How to Afford an Unpaid Internship

They say internships are the key to getting your foot in the door of your dream job or even opening up locked doors to new opportunities. But is it really worth sacrificing paid work for an unpaid internship? The truth is, most times, internships actually are all they’re hyped up to be. In a competitive, fast-paced world, internships serve as the stepping stone most people need in order to take leaps and strides forward in their fields. The biggest obstacle is figuring out how to afford an unpaid internship.

The reality is unpaid internships definitely pay off in the long run, even if it feels like you’re taking a slower start, and there are ways to navigate the financial aspect so it’s realistic for you. You don’t have to skip out on an internship just because there’s no financial gain – here’s how to afford an unpaid internship and step into your dream career path.

Is paying for an internship worth it?

Internships can be daunting with their costs, but the rewards often make it worthwhile!

You sit at your laptop and begin researching internship opportunities, and it hits you. Not only are most internships unpaid, but there are some out there that you have to pay for, too. You think to yourself, it would just be easier to get a paid job than give up your precious time (and money) for unpaid work experience. Life is expensive, after all, and you’re already navigating your rent, groceries, utilities, tuition, and textbooks – paying for an internship on top of it all probably doesn’t sound like the best next step.

You wonder if you have to pay for an internship? The answer is no and yes. There are many internship opportunities out there that you don’t have to pay for; however, most internships abroad have a cost. Is paying for an internship worth it? It can be. You’re paying for support, navigation of the visa process and travel arrangements, accommodation, and internship placement. They take the hard work and do it for you so you can sit back and relax.

For some, it might not sound like the best option, but the pros always outweigh the cons. An international internship looks extra impressive on your resume, offers international networking opportunities, can often be traded for college credit, and allows you to come home with the ability to land higher paying jobs, or you may even land international paid work experience. Sometimes, the best things in life have a price tag, but paying for an internship might just be exactly what you need to set you on the right path.

8 Factors to include in your internship budget

If you’re considering paying for an internship abroad, the first place to start is with your budget. Create an internship budget that considers all of your expenses, not just the program fee. After all, every program is different and covers different aspects of your experience abroad. You’ll want to make sure you have funds to cover it all so you can have the best experience possible.

Creating a budget is essential! Make sure to factor in all expenses for a hassle-free experience.

Here are the main things to include in your internship budget:

1. Internship program cost. International internships require a program fee. Before you apply, consider what they are covering for you – is it just internship placement, or does it cover accommodation, utilities, or any other living expenses? The more they include, the better.
2. Accommodation. While some internships abroad will organize your accommodation for you, some may have a more affordable program fee without covering accommodation. If you have to find your own accommodation, consider the cost of living and average rental costs for your destination country, as this can vary drastically from place to place and may look different from what you pay for accommodation at home.
3. Flights. Book your flights early to save. If you’re a student, consider budget airlines or student airlines that can save you a bit on your travel expenses.
4. Travel documents. If you’re interning abroad, make sure your passport is up-to-date and valid for at least six months past your travel dates. If you don’t have a passport or need to renew it, you’ll need to budget up to $200 for a new passport or $150 to have it replaced. Many countries also require a visa. Enquire with your program about the visa type and cost, and make sure you apply with plenty of time before you go.
5. Travel insurance. Travel insurance may be compulsory depending on your program. Either way, you’ll want it, especially for longer trips. Afterall, you never know what can happen while you’re traveling abroad.
6. Basic living expenses. A big part of your internship budget will be your on-the-ground costs once you arrive. Consider any utilities that aren’t covered by your program, as well as groceries, internet, phone plans or SIM cards, and public transportation costs for getting to and from your internship each day. These costs vary from country to country, so do your research and chat to your program advisor for advice.
7. Tuition. If you’re still a student, you may have tuition fees to consider while you’re abroad. Don’t forget to factor this in when planning your internship experience.
8. Fun. It can be easy to skimp out on the fun when doing an unpaid internship, but if you’re traveling abroad, you’ll want some extra spending money for that delicious cappuccino on your way to the office or for a weekend excursion to knock off some of your top bucket list items. Your “fun” budget can vary from country to country and depending on what you would like to sprinkle into your time abroad – over budget for this so you don’t miss out.

5 Tips to Affording an Unpaid Internship

Cut back on non-essentials.

If you want to make that unpaid internship abroad a reality, there are plenty of ways for you to save money, make money, and stretch money – both before you go and while you’re interning without pay. Here are GoAbroad’s top tips for how to afford an unpaid internship and make your money last:

1. Move home.

Housing is one of the biggest living expenses when it comes to budgeting. If you can save money on accommodation, it may actually give you the freedom you need to do the unpaid internship of your dreams. Whether it’s before you depart for an internship abroad, or while you work an unpaid internship close to home, consider moving home. If you have family you can live rent-free with, do it. And if you can’t, consider finding roommates to help cut down both the rent and utilities costs to make life a little more affordable for you.

2. Get a part-time job.

One of the silver linings of unpaid internships is that many are offered as part-time opportunities, leaving you room in your schedule to do something else on the side. You might decide to get paid work before your internship to save up money or get a part-time job while also interning part-time so you can get the best of both worlds. Depending on the job and internship, you may even find two that align – it’s not unheard of for a current workplace to create an internship opportunity so you can gain further experience while also getting paid for your current work.

The most important thing to consider if navigating this option is balancing your time in a way that conserves your energy. The worst thing you can do is overload yourself, burn out, and not make the most of your unpaid internship.

3. Get a remote internship.

With so much of the world going digital, one of the perks is more opportunities to work remotely. That goes for internships, too! If you’re struggling with your internship budget, consider looking for a remote internship that allows you to gain valuable experience from the comfort of your home. With a remote internship, you’ll save money on transportation costs, lunches out, and you may even have the option of staying with family or roommates to cut your living expenses down – all while you continue to upskill, tap into networking opportunities, and gain experience that looks amazing on a resume.

4. Apply for a scholarship.

Not everyone realizes there are plenty of scholarships out there that can make it possible for students to intern abroad, even if they’re short on money. Speak to your career counselor to learn about what scholarships are available to you, whether they’re through your university or the local government. They can even help you write essays that will stand out and navigate scholarship databases online so you know exactly what’s available to you.

5. Fundraise, fundraise, fundraise!

Looking for funding for your dream internship? Crowdfunding could be your ticket to making it happen!

Still, have trouble finding the funds to cover the program fees and living expenses of an unpaid internship? Why not fundraise! FundMyTravel was created exactly for this reason – to help people who want to travel abroad meaningfully but find cost as their biggest barrier. With FundMyTravel, you can set up a campaign page for free and raise money for your internship abroad. Reach out to friends, family, and get creative with your fundraising tactics, and you’ll be surprised at how many people out there may want to make this happen for you.

Budgeting for an unpaid internship is tough, but it can pay off in dividends

So often, we go for instant gratification, choosing the paid work because it feels more comfortable right now and saying “no” to the work opportunities that will actually give us more in the long run. Don’t be that person! Unpaid internships can definitely feel tough to budget for, but with the skills you’ll gain, the networking opportunities you’ll access, and the shiny new item on your resume will take you farther than if you settle for instant gratification now. If you can make an unpaid internship work, you absolutely won’t regret it when doors start to open all around you.