Why Intern Abroad with Isla?

​Isla Internships Abroad places intrepid humanitarians, change makers, environmentalists, health specialists, educators, and social entrepreneurs 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!

Isla Destinations

Our internships abroad help you build your professional skills and global perspectives while you help your host organization improve their operations and outcomes.

Engage in a global internship to add incredible value to your academic and career plans. It also makes your resume stand out! 

Isla's global internship placements are designed to fit your particular background and will give you international work experience in a global development context.

We tailor your internship to satisfy your university undergraduate or graduate academic, practicum, research, or capstone requirements. 

Anyone with an interest in developing a relationship with a community abroad, whether you are a student or working, ought to participate in our customized internships!

Featured Internships

Our global development internships align with the
​United Nations' Sustainable Development Goals

We minimize the stress of interning abroad with tailored placements and ​1-on-1
​professional, logistical, and cultural support before, during, and after your international internship!

Gain an invaluable international work experience,
grow your network, ​and make your resume stand out!

Build your professionals skills while helping your host organization.

Intern in Jaipur, a UNESCO World Heritage Site

Isla expands to Jaipur! Are you interested in spending time on self-learning, cultural-understanding, and community service to help make this world a better place? Isla has added internship opportunities in the city of Jaipur, the capital and largest city in the region of Rahjastan in a variety of sectors and career fields. 

Our program in India offers the intern an amazing cultural and internship experience. Learn more here!

Intern in Malaga, Spain!

Internships are available in a variety of sectors and career fields in the Spanish city of Malaga, a Mediterranean seaport on the Costa del Sol in the Andalusian region of southern Spain.

Immerse yourself in Spanish culture, improve your foreign language skills, learn new skills, work in a new and different country, while enhancing your  resume and global networks. Check out the internship options here!

  Featured Study + Internship Summer Program in the Balkans!

Stay tuned for the 2024 summer and semester special programs combining an Isla global development internship with
relevant academic study  in Human Rights, Social Justice, & Law, Peace &nConflict, and more in Kosovo.

How It Works

Click on the following steps to plan your internship abroad with Isla...

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. ​

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Sectors

Agriculture  
Arts, Culture, & Social Impact 
​Business
Climate Change
Education & Youth 

Environmental Conservation
Democracy & Governance 
​Entrepreneurship
Gender Equality
Global Health & Medical

Human Rights & Social Justice
​Security Studies
Wildlife Conservation
​Women & Youth Development
Workforce Development

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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 $90 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?

Give a little. Gain a lot!

Bridget Wright - Security & Governance
​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.

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.
​

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.

Sinergy Martel - Commercial Justice & Gender/Girl's Soccer Coach
University of Maryland
BA - International Relations & Spanish; Minor in International Development & Conflict Management

During my internship, I was incredibly fortunate to have received invaluable support and guidance from the entire team. Despite the fact that they held different positions within the organization, every member was eager to share their knowledge and expertise with me, which greatly facilitated my growth and development. I am deeply grateful for having had the chance to learn from all of these individuals, Their contributions have undoubtedly helped me to become a more skilled and knowledgeable professional.

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.
​

Cody Vandergrift - Human Rights & Youth 
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!

Samantha Ricardo- Global Health
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.

More Reviews

Search Internships

Apply Today!

​By providing the opportunity to intern abroad, Isla opens eyes, minds, and hearts to the beautiful range of humanity that exists in our world.