INTERNSHIPS IN AFRICA

The opportunities are greatly varied. Apart from the fact that the causes you can join as an intern are very diverse (anything from human rights and gender equality to reforestation and marine conservation), the roles you can take within these organizations are also wide-ranging. This means that no matter what you’re studying and what your career goals are, we’re likely to have an internship opportunity for you that suits your skills, matches your passions, and meets your learning requirements.

The focus areas of our internships in Africa include – but aren’t limited to – field research, digital marketing, communications and content writing, business development, monitoring and evaluation, and NGO management. Job descriptions are often flexible, so do reach out to us if you have any specific research ideas or requirements from your university.

Obviously the details of what you’ll learn during your internship depends on the specific role you take on. But what you can expect from all our internships is a rich work experience; one where you’ll get plenty of responsibilities and a lot of opportunity to challenge yourself in the best possible way. Interning with an NGO will be a great add to your resume no matter if you’re getting started in your career or if you’re looking for a career shift that aligns more with your passions.  As an intern with us, you’ll join a small and passionate team of people who will value your impact and help you grow both professionally and personally.

An internship in Africa can equip you with valuable skills sought after by employers anywhere! You’ll develop adaptability, intercultural communication, and problem-solving skills in a dynamic environment abroad. This international experience is a great resume booster since you’ll be exposed to different perspectives in your field of interest allowing you to gain hands-on experience and deepen your skills even further. This exposure can lead to a more impactful career as well as help you discover new areas of interest. There’s plenty more benefits of embarking on an internship in Africa, and you can read our blog post on how internships can help in your future career.

Africa is a vast continent with a wide panorama of cultures and experiences. You can rest assured that we have carefully selected our internship partners and accommodation options. We work to ensure that you’ll be traveling to a safe and comfortable environment to thrive in during your internship.

Just like visiting any new place, it is always important to take safety precautions. When exploring other surrounding areas outside of where your internship is based, we always recommend adventuring in groups, not carrying huge amounts of cash,  and not wearing flashy accessories. Before you travel, we’ll send you pre-departure information with necessary guidelines along with tips and tricks to help you prepare for your time abroad.

We’ll help you find and book the right accommodation! Each destination offers different options, which can include shared apartments or houses, guest lodges, student accommodation, and homestays. Some (more rural) internship destinations only offer one option, whereas others offer a range for you to choose from. Either way, we’ll make sure that you’ll have safe, comfortable, and affordable accommodation that has easy access to the organization you’ll be joining.

​​Yes, as long as your university allows it. Plenty of our interns receive credits or fulfill course requirements with our internships, and we’ll always be happy to handle any paperwork required on our side. If the internship isn’t eligible for credit at your institution, we can assist you with purchasing transfer credits. Just get in touch to find out more!

We offer internships in nine different African countries; South Africa, Malawi, Zambia, Zimbabwe, Uganda, Kenya, Tanzania, Mozambique, and Ghana. Our destinations offer an incredible range of settings; you can be based in a vibrant and cosmopolitan city, in a rural community, surrounded by elephants and lions in the bush, or surrounded by white sandy beaches. Wherever you choose to go, you’re in for an exciting adventure a truly unique immersion into a new culture.

Should you be looking for an international internship experience, but traveling to Africa isn’t an option for you at the moment, check out our remote internship opportunities! We’re delighted to offer a range of internships as online options. You can join an Africa-based organization that is creating impact in their local areas, and you’ll still get to be part of their mission – just from the comfort of your own home. It’s a low-cost, environmentally-friendly way of gaining valuable international work experience while doing purposeful work.

All our internships in Africa are with charities and social enterprises dedicated to social impact, environmental development, or wildlife conservation. As a nonprofit intern, your work will contribute to these goals, and make a tangible impact on the ground. But apart from the impact you’ll make, there are other benefits to doing a nonprofit internship in Africa; you’ll have a lot of responsibility, you’ll be able to develop a variety of skills, and it will certainly make your resume stand out. Read more about the benefits of interning with a nonprofit.

We offer internship opportunities with over 25 nonprofits based in Africa; all purpose-driven, grassroots organizations. Their causes include education, poverty reduction, public health, food security, environmental sustainability, animal welfare, gender equality, and human rights. We always encourage interns to join causes they feel particularly passionate about, as this will add a rewarding dimension to the work experience.

If you’re ready to apply for an internship in Africa, fill out the application form on our site. It’s not a problem if you’re interested in various internships, or you’re not sure which one would suit you best. We’re here to help you figure it out! Feel free to send us an email internship@rootsinterns.com and we’ll answer any questions you may have before applying.