An internship that makes a difference
(your journey here)
Intern Abroad
All internships are designed to enhance skills and provide valuable work experience. An internship abroad with United Planet also builds character, provides a sense of fulfillment, and makes a meaningful difference in our world. When you do an internship with United Planet, you will return with skills, hands-on experience and a profoundly changed perspective. It’s something you just won’t find elsewhere.
Our internships are authentic, immersive experiences that expose you to a world you haven’t seen before. But you are not completely alone: United Planet provides 24/7 support during your stay. And each internship is designed specifically for the individual. Learn, work, teach, discover … and grow.
United Planet also offers virtual internships (1 to 6 months) in over 20+ countries. Learn more about the virtual internship countries and projects available.
Project Options
Children and Education
Work with community members in classrooms, after school programs, daycares, childcare centers, women’s shelters, and more while immersing yourself completely in the local culture of your host community.
Global Health
Work and learn alongside community health professionals in general medicine, nursing, dentistry, physical therapy, psychiatry, and other areas while gaining real insight into shared healthcare challenges around the globe.
Environmental Sustainability
Live and work in conservation areas, contribute to construction projects, care for wildlife, and collaborate with local professionals to provide environmental education to surrounding communities.
Your Internship
- A personalized internship project placement based on your learning goals and objectives.
- Dedicated support from a Program Coordinator in the Boston office who will assist you throughout the internship placement.
- An experienced Site Supervisor at your host project who will meet with you to assign projects and tasks, support your learning objectives, and provide feedback through check-ins and evaluations.
- An official Letter of Reference and Certificate of Completion from United Planet.
- Assistance filling out and submitting any necessary forms for you to receive university course credit for your internship (if desired).
- Intern placements must be a minimum of 4 weeks
- Interns must submit their learning objectives and goals ahead of their program start date, to be reviewed with their Program Coordinator and Site Supervisor
- Interns must complete a final evaluation of their internship experience
- Interns must complete a final reflection assignment, addressing successes, challenges, and how their learning goals were met
- Interns must attend United Planet’s 5 Pillars of Global Citizen Leadership virtual training seminars
Internship University Course Credit
Interns may receive university course credit for their online or in-person internship with United Planet through our School of Record, Portland State University. Interns must verify with their home university program whether credits will be accepted and are responsible for transfer paperwork and procedures. Interns will be enrolled at PSU to receive the university course credit from United Planet and Portland State University.
INTL (404) Internship Credit Details:
- 1 quarter credit hour for every 40 hours devoted to the internship placement
- 1 quarter credit hour for successful completion of all mandatory coursework outlined in the course syllabus
- Students are eligible to receive between 2 and 12 quarter credit hours per term, depending on their weekly time commitment and internship duration
- Students must be enrolled with PSU at least 30 days prior to the start of their desired program term
Pricing
The cost to receive university course credit through Portland State University as a School of Record is $895. This cost is per student, not per credit. The cost of the course credit is in addition to the United Planet Program Fee. Interns will be invoiced accordingly.
About Our Quest Fee
We want you to succeed. That means having in place the support our volunteers need. We don’t just drop you in country and hope for the best. We provide training before you leave … language exposure … 24/7 in-country support … support for your host family … accommodations, meals and airport transportation … activities and excursions. The whole idea is to make the experience successful and productive for you and the host community, and we have found that these things are crucial. Remember that we are a non-profit, mission-driven organization – we wouldn’t spend money on something that wasn’t important.
*Payment Plan Details: A $300 deposit is due at the time of your enrollment to lock in your spot in our program. After your confirmation in a program, you can choose to pay the Quest Fee all at once or in installments. The total Quest Fee is due 4 weeks before your departure date.
Quick FAQs
Yes! High School students are invited to receive the course credit as they prepare for their own university experience.
Your internship placement does not need to match the term schedule. When you complete your internship placement, you will receive a final grade and transcript for the term that is in progress when you finish the program. Please plan accordingly if you need to receive course credit during a specific academic term.
Semester course credits will be calculated by dividing the amount of quarter credits you receive by 1.5. For example, if you receive 3 quarter credits, this translates to 2-semester credits.
Interns will need to complete: a form outlining learning objectives, a form outlining goals and expectations for their internship, mid and final evaluations with their site supervisor, a final reflection, a final presentation, and interns must attend United Planet’s 5 Pillars of Global Citizenship session held every other week over Zoom.
Yes, the university course credit can be applied to a virtual or an in-person internship.
Alumni Testimonial
Working with Dr. Cress was super informative and transformative. The supplemental readings that she assigned helped facilitated further engagement with and approach to my community since it helped shape the way I interacted with the community. Her and the readings really pushed me to think about my motives for international service and how both the host community and I can get the most from the cultural exchange and interaction. They also showed me how to be understanding and empathetic with the host community and their lived experiences. I highly recommend taking this course if you want to engage more with the host community in a meaningful way while taking a new approach/learning a new perspective on service.
Michelle, United Planet volunteer
How to Get Started
Have questions? We’re here for you. We’d love to help.