Parents
Overview
Welcome, Parents!
We have created this page to answer any questions and address any concerns that you may have about sending your son or daughter abroad. Going to another country for an internship is a huge step for your child’s personal growth and professional development.
From the application process to their arrival, we will be with your child every step of the way. We annually send over 2,000 participants to complete internships all over the world, thus have extensive experience in making sure that they are safe while having the time of their life.
Our Track Record
As a leader in international education and professional development programs, we place over 2,000 participants in internships abroad each year with an average program rating of 9.2 out of 10.
We place our participants in all career fields and have an impressive network of over 1000 multinational companies, NGOs and SMEs who collaborate with us on an ongoing basis.
Over the years, we have also established relationships with leading universities across the globe including National University of Singapore (The highest ranked university in Asia), University of New South Wales (A member of Australia’s elite “Group of 8” universities), Hong Kong University of Science & Technology (Hong Kong’s premier higher education institution), Universitta Cattolica del Sacro Cuore in Italy (The largest private university in Europe) and more.
We have also been featured in the world’s top media such as TIME, The FT, CNN and Forbes.
The Hong Kong
Universitas Catolica
NUS
University of Wisconsin
The London School
Northeastern University
PROGRAM BENEFITS
Career Benefits
In today’s competitive job market, students have to find ways to differentiate themselves from their peers. The career benefits of an international internship are essential for young people seeking to advance their professional futures.
After completing our international internship program, your child will have had international exposure in a globalized world and professional experience from a high-quality international internship. They will have simultaneously accumulated a high-value network of international business contacts, benefited from a personalized session with an Alumni Success Coach and have perfected skills in a second language (if applicable). Your child will have had an amazing life experience while gaining the skills necessary to make their resume stand out from the crowd.
Academic Credit
We work with universities worldwide to help your child receive academic credit if it is required for their studies. Our local teams have helped hundreds of students meet specific university requirements, thus are accustomed to managing the logistics. We will assist in providing your child with the resources necessary to monitor supervisor feedback, projects, travel experiences and research carried out to report back to the university for academic credit.
Post Program Network
Thousands of our alumni from all over the world have been invited to join our alumni network on Linkedin. This is a great way for our past participants to keep in touch and network amongst themselves.
Health and Safety
Arrival
When your son or daughter arrives at the airport, we will have one of our drivers waiting for them. Your child will be brought directly to their accommodation.
Health and Safety
Shortly after arrival, our in-country team will have an orientation and health and safety induction for all participants. Your child’s safety is our first priority, so we will make sure that they are well informed about what to do in an emergency and where to go. Our local staff are on call 24/7 for emergencies and are trained to provide high-quality assistance and care.
Talkspace:
Traveling abroad for an internship is a big step. The Intern Group partners with Talkspace to provide all our participants with fully anonymous access to a licensed online therapist for up to 3 months. This ensures your son or daughter will always have someone to talk to when adjusting to life in their new city.
How to Contact Your Child
We will help your child to acquire a local cell phone upon arrival in order to stay in contact with our in-country team and their fellow interns, as well as to enable international communication in case they need to get in contact with family or friends quickly. If you are unable to contact your child, feel free to call our offices and speak with one of our in-country staff members, so that we can touch base with your child on the ground.
PROGRAM FEES
Program Fees & Start Dates
If your child is accepted onto our program, they will need to confirm their spot with an initial deposit of 600 GBP within 7-14 days of their acceptance, depending on when they apply. Due to the limited places on the program, the deposit reserves their spot on the program and allows us to begin the placement process with our partnership companies and organizations. The deposit is also fully refundable if your child is not placed in their first or second-choice career field – giving them peace of mind that they will have a fantastic internship experience abroad. However, if your child withdraws from the program, the deposit will not be refunded.
Typically, another payment will be due 30 days after your child’s deposit. Complete payment details will be communicated by email, and also can be found on our fees page and in our Terms & Conditions.
