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Explore our Psychology & Social Work Internships

These psychology and social work internships are a great way to develop your knowledge and skills, gain valuable work experience, and offer support to people and communities who desperately need it. As an intern, you’ll join one of our partners in the field and assist with program development and planning, along with providing support to individuals in various ways (depending on your skill level). You’ll have the opportunity to apply your specialized knowledge to real-world situations, offering a stepping stone to a fulfilling career in these fields.

Not only do psychology or social work internships contribute to the mental health and well-being of vulnerable individuals, but they also contribute to your personal and professional growth. By interning with a nonprofit, you’ll work with people from all walks of life and be inspired by the stories you hear and the dedication of those working to further the mission of the organization. Take the chance to live and work in a beautiful country, immerse yourself in different cultures, and explore a new part of the world.

Read more about our Psychology & Social Work Internships options

Why choose Roots Interns for Psychology & Social Work Internships?

Grassroots work

You’ll join an organization that works directly with their community to solve problems on the ground and make a real impact.

Matchmaking

We’ll help you find and prepare for an internship with the organization that’s right for you and your skills, background, and passions.

Academic placements

Working abroad is an experience like no other and your internship will be tailored to your studies and interests.

Browse All Psychology & Social Work Internship Projects

Smiling kids in Zambia because of the Social Work internship.

Open for applications

Social Work Internship

  • Min. 12 weeks
  • Livingstone, Zambia OR Remote
  • Youth Support, Social Welfare, Program Facilitation
Gain hands-on social work experience in Zambia, supporting local communities through outreach, education, and empowerment programs.
Find out more
a group of children in Tacloban City

Open for applications

Social Welfare Internship

  • Min. 4 weeks
  • Tacloban, Philippines
  • Counseling, Workshops, Mentorship, Empowerment
Support vulnerable populations, empower individuals, and foster community growth through hands-on involvement in social welfare initiatives in the Philippines.
Find out more
A group of children sitting at tables in a classroom

Open for applications

Social Work Internship

  • Min. 8 weeks
  • Arequipa, Peru
  • Youth Development, Social Work
Embark on a deeply fulfilling mission to assist children and young individuals facing disabilities and vulnerability in Arequipa.
Find out more
group of peruvians talking near a bench

Open for applications

Psychology Internship

  • Min. 8 weeks
  • Arequipa, Peru
  • Reporting, Psychological Evaluation, Program Development, Education
Make a profound difference in the lives of children, adolescents, women, and older adults facing significant challenges.
Find out more
Fundraising & Marketing Strategy Internship

Open for applications

Youth Development Internship

  • Min. 8 weeks
  • Cape Town, South Africa OR Remote
  • Teaching, Life Skills, Youth Support & Empowerment
Assist in a nonprofit's holistic mission of supporting and educating young people through dance and life skills training.
Find out more
Youth social Work Internship

Open for applications

Youth Social Work Internship

  • Min. 4 weeks
  • Cape Town, South Africa
  • Youth Development, Social Work
Provide support and positive activities to children with troubled backgrounds.
Find out more
Psychology Internship

Open for applications

Psychology Internship

  • Min. 8 weeks
  • Cape Town, South Africa
  • Psychology, Social Work, Counseling
Assist with a variety of counseling sessions and shadow qualified professionals in the field.
Find out more

Other Academic Focus Areas

Benefits of Psychology & Social Work Internships

Practical experience

A psychology or social work internship will allow you to gain hands-on experience working with families, communities, and individuals through various mental health programs.

Network growth

As an intern, you’ll work alongside a diverse and experienced team, enabling you to expand your professional network and improve your interpersonal skills.

Mental health promotion

By joining one of these psychology or social work internships, you’ll be advocating for mental health awareness and promoting initiatives that aim to improve accessibility to care and reduce stigmas.

Community engagement

Connect with the populations you aim to serve and understand their unique needs as you engage with organizations and local communities.

Ethical factors

In a psychology or social work internship, you will practice and understand the ethical factors that go into mental health and social work in an international context which include factors related to client confidentiality and boundaries.

Skill development

Build up your assessment, intervention, and counseling experience, along with your teamwork and communication skills, which are essential to roles in these career paths.

Best Places for Psychology & Social Work Internships

Why Choose Roots Internships in Psychology & Social Work

Find out from our previous interns how internship positions in Psychology & Social Work can boost your professional career and grow your interpersonal skills.

