15 Internships Abroad for Undergraduates
As a college student, doing an internship is a good way to gain practical experience, build skills, and strengthen your resume. It allows you to explore a field you’re interested in, work on real projects, and connect with professionals. Participating in a college internship will also improve your employability after graduation, as employers value candidates who demonstrate initiative and can manage real-world challenges.
If you’re seeking research-oriented programs, check out our blog here & for those specifically seeking summer programs, have a look here.
But why should you do an internship abroad as an undergraduate?
An internship abroad takes the benefits of a normal internship even further. You’ll experience new cultures, learn global work practices, and develop skills like adaptability, problem-solving, and cross-cultural communication, which are all qualities that make your profile stand out. For students aiming for prestigious organizations, international NGOs, research institutions, or multinational companies, an overseas internship adds rigor and credibility to your experience, giving you a competitive edge.
When exploring opportunities, you’ll likely want prestigious internships that offer structured experience and align with your career goals. That’s why we’ve carefully curated 15 internships abroad for undergraduates that are worth checking out.
15 Internships Abroad for Undergraduates
1. UNICEF Internship Program
Location: UNICEF offices worldwide
Stipend: Paid + One-time support for travel and visa costs
Dates: 6-26 weeks
Application Deadline: Varies by internship
Eligibility: Undergraduate, graduate, or PhD students, or recent graduates within 2 years (18+); Must have no immediate relatives working for UNICEF; Proficiency in English, French, or Spanish required; Some placements require additional language or academic criteria
At UNICEF, you will be placed in global offices where you will contribute to child-focused humanitarian work across diverse areas. Depending on the placement, your responsibilities could range from tracking media and policy developments in Vietnam, supporting operational work in the Chile office, analyzing education outcomes for refugee children in the UK, to assisting with coordination between government agencies and program teams. This is because UNICEF operates on a global scale, the exact tasks vary by role and location; however, each internship offers meaningful, hands-on exposure to real-world humanitarian operations. It’s an opportunity to contribute to impactful projects, build practical skills, and gain insight into international development work, whilst strengthening your professional profile along the way.
2. United Nations Refugee Agency Internships
Location: UNHCR offices in Geneva, Amman, Budapest, Copenhagen, and other field locations
Stipend: Allowance for transportation and living expenses; Amount varies by placement
Dates: Varies; Full-time internships from 2-6 months; Extensions of up to 2 additional months available
Application Deadline: Varies by internship
Eligibility: Rising undergraduate juniors and seniors, graduate students, or recent graduates within 2 years; Your field of study must relate to placement; English proficiency required (minimum B2 level), some roles may require knowledge of Arabic, Chinese, French, Russian, Spanish, or other academic/language requirements
If you’re passionate about supporting the rights and well-being of refugees, an internship with the United Nations Refugee Agency (UNHCR) could be a good fit. You can apply your academic strengths to initiatives that protect and assist refugees in your host country, while gaining hands-on experience in areas like data management, energy and environment, economics, communications, or education. Your work could involve analyzing and reporting data on asylum seekers, tracking national immigration and asylum policies, or helping develop strategies to support refugee communities. Each internship is tailored to a specialized role at one of UNHCR’s international offices, with unique assignments and disciplinary requirements.
3. World Health Organization (WHO) Internship Program
Location: WHO Headquarters in Geneva, Switzerland, and Regional Offices across Africa, South East Asia, the Americas, Eastern Mediterranean, and Western Pacific
Stipend: You may receive a living allowance based on financial eligibility
Dates: 6-24 weeks; Dates vary by office and region
Application Deadline: Rolling
Eligibility: Students (20+) who have completed at least three years of full-time post-secondary study; Your field of study must align with WHO work; Fluency in at least one working language is required, often English
Through an undergraduate internship with the World Health Organization (WHO), you’ll tackle real-world global health challenges while applying your skills in healthcare, public health, medicine, sociology, or communications. Depending on your placement at WHO Headquarters or a Regional Office, you might research the health impacts of climate change, develop international health policy campaigns, or analyze health outcomes data in your assigned country. Each internship has unique responsibilities and academic requirements, and every role gives you hands-on experience contributing to meaningful projects. You’ll also build professional skills and strengthen your resume for future opportunities in global health, along the way.
4. Research Experience for Undergraduates in Nuclear and Particle Physics at TUNL and Duke University
Location: Split between CERN in Geneva, Switzerland, and Duke University in Durham, NC
Stipend: $7,000 + housing; Supplemental funding for meals and expenses; $600 for travel; Airfare included for travel to Switzerland
Dates: 10 weeks during the summer
Application Deadline: January 29
Eligibility: Current undergraduates who have completed at least a sophomore-level physics course, such as Modern Physics or equivalent; U.S. citizens or permanent residents only
In the Research Experience for Undergraduates (REU) co-hosted by TUNL and CERN, you’ll engage in hands-on research in high-energy, particle, or nuclear physics. Alongside your research, you’ll attend lectures and seminars on topics such as neutrino physics, dark matter, and the history of physics, while also participating in weekly discussions with graduate students and postdoctoral researchers. You’ll have the opportunity to interact closely with faculty and researchers to better understand advanced research pathways and plan your academic future. The program concludes with an oral presentation of your work, giving you valuable experience in scientific communication and strengthening your academic and professional profile.
