FAQs

Roots Interns offers internships and volunteer jobs at a variety of skill levels with grassroots organizations around the world. Some internships don’t require much experience and are happy to welcome a passionate intern that is willing to learn; while others require a more specific skill-set paired with prior academic knowledge or relevant work experience. You can find the internship requirements posted on each individual listing on our site. Our team is ready to help you find an opportunity that matches your interests, background, and goals, so don’t worry if you’re not sure which opportunity is right for you – that’s what we’re here for!

Then you’ve come to the right place! Get in touch with the Roots team and we’ll be happy to discuss available options and work with our partners to tailor-make an internship that fits your needs. Besides the listed internships, we regularly design nonprofit internship experiences around the world for those with specific work experience and knowledge. This includes helping develop research or thesis projects that are part of university requirements. We’re here to help you use your skills and grow your expertise in the best possible way, so don’t hesitate to reach out even if you haven’t found exactly what you’re looking for on our website. As a starting point, you can read our blog post on how to find the best nonprofit internship for you.

Yes! With the guidance of Roots and your host organization, you’ll have the information you need to safely travel to your internship destination. All partners and accommodations are chosen to ensure that you will be arriving to a legitimate and comfortable internship experience. Roots will provide you with pre-departure information to prepare you for your travels and will remain available virtually whenever you need assistance. You’ll be briefed on your go-to contacts on the ground in case of any problem or emergency. It’s also important to do your own research on the country and city you’ll be heading to, and our pro tip is to learn a few greetings in the local language to feel a bit more at ease for your travels. We’re excited to help you embark on an international internship adventure!

Your internship fee will vary depending on your duration, location, and host organization’s housing – so be sure to check out the exact rate and inclusions on the specific internship listing on our site. Beyond your accommodation, meals, and other logistics that may be included, the placement fee covers all the details required in finding and preparing for your ideal internship. This includes:

• the research necessary to partner with responsible & vetted internship host organizations
• marketing activities for you to find these unique positions online
• the matchmaking process of narrowing down the internship best suited for your needs
• facilitating and securing your placement with our partners
• providing relevant pre-internship information about your host organization & travels
• giving advice on your visa/insurance/flights
• developing an Internship Work Plan to define your learning goals
• engaging in regular check-ins with our team to ensure your internship is heading in the right direction
• providing a certificate of completion and a reference letter at the end of your internship

The accommodation offered for your internship depends on the location and host organization. For the majority of our placements, you stay in either shared or single rooms in lodging types of apartments, guesthouses, hostels, or directly on internship project sites. We realize that everyone has varying needs when it comes to their living quarters, so we aim to offer a variety of internship options to fit your needs and budget. Please keep in mind that if you are traveling to a developing country or a remote destination, the living conditions may be different than what you are used to. Roots will provide you with pre-departure information to help you manage your expectations prior to arrival.

Whether your internship travels require a visa depends on details like: your nationality, the length of your stay, and the destination you’re traveling to. We’ll be able to give you guidelines and point you in the right direction for arranging the right visa. We recommend giving yourself at least three months to make the necessary arrangements.

This totally depends on your host organization, location, and time of year. If you’re living on-site of a project, there may be other volunteers and interns from within the same organization. If the organization you’re joining doesn’t have their own housing, you’ll likely stay at an accommodation used by other interns, volunteers, or travelers. Either way, your host organization will help you make connections on the ground to connect with the community. Once you’ve accepted an internship, you’ll also have the opportunity to join the Roots Connect – WhatsApp Community to engage with interns that are part of Roots, either in your internship destination or around the world.

We recommended starting the internship application process at least 3-4 months prior to your intended internship start date – the sooner the better if you’re traveling! This will leave enough time for our team to meet with you to discuss your internship goals and place you with the best suited organization for your interests and desired time of year. You should also keep in mind that visa approval and vaccinations may require a time to sort, and flights can get pricey if booking at the last minute. Basically, it’s never too early to start your internship search!

We believe there are many benefits of an internship with a grassroots organization! One of the biggest value adds as an intern on one of our NGO internships is that your work will make a tangible impact on a developing organization. You’ll get to work in a close-knit team where your input will not only be hugely valued, but you’ll be able to truly test our skills in the real-world and take on meaningful task work – not boring spreadsheets or coffee runs here! You’ll get your fair share of responsibility that will allow your skills to skyrocket with the help of your supervisor. Take a look at our blog post on reasons to consider an internship with an NGO.

The well-being of our interns is important to us, so we reach out to them on a regular basis to ensure they’re having a fulfilling internship experience, as well as asking for their feedback at the end of their internship. Thanks to this, you can find intern reviews on our site, or read more about how their internship went on our blog by filtering for ‘Intern Experiences’ under Resources. On top of this, we’re also happy to put you in touch with our Roots Alumni Network of recent interns. Upon your request, during the application process we can put you in touch with the alumni that can best answer your questions, depending on the host organization or location you’re interested in.

Fair question! At Roots Interns, we are a dedicated team that’s been matching interns on their ideal internship placement since 2016. Our mission is to create the perfect balance between meaningful work and valuable learning. That’s why we offer internships around the world with purpose-driven organizations. We provide internship matchmaking and guidance, an in-depth understanding of the work our partner organizations do, travel and logistical support, troubleshooting assistance to help you reach your goals, and overall a truly unique internship opportunity. On top of this, as an intern with us, you’ll be part of the Roots community which provides a chance to connect with like-minded individuals. If you want to find out more, read about the service we provide.

Yes, depending on the requirements of your course, it’s possible to receive university credit for your internship.

IMPORTANT – you must double check with your relevant university contact to confirm whether the internship is eligible. We’ll work with you to fill out any paperwork and  find you the right internship to meet your university’s requirements. We can also assist in helping you purchase transfer credits, if your university accepts them. Reach out to discuss the options!

There are key differences that distinguish our internship from the norm. At Roots, we are allies with organizations focused on social good, environmental causes, or community development. Whereas other companies may be driven by profit and shareholder value, we focus on placing interns with organizations that are making a positive impact in the world in a sustainable way. Besides this, internships at large companies can be more competitive and hierarchical; our internships collaborate with small teams and mission-driven work, allowing you to potentially have more responsibility and involvement in projects. You can find even more reasons to do an internship with a nonprofit organization here.

Being an intern for a nonprofit organization, especially an international one, will peak any employer’s interest when they look at your resume. Interning with a nonprofit or NGO will allow you to get hands-on experience in your desired field and develop your soft skills in cultural competencies and adaptability. Our blog post highlights how internships can help in your future career. No matter the internship, you’ll be exposed to experiences that work on valuable transferable skills (think skills like teamwork, communication, and problem solving), which can be applied in any professional environment in the future. Let’s not forget that you’ll also have the added bonus of working towards a meaningful cause that supports the UN’s 17 Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). Your career is sure to get a boost, no matter which internship you choose!