This Psychology Internship let me utilize skills I have acquired in my degree which will continue to be relevant throughout the next chapter in my career and I enjoyed the freedom to work with kids in ways relevant to my areas of expertise. During my internship, I got to see many beautiful parts of Peru, make friends from different countries than my own, and work with kids much less privileged than I see everyday. This experience is only the first step in my travel journey! See More

Madeline, Canadian – MacEwan University

Psychology Internship, Peru

My two months in Cape Town have been nothing short of transformative. As an aspiring child and adolescent psychologist, this internship offered me an invaluable opportunity to delve into the realities of working with survivors of abuse, particularly women and children, and to make a meaningful impact. Throughout my time, I contributed to various aspects of the center’s operations. I assisted with case management, facilitated therapeutic activities, and supported children in recreational sessions. Each interaction reaffirmed my passion for this field and deepened my understanding of the complexities of trauma and recovery. On a personal level, this experience was both... See More

Zarah, British – University of Wolverhampton

Psychology Internship, South Africa

During my time in Cape Town, I spent my days working with various groups of children in the township. I was tasked with planning activities for the younger and older kids at the after-school center to bring in more structure around their day. It was a great chance to see first-hand the development of each project I implemented. My work was always different and there was always something new for me to explore. It became a great challenge for me to experience all the aspects of working in and for the township, but I am proud of all the challenges... See More

Paula, German – Katharineum zu Lübeck

Youth Social Work Internship, South Africa

Blogs about Psychology & Social Work

Psychology and Social Work7 Best Internships for Social Work
May 2, 2024

7 Best Internships for Social Work

Social workers play important roles in society. They provide disadvantaged communities and individuals with the services and resources they need to lead independent lives. Careers in social work can be…
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March 23, 2024

What to Expect From a Psychology Internship in South Africa

“South Africa has etched a permanent place in my heart, and so has the organization I had the privilege of interning for. The love and connections I formed with the…
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September 27, 2023

How to Get a Psychology Internship

Want to gain hands-on experience in the field of psychology? Want to build skills, expand your knowledge, and expose yourself to networking opportunities? There’s a great way you can do…

Psychology & Social Work FAQs

What can I expect from a Psychology Internship?

As a psychology intern, you’ll get practical work experience in counseling and supporting a variety of mental health programs while being guided by a professional psychologist. The internship will be tailored according to your level of experience and your specific academic background, which ensures that you’ll hit the right balance between challenging yourself and staying within your ability level. Your work can include working in rehabilitation facilities, safe houses, and abuse victim support groups. No matter what, you can expect to get guided hands-on experience in the psychology field.

What can I expect from a Social Work Internship?

Our partners are based in countries that deal with a great deal of social issues, and the work you do as an intern can make a true impact on people’s lives. Depending on the internship you join, you’ll be working with children or adults who deal with certain traumas and may not have access to the proper assistance if it wasn’t for the nonprofit initiative you’ll be part of. Mental health support is not widely available around the world, and offering the right kind of counseling to victims of abuse – or people with otherwise troubling backgrounds – is incredibly impactful and rewarding.

Who can apply for these internships?

Our various psychology and social work internships require a relevant academic background, and some require a level of experience so be sure to check each individual listing. It’s also important that you are willing to adapt to different cultures and are excited by the idea of working in a nonprofit setting. You should be able to approach your work with a proactive and flexible attitude and be keen to learn about your chosen field and about yourself. Most importantly, you should be passionate about using your skills to support others and we’ll help you narrow down which internship will allow you to do this best.

Why should I consider doing my Social work or Psychology Internship Abroad?

We might be biased, but we think that international internships offer a uniquely wonderful opportunity to live and work abroad. It’s a chance to challenge yourself in a foreign environment, immerse yourself in different cultures, and learn how to be adaptable. It’s also a chance to add international work experience to your resume. When it comes to social work and psychology internships, there’s also the fact that you might be able to get more in-depth, broad, and hands-on experience than when you stay at home. That’s especially the case in developing countries, where mental health facilities are scarce, and you are likely to take on an active role as an intern.

HOW TO APPLY

If you’re ready to apply for this internship, here’s what to do:

APPLY

Fill in the application form (it will show in a new screen) which includes sharing your CV to us.

GET STARTED

SPEAK WITH AN ADVISOR

We’ll set up a call with you to go through your application.

INTERNSHIP MATCHING

If we feel it’s a good match, we’ll set up a call between you and the supervisor for this internship.

PAYMENT

If everyone’s happy, we’ll provisionally confirm your placement! We’ll then send you the invoice for the deposit, getting started with the booking process and all the info you need.

CONFIRMATION

Only once we receive payment of the deposit your placement will be confirmed.

NEED TO MAKE AN ENQUIRY FIRST?

Or if you’d just like to ask us some questions about this internship first, just fill in the contact form below. We’ll be happy to assist!

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