What are the Best Internships in Europe?
When it comes to internships in Europe, there are plenty to choose from! There’s internships with big corporate companies, multinationals, small businesses, and NGOs. No matter the reason you choose to participate in an internship, it’s a great opportunity to enhance your skills, level up your career, and potentially travel to explore a new country. One of the most popular destinations for internships is in Europe, and we’ve already covered which are the best destinations in Europe to intern in. Now, if you’re looking for a meaningful internship and looking to travel around Europe, we’ve compiled a list of the 5 best NGO internships in Europe for you to check out.
1. Reforestation and Biodiversity Internship in Portugal
This opportunity is perfect for those who are passionate about everything green: biodiversity, environmental science, and the many sectors of conservation. As part of a reforestation initiative in the countryside outside Lisbon, interns will help transform a designated area into a flourishing ecosystem blossomed with native flora, fauna, and diverse animal species, such as chinchillas, turtle doves, turkeys, and many more.
You’ll lead efforts to monitor and enhance the forest and formulate strategies to attract and support native wildlife. Hands-on work will include wildlife and plant surveys to deepen local biodiversity knowledge and conduct impactful research. Your findings could even shine in the organization’s communications and television program, showcasing the transformative power of nature conservation.
2. Communications Internship in Europe
Step into a dynamic marketing internship that empowers individuals to refine their skills across diverse communication fields. Woven into the vibrant tapestry of Europe, this marketing internship will allow you to hone your skills across areas of communication. By collaborating with an NGO project, you’ll be able to gain hands-on experience in creative writing, social media, PR, content creation, video editing, and design, adapting to the dynamic needs of the organization you’ll support.
As a communications intern, you’ll craft strategies that resonate with audiences, create content that inspires, and engage in impactful community outreach efforts. Beyond professional growth, this opportunity allows you to leave a lasting impact on grassroots initiatives while immersing yourself in the rich cultural threads of an international environment.
3. Veterinary Internship in Europe
Embark on an enriching veterinary internship that merges clinical practice with a passion for animal welfare. With multiple opportunities around Europe, this experience allows animal lovers to work alongside an NGO, caring for abandoned and mistreated animals, while sharpening skills in areas like surgical assistance and case monitoring. You’ll gain hands-on experience in real-world settings, making a tangible difference in the lives of vulnerable animals.
Beyond the clinic, this Vet Internship immerses you in a vibrant new city, blending professional growth with personal discovery. It’s a chance to expand your expertise, enhance your resume, and contribute meaningfully to the health and well-being of local street animals.
4. Environmental Education in Portugal
This internship is a fantastic chance to sharpen your curriculum development skills while engaging in conservation efforts. You’ll design engaging lesson plans and educational materials in both English and Portuguese, fostering connections with local schools and the community. With access to a rich media library of films and images, your creativity will shine as you craft impactful resources that inspire learning and engagement.
Your efforts will pave the way for future educational initiatives, fostering meaningful school outreach and leaving a lasting impact. This Environmental Education Internship offers a unique chance to combine innovation and communication in creating impactful programs to educate the future of sustainable leaders.
5. Custom-Build Internship in Europe
Design your dream nonprofit internship with this Custom-Build Internship in Europe, where you can craft an experience that is tailored to your passions and academic focus. Whether your heart lies in education, conservation, public health, or another field, this flexible program empowers you to design a project that aligns with your professional vision.
Working alongside seasoned professionals, you’ll co-create a personalized internship that offers immersive, hands-on experience, even if it’s outside the traditional framework. The more unique the better!
This Customized Internship in Europe provides an exciting opportunity to gain real-world experience while contributing to community or conservation efforts. By the end of your internship, you’ll not only have deepened your expertise but also made a sustainable impact in the field of your choice.
Check out all of our internship abroad destinations
How to Find an Internship in Europe
Once you’ve decided that your dream internship is in Europe, the next step is to actually find one! Here are 4 easy steps to land your dream internship.
1. Define Your Goals
Before actually applying, ask yourself what you want to accomplish in your internship. Are you looking for a more demanding internship where you can apply your existing skills or do you want to focus more on learning new skills and making an impact? If you have to complete an internship for school, do they accept any kind of internship or do they have special requirements? Consider if you want to make your internship international, and if so, what continent/country spikes your interest? We know it’s a lot to think about, but asking yourself the right questions will reduce the pool of internships, and bring out the most relevant ones to your attention. Once you have defined the reasons behind your internship, you can begin the next task in searching for internship opportunities.
2. Research for Internships
Once you’re clear on what you want to achieve during your internship in Europe, you need to find an internship that aligns with your goals. During this research phase, you’ll need to find out other useful information like if the internship offers accommodation or if you’ll be responsible for self-arranging your housing. Will meals be included, how far is the daily transport to the project site, what is the minimum duration, etc? It’s best to start your search early as some internships have strict deadlines and can fill up quickly. Even though it’s beneficial to start your search well in advance, there’s always certain internships that have more flexible start and end dates.
Now where to look for the best internships in Europe? Beyond your typical Google search, you can check out your university’s resources, chat to friends and family, or reach out to organizations that are dedicated to finding you the ideal internship (aka Roots!). As you’ve already found us, you’re at the perfect place to start your internship search and we’re here to help you narrow down the best placement for your learning goals.
Reach out for assistance in narrowing down the best internship in Europe for you
3. Prepare your Application
After finding the internships that you’re interested in, before submitting your application you’ll want to pay attention to what those organizations are looking for in an intern. For example, if they’re looking for a candidate that needs to have obtained a degree, and you’re still in school, it may not be the right match. Meeting the qualifications that they are looking for will increase your chances of being accepted for the internship abroad. Therefore, while preparing your resume or CV add relevant skills that would be useful in the specific internship you’re applying for. On the other hand, don’t worry if you don’t have every single one of the skills. As long as you meet the essential requirements like studying towards a specific degree or speaking a specific language, we encourage you to apply! We’ll then help you highlight the skills and background experience that will help you stand out as a candidate for the specific internship.
4. Apply, Apply, Apply
Get ready, set, go! After all the research is done, you’re ready to apply to the global internships you’ve been looking for. Now, you might have your eye out for one in particular, but it’s always best to apply to more than one. Keep an open mind when applying for internships in Europe, even if the listing doesn’t match 100% what you’re looking for, it might end up surprising you by teaching you new skills!
Apply today for an internship in Europe
Getting an NGO Internship in Europe
Searching for the perfect internship anywhere in the world can be an overwhelming process, so take out the hard work out of the equation and get in touch with our team to assist you in this process!
At Roots, we match your interests and needs with a meaningful organization that will help you reach your specific leaning goals. If you’re set on exploring Europe and making an impact, we offer numerous internships in Europe with NGOs, nonprofits, and startups. If you have any doubts about our application process, get in touch and we’re happy to help you in your journey!
Enquire now about internship opportunities in Europe
Blog written by Adelis L. Álvarez & Cheyenne Conradie
