Intern in Spain
Spain provides a dynamic environment for internships in human rights, immigration, social services, and community development, allowing you to make a meaningful impact while gaining valuable experience.
Internship Fields
NGO & Non-Profit Internships Abroad
Make a Real Difference with NGOs & Non-Profit Internships Abroad
Interested in Working at an NGO? We’ve Got an Internship for You!
If you’re driven by purpose, not just a paycheck, a non-profit internship abroad might be the most meaningful thing you do for your career. Working with NGOs and non-profit organizations in another country gives you real exposure to the social, cultural, political, and humanitarian challenges shaping communities around the world. You also build the professional skills that employers and graduate schools seek.
Adelante Abroad has been placing students and graduates in customized NGO and non-profit internships across Spain and Latin America since 1999. Whether your interests lie in human rights, public health, education, environmental advocacy, or community development, we match you with an organization that aligns with your goals and guarantee your placement.
Our non-profit internship placements range from grassroots local organizations to larger international NGOs. You’ll work alongside professionals who are making an impact, and so will you. Programs are available year-round in Madrid, Barcelona, Seville, Ecuador, Uruguay, and Mexico (Oaxaca), ranging from 2 months for a short program to up to 6 months for more in-depth placements.
Why Choose a Non-Profit Internship Abroad?
A non-profit internship abroad is not just resume-building; it is perspective-building. Here’s why students passionate about social impact choose this path:
Gain experience that stands out
Working with international NGOs and non-profits demonstrates initiative, cultural competence, and a commitment to social good.
Explore your area of impact
From immigration and human rights to public health, environmental justice, and youth development, there is a cause that matches your values.
Develop bilingual professional skills
Working in a Spanish-speaking NGO environment accelerates your language abilities in a context that matters.
Build a global professional network
The connections you make with organizations and colleagues abroad often open doors you would not find at home.
Earn academic credit
Most Adelante interns receive academic credit through their home university, with full documentation support from our team.
Flexible program lengths
Whether you have 4 weeks, a full semester, or half a year, we have a program that fits your timeline and goals.
One thing that makes NGO placements unique is that they tend to be less structured than for-profit internships. Nonprofit organizations often look for candidates who are adaptable, resourceful, and motivated by the mission, not just the job title. If that sounds like you, this sector is a great fit.
What Will You Do as a Non-Profit Intern Abroad?
Your day-to-day will depend on your placement, skills, and interests, but here is a look at the types of work our NGO interns can take on across our destinations:
Intern at a Grassroots Organization
Work closely within a local community setting to make a direct impact. These placements offer a unique opportunity to engage with the community on a personal level and contribute to meaningful change.
Intern at a Larger International Non-Profit
Be part of a bigger mission with an international organization working on a broader scale. These placements offer exposure to how large non-profit organizations operate and create impact across multiple communities.
Intern at an NGO in Spain
Candidates placed in NGOs in Spain often do legal, social, marketing, and other administrative work. Past placements include C.E.A.R (Comision Espanola Ayuda al Refugiado), Proyecto Hombre, Amnistía Internacional, and A.C.U.L.C.O., ranging from immigrants’ rights services to assisting drug addicts to integrate back into society.
Intern at a Non-Profit in Oaxaca, Mexico
Work for non-profit organizations in fields like environmental/ecology, business development, medical/health, social and economic development, social work, women’s studies, and women’s health.
Intern at a Non-Profit in Montevideo, Uruguay
Assist with community work in a clinic or hospital setting, including OB/GYN outreach, pediatrics, and family events to educate, serve, and assist psychologically and medically.
Intern Within a Vocational Education Social Project in Montevideo
Work with a group that focuses on vocational training, providing youth shelters, and creating school presentations in extremely poor areas around Montevideo.
Destinations
Our Top Non-Profit Intern Abroad Destinations
Latin America
Intern in Mexico
Oaxaca, Mexico is one of our most immersive non-profit destinations, covering environmental work, health outreach, social and economic development, social work, and women's health studies.
