Psychology Internship in Palermo - by STSicily
Psychology Internship in Palermo - by STSicily
Location
  • Italy
    • Palermo
Length
4 to 12 weeks
Need-based funding, Payment plans

Program Details

Compensation
Unpaid
Timeframe
Fall Maymester Spring Spring Break Summer Winter Year Round
Housing
Apartment
Language
English
Weekly Hours
26
Age Min.
19
Age Max
29
Qualifications
  • Motivated
  • Enrolled in a psychology bachelor
  • Speaking english

Pricing

$3,500
Price Details
This is what you get with our program:
- A guaranteed internship in a clinical environment.
- Soft Skills workshops.
- Airport pick up.
- Housing during your entire stay abroad with the program.
- Welcome Orientation.
- Welcome Dinner.
- Transportation to and from work, if needed.
- Planned weekend activities.
- Soft skills workshops and courses.
- 24/7 Professional on-site assistance
What's Included
Accommodation Airport Transfers Transportation Wifi
What's Included (Extra)

Some dinners

What's Not Included
Airfare Domestic Airfare Meals SIM cards Travel Insurance Visa
Aug 03, 2026
2 travelers are looking at this program

Frequently asked questions

Get answers to help you plan with confidence.

About Program

Are you a student ready to bridge theory with real-world clinical practice? At STSicily, we offer immersive clinical psychology internships focused on family and systemic therapy within a rich multicultural environment. (ALSO FOR UNDERGRADUATES!)

Since 2016, we’ve empowered almost 1000 students from top institutions like Harvard and the University of Miami. We manage all on-site logistics—from housing to transportation—so your focus remains entirely on your clinical growth.

Your Experience:
Clinical Immersion: Observe and support therapy sessions under the guidance of licensed psychologists.
Cultural Context: Master systemic and family therapy dynamics in a diverse, cross-cultural setting.
Skill Building: Participate in transformative workshops to sharpen your empathy and active listening.
24/7 Support: Benefit from round-the-clock assistance and expert clinical tutoring.

Unlock your potential with a trusted, hands-on professional journey designed for future clinicians

Program Highlights

  • Start dates in January, April, May, June, and July
  • Learn, Work, Discover, Grow, Connect, Diversity.
  • Gain that international experience that would be impossible to gain at home
  • Travel freely around the city and visit locations like Palermo Cathedral, Politeama, and so much more
  • Work within a remarkable clinic in Italy

Enrolling for Summer Camp and Fall 2026!!

Video and Photos

Diversity & Inclusion 💙

At STSicily, we know that true cultural immersion requires emotional and physical safety. Having hosted over 900 students since 2016 from institutions like Harvard and the University of Miami, our approach to supporting our BIPOC participants is built on three holistic pillars:

Pre-Departure Cultural Grounding: We prepare students for the specific cultural landscape of Italy. We facilitate candid conversations about local social dynamics to set realistic expectations, ensuring students feel equipped to navigate their identity in a new environment.

Holistic On-Site Mentorship: Processing cross-cultural intersections can be complex. Our on-the-ground team utilizes active listening and regular check-ins to create a safe space for students. We provide dedicated support so they always have an advocate in their corner.

Intentional Professional Placements: We rigorously vet our local partners across all industries to ensure participants are placed in work environments that respect their identity and actively value their diverse perspectives
At STSicily, we believe a truly holistic internship experience requires every student to feel completely safe bringing their authentic selves abroad. Having facilitated placements for over 900 students since 2016 from institutions like Harvard and the University of Miami, our approach to supporting our LGBTQIA+ participants is centered on three core pillars:

Pre-Departure Context and Grounding: We provide transparent, localized guidance before arrival. We discuss the realities of Italian culture — including navigating a gendered language and understanding regional social norms — so students are fully prepared and never caught off guard.

Holistic On-Site Mentorship: Our on-the-ground team serves as an active, empathetic support system. Through regular check-ins and active listening, we create a secure space for students to process their cross-cultural experiences, ensuring they always have a trusted advocate.

