Virtual Internship

We're not waiting for international travel to return. Our communities need our help now, and we're not going to let closed borders stop us from making a social impact. COVID-19 is having a devastating impact around the world, and with projections saying 100 million people could be pushed into extreme poverty, it’s incredibly important that we do what we can to make a positive impact from home.

On our virtual internship you will be placed with our charity, the FutureSense Foundation, in either Thailand, Cambodia or Nepal. Your goal will be to complete a project that addresses an issue affecting a marginalised community in one of 4 areas:

• Education / Community Development
• Health
• Environment / Sustainability
• Social Enterprise / Employability

Internship Structure

You can choose between a 3-week full time (14-16 hours per week) or a 5-week part time (8-10 hours per week) internship. 

Please note that the full time option will become available from November.

Your weekly activities will involve connecting with the in-country FutureSense team, meeting with local community members, attending professional development workshops, networking with fellow interns, independent project work and receiving one-on-one guidance and support from your own internship mentor.

At the end of your internship you will present your project to Challenges Abroad, FutureSense and the local community. Your mentor will provide you with feedback on your performance throughout the internship and you will receive a certificate of completion as well as a professional recommendation on LinkedIn.

download the itinerary for a detailed breakdown of weekly activities and project types

Expert Panel

As an intern, you will get to attend exclusive professional development workshops hosted by our panel of external industry professionals. These workshops are designed to complement your internship project, enhance your employability, provide a networking opportunity and increase your knowledge on relevant topics. Topics could include:

• Leadership development
• The Sustainable Development Goals
• Tips for building your employability
• Career pathways in the Not For Profit sector
• International case studies relevant to your project area
• How to be productive when working remotely

Why do a virtual internship?

In a world where we are facing an economic recession and the job market is increasingly competitive with experience harder to come by, this internship will help you gain essential skills and improve your employability.

It provides an opportunity build your network, contribute to global social impact by helping marginalised communities, and explore what it is like to work in the international development sector. 

This internship will help you build numerous skills including:

• Critical thinking
• Working remotely
• Cross-cultural communication
• Problem solving
• Initiative
• Team work

enquire now to speak to a CAA representative

Scholarships and Funding

This internship has been designed to meet university requirements to receive academic credit across a variety of degrees. We recommend speaking to your course coordinator to see how this internship could fit in your study plan.

If you're able to receive academic credit, you might also be able to receive funding from your university! Speak to the global mobility / international office at your university to learn what funding might be available to you.

If you're unable to procure funding and would otherwise be unable to participate in this internship, you can apply for one of our limited $500 AUD / $600 NZD scholarships! Get in touch with us to learn more and discuss your eligibility.