Latin America
Intern in Uruguay
Montevideo's non-profit sector focuses on public health and community services, from OB/GYN and pediatric outreach to vocational education and youth shelter programs.
Latin America
Intern in Ecuador
Ecuador offers meaningful grassroots non-profit placements in Quito and Ambato, with organizations working in community development, education, health, and human rights. It's an immersive Latin American experience with a strong sense of local purpose.
Programs
Programs With Non-Profits Placements
Barcelona
Internships in Barcelona
Intern in Barcelona with housing, placement, and language classes included. Guaranteed placements across 30+ fields, programs starting monthly.
Madrid
Internships in Madrid
Intern in Madrid with housing, placement, and language classes included. Guaranteed placements across 30+ fields, programs starting monthly.
Seville
Internships in Seville
Intern in Seville with housing, placement, and language classes included. Guaranteed placements across 30+ fields, programs starting monthly.
Quito – Ambato
Internships in Ecuador
Intern in Ecuador with housing, placement, and language classes included. Guaranteed placements across multiple fields; programs start monthly.
Montevideo – Punta del Este
Internships in Uruguay
Intern in Uruguay with housing, placement, and language classes included. Build your resume while living in Montevideo or Punta del Este.
Oaxaca
Internships & Volunteering in Oaxaca, Mexico
Volunteer or intern in Oaxaca, Mexico across a range of fields. Affordable programs with housing included and flexible durations from 2 to 6+ months.
What’s included
Every Adelante Program Includes
Affordable Programs
Both our Internship Abroad and Study Abroad Programs are among the most affordable you’ll find. Explore a new country and gain meaningful internship experience that makes a difference, without being limited by your budget.
Centralized Accommodations
Enjoy your own private room in a shared city-center apartment, conveniently located near your placement, local life, and weekend adventures.
Guaranteed, Contracted Internship Placement
You’ll receive a signed contract from your host organization before you arrive. We have placed 100% of our candidates in one of their requested fields and stand behind that with a guarantee.
Customized Program Building
Your Adelante director builds your placement around your background, interests, Spanish proficiency level, and areas of interest. No cookie-cutter placements.
Guided Reflection Exercises
We help you identify and articulate the skills you’ve built abroad, an essential step in translating impactful international work into language that resonates on your resume, in interviews, and on graduate school applications.
Academic Credit Support
Nearly every Adelante intern who needed academic credit has received it. We provide full documentation and can work with your home institution to meet their requirements.
How to apply
How the Application Process Works
Apply Online
Fill out our simple online application. There is no fee to apply, and it takes only a few minutes to get started.
Get on the Calendar
Eligible candidates receive a link to schedule a free, first assessment interview by phone or Google Meet.
Interview
We’ll learn about your background, areas of interest, Spanish level, and goals so we can start building the right placement for you.
Interview Results
In real time or within 1–2 business days, you will receive your interview results by email. Successful candidates receive an acceptance letter with clear next steps.
Confirmation
Confirm your spot within one week of acceptance with a $325 confirmation fee. This means there is no tire-kicking, and you are committed to going abroad. A second interview and full placement details follow soon after.
Pre-Departure
Once confirmed, you will receive a comprehensive Pre-Departure Information Packet with everything you need to prepare for your time abroad, including visa guidance if required, along with cultural prep.
Reviews
Hear From Adelante Abroad Candidates
Read what past interns, students and volunteers say about their time abroad with Adelante.
Gaby S.
New York Barnard College, USA
Non-Profits · Mexico
Volunteering in Oaxaca was one of the best experiences of my life. My program helped me interact with indigenous Master artisans who taught me many valuable lessons about Oaxaca’s culture and about their indigenous heritage. Oaxaca itself is a very rich source of cultural…
Volunteering in Oaxaca was one of the best experiences of my life. My program helped me interact with indigenous Master artisans who taught me many valuable lessons about Oaxaca’s culture and about their indigenous heritage. Oaxaca itself is a very rich source of cultural knowledge and colorful experiences. Everyone was very warm and helpful at my volunteer organization and they guided me throughout my volunteering experience. Adelante also did a great job at finding very centralized housing options, and providing guidance and suggestions for my time in Oaxaca, like assisting to Guelaguetza, a beautiful tradition in which all the regions of Oaxaca showcase their traditional attires and dances. In summary, I can’t wait to go back to Oaxaca again.
