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Nonprofit Internships Abroad

At Roots, we’re proud to offer a great variety of internships abroad. While our roots (pun intended) are in Africa, we have also developed a global offering of exciting opportunities. Whether you want to do field research in biodiversity conservation in the Amazon Rainforest, a business development internship with a social enterprise in Cambodia, or a customized academic research internship in Ecuador, we can find you the right match. Our international internships vary greatly in setting and cover a wide range of academic focus areas.

But what our internships all over the globe have in common is that they are all with social businesses or nonprofits; passionate teams that are doing meaningful work on a grassroots level. As an intern, you’ll add value to a cause you believe in.

Highlights of our nonprofit internships abroad:

  • You’ll have a chance to gain valuable experience, network in your field, and build a relevant resume.
  • You’ll get to live and work in a foreign culture, which is an exciting way to travel and explore, and helps you build adaptability and resourcefulness.
  • You’ll contribute to a social impact or conservation cause, as all our global internships are with nonprofit organizations or social businesses.
  • You’ll be able to take on more responsibility than with the average internship, as you’ll be a part of a small team (with big goals).

Browse through the opportunities in Asia, Europe, and Latin America below to find your global internship, or find out more about what to expect from an internship abroad.

Woman holding her baby

Open for applications

Mental and Physical Health Development Internship

  • Min. 12 weeks
  • Siem Reap, Cambodia
  • Digital Marketing, Content Creation, Social Media, Reporting

An exciting opportunity to independently develop mental or physical care programs.

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Boy behind computer

Open for applications

Technical Support Internship

  • Min. 12 weeks
  • Siem Reap, Cambodia
  • Curriculum and Program Development, Education Methodolog

Travel to Cambodia and help a social impact nonprofit to better utilize software and digital tools in their work.

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Girl laughing while eating

Open for applications

Communication and Marketing Internship

  • Min. 12 weeks
  • Siem Reap, Cambodia
  • Digital Marketing, Content Creation, Social Media, Reporting

Build communications and marketing skills whilst helping to lift children and their families out of poverty.

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smiling children cambodia

Open for applications

Education Program Development Internship

  • Min. 12 weeks
  • Siem Reap, Cambodia
  • Curriculum and Program Development, Education Methodolog

Help devise educational programs to lift children and their families out of poverty.

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group of children exercising

Open for applications

Curriculum Development Internship

  • Min. 6 months
  • Phnom Penh, Cambodia
  • Strategy, Education, Wellbeing, Program Development, Reporting

Work with an assisted living community for adults with mental disabilities in Cambodia.

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making jams

Open for applications

Social Business Development Internship

  • Min. 6 months
  • Phnom Penh, Cambodia
  • Digital Marketing, Content Creation, Fundraising, Outreach

Put your entrepreneurial skills to the test supporting care for adults with mental disabilities. 

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boy with plant

Open for applications

Conservation Marketing and Fundraising Internship

  • Min. 2 months
  • Manzanillo, Costa Rica
  • Digital Marketing, Content Creation, Fundraising, Outreach

Travel to Costa Rica and help raise funds and awareness for the important conservation work being done there. 

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aerial picture of cirenas

Open for applications

Conservation Research Internship

  • Min. 2 months
  • Manzanillo, Costa Rica
  • Data Capture, Permaculture, Conservation, Education, Monitoring, Research 

Specialize in Marine or Land Ecology, or get a taste of both with this versatile Conservation Internship.

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girl with millipede on her hand

Open for applications

Rainforest Conservation Research Internship

  • Min. 8 weeks
  • Serra do Brigadeiro State Park, Brazil
  • Research, Data Analysis, Community Outreach, Conservation, Reporting

Travel to Brazil and study the flora and fauna of the Atlantic Rainforest.