Inclusive Professional Placements: We carefully evaluate our host organizations to ensure they foster inclusive, respectful professional settings that honor our students' identities, regardless of their specific internship field.
At STSicily, we recognize that thriving in a new culture requires an environment where cognitive differences are actively supported. Having guided over 900 students since 2016 from institutions like Harvard and the University of Miami, our approach to supporting neurodivergent participants is built on three core pillars:

Pre-Departure Routine Mapping: We proactively discuss what daily life in Italy actually looks like — from sensory environments to changes in cultural pacing. We help students anticipate schedule disruptions and co-create strategies for executive functioning and sensory regulation before they ever board a plane.

Structured On-Site Mentorship: Our on-the-ground team provides consistent, predictable support. We utilize active listening and clear communication frameworks to help students process sensory or social overwhelm, ensuring they always have a secure space to recalibrate.

Structured Professional Placements: We collaborate closely with our local partners to ensure placements provide clear expectations, structured roles, and a professional setting where our students' unique cognitive strengths are supported and valued.
At STSicily, we believe that physical and logistical barriers should never stand in the way of a meaningful international experience. Having facilitated placements for over 900 students since 2016 from institutions like Harvard and the University of Miami, our approach to accessibility is built on three core pillars:

Pre-Departure Logistical Auditing: We do not leave accessibility to chance. Long before arrival, we conduct a transparent assessment of the student's specific needs against the realities of Italian infrastructure. We map out accessible housing, evaluate commute routes, and secure necessary local medical or logistical accommodations to ensure a seamless transition.

Holistic On-Site Advocacy: Navigating a historic environment with accessibility needs can be exhausting. Our on-the-ground team acts as continuous advocates. Through active listening and regular check-ins, we troubleshoot daily physical barriers and provide the emotional support necessary to prevent accessibility fatigue.

Accessible Professional Placements: We rigorously vet our host organizations to ensure their facilities and operational structures are as accessible as possible, allowing our students to focus purely on their professional development rather than logistical hurdles.

Impact 🌎

At STSicily, we believe that international education must positively impact both the student and the host community. Having facilitated placements for over 900 students since 2016 from institutions like Harvard and the University of Miami, our approach to sustainable programming is built on three core pillars:

Pre-Departure Resource Education: We actively shift students' mindsets before they arrive. We provide transparent guidance on local resource management in Italy — from strict municipal waste regulations to energy conservation in historic buildings — ensuring students adopt sustainable daily habits from day one.

Holistic On-Site Economic Impact: We deliberately design our operations to keep economic benefits local. From utilizing regional public transportation to partnering with locally owned vendors and community-based enterprises, our on-the-ground team ensures our cohorts actively support the Sicilian economy.

Ethical Professional Placements: We rigorously vet our host organizations across all industries to ensure they demonstrate social responsibility, ethical practices, and a commitment to their community. We place students in environments where their professional development yields a net positive impact for the region.
At STSicily, we believe that an international internship must be built on mutual respect and reciprocity, never extraction. Having facilitated placements for over 900 students since 2016 from institutions like Harvard and the University of Miami, our approach to ethical impact is built on three core pillars:

Pre-Departure Cultural Humility: We dismantle the 'savior complex' before students even arrive. We train our cohorts on the principles of ethical engagement, setting clear expectations that their role is to listen, learn, and collaborate alongside local professionals rather than to 'fix' cultural differences.

Holistic On-Site Engagement: Navigating new socio-economic realities can be challenging for students. Our on-the-ground team utilizes active listening and guided reflection sessions to help students process these complexities, ensuring they interact with local civic initiatives and social cooperatives with deep respect and understanding.

Reciprocal Professional Placements: We rigorously vet our host organizations to guarantee that student placements never displace local labor or burden the host. We carefully design roles that foster a genuine, two-way exchange of skills and perspectives, ensuring our presence provides a direct, ethical benefit to the Sicilian community.

