International Internship Guide

Before starting your international internship search, clarify your objectives:

• Why do you want this experience?
  • Improve your language skills?
  • Immerse yourself in a new culture?
  • Build a career outside the U.S.?
  • Explore global research interests?

Next, assess your knowledge, interests, and skills:

• Do you have specialized skills, foreign language proficiency, international experience, or cultural connections that could strengthen your application?
• Targeting locations where you have existing ties may improve your chances of securing an opportunity.

Third, consider your experience-level:

• Students with advanced skills, international experience, or language proficiency may have more success securing opportunities independently.
• Students with less experience may benefit from university or provider-led programs.

Option 1: Search Independently

Finding an international internship on your own can be challenging but rewarding. You’ll tailor the experience to your interests and goals, and potentially reduce costs. However, you’ll handle all aspects yourself, including work authorization, visas, housing, and more.

If you plan to search independently, follow the steps outlined in this guide.

Option 2: Join a Duke – sponsored study away program with an internship component

Many Duke-Administered and Duke-Approved study away programs provide opportunities to participate in internships. While not guaranteed, these programs can make your internship search easier. Being in-country on a visa helps you build connections and access local opportunities. Many programs can connect you to local networks and resources.

Learn more about Duke’s study away programs with internships or meet with a GEO advisor. Check the Duke Summer Experiences database for additional opportunities.

Option 3: Work with an internship placement organization

If the above options don’t fit, consider an internship placement organization. They help find internships and provide support, including visas and housing. This option is usually more expensive and rarely offers paid internships.

If you work with a placement organization, you may have less control over your internship experience. Before committing, ensure the program matches your interests and provides necessary support. Ask about costs, guarantees, and satisfaction policies. Contact past participants for insights. Explore multiple programs before deciding, and don’t pay application fees until you fully understand the program and costs. Here are some questions you may ask to guide your research: 

• What is the total cost of the experience, and what is included in that cost? 

• Am I guaranteed an internship, or will I need to find one myself? 

• What will occur if I’m placed in an internship I’m not satisfied with? 

• Will the program share names of past and current participants for me to contact? 

Find more information on third party provider programs that Duke frequently works with here. The international internships team does not endorse or recommend any specific program.

1. List Desired Locations:

• Start by listing the places where you’d like to intern.

2. Research Practical Aspects:

• Industry Demand: Research the most in-demand industries in each location.
• Workplace Culture: Understand typical hours and employee expectations.
• Cost of Living: Ensure you can afford to live there during your internship.
• Personal and Professional Fit: Can you see yourself thriving in each environment?

3. Narrow Down Your Options:

• Use this information to choose one or two locations that best match your goals, interests, and preferences.

You are solely responsible for obtaining all required documentation and confirming that you meet the qualifications to intern in your country of choice.

1. Research Regulations and Visa Requirements

• Research each country’s immigration and work authorization rules in detail.
• Use only official government websites for accurate information. This directory of consular websites can help.
• Each country has unique internship regulations, often based on your citizenship.
• You may need a visa and employment authorization. Some countries allow internships on a tourist visa, while others require a work visa, even for unpaid opportunities.

2. Check Employer Awareness

• Employers may not know about work authorization requirements for foreign nationals.
• Ask potential employers if they can sponsor you or provide guidance on local regulations.

3. Highlight Your Value

• International employers may need a reason to hire you over a local candidate.
• Highlight your unique value in applications, interviews, and networking. Your previous experience, language skills, technical skills, and cultural knowledge could all be valuable assets to an organization.

4. Visa Application

• Consider using a visa vendor, such as Travisa or Traveldocument. Visa vendors are third-party organizations that can help you prepare and apply for a visa.  
• Duke cannot sponsor visas for international internships, unless the internship is a required component of a Duke-Administered study away program.

1. Plan Your Budget

• Ensure that your planned internship is financially viable. Consider the following costs:
  • Flights: Estimate airfare based on tentative travel dates.
  • Housing & Amenities: Research rental costs through local platforms and conversations with alumni.
  • Food: Plan for daily meal expenses using local cost-of-living data. Cooking some of your own meals can be a cost savings, but you may need to bring/purchase cookware if your rental housing does not provide it.
  • Transportation: Factor in local transportation, including public transit or ride-share costs.
  • Visas: Consider visa application fees, including additional service fees if you work with a visa vendor.
  • Health Insurance & Immunizations: Budget for required immunizations and international health insurance coverage.
  • Miscellaneous: Leave room in your budget for unexpected expenses and leisure activities. Consider exchange rates for the local currency.

2. Understand Payment Regulations

• International internships are often unpaid for non-residents due to visa restrictions.
• Explore funding opportunities if you have an unpaid or low-paying internship.

3. Funding Opportunities

• Duke Career Center’s Internship Funding Program (IFP)
  • Undergraduates who receive unpaid or low-paying internships may be eligible.
  • Note: fee-based and tuition-based internship programs are not eligible.

• Other Funding
  • Check Duke fellowships and other opportunities in the Duke Summer Experiences Database

Once you’ve chosen potential locations and reviewed your financial situation, it’s time to organize your search:

1. Consider Internship Provider Programs:

• These programs can place you directly with an employer or connect you with potential employers.
• Keep in mind that they usually charge a fee.

2. Identify Target Industries and Employers:

• List industries, companies, or organizations in your target country that align with your values and interests.
• Prioritize your options, starting with the ones you’re most interested in.
• One effective way to organize your target employers is by using a “LAMP” list. Learn more here.

3. Research on LinkedIn:

• Look at LinkedIn profiles of Duke alumni and others working in your target country.
• Review where they completed internships to discover potential employers.