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teaching girls

Open for applications

Teaching Internship

  • Min 8 weeks
  • Cusco, Peru
  • Teaching, Gender Equality, Education

Gain practical teaching experience working with young girls from disadvantaged families in Cusco

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pumpkins for halloween

Open for applications

Social Work Internship

  • Min 10 weeks
  • Cusco, Peru
  • Community Outreach, Gender Equality, Education

Develop a wealth of social work expertise by working with some of Peru’s vulnerable youth during this social work internship

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intern behind laptop

Open for applications

Marketing and Fundraising Internship

  • Min 8 weeks
  • Cusco, Peru OR Remote
  • Marketing, Fundraising, Strategy, Communications

Develop a broad marketing skill set promoting the crucial work being done for Cusco’s most vulnerable young people

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Intern teaching young girls

Open for applications

Psychology Internship

  • Min 10 weeks
  • Cusco, Peru
  • Psychology, Gender Equality, Education

Gain practical psychology experience supporting young girls from disadvantaged socio-economic backgrounds in Cusco, Peru

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Community Health Internship

Open for applications

Community Healthcare Internship

  • Min. 8 weeks
  • Puerto Inca, Peru
  • Medical, Healthcare, Community outreach 

Offer medical support and assistance at a local health center in the Peruvian Amazon

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Teaching internship Peru

Open for applications

Teaching Internship

  • 3-6 Months
  • Puerto Inca, Peru
  • Curriculum development, Workshops, Education

Teach children the skills they need to become the next generation of conservation leaders

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Biology Research internship

Open for applications

Biology Research Internship

  • 3-6 Months
  • Puerto Inca, Peru
  • Data capture, Reporting, Surveys, Camera traps

Work alongside experts documenting and studying flora and fauna of the Peruvian Amazon

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Sea turtle conservation internship

Open for applications

Conservation Marketing Internship

  • 6-12 weeks
  • Carate, Costa Rica
  • Digital Marketing, Fundraising, Content Creation

Gain digital marketing experience working at the forefront of sea turtle conservation in Costa Rica.

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Project assistant internship

Open for applications

Project Assistant Internship

  • Min. 3 months
  • Recinto La Esperie, Ecuador
  • Coordination, Fundraising, Communications

Gain multifaceted working experience doing vital work to protect the Cloud Forest

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Wildlife Research internship

Open for applications

Wildlife Research Internship

  • Min. 8 weeks
  • Recinto La Esperie, Ecuador
  • Education, Data capture & Analysis, Community Projects

Gain scientific research experience studying endemic species of flora and fauna.

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Community outreach Brazil

Open for applications

Content Creation and Photography Internship

  • Min. 8 weeks
  • Serra do Brigadeiro State Park, Brazil
  • Content Creation, Photography, Writing, Marketing

Build an impressive portfolio whilst saving forests and changing lives in the Brazilian Atlantic Rainforest.

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Biodiversity conservation internship

Open for applications

Biodiversity Conservation Internship

  • Min. 8 weeks
  • Serra do Brigadeiro State Park, Brazil
  • Research, Reforestation, Conservation, Monitoring

Help reverse the climate crisis by restoring the Brazilian Atlantic Rainforest.

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Medicinal plant research internship

Open for applications

Medicinal Plant Research Internship

  • Min. 8 weeks
  • Serra do Brigadeiro State Park, Brazil
  • Research, Community Outreach, Conservation, Lab Work

Promote the conservation and sustainable use of indigenous plants as medicine.

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Open for applications

Event Management Internship in the Netherlands

  • 3-6 months
  • Amsterdam, The Netherlands
  • Social work, Event coordination, Marketing

Develop event management skills whilst experiencing life in the bustling, colorful city of Amsterdam.

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divers underwater

Open for Applications

Marine Research Assistant Internship

  • 4 weeks
  • Bulak, Dauin, Philippines
  • Data analysis, Research, Reporting, Education

Assist with the furtherment of Marine Science studying coral reefs in one of the most biodiverse marine regions in the world

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Open for Applications

Marine Research Fellow Internship

  • 3 months
  • Bulak, Dauin, Philippines
  • Data analysis, (Lab) Research, Reporting, Mentoring, Education

Transform global marine ecosystems through locally-led community based conservation strategies

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two divers underwater reading a map

Open for Applications

Research Assistant and Divemaster Internship

  • Min. 3 months
  • Bulak, Dauin, Philippines
  • Data analysis, Monitoring, Research, Reporting, Education

