Virtual Internships
What are virtual internships?
Virtual internships are professional work experiences conducted online with host organizations around the world. They provide students with the opportunity to gain valuable hands-on experience from the convenience of their own homes.
Benefits of virtual internships
- Flexible location and schedule
- Global networking
- Develop skills for the digital workplace
- Gain relevant industry experience
- Build a global perspective and intercultural skills
- Expand and apply knowledge gained in the classroom
- Available in all terms: fall, winter and summer
Virtual internships are an ideal option for students seeking professional growth and international experience while reducing the financial, travel and time commitments of an internship abroad.
Explore Western's current virtual internships:
Successful completion of your virtual international internship is eligible for points towards achievement of the Global & Intercultural Engagement Honour. Points will be collected under Category 2 and are accumulated according the number of hours in your internship placement.
Showcase transferable skills and experience gained during a virtual internship with a Western International-affiliated internship on your Western Co-Curricular Record. This official Western University document complements your academic transcript by recognizing your participation and accomplishment in co-curricular activities.
Frequently asked questions (FAQ)
Who can apply to a virtual internship?
Students from all faculties, campuses and levels of study can apply to virtual internships.
Graduating students are also welcome to apply, but they are not eligible to receive funding provided by Western’s International Learning Funding Opportunities or the Global Skills Opportunity program to support these placements.
What types of internships are available?
The internship placements vary depending on your program, interests, and the availability of internship sites.
The following are some of the placement examples in which you can participate through Absolute Internship and Costa Rica Global Learning:
- Marketing
- Public Relations
- Graphic Design
- Education
- Tourism
- Fundraising
- Social Media
- Sales
- Digital Media
- Customer Service
- Business
- Public Health / Social Work
- Finance
- Community Development
For Sample detailed role descriptions, please see the documents below:
Can I do a virtual internship and receive course credit?
By default, all internship placements are non-credit.
You may be able to receive academic credit in recognition of this international work-integrated learning opportunity; in this case, tuition fees may be applied in addition to regular program fees. NOTE: Tuition fees may be applied in addition to regular program fees.
If you're interested in receiving academic credit for a virtual internship, please send an email to goabroad@uwo.ca.
Will I be paid for a virtual internship?
All virtual internships are unpaid but may be eligible for academic credit.
If you're interested in receiving academic credit for a virtual internship, please send an email to goabroad@uwo.ca.
Does a virtual internship cost money?
All internship programs affiliated with Western International have program fees. The total cost may be a flat rate or determined by the length of your placement.
Program fees for virtual internships cover the cost of arranging a guaranteed virtual placement based on your skills, interests, and learning objectives. Depending on the program, these fees can also include weekly foreign language classes, cultural activities, mentorship program, guided support, global peers and networking events, among others.
What is the time commitment for a virtual internship?
Time commitment varies among programs, host organizations, and times of year.
Placement length varies among programs but range from a minimum of 4 weeks, up to a maximum of 24 weeks. Most placements are about 6-12 weeks on average.
You can also set your working hours to best suit your schedule. Dedicate 10-20 hours per week to a part-time virtual internship while studying or working, or fully immerse yourself for up to 40 hours per week to develop your skills in virtual working, cross-cultural collaboration, and contributing to international teams.
NOTE: Interns are not permitted to work beyond 40 hours per week.