Fiona E.
University of Pittsburgh, PA, USA
Non-Profits · Seville, Spain
Adelante truly is a wonderful program from beginning to end! They were very prompt in responding to my initial interest and setting up a first phone call, followed by comprehensive guidance before my arrival in Spain. I told Adelante my field of interest and they found a perfect…
Adelante truly is a wonderful program from beginning to end! They were very prompt in responding to my initial interest and setting up a first phone call, followed by comprehensive guidance before my arrival in Spain. I told Adelante my field of interest and they found a perfect internship for me in Sevilla. The two weeks of Spanish class prior to the internship were also excellent; the school had wonderful professors and organized free, fun cultural excursions we could participate in after class. The program is perfect for people who enjoy independence with accessible support when needed. I felt very comfortable in Sevilla and enjoyed the opportunity to shape the experience around my interests.
Non-Profits FAQs
What is an NGO or non-profit internship abroad?
An NGO and non-profit internship abroad allows students, graduates, and young professionals to gain international work experience with charitable organizations, humanitarian groups, and grassroots movements. These internships focus on social impact, community development, environmental sustainability, human rights, and other causes while providing cultural immersion abroad.
Are NGO internships abroad paid?
Most NGO and non-profit internships abroad are unpaid, as organizations are mission-driven and rely on limited resources. However, interns gain valuable international experience, cultural immersion, and professional skills that are highly valued by future employers in fields such as international development, public policy, and nonprofit management.
Where can I intern with an NGO or non-profit abroad?
Adelante Abroad offers NGO and non-profit internships abroad in countries such as Spain, Ecuador, Chile, and Mexico. Interns can support local organizations that focus on environmental protection, education, healthcare access, women’s empowerment, social justice, and poverty reduction while experiencing life in a new culture.
How long do NGO internships abroad last?
Most NGO and non-profit internships abroad last from 2 to 6 months, with flexible start dates throughout the year. Short-term placements are great for summer or semester breaks, while longer internships provide deeper involvement in community development and international NGO projects.
What are the benefits of a non-profit internship abroad?
A non-profit internship abroad allows participants to contribute to meaningful causes while gaining international work experience. Benefits include personal growth, professional development, exposure to global issues, language immersion, and building a resume that highlights social impact and cross-cultural experience.
How do I apply for an NGO internship abroad?
To apply for an NGO or non-profit internship abroad, you can submit an online application through Adelante Abroad. Our team matches interns with international non-profits and NGOs that align with their skills and interests. After acceptance, interns receive guidance on housing, orientation, and cultural preparation for their internship abroad.
When will I know my host company and internship placement?
After you’ve been accepted into the program, our team carefully matches you with a host company based on your background, goals, and interests. Your internship placement will be finalized 1 month before your departure date, giving you plenty of time to prepare for your experience abroad.
Why Choose Adelante Abroad?
Adelante Abroad has earned the trust of thousands of candidates worldwide through 25 years of guaranteed placements and life-changing experiences. Since 1999, we’ve specialized in providing affordable, customized internship and study abroad programs across Spain, Latin America, and Scotland, and we’re not a large, impersonal agency. We’re a team of seasoned travelers and international education professionals who’ve lived abroad ourselves and know what it takes to make your experience a success.
Every program is built around you: your goals, your values, your background. With in-country directors operating full-time in every city where we have programs, you’re never on your own. No matter where in the world you are.
Interested in Working at an NGO Abroad? We’ve Got You!
The world needs passionate, globally-minded changemakers, and your journey starts here. An NGO internship abroad with Adelante gives you a guaranteed placement with a real organization, affordable housing in the city center, and support from a team. Spots are limited and fill up fast, so don't wait.