10 of the Best Gap Year Internships Abroad

Your friends are longing for life in the dorms or finding a job (how boring!). But you’re taking the road less traveled, and you can't wait to start a gap year. Like others that have come before you and many that will come after, you aren’t ready to jump into that four-year degree program or professional career. Not because you have no direction; au contraire! Gappers typically have their heads straight on, and it takes courage and calculation to take a gap year. We support you, and we’re pretty excited too!

Start a new chapter in life. Seek international internships for gap year students!

An internship gap year is really the sweet spot. It’s more meaningful than just traveling, but not as demanding as a full-time job. Don’t be fooled, though—gappers take their internships seriously, and programs are often looking for high-caliber candidates. You may not be paid (or maybe you will?), but the experience gained will allow you to reap rewards in the future. An internship gap year is also your time to explore your interests! You may love animals or children, the environment, cooking, fashion, business, or coding. Luckily, there is usually something for everyone. Plus, internship gap years can take you places; intern in Guatemala, China, India, Spain, or anywhere else you can think of.

Once you handle the where, it’s time to handle the who. As in, who the heck is gonna find me the best internship gap year programs abroad out there?! Ack, so many choices! Not to worry, though. We’ve selected the top 10 best providers for internship gap years to guarantee an incredible experience. You’re independent and savvy (this we already know), so you just need a little advice to get you where you want to be. Read on for details on the best internship gap year providers abroad, and choose the one that takes YOU to new heights.

Here’s a sneak peek at our selection of the best international internships for gap year students in 2019:

10 awesome internship gap year programs abroad this year

Editor’s note: This information was accurate at the time of publishing. Please refer to each individual program for current data.

1. Projects Abroad

“I saw things that I would never be able to see here in the United States. I learned more things than I could ever sitting in a class room and things I will be able to take into my studies. It was an amazing time that I will never be able to forget.”—Read more Projects Abroad reviews here.

Where? Global
When? Year-round
Why? Projects Abroad does not believe in “quick fixes,” so the work you do during their gap year internships abroad is sure to have a long-term impact. They offer placements in niche fields like music production, equine therapy, and so much more. Gain work experience advocating for children’s rights in Jamaica or wok in a law firm in Chengdu, China. Hard to imagine what Projects Abroad doesn't have! For those looking for an organization that knows what gappers need with a variety of internship choices and locations, PA is your ticket. Consider completing gap semester internships with Projects Abroad, too!
More info on Projects Abroad

2. USIT Work & Travel in Ireland

“I absolutely love living in Dublin and would more than recommend anyone with a passion for travel and adventure to take the plunge and start your Work in Ireland adventure!”—Read more USIT reviews here.

Where? Ireland
When? Year-round
Why? Interested in spending your gap year in Ireland? Are you a US student, recent graduate, or an 18-35 year old Canadian? If you’re nodding, then this one of the best programs for gap year internships made especially for you. USIT knows you’ll fall in love with rolling green hills and Irish stews. Yum! They offer internships AND job placements (you could get paid!!) ranging from retail, to IT, to childcare. You’re sure to find your personal best gap year internships with USIT. Those with a keen interest in picking up an Irish brogue (hey it could happen) should look into a internship/job program with USIT.
More info on USIT

3. International Volunteer HQ

“I made many new friends, embraced a new culture, explored a beautiful part of the world, and I made memories which will last a lifetime. I highly recommend an IVHQ program as you will undoubtedly have an unbelievable experience.” —Read more International Volunteer HQ reviews here.

Where? Global
When? Year-round
Why? Choose your own gap year internship adventure with IVHQ! This provider prides itself on offering high quality, safe, responsible, and affordable volunteer opportunities (hey, volunteering and interning are practically interchangeable words these days). The founder was a gapper true and true—he left his corporate life to volunteer in Kenya and later started IVHQ with money from his parents’ farm. This provider takes a grassroots approach to volunteerism, partnering with only local organizations in each country. If you’re looking for a meaningful experience contributing to a project from the ground up (all while building the same marketable skills an internship offers), IVHQ is for you!
More info on IVHQ

4. Pave Internships

“It was very well organised from start to finish, and included a large amount of activities that gave a real insight into how India operates both culturally and through business.”—Read more Pave Internships reviews here.

Where? Mumbai, India
When? Ten days, year-round
Why? Mumbai, India is a financial powerhouse, great for global gappers interested in business. Pave Internships brings you to Mumbai for only ten days, but it’s jam-packed with hands-on business experience in India’s most populous city. Experience a different business sector of Mumbai each day, like a co-working space at a city startup or an apprentice-style challenge (minus the Donald). In the challenge, you'll be tasked with bartering at local markets for the lowest price of Indian goods. Ten perfect days in Mumbai makes Pave one of our top 10 providers for the best gap year internships!
More info on PAVE Internships

5. African Impact

“For my first time doing volunteer work and coming to Africa, this project and their staff and amenities made this trip something that I will never forget.”—Read more African Impact reviews here.

