Financing
Financing Your International Internship
Many applicants worry that it may be difficult to afford an internship abroad or study abroad program. However, there are many ways for a motivated applicant to earn a grant or scholarship towards the cost of a program; to raise funds independently or by “crowd funding”; to earn money by working part time; or even to take out a loan.
Grants and Scholarships
Many of our participants have received a scholarship or grant which covered all or part of their program cost. Here is a list of resources which may help you find a grant of your own.
The best resource for grants & scholarships is your own school. If you are currently enrolled in a university or other course of study, contact your school’s study abroad, internship, financial aid, or international education department.
Applications for our 2018 Global Leadership Grants are now closed. Global Leadership Grants for 2019 will open in October. Meet our previous scholarship winners here.
Applications for our 2018 Social Media Scholarship are now closed.
The Intern Group is offering one full scholarship towards a six to eight week program in North America, Europe, Latin America, Australia, or Asia. We are looking for a talented and hardworking intern to represent us on Instagram and YouTube while they are on program.
Requirements:
-10,000 or more followers on Instagram
-Experience working as an ambassador for another company or brand on social media
-A good eye for photos, bonus if you like to make videos
To apply, please send an email to danielle.ortiz-geis@theinterngroup.com with links to your social media channels and answers to the following questions:
- Tell us about your most successful social media campaign in the past.
Your answer should address who it was for, how you marketed their brand, how often you posted on social media channels, and the final results of your campaign. - Why should we choose you to be a winner of our 2018 Social Media Scholarship?
- If chosen, where would you like to do your six-eight week program?
Winners will be announced in early March. In the meantime, follow us on Instagram and YouTube.
Some specific 3rd party scholarship and grant resources available to applicants from various countries include:
- If you are a college student in the USA receiving a Pell Grant, you are eligible for a 500 USD discount off any of our programs
- If you are a member of NSHSS, you receive a 10% discount year-round on the program of your choice
- If you are a member of Golden Key International Honour Society, you receive a 5% discount year-round on the program of your choice
- If you are earning college credit for your internship experience, then financial aid may be available through your school Contact your financial aid office to learn more
- The Benjamin A. Gilman International Scholarship is sponsored by the US Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs, to help students of limited financial means enroll in international programs. Over 2,700 scholarships of up to $5,000 will be awarded this academic year for U.S. citizen undergraduates to study or intern abroad
- The Federal Student Aid scholarship database of the US government
- Your state educational grant agency
- The Institute of International Education and NAFSA offer directories of grants and scholarships
- The Fund for Education Abroad offers scholarships of up to $10,000 to undergraduates. First-generation college students and minority students in financial need are encouraged to apply.
- The Go Overseas Study & Intern Abroad Scholarship
- The LIVFund scholarship offers two $500 scholarships each month for internship or volunteering in Latin America
- Applicants to our Hong Kong program can explore the Luce Scholars Program, a year-long fellowship program offering language study and internship placements in Asia to graduates (bachelor’s degree is required) aged 18 to 30
- Residents of the USA who are interested in a cultural internship in our Hong Kong program may apply for a grant from The Asian Cultural Council
- Graduate students who meet certain conditions may apply for a Boren Fellowship for participation in our Colombia or Hong Kong program
- The Council on International Education Exchange has committed $20 million to grants and scholarships in the coming years
- The Buick Achievers Scholarship Program offers up to $25,000 per year to current undergraduates studying Science, Technology, Engineering or Math.
- Remember that many schools offer grants to support their students interning abroad – for example, the University of Wisconsin and the University of California-Davis
- Volunteer Forever runs 2 scholarship campaigns each year. They award candidates a $500 to $1000 travel scholarship which can be used for anything related to your travel, including the program fee, airfare, travel insurance, or even spending money.
- Scholarship Search is a database of UK scholarships & grants
- If you are a college or university student in the UK receiving a Maintenance Loan of over £8200 or a Maintenance Grant, you are eligible for a 500 USD discount off any of our programs
- Applicants interested in architecture & conservation may explore the Garnett Travel Fellowship
- If your internship role involves research in a field such as environmental studies or geology, then you may be eligible to apply for a Royal Geographical Society grant
- Students of the University of Birmingham have access to several Student Vacation and Travel Scholarships
- University of St Andrews students may apply for Travel Scholarships for internship programs during the summer vacation
- Students at Cardiff University can apply for funding through the university’s International Scholarship Fund
- Graduates of the University of Glasgow may apply for the Sir Godfrey Collins Traveling Scholarship
- The University of Wales Trinity Saint David offers internship grants for UK and non-EU students
- Undergraduate students at BUTEX-affiliated universities and institutions are able to apply for a £500 scholarship to be used towards international education
- Many other universities and schools administer scholarships and grants which can be used to support an internship abroad. Be sure to contact the financial aid, career resources, or international studies office at your school to learn more.
