Internships Abroad – Ages 20+

Greenheart Travel Internships provide exciting opportunities for language and cross-cultural immersion and valuable, practical experience in international fields.

As a Greenheart Travel Internship participant, you will be placed in an internship related to your course of study while living with a screened host family. It's a wonderful way to improve your foreign language fluency and gain real world experience!

Interning Abroad
Internship programs are typically available for 1-4 months throughout the year. You may choose the dates of your program. Dates and duration are subject to availability, but we will work with you to accommodate your needs. In addition to living with a host family for the duration of the program, you will be supported by our partner office in country should there be questions or difficulties in adjusting to your new host family, community or internship environment.

Interns generally are placed in the areas of: General Business, Accounting/Finance, Travel/Tourism or Social Service, however, special requests can often be accommodated. Although internship descriptions vary, typical responsibilities may include general office duties such as data entry, interacting with customers, or research projects. Interns are expected to participate in the internship 30-40 hours per week. All internships are volunteer positions, so you should not expect to be paid for your experience. Generally, "business casual" is appropriate attire during business hours.

Participants will be given a Certificate of Completion at the end of the program, and most employers will be happy to write a letter of recommendation upon request. Previous experience in your area of study is highly recommended and previous foreign travel is desirable, but not required. Participants in France and Italy must have the equivalent of at least two years of college level language study. All participants in Italy are required to participate in a one-month intensive language program prior to the start of their internship, regardless of current language skills. Please note that a foreign language interview is part of the application process. Language preparatory programs are required for participants who do not meet the foreign language requirements.

Living with a Host Family*
Greenheart Travel focuses on the homestay experience, as it is by far the best way to improve your language skills and gain a firsthand understanding of another culture. By living with a family, you are given the opportunity to share in meals, conversation, and the daily life of the country visited. Participants are provided with their own bed and half board (2 meals a day). Host families are carefully selected and screened. Many families have hosted before and continue to do so on an on–going basis. Internship host families receive a small remuneration to cover the food and utility costs associated with hosting.

Some host families live in the city near the business placement; other families live in nearby suburbs. Generally, you will need to take public transportation (subway or bus) to and from your internship. You are responsible for any travel costs, but most public transportation is inexpensive. Travel time could be anywhere from 15 to 45 minutes.

Host families come from varied backgrounds. Host families may be a couple with or without children, a single parent, or a single person interested in other cultures. Participants accepted for the Internship Program are expected to have a similar interest in other cultures and to be relaxed and courteous during the homestay. Other than following a few host family rules (such as mealtime arrangements), you will be able to come and go as you would in your own home and as your internship hours require. Family evening meals, however, are a wonderful time for you to experience a new culture and develop a good relationship with your host family. It is an appropriate gesture to take your host family a small gift from your home community or region to thank them for welcoming you into their home.

You will be sent your host family details, including name, address, and telephone number within a week prior to your departure. You will often have placement information earlier than that, but host family placement is generally made after the internship placement. You are encouraged to write or call your family before arrival in order to introduce yourself.

*Housing is not included in the Shanghai, Barcelona and Madrid programs, but housing assistance is available. Participants may choose homestay, shared apartments or residence. Participants may also arrange their own housing in any destination.

Local Support
Our partner office in the country where you are interning will support and assist you with questions that may arise during your program. Before your departure date, you will receive your internship placement details. Please note that placement information may arrive on short notice during summer months. In addition to your internship placement details, you will be given the contact information for the representative at our partner office who is responsible for your stay. If you have any questions or difficulties, please do not hesitate to contact your representative. He or she is there for you!

Travel Arrangements and Visas
Upon acceptance to the Internship program, we will inform you of your travel and visa requirements. All travel and visa arrangements are the responsibility of the participant, but need to be booked according to our instructions. Typically, a local representative or your host family will meet you at the closest airport or train station when you arrive in country.

Program Length
Internships are typically available for 1-4 months year round.

Program Includes

• Placement in a volunteer internship
• Support of a local representative
• Full accident and health insurance
• Room and half board with a screened host family

Program Does Not Include

• Personal items, pocket money, and public transportation to and from work
• Independent activities or excursions
• Round trip airfare or ground transportation to host community

Deadlines
Applications are due at least 12 weeks before your desired program start date. Late applications will be considered on a case by case basis.

Destinations

• Argentina - Buenos Aires or Cordoba
• Australia - Melbourne or Sydney
• China - Shanghai
• France - Throughout France
• Ireland - Dublin
• Italy - Florence
• Spain – Barcelona or Madrid
• Turkey - Throughout Turkey