10 Best Virtual Internship Programs

Even though countries around the world are beginning to open up to travel a virtual internship may still be your best bet to gain professional experience, build a network of contacts in your field, and learn some new skills -- without the confusion of travel restrictions and conditions. While there are definitely both pros and cons to doing an internship online, one of the biggest advantages is that you can have an internship anywhere in the world, and never even have to leave your couch!

So if you’re ready to begin building your global portfolio but you’d prefer to do so while wearing your favorite PJ bottoms, read on for virtual internship inspiration.

Read more: How to Get the Most Out of a Virtual Internship

We’ve rounded up the 10 best virtual internships with leading organizations around the world. Typically, we base our program recommendations on community reviews since those are the best measure of the quality of a program. We also took a number of other factors into consideration, such as the breadth of potential topics and fields available, professional mentorship offered, as well as our own industry knowledge about the providers. We feel confident that any of the programs included here will provide you with a meaningful internship experience.

The following virtual internships offer dynamic experiences with businesses around the world from the comfort of home. We've categorized each program for its strengths and what they have to offer prospective interns. Check out these exciting opportunities and start building your career!

• Best for Customizable Experience: Intern Abroad HQ
• Best for Support: : Connect-123
• Best for Conservation and Development: GVI
• Best for Professional Development: CAPA
• Best for Career Coaching: CEA
• Best for Job Preparation: GE Virtuoso
• Best for Low Cost Programs: Asia Internship Program (AIP)
• Best for Host Company Connections: Virtual Internships
• Best for Flexibility: The Intern Group
• Best for Cross-Cultural Training: USAC Global Perspectives

Intern Abroad HQ offers a range of remote internships in a variety of locations around the world. Interested in learning more about architecture in Spain? They’ve got an internship for that. Or maybe you want to see what marketing in Japan looks like? Yep, they have that too.

In fact, Intern Abroad HQ offers remote internships in 5 countries and 9 industries, so you’re sure to find a project that matches your interests. And in addition to this variety, they also offer extensive professional support to help create a customized internship that best suits your career goals.

Prices vary depending on whether you sign up for the 100-hour or 250-hour option. Whichever you choose, you have the option to schedule your internship as part-time or full-time so that you can manage other time commitments. This flexibility certainly is an added bonus of doing an online internship!

Connect-123 wants to help you kickstart your international career from your own home through one of their many remote internships. They’ve designed programs that allow interns to gain valuable professional skills while networking with global experts.

As an intern, you'll receive pre- and post-departure consultations to make sure you're getting the most of the experience. Combine that with a customized placement and continual mentorship, and your experience with Connect-123 will set you up for success in the global job market. Read their stellar reviews to see for yourself what past interns have to say!

Top-ranked GVI has remote opportunities across eight different fields aimed at interns who want to make a difference in the world. Programs focusing on hot topics like conservation, human rights, and public health allow participants to engage in real-world projects while receiving weekly one-to-one professional mentoring and guidance.

Interns also have the chance to attend a masterclass series of lectures by leaders in their chosen field alongside the internship's hands-on learning. All participants who complete an internship receive an endorsed certificate from the University of Richmond and a professional reference attesting to their newly acquired skills and impressive accomplishments.

Ready to do a virtual internship but are still interested in interning abroad in person in the future? Everyone who books and pays for their remote opportunity will be awarded a $1,000 grant toward any of GVI's internship programs around the world.

CAPA has been a leading expert in student internships for over 25 years, and their commitment to online internships is no different! They offer internships in 7 cities across 4 continents in industries ranging from education to web design.

In their program, you’ll get to connect with leading academic coaches and mentors who will help you develop personal and professional skills. And in addition to the wealth of knowledge and experience you’ll receive, you’ll also get 3 academic credits for your online internship!

Make sure to take a peak at CAPA’s available scholarships, which could potentially help reduce the cost of their already affordable programs.

CEA offers virtual internships around the world in an array of industries. As leading experts in study abroad and internships abroad, it’s no wonder that they’ve also created cutting-edge online opportunities. In fact, they even offer programs that combine the two and allow you to take virtual seminars while simultaneously gaining professional experience in a traditional internship setting. Interns will receive between 7-10 hours of career coaching from trained professionals.

While you’re checking out their many programs, be sure to look into their scholarships which may help defray some of the program costs.

GE Virtuoso continues to offer top-notch, highly ranked virtual internships to students all over the world. They are committed to the development of their interns and invest time in their personal and professional growth. Their virtual internships are no different from their on-site programs; they guarantee you mentoring, professional coaching, and help identifying your personal and professional strengths.

Industries on offer include business, IT, graphic design, and more! And if you don’t see your field of interest listed, just ask: they may still have a placement for you. They also provide a $500 discount for future on-location internships should you wish to intern abroad in the future.

Interning with Asia Internship Program is a great way for students and grads alike to enhance their resumes and level up their skills -- no travel required! With positions in 24 exciting fields like IT, marketing, and business development, participants will gain the experience they need to land their dream career.

Asia Internship Program partners with start-ups, mid-size organizations, and major corporations. Their partners include big names like Disney, Amnesty International, and Westin Hotels and Resorts. Internships are available year-round and are customizable to an intern's individual needs and goals.

Founded in 2018, Virtual Internships was ahead of the Covid curve and has been providing meaningful experiences to students ever since. They offer guaranteed placements in 18 fields so participants are sure to find something that works for them, whether they're studying architecture, fashion, or green technology. Virtual Internships has connections with more than 4,000 host companies in over 70 countries.

Upon enrollment, interns gain access to Virtual Internships' professional development platform, CareerBridge, and will complete 12 courses alongside their internship that aim to foster personal and career growth. Participants who complete their placement have the opportunity to earn between 3-9 credit hours to transfer to their university.

The Intern Group is another leading expert in the internship field. With partners in over 3,000 host organizations, you’ll have no trouble finding a good fit with The Intern Group.

Their virtual internship program offers interns a professional placement in the field of your choosing, as well as career advancement training and keynote career talks from leading experts.

The Intern Group offers a wide variety of virtual internships to suit most needs. Placements range from 4-24 weeks and flexible weekly hours are available. With start dates every month and all year-long, students can be sure that they will be able to fit their internship around their studies.

USAC’s virtual internships are composed of two separate but intertwining components: a professional internship in one of many available industries and an online internship seminar. The internship placement helps students develop transferable skills and experience in a professional workplace while the seminar equips students with the knowledge of how to thrive in the global market including cross-cultural awareness and training.

As a virtual intern, you can choose from projects that range from business to event planning to translation, and be placed in one of 9 international locations. Plus, with USAC you’ll earn 3 academic credits towards your degree!

As an added bonus, USAC has a number of scholarships and discounts available to prospective interns.

If you’re looking for a way to gain valuable skills while also maximizing time on your own couch, a virtual internship could be a great next step. The benefits are clear: online internships are more affordable, more flexible, and reflect your commitment to professional development.

And remember, not only will you be building your resume and learning critical knowledge in the workplace, but you’ll also be growing a global network of friends and colleagues. It’s a win-win!