- Refer a friend to The Intern Group program and get 300 USD to put towards your program fee.
- If you are a college or university student in Australia receiving Youth Allowance, you are eligible for a 500 USD discount off any of our programs
- If you are a college or university student in Canada receiving the Canada Student Grant (CSG), you are eligible for a 500 USD discount off any of our programs
- If you are a college or university student in Hong Kong receiving the Tertiary Student Finance Scheme (TSFS) or Financial Assistance Scheme for Post-secondary Students (FASP), you are eligible for a 500 USD discount off any of our programs
- Study Portal Scholarship awards a grant of 1000 Euros every quarter
- DAAD offers several scholarships for German students going abroad
- European applicants interested in our London or Madrid programs should explore the grants available to them through Erasmus. The Erasmus+ Program is a European funding program designed to offer European university students the possibility of studying or doing an internship abroad in another European country. The grants given vary and depend on the hosting and sending country but range from 350-400 euros per month. In order to qualify for the grant, applicants must be in Higher Education and must be undertaking a project abroad for at least 2 months. Before applying you should verify the application deadlines. This information can be found by visiting the the Erasmus + website or asking for details at your university’s Study Abroad Office. For an international internship in Europe, you can apply for the Erasmus + Mobility for Traineeships. Apply through the International Office or Erasmus office of your home university.
- Applicants from New Zealand should explore the scholarships available to them through the Prime Minister’s Scholarships for Latin America and the Prime Minister’s Scholarships for Asia. You can find out more about the requirements here.
Fundraising
Fundraising can be a fun and effective way to help pay for your time abroad. Some popular fundraising ideas include:
- Theme and holiday parties
- Dinners and banquets
- Sports tournaments and marathons
- Auctions and sales
For many more fundraising ideas, visit these websites:
Crowd funding
Crowd funding websites help you tap into your extended personal network and receive small donations from a large number of friends, family members, and other supporters. Create a profile, describe how you will use the money, and encourage people to donate. Be sure to promote your cause using social media.
If you are interested in funding your internship program this way, then check out fundmytravel, The Intern Group’s crowdfunding partner.
Other crowdfunding resources include Go Fund Me, Trevolta, Indiegogo, Crowdfunder and My Tab.
Sublet your apartment
Work
A part time job in the evenings, weekends, or summer can help you save a significant amount of money. If you earn (for example) 9 dollars per hour, then working just 10 hours per week could bring you almost $400 each month, or $4680 in a year. This can be an excellent resource for your international internship experience. Furthermore, future employers will be impressed by the independence & initiative you have shown, and by the additional experience you have gained.
You can also work online part time before and even during your period abroad to earn additional money. Your visa status may not allow you to take a job in your host country outside of your internship program, but you can work remotely for individuals or companies located elsewhere. Sites such as freelancer.com list many, many opportunities to pick up extra money using your skills in graphic design, writing, photography, telephone sales, data entry, programming, or other fields.
Loans
Loans are another way to help pay for your internship abroad. However, keep in mind that loans must be repaid with interest. If this is an option for you, then contact your local bank to discuss your options for student loans and personal loans.
Citizens or residents of Australia may wish to explore the OS-HELP loan supported by the Australian government.
Costs
Many interns find that their living costs are lower during their internship program, which helps to make the program more affordable. Accommodation and utilities are included in the program fee, and remaining expenses (such as food, entertainment, haircuts, etc.) sometimes cost less in our program destinations than they would in your home country.
Numbeo publishes a “cost of living index” which can help you compare cost levels in your city with our program cities.
For further cost-saving advice, see our tips on “How to not spend all your money while living abroad“.
If you are in school, also remember that many universities will grant academic credit for participation in our program. This can bring you additional savings by reducing the number of classes you need to take in order to graduate. The Intern Group is happy to provide any documentation or other support you may need in order to obtain academic credit from your school – check with your academic advisor or study abroad office to learn your school’s requirements.