5. UCO NSF Research Experiences for Undergraduates (REU) Pollinator Program in Greece
Location: Lesvos, Greece, & the University of Central Oklahoma, Edmond, OK
Stipend: Fixed stipend per week + Funded international travel, housing, and meals
Dates: June 1 – July 24
Application Deadline: April 6
Eligibility: Undergraduate students who are U.S. citizens and permanent residents
The REU Pollinator Program in Greece offers an immersive research experience in ecology, evolutionary biology, and environmental science, with a focus on pollination and honey bees. The program begins at the University of Central Oklahoma, where you’ll receive training in research methods and experimental design. You’ll then travel to Lesvos, Greece, to conduct field-based research on local bee populations. In Greece, you’ll study aspects such as foraging behavior, ecophysiology, and the genomic and molecular factors influencing bee activity. Your work also explores how environmental and climate changes impact agriculture across regions, including the U.S. and Greece.
6. UNDP People Programmes
Location: UNDP country offices and regional hubs worldwide
Stipend: Paid monthly
Dates: Varies; Internships last up to 6 or 9 months
Application Deadline: Varies
Eligibility: Undergraduate seniors, master’s students, and recent graduates within one year; Some placements require specific academic backgrounds or language proficiency
An undergraduate internship with the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) offers hands-on experience in international development and humanitarian work across global and regional offices. After being placed in a country office or regional hub aligned with your skills, your responsibilities will vary depending on the assignment. You may contribute to governance and democracy initiatives, support the monitoring of development projects, assist in collecting and analyzing program data, or conduct research on local development policies and legal frameworks. Through this experience, you’ll gain practical exposure to how large-scale international programs are designed and implemented. It also helps you build strong analytical, research, and communication skills that can significantly enhance your academic and professional profile.
7. UF International Research Experience for Undergraduates in Physics
Location: Various host institutions around the world
Stipend: $6,950 + Other benefits
Dates: May – early August
Application Deadline: January 12
Eligibility: Undergraduate students who are U.S. citizens or permanent residents; Priority given to students from underrepresented groups or schools with limited research resources; Must have studied Physics or a related field
The University of Florida’s REU in Physics offers a 9-10 week research experience in Europe, where you will engage in hands-on scientific work in international laboratories. After submitting a research proposal, you will be placed at a partner institution such as the Max Planck Institute for Gravitational Physics or Sorbonne University, depending on your project and research interests. During the program, you’ll work on experiments, programming, and data analysis in areas such as gravitational wave detection, black hole mergers, and gravitational-wave data quality assessment. The experience concludes with a research paper and a final presentation to your cohort, providing valuable training in scientific communication.
8. CERN Technical Student Programme
Location: CERN in Geneva, Switzerland
Stipend: $6,950 + Other benefits
Dates: 4-12 months, depending on your project and availability
Application Deadline: February 23
Eligibility: Must be enrolled as a full-time undergraduate or master’s student and have completed at least 18 months of university studies by the selection period; More details here
This is a fully funded internship at one of the world’s leading scientific research centers in Geneva, Switzerland, that allows you to work on real technical projects alongside scientists, engineers, and researchers in fields such as physics, engineering, IT, and applied sciences. The program includes a competitive monthly stipend, travel allowance, and health insurance coverage. Beyond technical training, you’ll gain international exposure and collaborate in a highly diverse environment. You’ll also develop practical skills that significantly strengthen your academic profile and future employability in both research and industry.
9. Optics in the City of Light
Location: University of Michigan’s Gérard Mourou Center for Ultrafast Optical Science in Ann Arbor, MI; Paris, France, for the main research portion
Stipend: $7,000
Dates: May 25 – 29 (Orientation in Ann Arbor); May 30 – July 30 (Research in Paris)
Application Deadline: January 19
Eligibility: Rising undergraduate seniors who are U.S. citizens or green card holders; No required major; Students must be prepared for advanced physics research
The Optics in the City of Light REU is an international research program led by the University of Michigan in collaboration with universities in Paris. You will start with training at the Gérard Mourou Center for Ultrafast Optical Science, where you will develop key skills in ultrafast optics and prepare a proposal for your research project. You will then spend two months in Paris conducting research in areas such as high-intensity lasers, optical diagnostics, and photonics, working closely with mentors from both Michigan and partner institutions. Throughout the experience, you will track your progress through a research blog and engage with a collaborative network of students and researchers across multiple universities.