In-Country Spending
Airport pickup and accommodation are already covered in the program fee. Some programs include public transportation, too. Your child will need to budget for food, drink and extracurricular activities, such as travel. Depending on the country to which your child goes, the cost of living differs. In-country spending will also depend on your child’s lifestyle choices.
Below are the recommended budgets per week per location:
London: £100-£200 (GBP)
New York: $200-$300 (USD)
Hong Kong: $1000-$2000 (HKD)
Madrid: €100-€200 (EURO)
Australia: $100-$200 (AUD)
Colombia: $100-$200 (USD)
Dublin: €100-€200 (EURO)
Shanghai: $150-$250 (USD)
Chicago: $100-$200 (USD)
Toronto: $200-$300 (CAD)
Tokyo: ¥20000-¥30000 (JPY)
What Is The Program Fee Going Towards?
The Intern Group’s international programs are more than just internships. We provide a comprehensive program focusing on cultural immersion as well as professional development. The percentages in the program fee breakdown represent an average percentage for all our destinations. Here’s why we include each aspect in our program.
The idea started when our Managing Director, David Lloyd, experienced the difficulties of setting up an internship abroad first-hand. Determined to learn a second language and fulfill his love of traveling, he traveled to Argentina with no idea how hard the next few stages would be. Upon arrival, it quickly dawned on him that he was alone on the other side of the world, without a place to live and still looking for an internship. From there, the idea of The Intern Group was born.
Accommodation: 35-55 percent
Other components of the program: 15-20 percent
These include, amongst other elements, transport to and from the airport, trips, events and professional development tools. Our cultural and social trips are arranged for each program with the goal of bringing all of our interns together to fully discover and explore each diverse city. This is inspired by David’s experience in Argentina, where he struggled to meet people in a similar situation. Each destination has an amazing array of activities to enjoy. From a tour of Lantau Island in Hong Kong, a trip to World Heritage Site in Spain, or tickets to the famous West End theaters of London, we make sure that you see the city’s must-see sights.
Our programs equally focus on both your cultural immersion as well as your career development, which is why we include professional events, workshops and training materials. Our professional development events, like RADA in London, for example, are excellent and important program inclusions.
Professional services, internship placement and organization: 35-45 percent
We have amazing teams in each destination who will guide you through each stage of your internship program. We offer assistance in acquiring visas, work with you and potential placement companies to help secure your internship and run multiple events and activities each week. In addition, the teams in each of our destinations offer 24/7 emergency support. Each team is made up of locals and people who know their city extremely well. We, as a global team, understand all of the concerns and worries that come from moving to a different country, whether it’s culture shock, a language barrier or navigating your way around public transport. We work hard with organizations to place you in your preferred career fields and to ensure that you have a rewarding professional experience. We believe that having great teams in each of our destinations is essential to ensure that you have a worthwhile experience abroad. We want you to enjoy our cities as much as we do!
Technology: 5-10 percent
FAQS
Payments & Financing
Please visit our program fees and start dates.
In order for your child to confirm their place in the program, at least 50% of the outstanding balance needs to be paid within 30 days after we have received your child’s deposit. Any remainder is due within 21 days after we have confirmed your child’s internship role.
Notwithstanding any partial payment deadline previously given, once placement is confirmed, any and all remaining balance becomes due within 21 days. In all cases, all program fees must be paid before your child travels to their program destination. Participants who fail to meet this requirement, will receive none of the benefits of the Program. This includes, without limitation; placement in a confirmed Program, airport transfers and accommodation.
All programs include:
Professional internship
Accommodation (private bedroom in a good area)
Professional Training Workshop (communication, teamwork and interpersonal skills)
Professional development tool (DISC workplace assessment created by global leading HR Firm DDI International)
A personalized session with an Alumni Success Coach. *Eligible for interns interviewed after June 1st, 2017.
