Isla Internships Abroad places intrepid humanitarians, entrepreneurs, and change makers in internships abroad with global development professionals working with ​Isla's local and international partner organizations, social enterprises, and other institutions around the world.

If you are an undergraduate, graduate student, or a young, mid-life, or retired professional seeking an international work experience in a global development context, Isla is for you! Apply today! Give a little. Gain a lot!

Why intern with Isla?

Build your professional skills and cultural awareness while helping Isla's global partner organizations improve their operations and outcomes. 
Gain productive global work experience while satisfying your university academic, practicum, research, or capstone requirements.
Build your international networks in a global development context. Jump out of your comfort zone and live, learn, and intern abroad!
Make lifelong personal and professional friendships while doing good work. You will certainly broaden your global perspective! 

​Featured Internships

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How It Works

Click on the following steps to learn how it works....

1. Explore and discover the Options
Research international internship options by first checking out one or more of the following:
  • Discover our Isla ​Destinations  
  • ​Browse through our Search Internships listing
  • Search internships by clicking on a specific Sector or Career Field 

Whatever you choose, we will customize an internship just for you! This means we will help you find an internship with one of partner organizations that is a good fit for your particular skill set, background, and interests and also meets the needs of your host organization! 

If you are undecided and need more help, no problem! You can still apply! We are available via email at info@isla-serve.org or we can get on a  Google Meet call with you to guide you through the options and the application and placement process. ​

Sectors

Career Fields 

Agriculture 
Biodiversity
Business Finance
Business Management
Business Marketing
Career Guidance
Communications
Community Development
Climate Change
Cultural Heritage
​Democracy and Governance
Diplomacy
Digital Marketing
Early Childhood Education
Educational Theatre 
Education
Elementary Education
Energy
Entrepreneurship
​Environmental Conservation
Environmental Protection
Film and Art House
​Fundraising & Grant Writing
Gender
Global Health
Grant Writing
Higher Education Student Affairs
​History
​History and the Oral Tradition
​Human Rights
Human Rights and Social Justice
Hospitality and Tourism
​Journalism
Music  
​Music Festival
Information Technology
International Relations
Makerspace Learning Environment 
Marketing and Social Media
Maternal and Child Health Care
Medical
Natural Resources
​Permaculture
​Public Health
Political Science
Public Relations 
Security Studies
Sexual Reproductive Health
Secondary Education
Social Enterprise Development
Social Entrepreneurship 
​Sociology
​Social Work
Tourism
Urban Planning
Website Development
Wildlife Conservation
Women and Youth Development
​Workforce Development
2. the online application
  • Once you have decided on your destination and internship choice(s), complete the online application and submit the $80 application fee. Send us your university transcripts, your resume (CV), and two letters of reference. Please note that you can save your application and go back to it at any time. It's easy!
  • Upon receipt of your application and fee, Isla will give you a call for an interview. We want to learn more about you to ensure the best fit internship placement just for you.​​
3. The Internship Placement 
  • An invitation to join Isla will be sent to you with your internship offer. We will also send you your Scope of Work and an internship contract.
  • Pre-departure preparations begin with lots of guidance from the Isla team.
  • Learn about Isla internship program fees here.​
  • Paying for your internship? Your university or college most likely offers scholarships and grants specifically to help defray the cost of an international experience, including internships abroad. If you're a student, contact your university's international or education abroad office. They will also help you with the numerous national scholarship programs, such as the Gilman, that offers funding for internship programs like ours. Combining funding sources can make your internship abroad doable and very affordable. Another option is crowdfunding. To learn more go to our Funding Your Internship ​page.
4. The Isla experience
​Gain valuable international work experience, life skills, new friends and colleagues, cultural awareness and sensitivity, and the confidence to help you develop personally and professionally.  Isla will provide guidance every step of the way before, during, and after your internship experience! ​Apply now!

What are Isla alumni saying?

Bridget Wright - Security & Governance Intern
University of Iowa
​BA - Political Science
The highlight of my internship in Kosovo was meeting such amazing people. I am so grateful for the opportunity to learn and be exposed to more than I could have ever asked for. The different political, social, and cultural aspects of Kosovo amazed me and I am so blessed to have lived there for 9 weeks. From individuals I met on the street to all my amazing co-workers at my host organization to the tremendous love and support from Isla, I am eternally grateful. Kosovo is filled with open arms, curiosity, and love. I am so glad that I chose to intern in Kosovo because I have gained friends for a lifetime.
Samantha Ricardo - Global Health Intern
Hofstra University  BA Dance
​New York University MGPH School of Global Public Health 
​The experience in Uganda provided by Isla was life changing for me. I was given the same job as an entry-level global health program director and was asked to rise to the task. At the time I was a college student applying to grad schools for a Masters in public health. I had very little experience working in global health, however, I took free classes online (recommended to me by the Isla Executive Director) and did months of preparation to get myself ready to give the best impact possible. In 90 days I successfully completed my task but it took all the time I could possibly give. I worked weekends and nights preparing materials and reading up on new research for my program. With all that said, I wouldn't have had it any other way! If you are serious about jumpstarting your career, this is a great place to do it! 
Ibeth Morales - Entrepreneurship
University of Kentucky
​MA - Patterson School of Diplomacy
​Before going to Kosovo, I knew that I wanted to be involved in development or international diplomacy. This internship just reaffirmed my passions for these areas as it showed me that making a difference really matters for those whose life you are going to be touching.
Mira Tan - Social Justice & Gender Equality
Miami University of Ohio
​BA - International Studies
Working closely with Kosovo Women's Network staff, I had an opportunity to get a hands-on experience on what a feminist movement looks like, how it works and most crucially its impact toward improving and promoting the rights and the interests of women and girls. I really do appreciate this experience and I really hope I can come back to continue to collaborate with KWN.
Margaret Rice - Global Health
Yale University
MPH - School of Public Health
In addition to fulfilling a summer internship requirement for my Master's degree in global health, this experience provided valuable experiences and knowledge working in a global health context in Uganda.
Jared Nunes - Human Rights and Social Justice
California Polytechnic University
BA - Sociology 
This Isla internship experience in Uganda has allowed me to get first-hand experience in a field that is built upon working towards helping others, which drove me towards this internship in the first place. Thank you Isla and to my host organization!
Jaclyn Williamson - Global Health
​Colorado State University
​MPH - School of Public Health
I was mostly drawn to Uganda because I desired to work on global health issues. As an Isla intern, I gained experience in real-world applications of program development, implementation, and evaluation. I also conducted research for my Master's degree capstone project requirements.
Cody Vandergrift - Youth Development and Human Rights
Miami University of Ohio
International Studies & Psychology
Many thanks to the Isla Team for your help with my faculty-led program and internship. Without Isla we would not have been able to experience Kosovo in the way that all of us students have. I truly believe that with the help of Isla and my host family, our experiences have been elevated!
​By providing the opportunity to intern abroad, Isla opens eyes, minds, and hearts to the beautiful range of humanity that exists in our world. 
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info@isla-serve.org
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