Conducts critical research on marine ecosystems in the Coral Triangle

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volunteer inside a dental clinic

Open for applications

Public Health and WASH Engineering Internship

  • Min. 3 months
  • Shandia, Ecuador
  • Education, Research, Operations, Construction, Engineering, Public Health

Help a rural community develop systems for clean water, sanitation, and hygiene

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volunteers teaching kids

Open for applicaitons

Education & Youth Development Internship

  • Min. 3 months
  • Shandia, Ecuador
  • Teaching, Community Outreach, Content creation, Operations

Become an advocate for social change working with a community in the Amazon Rainforest

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woman digging the soil

Open for applications

Research and Nature Conservation Internship

  • Min. 8 weeks
  • Bahia, Brazil
  • Research, Monitoring, Data analysis, reporting, education

Gain practical research experience protecting biodiversity and creating sustainable change

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girl typing in her laptop

Open for applications

Marketing and Fundraising Internship

  • Min. 3 months
  • Bahia, Brazil
  • Digital Marketing, Content creation, Strategy, Fundraising

Build a well-rounded marketing skill set promoting vital work done in a seaside community

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Social internship Amsterdam

Open for applications

Social Internship in Amsterdam

  • 3-6 months
  • Amsterdam, the Netherlands
  • Social work, Project coordination, Digital Marketing

Get involved with a wide array of social work, project coordination, and volunteer management.

Find out more
alexander-schimmeck-Peru-he

Where can I do a nonprofit internship abroad?

Apart from our internship programs in Africa, we now offer impact-focused internships abroad in Asia, Latin America, and Europe. The destinations vary greatly; you might be based in vibrant cities such as Cusco, Amsterdam, and Cape Town, or you could do your internship in a remote community or national park. Wherever you’ll be, you’ll join a team of dedicated professionals who are working towards a common goal. You can see a full overview of our internship destinations here.

Teaching internship Peru

Is it a good idea to do my internship abroad with a nonprofit organization?

We’re a bit biased, but YES – when going abroad, internships with nonprofits are absolutely a good idea! Interning with a nonprofit organization or social enterprise means that you’ll be doing meaningful work and that you’ll be working with and learning from people that are passionate about what they do. It also means that you’ll be able to take on varied tasks and be given ownership of these, as we’ll place you with a small team that will greatly value your input. Plus, working for a good cause will undoubtedly add a lot of value to your personal growth and resume – even if you’re planning on a career in the for-profit sector. Read more about the benefits of interning with a nonprofit.

We offer internship opportunities with over 50 nonprofits based in Africa, Europe, Asia, and Latin America; all purpose-driven, grassroots organizations. Their projects focus on f.e. gender equality, education, nature/marine/wildlife conservation, education, community development, human rights, and more. Join causes that you feel passionate about, and you will be able to add a rewarding dimension to your internship abroad.

FAQs about our internships abroad

How do I find the right internship abroad program?

That’s what we’re here for! We’re happy to help guide you through the options, and find you an internship that aligns perfectly with your passions, academic background, and career goals. We’ll set up a call with you, during which we can find out more about your goals, and talk you through the various options available. You’re more than welcome to explore different internships with different organizations. (And don’t worry – we’ll only charge a placement fee once you find the right internship!) All you need to do is fill out our quick application form, and we’ll set up a call!

Who can apply for these internships?

The requirements depend on the internship you’re applying for. Most of our internships don’t require a lot of work experience, but generally you do need to be enrolled in a relevant academic course. Each of our internship listings specifies the requirements, so have a look. Or, if you’d like our advice, just get in touch!

Can I get credit for doing an internship abroad?

Absolutely! You might be able to get credit through your own university, and if not, we can help you out by offering transfer credits. You can find out more about university credits here.

Is accommodation included in my global internship program?

We’ll sort this out for you! At every destination, we offer accommodation options that are safe, comfortable, affordable, and close to your project location.

How do I fund my internship abroad?

We do everything we can to keep the costs low, but obviously it costs money to do an internship abroad. However, there are funding options you can explore, and we’ll be happy to talk you through them.