Where? Kenya, South Africa, Zimbabwe, Tanzania, Zambia
When? Year-round
Why? Find gap semester internships in Africa, one of those special places you can’t really describe until you go. The natural beauty, plus a strong desire to help, draws gappers to the continent. The founders of African Impact launched the organization with the mission to create “genuine impacts with extraordinary experiences.” We don’t like to pick favorites, but our readers do—African Impact was voted the top volunteer organization two years in a row, and it certainly offers some of the best gap year internship programs. Imagine yourself creating education projects for children in tribal villages or taking care of animals on a game reserve. Discover for yourself how the continent of Africa can inspire you. Go with African Impact!
More info on African Impact

6. EF Gap Year

Where? Global
When? Year-round
Why? If you don’t know EF, it’s time you do. This is the biggest name in the industry with so many different kinds of international travel and work programs that it’s hard to keep track (they even own a university!). EF, of course, also offers a gap year program—26 weeks complete with an internship, language study, site-seeing, college application guidance, and more. You’ll even be hitting up countries on every single continent. Sample program itineraries include language study in Japan, followed by a volunteer stint building houses in Nepal, concluding with an internship in Seoul. If you want a well-rounded experience with a name like EF on your resume, this is a no-brainer. Check. It. Out!
More info on EF

7. Linguistic Horizons

“This is a trustworthy and honest program that is truly meant to better your language skills as well as your skills in your field of choice.”—Read more Linguistic Horizons reviews here.

Where? La Coruna, Spain
When? Year-round
Why? Gappers love Spain. Time is never of the essence, unless you’re hungry for a tapa. And if you want an authentic Spanish experience, Linguistic Horizons is one of the best providers for internship gap years. The location is La Coruna, a small coastal city great for practicing Spanish. It’s hard to spot tourists here! Linguistic Horizons offers customized internship experiences like teaching English, working for a bioengineering firm, assisting at an art museum, and more. Plus, you can earn credits! That’s a nice way to start your degree feeling ahead of the game. If you want to enhance your language skills and gain work experience in a lesser-known part of Spain, do it with Linguistic Horizons.
More info on Linguistic Horizons

8. Thinking Beyond Borders

“Now, I am at Occidental College studying Diplomacy and World Affairs. I continue to think about TBB every day because it radically altered the way I see myself and the world.”—Read more Thinking Beyond Borders reviews here.

Where? Global
When? Year-round
Why? Thinking Beyond Borders is not a traditional internship placement provider—it’s so so much more. They offer the opportunity to travel EVERYWHERE. As you move from each of the six (yes, six!) countries, you’ll soak up knowledge from local experts. Thinking Beyond Borders organizes talks from prominent leaders in their field in seminar style workshops. Fun fact: TBB has a podcast featuring interviews with alumni of the program, so have a listen. These kids are changing the world at a really young age! Could that be you someday? The first step is to finding out is to enroll in a gap year internship program with Thinking Beyond Borders.
More info on Thinking Beyond Borders

9. CIEE Gap Year

“This program truly is great for learning about and living in the Spanish culture, as well as improving your Spanish in a relatively short amount of time. Because of those opportunities, in addition to numerous other travel and social memories, I could not be more grateful for my time abroad with this program.”—Read more CIEE Gap Year reviews here.

Where? Seville, Spain
When? Year-round
Why? CIEE is a household name in the world of international education. Plus, Spain is a must for many gappers, so you really can’t go wrong. Game of Thrones fans will eat up Seville...maybe literally. Seville is not only a GOT film location, but it also has the best darn tapas anywhere. Excited yet? We thought so. For internship placements, the choices vary from finance to architecture to app design. Spend three days a week immersed in the industry, and in your free time you’ll be dancing flamenco all over the city. Not sure you’re into Seville tapas? CIEE also offers programs in Berlin, London and Santiago (but we are a little partial to tapa land). Go with CIEE to get a taste of Spain!
More info on CIEE

10. Hutong School

“The Hutong School placed me in a small sized company that fitted exactly my ambitions and field of expertise. I managed to attend both Chinese classes and work as intern, thanks to the schedule the school created for me.”—Read more Hutong School reviews here.

Where? China
When? Year-round
Why? The Hutong School offers a high-quality Mandarin immersion program with internship placements. Located in the growing city of Hangzhou, you’ll gain hands-on experience interning in such fields as e-commerce, import/export, or technology. Hutong also offers perks like free apps for learning more Chinese and regular lectures from experts in their fields. Gappers often skip Europe and choose China to experience a completely different culture. The country’s growth in business and technology is exciting for those looking to expand their CV. Go to China and do it with the Hutong School to build your Mandarin skills as well!
More info on the Hutong School

[Browse ALL Gap Year Internships Abroad]

These gap year internships abroad will elevate your potential

Get hands-on experience in a variety of fields, all while traveling the world and having the time of your life!

There you have it—the top 10 of the best gap year internships abroad. Whether you’re bartering in an apprentice-style challenge in Indian markets, interning at an art museum in Seville (and eating tapas!), or chatting in Spanish with your homestay mother in Guatemala, you will love every minute of these internship gap year programs abroad.

You’re not the average graduate. You yearn for a meaningful experience before committing to four years of studying. Ugh. Maybe more people should take a break before college! It’s proven that gap year students are better prepared for university, earn better grades, and are more satisfied in their careers. You’re helping yourself, but you’re also building a greater connection to the global world. Get ready to grow! Find the best gap year internship programs made for you. This is your time to shine and learn a little from the world around you. Get out there and see it!

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10 of the Best Gap Year Internships Abroad

Lauren Bennett