Global Internships
University of Waikato students can build career-ready skills with global internships in Asia, Europe, the United Kingdom, North America, and the Pacific.
What is a Global Internship?
Global internships combine professional learning with cultural immersion, helping you to build global awareness, expand your networks, and develop the adaptability needed to thrive in an increasingly interconnected world.
Internships range from one to three months and have rolling start dates, so you can start anytime. For most students, the best time is over C Trimester.
Why intern abroad?
With a global internship, you'll build valuable job skills, such as language proficiency, cultural awareness, adaptability, and intercultural communication. The technical and human skills you build on a global internship are highly sought-after by employers, wherever your career takes you after graduation.
University of Waikato students can access paid and unpaid international internships through our partners: CRCC Asia, Intern Abroad HQ, The Intern Group, and Think Pacific. Internships are available in a wide range of sectors, including business, STEM, the arts, sport, and more. You can spend one to three months interning in major global cities such as Tokyo, Shanghai, London, Barcelona, or New York; working with communities in Fiji, Bali, or Thailand; or experience the world from home with a remote internship.
Costs and funding
When you do a global internship, you pay a programme fee directly to the internship provider rather than tuition fees to Waikato. Fees vary depending on the provider, location, and length of the programme. Visit your chosen provider's website for specific costs:
As a University of Waikato student, you may be eligible for a partnership discount or a Global Experiences Travel Award. If you are receiving academic credit for your internship, you may also be able to use StudyLink towards the cost. Visit our StudyLink, Scholarships, and Fundraising page to learn more about funding your global internship.
Academic credit
Our global internships are currently non-credit-bearing. If you'd like to arrange credit for your internship, get in touch with your division directly, as credit is assessed on a case-by-case basis. If credit is approved, you will likely need to enrol in a Work-Integrated Learning paper, which carries an additional paper fee payable to Waikato on top of your internship programme fee.
If you are receiving credit for your internship, you may be eligible for StudyLink support, including help with paper costs, student allowance, or living costs. Visit the StudyLink website to find out what you may be entitled to.
Discover global internship opportunities
How to apply
Check out our step-by-step guide to get started with your application.
More information
Frequently asked questions
A global internship combines professional work experience with cultural immersion. You'll build global awareness, expand your professional networks, and develop the adaptability and intercultural skills that employers value, all while gaining real-world experience in an international setting.
Our global internships are currently non-credit-bearing. However, credit can be arranged on a case-by-case basis; you will need to contact your division to discuss your options. If credit is approved, you will likely need to enrol in a Work-Integrated Learning paper, which carries an additional paper fee payable to Waikato on top of your internship programme fee.
You pay a programme fee directly to your internship provider, which varies depending on the provider, location, and length of your internship. As a University of Waikato student, you'll receive a partnership discount. Visit your chosen provider's website for specific costs, and check our StudyLink, Scholarships, and Fundraising page for information on funding support available to you.
If you are receiving academic credit for your internship, you may be eligible for StudyLink support, including help with tuition, student allowance, or living costs. Visit the StudyLink website to find out what you may be entitled to.
Internships run for one to three months and have rolling start dates, so you can begin at any time of year. For most students, C Trimester is the most convenient time to complete an internship.
Not necessarily. Many internships are available in English-speaking environments, and remote internships are also an option. That said, if you're interning in a non-English-speaking country, some language ability may be helpful or required depending on your role and provider. Check with your chosen provider for their specific requirements.