10. OIST Research Internship Program
Location: Okinawa Institute of Science and Technology, Okinawa, Japan
Stipend: Paid
Dates: 3-6 months; Multiple cohorts in a year
Application Deadline: Varies by cohort
Eligibility: Students currently enrolled in the final two years of a bachelor’s degree, enrolled in any year of a master’s degree, or who have graduated with a bachelor’s or master’s degree; If enrolled, you’ll need approval from your home institution
The internship offered by the Okinawa Institute of Science and Technology allows you to work directly with faculty mentors across disciplines such as physics, chemistry, biology, neuroscience, mathematics, environmental science, and marine science, using advanced, state-of-the-art laboratory facilities. You will take part in ongoing research projects, gain hands-on experience with modern scientific tools and methods, and develop a deeper understanding of real-world scientific inquiry. You will also collaborate with international researchers, build strong academic and technical skills, and gain valuable exposure to a global research environment that can support your future graduate studies and research-focused career.
11. GRIPS Summer Internship in China
Location: China: Zhejiang University (Hangzhou), University of Science and Technology of China (Hefei), Fudan University (Shanghai), or Nanjing University (Nanjing)
Stipend: Fully funded
Dates: June – August (5-6 weeks)
Application Deadline: January 5 – March 1
Eligibility: Full-time undergraduate or graduate students at a recognized university
In the Global Research Immersion Program for Young Scientists (GRIPS), you’ll take part in a fully funded 5-6 week summer research internship in China. You will join an active research group and work with faculty mentors on projects spanning fields such as natural sciences, engineering, life sciences, and social sciences. The program covers round-trip travel, accommodation, registration fees, and cultural activities, allowing you to gain international research exposure without financial burden. Along the way, you’ll collaborate with peers from around the world, expand your academic network, and strengthen your research and collaboration skills.
12. RISE Germany: Research Internships in Science and Engineering
Location: Various universities and research institutes across Germany
Stipend: Fully funded; A monthly stipend is provided to cover living expenses
Dates: Typically, 3 months
Application Deadline: October 15 – November 30
Eligibility: Undergraduate students from the U.S., Canada, the U.K., and Ireland; Must be majoring in biology, chemistry, physics, earth sciences, engineering, or related fields
This program places you in research groups at leading universities and institutes across Germany, where you will work alongside PhD students or researchers in areas such as biology, chemistry, physics, earth sciences, or engineering. Over about three months, you will contribute to ongoing projects while building hands-on experience in lab work, data analysis, and scientific communication. All research is conducted in English, so German language skills are not required. The program offers you the chance to gain practical research exposure in an international academic environment while working closely with active research teams.
13. U.S. Department of State Student Internship Program
Location: Washington, D.C. or various U.S. Embassies and field offices around the world
Stipend: Paid
Dates: Summer: May – August/September; Fall: September – December/January; Spring: January – April/May
Application Deadline: Varies by season
Eligibility: U.S. undergraduate juniors or seniors, or graduate students with a minimum 3.2 GPA
Through the U.S. Department of State Student Internship, you will get hands-on experience in diplomacy and international affairs while being still in college. You get to work in embassies, consulates, and missions abroad, where you will support real foreign policy work by helping prepare briefing materials, attending meetings, assisting with events, and contributing to reports and communications. This experience will help you gain insight into how international policy is created and implemented while strengthening your skills in research, analysis, writing, and professional communication. You will also receive federal pay with travel and accommodation perks, which makes it a structured and well-supported introduction to careers in public service and international relations.
14. AIFS Abroad: Summer Internships
Location: Multiple cities across Europe, Latin America, Australia, and Asia
Cost: Program fees apply
Dates: June – August
Application Deadline: March 1
Eligibility: U.S. undergraduate students enrolled in accredited colleges or universities with a minimum GPA of 2.5
With AIFS Abroad, you will complete a summer internship in destinations around the world, where you are placed in a role aligned with your academic background and career interests after acceptance. You will gain hands-on experience in fields such as marketing, engineering, journalism, architecture, or international law, while also earning academic credit. In addition to your internship, you will participate in a Career Readiness Program focused on strengthening professional skills, enhancing your resume, and building confidence for future opportunities. You will live in locally arranged housing and take part in cultural activities, networking events, and community engagement, all while receiving continuous guidance and support from pre-departure preparation through on-site mentorship.
15. CIEE College Internship Abroad Program
Location: Multiple global destinations, including cities in Europe, Asia, Latin America, and Australia
Stipend: Most placements are unpaid or partially funded
Dates: May – August
Application Deadline: Rolling deadlines
Eligibility: Must be a college/university student or recent graduate (depending on track)
The CIEE College Internship Abroad Program allows you to complete an internship in another country while you are still in college. You will be placed with a company, startup, or organization in fields such as business, science, arts, marketing, or public policy, where you will gain real work experience and develop professional skills. Alongside your internship, you will also experience life in a new country, learn about different cultures, and improve your communication and adaptability in global settings. The program is designed to help you build a strong resume, grow your confidence, and prepare for future international or professional career opportunities.
Image source - UNICEF logo