INTERNSHIP ABROAD PROGRAM

GLOBAL CUSTOM INTERNSHIP

A 4-credit multidisciplinary custom internship in South Africa

AT A GLANCE

  • Global Internship Program
  • Multidisciplinary
  • Intern Abroad Destination: South Africa
  • Dates: Flexible (Year-Round)
  • Credit: 4 U.S. credit hours (~ 8 ECTS credits) for eligible university students
  • Eligibility: Any field and level of study

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PROGRAM OVERVIEW

Gain Hands-On Experience in a Global Work Environment
Embark on a transformative international internship that goes beyond traditional work experience. The Global Custom Internship program places students and early-career professionals in highly engaging, multi-disciplinary roles with vetted local organizations, offering a unique opportunity to develop professional skills while driving meaningful change.

Participants are matched with a host organization based on their field of study, skills, and career goals, ensuring a personalized and relevant experience. Internship placements span diverse sectors such as business, social innovation, global studies, communications, public health, education, sustainability, engineering, and natural resource management. In collaboration with local colleagues, interns gain hands-on experience, intercultural competencies, and real-world problem-solving skills.

Beyond the placement, GEI provides a structured learning environment that includes professional mentoring, peer engagement, and leadership development opportunities. The program is worth 4 U.S. undergraduate credit hours and includes key academic components such as a digital portfolio and formal supervisory meetings.

Custom placements are available year-round, with flexible durations (minimum 4 weeks).
Program Highlights
  • Industry-relevant experience: Gain hands-on exposure in your field while contributing to projects with real impact.
  • Global perspective & networking: Work alongside local colleagues, broaden your professional network, and develop intercultural communication skills.
  • Mentorship & structured learning: Benefit from expert guidance, leadership training, and reflective learning modules.
  • Tailored placement & flexibility: Intern in one of five destinations in Africa and Southeast Asia, with placements customized to your interests and schedule.
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ACADEMICS

Program Structure
The Global Custom Internship is a professional placement spanning a minimum of four weeks, plus pre-program eLearning. It provides students and early-career professionals with the opportunity to develop and apply their skills in a real-world international work environment.

Participants are placed with a vetted local organization in one of various fields, including, but not limited to, business, social innovation, global studies, communications, public health, education, sustainability, engineering, and natural resource management. Interns are matched based on their level of study, skills, and career goals, with a customized placement plan developed in advance.

Students benefit from a pre-placement orientation, a weekly classroom or field session with interdisciplinary training, and a weekly formal supervisory meeting.
Learning Outcomes
  • Professional competence in a global setting – Gain hands-on experience in your field by working with local organizations, applying theoretical knowledge to real-world projects, and enhancing your technical and professional skills in an international work environment.
  • Cultural adaptability and communication – Develop the ability to collaborate effectively with colleagues from diverse cultural backgrounds, improving intercultural communication, adaptability, and problem-solving in a global professional setting.
  • Integration of global perspectives with professional practice – Connect your internship experience to broader global challenges, understanding how industries, social innovation, and sustainable development intersect in different cultural and economic contexts.
Further Details
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PROGRAM LOCATION: SOUTH AFRICA

South Africa has emerged from its troubled and turbulent past into a healthy democratic country and the economic powerhouse of the African continent. At the same time, it’s a great place to witness a society going through dynamic changes, as it can still be considered both a developed and an underdeveloped country. South Africans forge a new identity, strongly embracing their unique multicultural character.

UNIQUE EXPERIENCES

South Africa is a land of striking contrasts, where vibrant city life meets vast wilderness and deep cultural history.

As part of the program, you will experience the country’s diverse communities, history, and landscapes. In Cape Town, visit Robben Island, explore the colorful streets of Bo-Kaap, and hike up Table Mountain. In Johannesburg, walk through the historic neighborhoods of Soweto and learn about South Africa’s journey at the Apartheid Museum.

Beyond the cities, South Africa offers world-class adventure and nature.
Take a scenic drive along Chapman’s Peak, explore the famous Cape Winelands, or go whale watching in Hermanus. Spend weekends on safari in Kruger National Park, spotting lions, elephants, and rhinos, or relax along the stunning Garden Route with its beaches, forests, and dramatic coastline.

South Africa’s food scene is as diverse as its culture. Try a traditional braai (South African barbecue) with boerewors sausages, or sample Cape Malay flavors with bobotie (spiced minced meat baked with an egg-based topping). Music and dance are also integral to South African life, from gumboot dancing in the townships to jazz clubs in Johannesburg.
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HOUSING & MEALS

The program includes 4+ weeks in South Africa. For this time, GEI South Africa offers different housing options that students can choose from, pending availability. These include:

  • Homestays: Typically single rooms, with shared bathroom, and access to a kitchen and living room
  • Serviced apartments: Single or shared double rooms, with shared bathroom, and access to a kitchen and living room
  • University residence halls at our local partner universities: Shared double rooms, with shared bathroom and no kitchen facilities
  • Simple guesthouses: Shared double rooms, with shared bathroom and no kitchen facilities


Homestay host families typically provide breakfast and dinner. Students in serviced apartments, university residence halls, or guesthouses are usually responsible for all meals outside of core course meals.

You can find additional information in the following blog post: Accommodation – What to expect.

DATES, FEES, AND SCHOLARSHIPS

Program Dates

Application Due Date

Fees

Year-round (4+ weeks)

3 months prior to program start

US $2,850 (4 weeks)
US $550 per additional week

At GEI, we strongly believe in equal access to academic opportunities in study abroad. In order to help eliminate financial barriers, we offer a variety of merit scholarships, trailblazer scholarships, and opportunity scholarships and grants, ranging from $500 to full tuition awards. Each year, GEI is awarding several hundred thousand dollars in scholarships. You can find further information as well as additional resources for external funding opportunities in the following blog post: Scholarships & Grants.

INSTRUCTORS & COORDINATORS

Meet our core team

All of our instructors and coordinators are highly experienced and resourceful professionals.
Waleed Fatth, MPH
Program Director
Francoise Uzamukunda, MA
Academic Director, East Africa
Thuy Phan, MA
Academic Director, Vietnam
Chone Chaowai, MIDP
Academic Director, Thailand
Kari Cousins, MA/MSc
Academic Director, Southern Africa
Yvan Rubengebenge
Operations Manager, Rwanda
Eric Kingoina, DCS
Operations Manager, Kenya
Dang Huynh, BA
Operations, Vietnam
Denyse Iradukunda, BA
Operations, Rwanda
Sammy Davies Mochama, BSc
Operations, Kenya
Mabwe Gwamure, BSc
Operations, South Africa

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