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An internship abroad in Latin America is ideal for anyone seeking professional experience that offers access to Central and South American markets, specialized industries, and one-of-a-kind cultural experiences. An internship in this region of the world will help you stand out when you apply for jobs and grow both personally and professionally. While this may be an excellent opportunity to launch your career abroad, you may be wondering if it’s even possible for you. Fortunately, most college students and many young professionals are eligible to intern abroad in Latin America with AIFS Abroad. Read on to find out how and why you should do an international internship in Latin America.
Discover how you can intern abroad in Latin America and explore your options with AIFS Abroad!
How Do I Intern Abroad in Latin America?
Whether you’re eligible to intern abroad in Latin America will typically depend on a few factors:
- Academic requirements (for college students)
- University requirements (for college students)
- Visa requirements
If you are currently enrolled in college, you should speak with your academic advisor at your home university to make sure you are eligible. Eligibility will depend mainly on your university’s requirements and your academic track, so make sure that your university doesn’t have any barriers to interning abroad (most do not), and if not, that it’s possible given your specific degree and required coursework. Fortunately, many AIFS Abroad internship programs offer the choice to earn credits to satisfy university and degree requirements.
Additionally, AIFS Abroad offers unique Study + Internship programs that allow you to take classes and pursue a part-time internship at the same time.
If you are not currently enrolled in college, your eligibility to intern abroad will be based largely on your prospective host country’s visa requirements. While many countries do not require participants to be currently enrolled in college, others do. Fortunately, AIFS Abroad offers intern abroad programs in countries where high school graduates and recent college graduates are eligible, in addition to students currently enrolled in college.
Need help determining if you’re eligible to intern abroad in Latin America? Connect with our team!
Where Should I Intern Abroad in Latin America?
Deciding where to intern abroad often comes down to two main factors: your personal/professional preferences or goals and the programs available to you. AIFS Abroad offers international internships in Latin America in the following two exciting locations:
Both program destinations provide interns with access to unique markets and professional experience—on top of the chance to build a robust professional network and an impressive resume. When deciding which location to choose, consider the local industries and how they align with your professional interests. For example, if you are pursuing a career in the health sciences, sustainability, or environmental studies, San José is an ideal option. On the other hand, if you’re interested in journalism and media, fashion, technology, or logistics, Buenos Aires may be a better fit.
Keep in mind that both destinations offer valuable professional opportunities across a wide range of industries, and whichever Latin American country is best for your international internship may also be affected by your personal and/or cultural preferences.
Additionally, you should look at specific programs within your desired country to ensure that you can find one that is available and works with your schedule, requirements, and offers enough resources to help you feel supported while you’re abroad.
To find the best international internship program for you, start your search by either filtering for your favorite country or professional interest using our Program Finder tool.
Need assistance deciding where to intern abroad in Latin America? Connect with our team!
When Can I Intern Abroad in Latin America?
With AIFS Abroad, you can intern abroad in Latin America during the spring semester, fall semester, and summer. Our varied semester and summer term options allow you to intern abroad based on your schedule and preferences.
If you’re currently enrolled in college, speak with your academic advisor to discuss which term best suits your schedule. Also, keep in mind that internship program options in Latin America can vary based on term and academic year.
Need help deciding when to intern abroad in Latin America? Connect with our team!
What are the Benefits of Interning Abroad in Latin America?
There are many benefits to interning abroad in Latin America, including:
- Boost your resume: An internship always looks great on a resume—and an international internship looks even better. With an international internship in Latin America, you can gain experience in a city or country that’s renowned for your area of interest. Plus, you can show future employers that you have cross-cultural communication skills, an impressive addition to any resume.
- Build a global network: When you intern abroad, you’ll have the chance to meet people from all over the world and build a global network that can help set you up for future success. Who knows what doors your internship abroad will open for you!
- Gain access to specialized industries: Some career fields are highly specialized and may not be offered in every city or country. Also, internships may look much better on your resume if you’re in a specific country that’s best known for the industry. For example, Costa Rica is recognized worldwide for its superb healthcare system, making it an excellent place for an internship in public/global health.
- Unique cultural experiences: Latin America offers one-of-a-kind cultural experiences you can’t get anywhere else in the world. Each country offers its own distinct cultures, traditions, and belief systems that can lend a unique perspective to your global learning and personal growth.
- New professional perspectives: When you intern abroad in Latin America, you’ll gain exposure to the locals’ perspectives on the industry your internship is in, in addition to a unique work culture, operational strategies, and methodologies.
- Travel Latin America: Outside of your internship, you can use your free time to travel throughout the region—explore your host country more thoroughly or visit other Latin American countries. Additionally, AIFS Abroad programs include activities and excursions to help you explore your program destination and deepen your cultural learning.
- Learn or practice Spanish (optional): Although language proficiency is not required for many internship programs, many students and young professionals choose to intern abroad in Spanish-speaking countries in Latin America in order to practice their Spanish. You can spend time speaking to locals, co-workers, or making friends, all while building your language proficiency.
Plus, adding Spanish proficiency to your resume is another great way to stand out to future employers and increase the professional opportunities available to you in the future.
Hear William, a former AIFS Abroad participant who did a Media Production internship in San José, describe the impact of his experience abroad on his personal and professional future:
“Coming to Costa Rica, I have been able to experience a different level of interaction and a unique perspective of what work life is like. I also learned that professionalism wears many different hats and that is something that I will take with me wherever I end up. I believe that this experience has also made me become more adaptable to new cultures, which I feel will help me in the long run in both a personal and professional setting.
Build a strong resume abroad! Explore AIFS Abroad’s incredible intern abroad programs in Latin America.
Eager to make a splash when you enter the job market? Nothing quite makes a job candidate stand out like an impressive international internship. AIFS Abroad offers full-time internships in Latin America, in addition to several Study + Internship programs for students who don’t want to choose between a study abroad and an intern abroad program. With inclusions such as housing, integrated career readiness programming, guaranteed internship placement, trips and cultural activities, comprehensive insurance, 24/7 emergency support, and on-site staff, you can enjoy a stress-free intern abroad experience with AIFS Abroad!