Intern, Volunteer, and Work Opportunities
You do not have to take coursework in order to have a meaningful experience abroad. There are many opportunities to intern, volunteer, and even work abroad. When exploring these options, you will want to make sure you:
- Research and vet any organization you are traveling with: Not every provider/organization facilitating these types of experiences are reputable, or engaging in ethical practices. Make sure to look beyond the provider's website for reviews about the experiences they offer.
- Understand entry/exit requirements pertaining to your specific travel goals. Volunteering, Interning and Working abroad may each require different visa applications and processing depending on the country. Carefully research the type of visa needed for the type of experience you plan to have abroad.
- Engage in Ethical Practices:
- Consider if the work you would do is safe and ethical for you to be engaging in. Ask yourself: Would I be allowed to do this in the U.S.? Will/have I been properly trained?
- You want to make sure you are participating within the scope of your experience. Failure to do so can have consequences for your future career prospects, cause legal issues with local officials, as well as negatively impact those you were trying to assist.
- Consider if the work you would do is sustainable for the local community to carry on. If an organization does not have a local partnership/connection to the community - there may be a risk that the project you work on actually causes more harm then good.
- Consider if the work you would do is safe and ethical for you to be engaging in. Ask yourself: Would I be allowed to do this in the U.S.? Will/have I been properly trained?
- Understand your funding options. Financial aid and scholarships are usually limited to credit-bearing experiences. As such, you may have to rely on creative funding sources/personal savings to fund your experience.
Intern Abroad
Interning abroad is an excellent way to build practical skills to enhance your resume, improve your interview abilities, and help you land a job after graduation.
- Funding - Internships abroad are often unpaid and may require students to pay a program fee in order to participate. Costs vary widely by location, duration, inclusions, and housing. Keep in mind that longer internships are generally a better value; the longer you stay, the lower your per-week cost. If you’re earning credit, you may be able to use all or part of your financial aid package.
- Credit - You may be able to earn OHIO or transfer credit for your internship. You may want to intern abroad for credit if: 1) an internship course is required for your major and/or 2) you want to use your financial aid package. Many students choose to not earn credit for their internship. They simply list it on their resume, rather than paying tuition for credit hours on top of other program fees.
Where to find opportunities:
Some OHIO Credit Opportunities (COST, OHIO in LA, Scripps in DC) have internship/practicum experiences built directly into the curriculum. Many students also explore opportunities through our affiliated providers or by searching the internet.
What to look for when comparing options:
- Flexible vs. fixed start dates
- Customization of placement vs. pre-set duties
- Fees for interviewing or inclusions
- Level of program independence or support
- Language requirements
- Housing/location
- Visa support
Regardless of the program you settle on, you want to make sure you to read all fine print before you choose and apply to a program. If you have any concerns or questions about a program, please do not hesitate to contact our office.
Intern with ISA and TEAN
WorldStrides, an affiliated partner of the OHIO Office of Global Opportunities, offers internship programming through their subsidiaries ISA and TEAN. They will work with you to customize an internship that matches your skills, goals and interests for an experience that will be sure to help launch your professional career and propel your personal growth.
In addition to finding your internship opportunities, ISA and TEAN arrange your housing, airport pick up, and hosts cultural activities throughout the program so you can get to know other students on your program as well as locals. Interning through a trusted partner of OHIO can make navigating finding an internship abroad much easier, with a guarantee that the internship is reputable.
Learn more about
- ISA Internships: https://internships.studiesabroad.com/programs
- TEAN Internships: https://www.educationabroadnetwork.org/internships-abroad/
Volunteer Abroad
A volunteer-based global experience can be an enriching and immersive way to serve communities. By carefully comparing and evaluating the ethics of volunteer organizations, you can ensure your volunteer work has a lasting, positive impact on the community you’ll be serving.
- Funding: Most organizations require students to pay a program fee in order to participate. Costs vary widely based on location, duration, inclusions, and housing. Keep in mind that longer programs are generally a better value. The longer you stay, the lower your per-week costs tend to be.
- Credit: Most volunteer projects do not offer credit for the experience, so you cannot use your financial aid package toward costs and may be limited in finding scholarships. If you are earning credit, you may be able to use all or part of your financial aid package.
Where to find opportunities:
OHIO offers some credit-bearing study away programs with a volunteer or service-learning component (ex. Dominican Republic: Community Engagement). You are also able to explore several databases of volunteer organizations. We recommend using (1) https://www.goabroad.com/, (2) https://www.gooverseas.com/
What to look for when comparing options:
Think about your experience on the ground and your lasting impact. Consider the following when comparing:
- Impact on local community
- Reputable organizations will support community-driven projects, thoughtfully engage and prepare volunteers, and think critically about their long-term impact. When researching, consider:
- How is the local community involved in determining what volunteer work is needed?
- How is the organization working to make the project self-sustaining in the future?
- How long has the organization been in operation?
- How does the project include/employ the host community?
- How do they screen and train volunteers?
- What does the program fee include? How much of the fee goes to the cause/community you are working with?
- What is the organization’s larger mission? Are they religiously, politically, or otherwise affiliated?
- Reputable organizations will support community-driven projects, thoughtfully engage and prepare volunteers, and think critically about their long-term impact. When researching, consider:
- Flexible vs. fixed dates
- Customization of placement vs. pre-set duties
- Fees for applying and inclusions
- Level of program independence or support
- Language requirements
- Housing/location
- Visa support
Before you choose and apply/commit to a program, we highly encourage you to read all fine print associated with the experience. If you have any concerns or questions about a program, please do not hesitate to contact our office.
Work Abroad
Working abroad is a great way to set yourself apart from other candidates as you continue along your career paths. You will find information on programs popular with our students by visiting the Walter International Education Center and speaking with an advisor. However, the Office of Global Opportunities highly encourages you to read all fine print before you choose and apply to a program. If you have any concerns or questions about a program, please do not hesitate to contact our office.