Isla Internships Abroad

Why intern abroad with Isla?

Isla places intrepid change makers in inclusive global development internships alongside global development professionals.

Motivated humanitarians, environmentalists, health specialists, educators, and social entrepreneurs will work 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 international work experience in a global development context, Isla is for you!

Isla Destinations
Bulgaria
Kosovo
India
Spain
Uganda

Our global development internships align with the United Nations' Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs)

Apply for Isla's Summer Internship + Study Abroad in
Southeast Europe 2025!

Featured Global Internships

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!

Build your professionals skills while helping your host organization.
Make an impact!

Live Learn Intern with Isla Internships Abroad!

An Isla global internship is designed to fit your background and interests. What better way to prepare for an international career!?

With Isla, you will build professional skills and global perspectives while helping your host organization improve their operations and outcomes.

Engagement in an international internship will certainly add value to your academic and career plans. It also makes your resume stand out!

Added bonus? Your internship is tailored to meet university undergrad or graduate academic, practicum, research, or capstone requirements.

Anyone with an interest in global development whether you are a student or working, ought to intern abroad on one of our customized internships!

Intern Abroad in Jaipur a UNESCO World Heritage Site

Intern abroad in Jaipur, India! 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!

Global Internship + Study Abroad Program

Participate in a global development internship in Kosovo with one of Isla's local partner organizations and take classes in related subjects conducted in English at Kosovo's national university during the summer, semester, or academic year!

Participants come from all over the world with a common interest in studying a variety of subjects in Europe's newest country located in the heart of the Balkans.

Intern in Malaga, Spain

Global 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!

How It Works

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

1. Explore and discover the Options

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 [email protected] or we can get on a Google Meet call with you to guide you through the options and the application and placement process.

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

Career Fields

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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. Complete the Online Application

2. COMPLETE 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.

APPLY NOW!

3. The Internship Placement

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.

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4. The Isla experience

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!

Diversity, Equity & Inclusion at Isla Internships Abroad

Isla Internships Abroad is committed to inclusive sustainable global development fostering diversity, equity, and inclusion by providing opportunities to individuals from various backgrounds, cultures, and identities. We strive to create an inclusive environment in which our participants from different walks of life feel valued and supported. We are committed to welcome individuals of all backgrounds from around the world, offering an enriching experience that values unique perspectives where each participant can thrive, learn, succeed and excel in their chosen fields while contributing to a global community.

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What are Isla alumni saying?

Give a little. Gain a lot!

Melissa Triana - Global Health
University of Miami - MA, Global Health and Society

I am so happy to be part of the global health community, this academic path began with my background as a nurse. The Pontifical Universidad Javerniana, where my clinical experience opened up a world of possibilities and led me to a Master in Global Health at the University of Miami where I have seen the incredible interdisciplinary work. Thank you Isla Internships Abroad for giving me the possibility to come to Kosovo and to offer me a customized internship according to my interests and thank you to my host organization. There is much more to experience!

Bridget Wright - International 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 about the different political, social, and cultural aspects of Kosovo. It 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.

More Reviews

Sinergy Martel
COMMERCIAL JUSTICE & GENDER
University of Maryland

Sinergy Martel
Commercial Justice & Gender
University of Maryland - International Relations & Spanish - BA

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 developmen. 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.

Jacob MerKelz
Environmental Conservation
St. Mary's University

Jacob Merkel
Environmental Conservation - Energy and Climate Change
St. Mary's University Global Studies & Political Science - BA

Regarding my experience directly with my host organization, the highlight was how they made me feel welcomed and appreciated as part of the team. As a whole my highlight would be just spending time with all the local Albanian people I made as friends. I learned a lot about my self and my goals and desires in life. I feel like I opened up more because I naturally already kind of stood out. I also enjoyed learning to learn about and love a new culture I didn't have a lot of experience with before.

Mira Tan
SOCIAL JUSTICE & GENDER EQUALITY
Miami University of Ohio

Mira Tan
Social Justice & Gender Equality
Miami University of Ohio - International Studies - BA

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 School of Public Health

Margaret Rice
Global Health
Yale University School of Public Health - MPH

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 DEVELOPMENT
Miami University of Ohio

Cody Vandergrift
Human Rights & Youth Development
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
New York University School of Global Public Health

Samantha Ricardo
Global Health
Hofstra University - Dance
New York University School of Global Public Health - MGPH

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 & Social Impact
University of Kentucky Patterson School of Diplomacy & International commerce

Ibeth Morales
Entrepreneurship & Social Impact
University of Kentucky Patterson School of Diplomacy - MA
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.

JACLYN WILLIAMSON
Global Health
COLORADO STATE UNIVERSITY SCHOOL OF PUBLIC HEALTH

JACLYN WILLIAMSON
Global Health
Colorado State University School of Public Health - MPH
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.

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