15 Top Paid Internships Abroad for High School Students 2026

Paid Internships Abroad for High School Students 2026

Gaining international work experience while still in high school is a powerful resume builder. In 2026, students seeking paid internships abroad should understand the landscape: many organizations offer fee-based placement services or unpaid opportunities, but several reputable programs and networks can arrange paid or stipended placements, short paid projects, and micro-internships overseas. This guide lists 15 trusted options that either regularly provide paid/stipended placements or can connect motivated high-school students to paid international opportunities. Each listing includes an official link, a description, eligibility notes, payment status, typical location(s), and common application timelines.

Quick note on payment and program types

Paid internship models for high school students fall into three main types:

• Employer-funded paid internships: Employers pay students a wage or stipend directly — uncommon but exist through certain labs, research centers, or corporate youth programs.
• Stipended placements: Programs provide modest stipends to cover living costs; the placement may be partially subsidized.
• Fee-based placements (student pays): Organizations place students with host companies or NGOs but charge program fees for placement, support, housing, and activities.

Be realistic: many high school “internships abroad” are fee-based or unpaid; however, options for paid placements and stipends do exist, and specialized networks can help find them.

15 Paid / Stipended Internship Opportunities & Pathways (2026)

1. 1. IAESTE — Paid Technical Internships (Global)

   Official link: https://iaeste.org

   Description: IAESTE arranges paid, practical internships in STEM and technical fields across 100+ countries. While IAESTE is traditionally university-focused, some national committees facilitate shorter technical placements suitable for older secondary students or recent grads in technical tracks. IAESTE placements include wage support and host-country assistance.

   Requirements: Varies by country; generally strong STEM background and enrollment in a technical program. Check your national IAESTE committee for specific age/eligibility rules.

   Payment: Paid — IAESTE reports wages that typically cover living costs in the host country.

   Location: Worldwide (STEM hubs in Europe, Asia, Australia, Latin America).

   Timeline: National committee application windows vary — start your search 4–6 months before intended travel.

2. 2. The Intern Group — Paid & Supported Internships Abroad (select placements)

   Official link: https://theinterngroup.com

   Description: The Intern Group places students and recent school leavers in internships across Europe, Asia, Africa, and Latin America. While many placements are fee-based, some partner companies offer paid roles or stipends — particularly in business, tech, and hospitality sectors.

   Requirements: High school graduates or gap-year students; some programs accept upper-secondary students with parental consent.

   Payment: Mixed — some host companies pay stipends or hourly wages; program options and paid availability are listed per placement.

   Location: Cities like Barcelona, Dublin, Bangkok, Cape Town.

   Timeline: Applications for summer cohorts open in fall/winter.

3. 3. Intern Abroad HQ — Internship Placements with Paid Options

   Official link: https://www.internhq.com

   Description: Intern Abroad HQ lists structured internships in fields from health sciences to environmental engineering. Many programs are fee-based placements with housing and support, while selected host organizations provide paid stipends for project roles.

   Requirements: Varies by program and host — older high school students and gap-year participants are often eligible.

   Payment: Mixed — review individual placement pages for stipend or wage details.

   Location: Popular countries: South Africa, Costa Rica, Spain, Thailand.

   Timeline: Rolling applications for summer/semester sessions.

4. 4. CIEE — Global Internships (Summer & Semester)

   Official link: https://www.ciee.org

   Description: CIEE operates structured international internships with strong institutional support. Their internships emphasize professional placements; some host companies provide stipends or hourly pay, though many CIEE internships are credit/placement focused (student pays program fee).

   Requirements: Age/eligibility vary by program; CIEE traditionally works with university students but offers some pre-college/summer programs that accept gap-year students.

   Payment: Mostly fee-based placement; paid host opportunities occur but are less common. Verify payment details on each internship posting.

   Location: 30+ cities globally (Madrid, Santiago, Sydney, Dublin).

   Timeline: Application windows open in fall/winter for summer placements.