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Program Reviews

4.82 Rating
based on 11 reviews
  • 5 rating 81.82%
  • 4 rating 18.18%
  • 3 rating 0%
  • 2 rating 0%
  • 1 rating 0%
  • Growth 4.75
  • Support 4.9
  • Fun 4.85
  • Housing 4.4
  • Safety 5
Showing 1 - 8 of 11 reviews
Alizée Lapierre-Séguin Profile Picture
Alizée
5/5
Yes, I recommend this program

Amazing internship

I completed the psychology internship, where I learned more about the Milan approach to family therapy. Its systemic perspective is truly fascinating and offers a refreshing contrast to what I'm used to.
Being abroad while learning about family therapy alongside other passionate students was also a deeply therapeutic experience in itself. It created a unique environment for both professional and personal growth.
Thank you to St. Sicily for bringing students from different backgrounds together. The experience fostered friendships and meaningful connections that I believe will last a lifetime.

If you did this all over again, what's one thing you would change?
I would stay longer!

6 weeks wasnt enough and I was sad to say goodbye to all the people I had met there.
Pros
  • Friends
  • Internship
  • Activity
27 people found this review helpful.
Meriç
5/5
Yes, I recommend this program

My Sicily experience

I had an amazing experience with the STSicily Marketing Internship Program. From the very beginning, the team was welcoming, supportive, and always available whenever I needed help.

The internship gave me the opportunity to gain real marketing experience, improve my communication skills, and work in an international environment with people from different countries. I also appreciated the balance between professional development and cultural exchange, which made the experience even more memorable.

A special thank you to Andrea for being so kind, organized, and supportive throughout the entire program. He was always there to answer questions and made sure everything ran smoothly.

I would definitely recommend STSicily to anyone looking for an internship abroad. It was a valuable experience both professionally and personally, and I’m grateful to have been part of it.

If you did this all over again, what's one thing you would change?
If I had the chance to do this program again, I would definitely stay for a longer period. Leaving on the last day was much harder than I expected because, in such a short time, I built meaningful friendships, gained valuable experience, and truly felt at home. By the end of the program, STSicily no longer felt like just an internship—it felt like a home. Saying goodbye to everyone was the most difficult part, and if I could change one thing, it would simply be staying longer to enjoy every moment even more.
Pros
  • I met incredible people from different countries and made friendships I’ll always remember.
  • The STSicily team was always kind, supportive, and made me feel welcome from day one.
  • I learned a lot by working on real marketing tasks instead of just observing.
What other participants should know
  • Honestly, my biggest complaint is that the program ended too soon. 2 months felt like 2 weeks. I wish I had stayed longer.
  • It took me a few days to adapt to a new country and a different routine, but after that I felt completely comfortable.
  • I would have loved to communicate more with the staff at my workplace. Since most of them didn’t speak English, there was a bit of a language barrier, but everyone was still kind and welcoming.
25 people found this review helpful.
Malena
5/5
Yes, I recommend this program

More than just an internship

I came into this internship not knowing what to expect. Like many people, I was nervous and unsure of what the next month would hold. But from the moment I arrived, every fear I had disappeared. I was welcomed with so much kindness by the directors and the other students that it immediately felt like I belonged.

As a psychology intern, I had the opportunity to learn in ways that simply aren't possible in a classroom. Every day at the clinic challenged me, inspired me, and deepened my passion for psychology. I grew not only as a student, but as a person.

What made this experience truly unforgettable, though, were the people. I met incredible friends from all over the world. Together we explored, laughed, learned, and created memories that I know will stay with me forever. Somehow, Balestrate and Palermo transformed from places on a map into a second home filled with people I will always hold close to my heart.

This internship gave me so much more than professional experience. It gave me lifelong friendships, unforgettable adventures, and a new perspective on the world. Without a doubt, it was the best experience of my life. Leaving was one of the hardest things I've ever had to do because a piece of my heart will always remain in Sicily. I will forever be grateful for every person I met, every lesson I learned, and every memory I made. If you're considering this program, take the leap. It may just change your life the way it changed mine.