Intercultural Competence Training series to prepare your child for cultural differences
Expert training materials on key topics to help you get the most out of your internship experience
Airport pick-up & drop-off (private car that will bring you to your accommodation on your first day and then back to the airport on your final day)
24/7 emergency assistance from local staff
Written pre-trip welcome pack
Welcome orientation
Welcome package including city maps, important program information & transportation card
An active international community of interns in-country with regular events and activities organized
Academic credit assistance (where required)
Recommendations for flights and insurance
For details about what is specifically included in each program, click the links below.
The initial deposit is fully refundable if your child is not placed in their primary or secondary career fields. If they withdraw from the program for any other reason (besides our failure to be placed), they are not eligible for any refund. This includes, but is not limited to, medical, family, and academic reasons.
Please see more details on the cancellation policy below:
(a) Your initial deposit (“initial deposit”) is 500 British Pounds Sterling (abbreviated as GBP or £) regardless of destination. The initial deposit is for the sole purpose of reserving your position in the program and covering certain related administrative expenses. Upon receiving your initial deposit, The Intern Group agrees to place you in an internship by the placement deadline.
(b) Upon payment of your initial deposit, you agree to fully co-operate with The Intern Group in its attempts to find you a placement and agree to do so until the passing of the placement deadline. Examples of non-cooperation include, but are not limited to, not actively working with your assigned representatives from The Intern Group, skipping or missing scheduled internship interviews, not engaging in internship discussions with your internship coordinator, not responding to The Intern Group communications in a timely manner, allowing the placement process to be delayed due to missing agreed payment due dates and unreasonably refusing internships offered to you.
(c) If The Intern Group is unable to place you in an internship role in your preference area before the placement deadline, you will be given the option (i) to drop out of the program and receive a refund of your initial deposit and all other program payments made by you (“full refund”), or (ii) to request that The Intern Group continue the search process until you are placed; and if The Intern Group is still unable to place you within the extended time, you will receive a full refund.
(d) However, if you withdraw from the Program for any reason before the placement deadline other than The Intern Group’s failure to place you by the placement deadline in your preferred career fields, or if The Intern Group determines, in its sole discretion, that you did not fully cooperate in the placement process at any time before the placement deadline, The Intern Group will be entitled to 100% of your initial deposit. If you withdraw from the Program for any reason after being placed with a partner organization, The Intern Group will be entitled to 100% of your initial deposit and 50% of the program fee. If notice is received by us less than 21 days before the commencement date, The Intern Group will be entitled to 100% of your initial deposit and 100% of the program fee. All requests for refunds must be received in writing within 30 days of withdrawal.
Application Process
Application & Interview
First, your child must apply to our program by filling out an application and signing up for an interview with a member of our admissions team. We will talk to your son or daughter about what they are looking to do and what their goals are to make sure that this program would be a good fit for them.
For more details about the application and interview, look at our How it Works page.
We aim to develop an innovative and culturally sensitive new generation ready to tackle the global issues that affect the world today and tomorrow.
We value adventure, open mindedness, broad horizons and an international mindset. We also value academic excellence and those who think outside the box. We generate a flow of top minds to our partner companies, NGOs, hospitals and governments.
After your child’s interview, our admissions team will be in touch within 3 business days to let them know if they’ve been successful or not.
Networking
Your child will come back from their program with a global network of friends and professional contacts that can be leveraged in the future. Because our program hosts participants from over 90 countries, your child with interact with people from all over the world. Professional networks will also be formed at your child’s work placement.
Reverse Culture Shock
Many people have minor problems when re-entering their home country after living abroad for an extended amount of time. They will face a readjustment period that is completely normal. If your child has this experience, encourage them to engage in local communities or join clubs at their university with other like-minded people who have lived abroad.
Travel
Please make sure that your son or daughter is aware of the visa regulations for each country. We advise applying for the program 2-3 months before the desired start date to account for visa processing, depending on the country.