5. 5. AIFS / AIFS Abroad — Internships with Paid Host Opportunities

   Official link: https://www.aifsabroad.com/internships/

   Description: AIFS places interns in marketing, communications, hospitality, and nonprofit sectors worldwide. Some host organizations offer paid placements, especially in hospitality/tourism internships.

   Requirements: Typically for older secondary students, gap-year participants, and college-age interns (confirm eligibility for high-school age applicants).

   Payment: Mixed — many placements are program-fee based; some host companies compensate interns.

   Location: San José (Costa Rica), European capitals, Latin America.

   Timeline: Summer program deadlines vary; apply by spring.

6. 6. AIESEC Global Talent — International Internships (Young Leaders)

   Official link: https://aiesec.org/global-talent

   Description: AIESEC connects youth to internships and volunteer placements worldwide. Global Talent includes internships that sometimes include stipends, particularly in teaching, community development, and startup placements.

   Requirements: Generally university-age, but some national chapters allow gap-year or older secondary school leavers; check your local AIESEC chapter.

   Payment: Some paid or stipended roles; many positions include support for accommodation and living costs.

   Location: Wide global coverage (Asia, Africa, Europe, Americas).

   Timeline: Rolling — search your national AIESEC portal for current paid internships.

7. 7. Global Leadership Adventures (GLA) — Travel Internships (Some stipended partners)

   Official link: https://experiencegla.com/internships/

   Description: GLA runs short-term international internship programs for ages 14–18 focused on conservation, public health, and community development. While most programs require a program fee, GLA’s partnerships can sometimes secure stipends or local compensation for specific host projects.

   Requirements: Ages 14–18; selection depends on program and partner requirements.

   Payment: Usually fee-based; some partner sites may offer small stipends for project work — confirm per country.

   Location: Costa Rica, Peru, Thailand, others.

   Timeline: Apply early (space limited); summer cohorts fill quickly.

8. 8. GoAbroad & Partner Marketplaces — Paid Internship Listings

   Official link: https://www.goabroad.com/intern-abroad

   Description: Aggregators like GoAbroad list both paid and unpaid internships; use their filters to find paid placements and host companies that pay stipends for shorter high-school-age internships.

   Requirements: Varies by posting.

   Payment: Mixed — the site clarifies paid/unpaid per listing. GoAbroad explicitly notes that paid internships exist but are less common.

   Location: Worldwide.

   Timeline: Continuous updates — search early and often.

9. 9. Projects & Micro-internships — Short Paid Projects with NGOs and Startups

   Where to find: Micro-internship platforms, NGO fellowship pages, and university partner programs. Examples: local NGO summer research assistant roles, startup pilot projects, and short paid field-research assistant roles.

   Description: Short-term, task-based paid projects (1–6 weeks) with NGOs or startups that operate abroad; excellent for high-school students seeking compact paid experience.

   Requirements: Vary; often flexible for motivated teens.

   Payment: Small stipends or hourly pay. Micro-internships are often posted year-round on job boards.

   Location: Global; may involve remote prep with a short overseas field component.

   Timeline: Rolling — monitor micro-internship marketplaces and NGO calls for youth researchers.

10. 10. Internship Placement Agencies (Select Paid Host Matches)

    Examples: The Intern Group, Intern Abroad HQ, and boutique local agencies can sometimes identify host companies that pay interns (especially in hospitality, tourism, and tech).

    Description: These agencies arrange placement, housing, and local support; inquire specifically about paid host companies when you apply.

    Requirements: Varies by agency and host.

    Payment: Possible stipends or hourly wages for specific hosts; most agency programs remain fee-based.

    Location: Worldwide.

    Timeline: Apply 3–6 months before travel.

11. 11. Regional Science Centers & University Summer Research — Paid Research Assistant Roles

    Description: Some universities and research centers abroad hire high-school–age interns or research aides for paid short projects (lab tech assistance, field data collection). These are often arranged through university outreach or scholarship programs.