What is your advice to future travelers on this program?
If I could give one piece of advice to future students, it would be to say yes to every opportunity and be fully present. Step outside your comfort zone, explore new places, try new foods, and spend as much time as you can with the people around you. Put your phone down, soak in every sunset, every conversation, and every little moment because they become the memories you'll cherish the most.
The month goes by so much faster than you think. Some of my favorite memories came from the moments I almost said no to, so don't let fear or hesitation hold you back. Embrace every experience, no matter how big or small, because this program has the potential to change your life in ways you never expected. I know it changed mine, and I would relive every second of it if I could.
40 people found this review helpful.
Louis
5/5
Yes, I recommend this program

Incredible internship in Sicily

What made my experience incredible is the exchanges with the other students, and discovering a different way of working from that of France.

The football World Cup allowed us to spend incredible moments with the students, but also with many people in the city. I'm thinking of a Norwegian family in Balestrate, or many French people present for France's match against Spain in Palermo.

Cultural outings like Agrigente, Etna my permission to discover incredible things about Sicily, for my part in 2 months I had time to discover the island well. My favorite cities are Taormine and Catania

What was your funniest moment?
My favorite moment was during the discovery of Erice it is a beautiful city and discovering it with the other students was even better
Pros
  • meetings
  • climate
  • Sharing of culture
What other participants should know
  • Kitchen equipment
  • shared room
  • Public transportation
38 people found this review helpful.
Elie
4/5
Yes, I recommend this program

The best experience of my life

This experience felt "right" on so many levels. Everything from the start to the end of my internship, both during and outside of work, made me feel like I belonged. I made so many friends, had so many amazing moments (at the beach, on weekend outings, during workshops, etc.), I felt myself becoming more independent day after day, and I was even able to celebrate my birthday here! Suffice to say, I absolutely recommend this experience, for the amazing moments, such as watching the sun setting behind the mountains and into the sea ; for the growth and independence you will develop ; and most important of all, the food !!

What was the most surprising thing you saw or did?
Getting out of my comfort zone. As an AuADHD person, I always preferred to stay within the limits of what I know, but during this experience, I went to the beach and into the sea multiple times (despite my disgust for sand and my fear of the sea), I went to bars with other people many times, usually late into the evening (which I usually never do), I hung out with people many times, without it taking as much energy as it usually would,... There are many other examples but those are the main ones, and I'm really happy to have experienced that.
Pros
  • I became more independent & got out of my comfort zone
  • The food was amazing (#pizzaromanaforever)
What other participants should know
  • The accommodation could sometimes be improved
42 people found this review helpful.
Aribah
5/5
Yes, I recommend this program

ST Sicily

ST Sicily was a very fun and unforgetable experience. One that I will cherish for a long time. Andrea was very kind and helpful whenever we needed anything and went out of his way to make the experience memorable and one of a kind. So a big thank you to him. I enjoyed all the fun excursions and trips. We did a lot of sightseeing and took amazing photos. In particular I enjoyed the community aspect of the program, as it really felt like we were apart of something. I would recommend this program to other students 100%.

What is your advice to future travelers on this program?
To enjoy every moment as the time will fly by very quickly.
39 people found this review helpful.
Hanan Saleh Profile Picture
Hanan
5/5
Yes, I recommend this program

STSICILY

I really enjoyed the internship. I learnt a lot about systematic therapy that I wouldn’t have otherwise. The teachers at the clinic were amazing, the taught me a lot. They work as therapists at the clinic and taught us a lot about how they work which was really interesting. Other than the clinic I had a grad experience exploring Balestrate and Palermo. Andrea was so great in helping with anything we needed and did his best to make sure we had the best experience which I really appreciated . All in all it was a great experience and I would definitely recommend. The people were amazing both interns and staff, they really help make the experience memorable.

44 people found this review helpful.
Tatiyanna Howard Profile Picture
Tatiyanna
5/5
Yes, I recommend this program

The Best Decision I've Made... Genuinely

I absolutely loved this study abroad. This was my first time taking an international trip ever. I did this trip for psychology and I stayed for 4 weeks. Everyone was so helpful the entire time, the apartment was beautiful, the experience at the clinic was unforgettable. The town was very safe and I felt welcomed by everyone I interacted with. We went to the Clinic 3 times a week and learn the Milan Model from a training school attached to the Milan School for Psychotherapy. I would love to come back and stay longer!

33 people found this review helpful.

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