When can I do an international internship?

In general, Terra Intern Abroad offers international internships during from the June-August time frame.  However, please refer to each internship description for available start dates.

Do I need a passport and visa to do an international internship?

Passports are required for all international travel.

Visa requirements vary by country and by nationality.  Information about visa requirements is often available on the consulate website for your destination country. If you have questions, please feel free to contact us and we will be happy to assist.

How many hours will I work?

Unless otherwise restricted by your destination country's labor laws, international interns should expect to work 8 hours per day, 5 days a week. In general, expect to have your weekends off. However, each host organization may define their own work schedule. Please refer to the description of each internship for any special work schedules.

 What is the difference between Volunteering Abroad and an unpaid International Internship?

 There is a very fine line between volunteering abroad and an unpaid international internship. Both require the participant to work without monetary compensation. The real difference is the quid pro quo nature of internships. With volunteering you donate your time, energy and sometimes money, without an expectation of receiving anything in return. With unpaid internships you work, but expect to receive compensation in the form of a structured and meaningful learning experience. Quality international internships - indeed any internship- must be designed, planned, monitored and evaluated. Programs and program providers that refer to interns and volunteers interchangeably often miss this crucial difference.

 Why pay? Can't I save money and arrange it all myself?

Many people do, but you must be ready to accept uncertainty and to risk your time and money if things don't work out the way you planned.

Uncertainties can take many shapes and forms such as the uncertainty of finding a worthwhile internship or who to turn to in the case of an unexpected illness or safety issue. Even the basic uncertainty of where you will live and how much it will cost can turn a promising international internship opportunity into a stressful situation.  Many high quality organizations do not accept international interns, especially short-term international interns, because they simply do not have the resources, the time or the money to commit to the special needs of each international intern. Terra Intern Abroad opens up these organizations to accepting international interns because we do this work without charging them a fee.  Yes it is possible to try and save money, but be willing to accept both the potential rewards or consequences of going it alone.

Can I arrange my own international internship and still use the Terra Intern Abroad service?

Absolutely. Terra Intern Abroad specializes in enabling international internships. If you have an international internship opportunity in a city where we have established a program and want the support of our organization, you can still enroll with us.   All program fees still apply.  You will recieve the same benefits as our in-country international intern program, may participate in all program activities and included excursions. However please be aware that we will not have contact with your host organization.

How can I raise money?

Most students choose to organize fund raisers.  Fund raisers can take many shapes and forms- from bake sales to raffles. Most important is to find a way to involve your family and friends. Inform them of what you want to do and why you want to do it. Show them how they will be helping you to make a difference. 

Is there any financial aid available?

University students often have access to university grants or even local, state or federal grants.  A good place to ask is through your universtiy to see what you many qualify for.  Terra Intern Abroad does have a limited, need based, financial aid that covers up to 30% of the international internship cost for those who qualify.

Is Terra Intern Abroad a for-profit or non-profit?

 Our roots stem from our sister organization, a non-profit high school in South Africa called the African Leadership Academy (ALA).  However, Terra Intern Abroad is organized as a for-profit organization. What this means is that we do not rely on donations or grants, but fund operations through the fees we charge to international interns to arrange all the logistics and support staff that provide safe, productive and meaningful international internships. Unlike most for-profits, maximizing shareholder value is not our sole mission. Our investors strongly support our mission to help make college students more globally aware and to enable students to gain work experience in areas with potential for high soclal return.  In social entrepreneurship circles our type of business is often referred to as a "for-benefit" company because we also strive to bring about a social benefit through our services. Hopefully, the US tax code will at some point catch up to this concept and create a more appropriate category for this type of organization.