4. Use Job Boards:

• Find job boards for your target country, and set up keyword alerts to be notified when relevant internship opportunities are posted.

Many Duke students find international internships through networking. In-country contacts can be a key source of information to help you find suitable opportunities and stand out as a candidate.

1. Leverage Your Existing Network

• Connect with friends, family, professors, mentors, or colleagues who can share information, advice, or connections.

2. Expand Your Network

• Use location filters on the Duke University LinkedIn Page or the Duke Alumni Directory to find alumni in your target country or industry.
• Reach out to employees from the top organizations in your target list.
• Consider participating in a Duke-Administered or Duke-Approved study away program to help you build in-country connections before you seek out an internship.

Don’t skip this step! Networking is one of the most powerful ways to find international internship opportunities.

1. Initiative Applications

• In some countries, directly contacting potential employers can lead to more opportunities than applying online through job boards.

2. Prepare Your Application

• Use the Career Center’s Resume and Cover Letter guides.
• Create a LinkedIn profile and practice interviewing.
• Research country-specific expectations for application materials. You may need to adjust your materials for your target country. Your networking contacts can help make sure you are formatting your application documents appropriately.

3. Relevant Programs and Websites

• If you aren’t sure where to get started, review the list of international internship programs and websites.

1. Understand the Offer

• Review terms, compensation, and employer expectations.
• Research the employer to ensure the internship will be a legitimate and high-quality experience.
• Speak with previous interns if possible.

2. Meet with an Advisor

• Meet with a career advisor for assistance with reviewing the internship offer. 

3. Preparation Checklist

• Credit: If you hope to fulfill a practicum requirement of a major, minor or certificate with your internship, contact your program advisor to determine your eligibility prior to accepting the internship. Some employers may require that you receive academic credit for completing an internship with them. For more information, please see Frequently Asked Questions.

• Employer Support: Ask the employer about support for work authorization, housing, transportation, professional development, and management. Will you receive the support that you feel you need?  

• Finances: Review compensation, cost of living, and other expenses. Ensure you can financially support yourself.

• Housing: Confirm access to safe and affordable housing. Ask the internship employer or placement organization if they will provide or help you locate housing. Seek advice from Duke alumni or networking contacts.

• Immunizations: Check the CDC’s Traveler’s Health Guide to see if you need immunizations before entering the host country. 

• Insurance: Confirm that you have appropriate international sickness and accident insurance. Duke University requires all students studying away on Duke-Administered and Duke-Approved programs to be covered by adequate sickness and accident insurance from a U.S.-based insurance carrier for the duration of their programs. This is also a good guideline for students who secure international internships on their own. If you are on the Duke Student Medical Insurance Plan (SMIP), you can access more information on your international insurance coverage here. If you are on a separate insurance plan, check with your carrier to ensure that your coverage will extend to your internship location, or secure a separate international health insurance plan. You may also consider investing in travel, motor vehicle, or property insurance.  

• Language(s): Research the local language(s) and assess your communication skills. Confirm employer expectations and support.

• Location and Format: Confirm if the internship is in-person, online, or hybrid. Understand US immigration regulations if working from the US.Confirm the location of your internship. Important: If your internship is online or hybrid, and you perform work from within the United States, you are subject to US immigration and employment regulations. If you are an international student who intends to complete any aspect of an internship in the United States, meet with an advisor from Duke Visa Services to ensure that you remain compliant with your visa status. 

• Passport: Ensure that your passport is valid for at least 6 months past the end date of your intended stay and obtain an entry visa if needed.

• Register Travel: Review the Duke Global Travel Policy. You are required to register your travel with the Duke Travel Registry if you receive academic credit or funding from Duke.

• Safety: Make a plan to minimize risks if there are safety concerns in the internship country.

• Transportation: Confirm that you will have access to reliable transportation between your housing and internship location. 

• Visa: Carefully review all entry and work visa requirements. If needed, confirm that the internship employer will help you secure a visa or that you will be able to secure one independently. For more information on visa requirements and contact information for embassies and consulates in the USA, review the US State Department’s consular affairs sheet for the country of your internship.  

Schedule an appointment with a Career Advisor for more information or support with your internship search.

Meet with a GEO advisor to learn more about Duke’s study away programs with internship components.  

Contact the careeremployer@duke.edu if you need documentation or support for an internship offer you’ve received.

Direct academic credit cannot be given solely for an internship unless required by your academic program. If your employer requires academic credit for your internship, or if you want to earn credit, you may be able to set up an independent study or enroll in an internship course. For more information, review Duke’s Internship Credit Policy.

Program Requirements:

If you intend for the internship to fulfill a requirement of your academic program, consult your academic department or relevant internship team and review your program requirements.

Undergraduate Public Policy majors who want to fulfill their required internship through an international experience should consult an advisor from Sanford’s Undergraduate Internship & Career Services team.

You are ultimately responsible for determining whether your internship employer or placement organization is reputable and the opportunity is a good fit for you.

Thoroughly research the internship employer or placement organization and get answers to all of your questions before committing. If possible, speak with prior interns to learn about their experiences. Be cautious and use common sense when applying for positions or accepting an offer. 

Here are some questions to help guide this process: 

• What is the employer’s reputation in the country where you intend to intern? Your experience working with a multinational organization could vary significantly between branch locations. 
• Has the internship employer/organization provided a clear description of your role and set reasonable expectations for you? How many hours will you be expected to work per week? 
• Will the employer/organization provide you with the guidance and support you need to be successful? 
• Will the employer/organization help you secure any necessary visas? 
• Will the employer/organization provide assistance with securing housing and reliable transportation?