    How to find: Contact university outreach offices, international summer research programs, or look for “high school research internship paid” in target country websites.

    Payment: Hourly pay or stipends when available; availability varies widely by institution and country.

    Timeline: Deadlines typically fall in winter/early spring for summer placements.

12. 12. Corporate Youth Programs & Foundations (Country-Specific)

    Description: Some multinational companies and foundations fund youth workforce programs that include paid internships abroad for outstanding high school candidates (usually by nomination or competitive selection).

    Examples & how to find them: Check regional corporate responsibility pages, local chambers of commerce, and foundations that support youth employment; examples change yearly per sponsor.

    Payment: Often stipends or travel grants; exceptional programs can offer full funding.

    Timeline: Sponsor-specific; monitor corporate CSR announcements.

13. 13. Hospitality & Tourism Internships — Often Paid

    Description: Hotels, resorts and cruise lines commonly hire seasonal interns and trainees overseas; these placements are among the most reliable paid options for young interns willing to work in hospitality.

    Requirements: Minimum age/visa rules apply; hospitality experience helpful.

    Payment: Wages or room-and-board plus stipend in many countries.

    Timeline: Apply in late winter/spring for summer positions.

14. 14. Teach & Tutor Abroad Programs with Paid Roles

    Description: Some programs place young tutors or English assistants in paid or stipended roles abroad (often for gap-year students). While most require a minimum age of 18, older high-school graduates may qualify.

    Payment: Small stipend or accommodation plus meal allowances.

    Timeline: Rolling; many positions open in spring for summer/academic-year placements.

15. 15. Scholarship-funded Exchange Programs with Paid Work Components

    Description: Some scholarship and exchange programs for high-achieving students include funded internships or paid work-experience blocks abroad as part of the award. These may be highly competitive but can be fully funded.

    Examples & how to apply: National scholarship foundations, bilateral exchange commissions, and merit scholarships sometimes embed internships into their awards — check national scholarship portals and embassies for calls.

    Payment: Typically fully funded, including living costs; paid components vary by award.

    Timeline: Annual application cycles — plan 6–12 months ahead.

Tips for finding genuinely paid placements abroad

1. Use aggregator filters: On sites like GoAbroad and Intern Abroad HQ use “paid” filters to narrow listings.
2. Contact host employers directly: Ask whether the host pays interns or merely lists program-fee placements.
3. Consider hospitality, tourism, and field research: These sectors are likelier to pay seasonal interns.
4. Apply early: Paid placements are competitive; begin searching 4–8 months in advance.
5. Look for stipends and living-cost coverage: A program that covers accommodation + meals can be as valuable as a small wage.

Visa, safety, and logistics

Paid overseas internships will typically require the correct visa type (work, trainee, or student placement). Programs like IAESTE offer national committee support for visas and housing. Always verify visa requirements with the host country’s consulate and the program provider.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

1. Are paid internships abroad common for high school students?

Not as common as college-level internships. Many high-school programs are fee-based or unpaid. However, paid and stipended placements exist, particularly in technical internships with IAESTE, hospitality, field research, and select corporate youth programs. Aggregators and placement agencies can help find paid roles.

2. How do I tell if an internship listing is genuinely paid?

Look for explicit language about wages or stipends on the host’s page, request the host’s payment policy, and beware listings that highlight program fees without employer pay. Use trusted aggregators and ask for references from past participants.

3. How far ahead should I apply?

Start searching 4–8 months before your target start date. For scholarship or corporate programs, begin 6–12 months ahead.

4. Will my school accept overseas internships for credit?

Some high schools and universities accept external internships for credit or recognition; confirm with your guidance counselor before committing—especially for fee-based programs.

5. Are there scholarships that cover internship program fees?

Yes. Many placement providers and national scholarship bodies offer partial or full scholarships. Contact program coordinators and search national youth scholarship portals.

Related resources

For extra guidance on remote and subject-specific internships, see our posts on Virtual STEM Internships, Paid Remote Internships, and Summer Internships Abroad for High School Students.