Make sure that your child’s insurance plan will cover them overseas. If it doesn’t provide sufficient coverage internationally, we offer a discounted insurance plan through our exclusive partnership with Compass, a leader in providing comprehensive coverage for exchange programs around the globe.
Click here for more information.
Parent Testimonials
WOW what an amazing time Will is having in Colombia. As his internship has just finished Andy and I wanted to say a huge thank you to you and your team for everything.
This has been an amazing experience for Will, not only having to go to a foreign country where he doesn’t speak the language and knows no one but having to cope with learning Spanish, meeting and interacting with people from all over the world and working a regular job at the same time! WOW Where on earth would he ever get the chance to have the same experiences!
Will was so extremely lucky to have been given his internship with Pilot Digital. Not only did Will find the work fascinating but they were all so very friendly, supportive and wanted to give Will a superb experience. They also helped him so much with his Spanish and to introducing him to the Colombian culture, a real family for him.
When Will finished his first year at university he was unsure how he wanted to spend his summer but knew he wanted to get the most out of it. With the help of Real Gap and Latin America Internships he has certainly exceeded his aims beyond his wildest dreams…….THANK YOU ALL!
We would not hesitate in recommending you to anyone and I am sure that on his return Will is planning to upload his experience and recommendation to your website………THE BEST SUMMER EVER……and now he too is set up for life with added confidence, self esteem, an additional language which he will continue to study back in the UK and lifelong friends all over the world. As parents we could have asked for no more for our son.
We wish you well and hopefully will be contacting you again in the future as Will has 3 younger siblings !!!!!
With our sincere thanks and very best wishes.
Clare and Andy Tunningley
We chose The Intern Group because my son needed to do an internship abroad for the completion of his master. We came across the website of The Intern Group, and we found the offer of The Intern Group particularly interesting because it included the administrative procedures (such as the visa process) and accommodation. It was reassuring to me that when my child arrives to Hong Kong, everything was already all prepared and my son could focus on the preparation on his internship without being bothered by administrative paperwork or the search of an apartment.
My son told me that The Intern Group was always available and ready to help every time he had a request or a question. All the events organized during the 5 months allowed him to discover the wealth of the different cultures of HK and to share social moments with the other interns through sport and leisure activities. Thanks to The Intern Group, these 5 months turned out to be a great experience for my son.
I would definitely recommend Intern Hong Kong to others because this program allowed my child to live a unique social experience and to add to his resume an internship with a great company in Hong Kong, which is likely to be a strong asset for his future and professional career. In spite of the distance between France and Hong Kong, I was never worried because I knew that he had the assistance of The Intern Group if necessary.
Bénédicte Ruellan Du Crehu
Andrew's time in Madrid may have been the best thing he has ever done. The entire staff at SofiaSquare was absolutely wonderful-- and they taught him so much! He was truly fortunate to have been in that office.
I want to add that I will be certain to pass Andrew's story on to his former high school, as well as to the staff at his new university. The Intern Group provides a truly unique experience, and while some may not be ready for every piece of it, I think it is invaluable for those who are ready.
It has made an enormous difference in the way Andrew is approaching his studies, as well as how he views "real life work" for his future.
And I want to personally thank you for the way you handled his housing shift. It wasn't an easy change to make, but you made it as comfortable as possible for Andrew. We have lived
abroad twice as a family, and we know these things happen! So thank you for your constant communication and reassurances.
Katherine Aertker
I want to thank you for all that you and The Intern Group have done for Evan. From the beginning with The Intern Group application process to his last day at the Picnic, the coordination of the program has been excellent. His internship at the Picnic was extremely educational, gave him great exposure to branding and account management, and is a valuable addition to his resume. The level of expertise and knowledge of his colleagues at the Picnic, in addition to their warm welcome and kindness to him the entire 6 months, exceeded his expectations. I hope that you will continue to send other interns to the Picnic, so that others can gain the same experience Evan has had. As a mother and a professional in the field of International Education, I will definitely recommend The Intern Group to others.