad
Learn more.”>

Starting Price:

$5,375.00 USD

4.62 Rating

based on 34 reviews

  • Growth

    4.35
  • Support

    4.35
  • Fun

    4.5
  • Housing

    4.4
  • Safety

    4.9

Good for Students, Building your resume, Solo Travelers

9. Help conserve wildlife with Intern Abroad in South Africa

Four people sit in a jeep and watch a sunset in South Africa.

Program length: 4-12 weeks
Starting from: $2,909 for 4 weeks
What’s included: accommodation, meals,
Compensation: unpaid

Pros:

  • Contribute to current projects that make an impact on conservation efforts – all while earning up to 5 college credits.
  • See big game up close; no need for separate safari tours!

Cons:

  • Living conditions are fairly off the grid. If staying in a safari tent doesn’t sound ideal, this internship may not be for you!
  • An additional weekly surcharge is charged for food if you follow a gluten-free, dairy-free, vegetarian, or vegan diet.

Intern Abroad HQ offers the perfect hands-on internship for anyone interested in getting involved in wildlife conservation while honing their GIS skills. Intern Abroad’s GIS & Reserve Management Internships at the Gondwana Game Reserve in South Africa allow you to get up close and personal with the wildlife while conducting important research that has a real-world impact on conservation efforts.

Forget putting on a suit and trekking to the office every day! Here, you’ll live on the reserve and engage in a wide range of activities including wildlife surveys, biodiversity studies, and invasive plant removal. You’ll take on your own conservation final project, planning it from start to finish. The data you gather and maps you create as a result will truly help the reserve with its everyday management.

If you want to become a part of the conservation you have only read about in books, do your internship with Intern Abroad HQ and add priceless experience to your resume.

“Over the course of two months, I was tested both professionally and personally, deepening my skills in QGIS while broadening my understanding of local cultures and conservation efforts.”

Isabel

Program Details

Program:

South Africa Internships With Academic Credit | From 2-24 Weeks

Provider:

Intern Abroad HQ
Learn more.”>

Starting Price:

$1,545.00 USD

4.75 Rating

based on 12 reviews

  • Growth

    4.45
  • Support

    4.45
  • Fun

    4.7
  • Housing

    4.35
  • Safety

    4.7

Good for Students, Building your resume, Adventure travelers

10. Learn Japanese and lean into your creative side with Zentern

People Walking on the Street of Tokyo

Program length: 4-24 weeks
Starting from: $3,550 for 4-8 weeks
What’s included: accommodation assistance, 24/7 support, resume and cover letter help, private mentorship
Compensation: unpaid, but academic credit may be offered

Pros:

  • With Zentern, you’ll have the opportunity to take language courses, tea ceremonies, calligraphy lessons, and other workshops to fully immerse you into Japanese culture.
  • Alumni of the program loved the level of 1:1 professional support they received.

Cons:

  • While Japanese lessons are offered, it’s still advised you learn some basic level of Japanese before starting the internship program. Past participants mentioned communication being tough, but that they still received a lot of help!
  • While their programs start at 4 weeks, consider applying for a longer internship to make the most of your experience! Many alumni mentioned wishing they extended their internships or stayed longer in Japan.

Zentern helps arrange internships in Japan for students looking to travel, grow their career, learn more about Japanese culture, and gain college credit! Participants with Zentern can land internships in a wide range of fields, such as marketing, IT, hospitality, education, and media.

They offer different program types depending on the services you want while abroad. However, every program comes with a guaranteed internship placement, 24/7 support, and professional assistance. You’ll leave the program with a new and improved resume, reviewed by professionals in your field!

“Speaking with Zentern put me at ease as they knew exactly what I was looking for. Within a few weeks, they confirmed my internship at a local design firm in Tokyo. My team was truly amazing!!”

Lily

Program Details

Program:

Discover Japan locally while gaining experience globally!

Provider:

Zentern – Amazing Internships in Japan
Learn more.”>

Starting Price:

$3,550.00 USD

4.98 Rating

based on 50 reviews

  • Growth

    4.85
  • Support

    4.95
  • Fun

    4.9
  • Housing

    4.75
  • Safety

    5

Good for Students, Building your resume, Solo Travelers


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Take the road less traveled in 2025

Let this list encourage you to take a chance on an interesting internship abroad. You might be surprised by what you can learn if you’re willing to take on something a little more unconventional than a typical 9-to-5. Fuel your passion and gain a unique perspective in 2025!

Read next: How to Budget for Your Internship Abroad



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