10 best paid summer internships international students can still apply for

internships for students
Internships can greatly boost job prospects and increase one’s chances of landing a role upon graduation. Source: Andrew Burton/Getty Images North America/Getty Images via AFP

With summer around the corner, there are plenty of paid internships for students that are perfect for a few weeks or even one to three months. 

The goal of setting up internships for students is to allow them to gain real-world working experience, build your professional network as well as learn new skills. 

In a one-year study done by ProPublica in 2012, results showed applicants who have prior internship experience are 60% more likely to be hired. 

This demonstrates that internships for students can greatly boost job prospects and increase one’s chances of landing a role upon graduation. 

While catching up on your favourite Netflix series sounds great, why not spend your summer productively looking for internships for students and getting ahead?

10 best-paid internships for students for summer 2023

1. Microsoft 

Application deadline: Open all year 

If you have ever dreamed of working at Microsoft, now is your chance to get a taster with the Microsoft Internship Programme. 

It is the one of the best internships for students that is open to international students from any educational background, including bachelor’s, masters or PhD. 

Available in the US and Canada, this paid internship provides students with the opportunity to gain skills and work on projects with a team. 

The company offers internship roles in the following areas including but not limited to:

  • Engineering (Software Engineer, Program Manager, Product Planning, Programmer Writer, Technical Writer, Services Engineering)
  • Hardware Engineering
  • UX Design
  • Supply Chain
  • Data and Applied Science
  • IT Operations
  • Finance
  • Marketing
  • Sales
  • Services (Consultant, Support Engineer, Technical Account Manager, Technical Evangelist)

Benefits include a competitive salary, travel, food and tour allowance and relocation and health expenses. 

Application is open all year. Click here to find out more.

2. UNICEF

internships for students

The UNICEF Internship Programme lasts between six and 26 weeks and there’s the option to intern between part-time and full-time basis. Source: Khalil Mazraawi/AFP

Application deadline: Open all year

If you’re looking for internships for students, the UNICEF Internship Programme is open to undergraduate, graduate, and postgraduate students.

Lasting between six and 26 weeks, students can choose to either intern on a full-time or a part-time basis.

The programme lets interns gain new skills, compete in a case competition and develop a professional network. 

A stipend, living expenses and support for visa and travel expenses are provided.

Below are the eligibility requirements: 

  • At least 18 years old.
  • Enrolled in an undergraduate, graduate or PhD programme, or have graduated within the past two years.
  • Proficient in at least one of UNICEF’s working languages: English, French or Spanish. Fluency in the working language of the office you are applying to, may also be required.
  • Have no immediate relatives (e.g., mother, father, sister, brother) working with UNICEF, or any other relatives in your reporting line of authority.
  • Have strong academic performance and motivation
  • Additional consideration will be given to any professional experience relevant to the function you’re applying for.

There is no deadline to apply for the UNICEF internship programme. Click here to learn more about it. 

3. KAUST International Internship Programme

Application deadline: Open all year 

The King Abdullah University of Science and Technology (KAUST) is an international private research institute in Saudi Arabia that offers internships for students from all around the world. 

It offers over 130 fully paid internships in the science, technology and engineering industries. Internship programmes last between three to six months. 

Undergraduate students in their third year or above as well as masters students are encouraged to apply. Applicants should also have an impressive academic record of GPA 3.5 or 4.00. 

Other than that, they should also possess a strong verbal and written English proficiency (recommended score of 79 on the TOEFL IBT (Internet Based Test) or 6.5 on the IELTS). 

Visa support, travel allowance, accommodation, health insurance, a monthly stipend, community resources and an allowance for social activities are provided.

You can apply all year. Click here to learn more. 

4. World Health Organisation (WHO)

internships for students

Students keen on working in healthcare can apply to the World Health Organisation (WHO) for one of the best paid internships. Source: Fabrice Coffrini/AFP

Application deadline: Open all year 

Want to work in healthcare? Start one of the best paid internships for students with the top international organisation in the world: the World Health Organisation (WHO).

The WHO Global Internship Programme is open to all international students who are at least 20 years old on the date of application, are either enrolled in a course at a university or have completed their programmes.

Students studying public health, medical or social fields related to the technical work of WHO, or in a management, administrative, communications, or external relations-related field, are encouraged to reply.  

You will get the chance to take on projects that will challenge you and help you grow. 

Living and food allowances as well as health and accident insurance will be given to selected candidates.

Applications are open all year. Apply for the WHO Global Internship Programme today.

5. Premier TEFL 

Application deadline: March. 31, 2023; May  30th, 2023

Interested in internships for students in Asia? Premier TEFL is perfect for you.

With Premier TEFL, you now stand a chance at scoring an internship in Thailand. Applicants can choose from over 30 locations around north, northeast and central Thailand.

Spanning over four and a half months, you can explore the country while teaching English in local primary and secondary schools.

Successful applicants will receive a monthly allowance between US$995 to US$1,125 and rent-free accommodation worth US$99.

By the end of the programme, applicants would have completed a 120-hour Advanced TEFL Certificate and gained teacher training experience that will benefit them when choosing to further their studies or apply for jobs. 

Click here to learn more.

6. CERN Short-Term Internship Programme

Application deadline: Open all year 

The CERN Short-Term Internship Programme allows students to work in Switzerland.

This is an excellent opportunity for bachelor’s and master’s students who want to work at the best and most reputable research institutes under the supervision of great researchers and professors.

The duration of the programme is between one to six months. 

This internship programme is open all year round to students worldwide. For more information, visit CERN Summer Internship.

7. Bali Internships 

 

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Application deadline: Varies according to the internship position

Bali is a place with abundant beauty, culture and adventures.

The country has so much to offer, including many internship opportunities in architecture,‌ ‌interior‌ ‌design,‌ ‌engineering,‌ ‌education,‌ ‌event‌ ‌management,‌ ‌ fashion,‌ ‌and hospitality‌. ‌

While it is against the law to pay interns in Bali, many of these programmes offer allowances to applicants. This includes free accommodation, meals, visa fees, transportation and many more.

Interns in Bali will work for seven hours during weekdays and are free to explore the beautiful city on weekends. 

Discover your Bali dream by signing up for an internship here.

8. Spotify 

Application deadline: Varies according to the internship position

Looking for exciting internships for students over summer? Spotify’s Global Summer Internship fits the bill. 

While Spotify has several programmes to pick from, their Global Summer Internship is the largest programme that is offered.

Taking place over a period of 10 to 13 weeks, candidates get to work with the business and technical teams while making an impact on the music industry.

Some of the internship positions available include Production intern, Publishing Operations intern, Product Design and Marketing. 

This programme is available in a number of their offices around the world, including the US, Europe and Asia. Explore all the available summer internships here.

9. Tesla 

internships for students

Tesla offers internships to students from all over the world. Source: Patrick T. Fallon/AFP

Application deadline: Open all year

Tesla is an automotive company specialising in accelerating the world’s transition to sustainable energy.

Aside from trying to make the world a better place, Tesla offers paid internships to students from any background, including engineering, business and design.

The company is looking for interns with the same passion for innovation and sustainability.

To be eligible for an internship here, you must have an excellent academic record, good communication skills, the ability to work in teams and a passion for learning and taking on challenging tasks.

All students, including those from abroad, can apply any time. Visit Tesla’s page to find out more.

10. OECD

Application deadline: Open all year

The OECD Internship Programme in France was designed to bring highly qualified and motivated students into the organisation.

This internship programme is open to all bachelor’s, master’s or PhD students who are currently enrolled in a full-time degree programme that is in the same field as the work done at OECD.

While the internship takes place between one to six months, there is an option for applicants to extend it by an additional six months.

Those selected will get a monthly stipend of 700 euros to cover living expenses.

You can apply for this course throughout the year, as interns are recruited on an ongoing basis.

Questions about internships for students you may have

  1. How to get a summer internship as an international student? 

Summer internships can be competitive especially if you’re an international student.

It’s also important to check your visa requirements before applying for internships to avoid unnecessary legal action taken against you.

The easiest way to do so is to check with the career centres at your respective universities for available summer internship opportunities. Or apply online through these websites.

2. Which country is best for paid internships?

Choosing a country to do an internship in depends on what your objective is.

For example, aspiring TEFL, or teaching English as a foreign language teachers can benefit greatly from the teaching programmes available in Vietnam.

If you’re interest lies in design then where else better than the capital of fashion in Italy.

3. Which country is easy to get internship?

Though getting an internship abroad seems fun and life-changing, the reality of things is it might not always be easier.

It’s one thing to figure out the kind of companies that interest you, and it’s another to find companies that are willing to sponsor your visa.

If you are on a student visa, it’s worth discussing internship opportunities with your International Student office.

4. Is it too late to get a summer internship?

While some summer internships have deadlines, there are some that don’t.

Be on a look out for companies that are hiring interns all year round.

5. How can I increase my chances of getting a summer internship?

When looking for internships for students, this is definitely a question worth asking.

The top five tips include:

  • Starting your application processes early
  • Attending networking events to put yourself out there
  • Taking advantage of career centres
  • Sprucing up your CV through volunteers
  • Being flexible.