Internships in South America

South America offers varied opportunities for those with their sight set on interning here. This continent is one of the world’s most natural havens, still intricately laced with the cultural influence of its indigenous people, and housing many areas still untouched by the outsiders step. Although many residents are self‐sustaining and work solely for themselves and their family, there are still many prospective internships available to the foreign traveler.

Agriculture

Agriculture constitutes a large sector of South America’s economy in both its tropical and its temperate regions. Among the tropical crops grown for domestic use and for export, coffee is the most important. It is produced mainly in the highlands of Brazil and in central and western Colombia. Fair Trade Coffee Cooperatives, through Global Exchange is a great avenue to venture down as an internship.

Whatever area of agriculture you wish to explore on your internship, you're sure to return home having learned something new. You will enjoy the benefits reaped from your hard work and see how the South American culture influences the products cultivated from the land.

Community Development

Community development allows you to create a positive impact in society while connecting to local realities of different communities. Whether you intern in Puerto Toro, Chile, the world’s southernmost inhabited community, or in northern South America on the edge of the Panama Canal, your efforts will be appreciated. You may be involved in campaigns to raise awareness about child workers with your efforts and information targeted at orphanages, schools, hotels, tourism centers, and communication centers. Another branch of community development in South America is to teach how and why basic hygiene is important to local communities.

Eco-Tourism & Wildlife Conservation

The Amazon rainforest produces more than 20% of earth’s oxygen. Visible from space, the "Lungs of the Earth" covers roughly 2.5 million square miles of the entire continent and is the world’s largest remaining natural resource. It's no doubt that internships in sustainable living are in high demand. In general, South America recognizes the value in its resources and has implemented some really beneficial programs to help sustain the environment. Brazil has been a notable example in local and national efforts in creating quality standards for eco-tourism and sustainable tourism products.

Healthcare

Studies show that 70% of plants found to have anticancer properties thrive only in the rainforest and that 1 out of 4 ingredients in our medicine comes from rainforest plants. Healthcare and medical internships in South America are filled with various opportunities for volunteers who are interested in medicine and the well‐being of the country’s residents. You'll have the chance to see medical procedures, help in clinical and hospital work, and gain precious medical knowledge and experience that you may not have been exposed to until the second or third year of medical school.

Law and Human Rights

A human rights internship abroad in South America is a wonderful way to make a difference in other people’s lives while getting invaluable international work experience. For individuals on a gap year, studying law or a human rights related area at university, or wanting a career break that will broaden their horizons, a law or human rights internship in South America offers a unique cross-cultural exchange that will enhance your résumé and increase your prospects within these highly competitive fields.

Journalism and Media

A journalism or media internship in South America offers a unique cross-cultural exchange that will enhance your résumé and increase your prospects within the highly competitive journalism industry. From conducting interviews for Radio Del Valle in Bolivia, to writing for one of Argentina’s monthly magazine publications, internships offer the opportunity to put together a unique portfolio of journalistic work. Proficiency in both verbal and written Spanish is extremely helpful and often necessary for most journalism internships in South America.

Chile

The recently launched "Startup Chile" program only offers residency to entrepreneurs relocating to Chile and also monetary capital to those who qualify, enticing workers from all over the world.
Chilean economy is dependent largely on agriculture. If you want to try something a little ‘out of the box,’ head down to Chile’s main agricultural area, the Vale of Chile, to stomp some grapes! The large vineyards in the Vale of Chile are the main source of the industry of wine in this vast country.

Brazil

Blessed with vast natural resources, including massive oil reserves and fertile farm land, Brazil is well positioned to continue its ascent and become one of the top economies in the world. A growing expat community and a shortage of skilled labor, provide tremendous opportunities for qualified foreigners to find opportunities in the workforce. The economy of Brazil relies on many areas including the growing agricultural, mining, manufacturing and service sectors.

Brazil has become the most powerful country in South America in economic terms and has acquired a strong position in global economy. On a more local note, considering the sheer size and variety of Brazil, there is a great deal of intern positions to consider in terms of environmental conservation and wildlife protection.

Argentina

Argentina is high on the radar for the potential expat. There is already a large expat community present in Argentina with many thriving in the eloquent city of Buenos Aires. With an influx of expats, businesses cater to the international community.
Argentina also has an abundance of natural resources. An agricultural sector which serves Argentina's exports and a wide-ranging industrial base make up Argentina economy. Similar to its Brazilian neighbor, Argentina boasts numerous opportunities in the field of environmental efforts. Efforts are in place to protect this land in terms of wetlands, marine life, rain forests and attention to climate change.

Colombia

The Colombian economy is largely dependent on the agricultural field based on a plump variety of crops produced here; from potatoes to cotton to sugarcane to bananas. As relevant as all of these products are to the Colombian economy, the cream of the crop is the coffee bean. Instead of starting your morning work day with a cup of coffee, why not start it smack in the middle of a coffee plantation in a little place known as ‘The Coffee Land”. Furthermore, there are excellent investment yields in the Medellin property market. It may be wise to take notice now as forward thinking expats willing to get in early will reap the largest rewards.

Paraguay

Paraguay has a market economy characterized by a large informal sector. A large portion of the population is not involved in the formal economy, instead existing as subsistence farmers. Additionally, the economy owes a lot to the activities of thousands of micro-enterprises and urban street vendors. For those willing to roll up their sleeves and do some manual labor, Paraguay boasts intern options in both the areas of agriculture and traditional artisan craft.

Cost of Living

Although rare, it's possible to find paid internships most commonly in the medical field and for those with prior experience and education. Some interns also find permanent, paid employment with the companies in which they interned. This is actually quite common as it is a benefit to the employer to have an experienced intern that needs little or no training once full‐time regular employment begins.

The cost of living (without rent) in South America can range roughly from $500-$1,000 USD, dependent on your location and lifestyle. For those with a lower budget, Bolivia, Colombia, Ecuador and Peru are cost-effective options; there are many locations to call home in Argentine, Brazil, Chile and Uruguay for those with a higher budget and more disposable funds.

Travel throughout South America can be costly; traveling from one area to the next will take multiple hours therefore costing you more. Consider immersing yourself more within fewer locations instead of jumping all over the place as journeying back and forth which will double your expense.

Culture and Etiquette

• Language: Portuguese is the most spoken language in South America, followed by Spanish, which is the official language of most countries. Each country has its own official language largely influenced by the colonization of earlier days; for example Dutch is the official language of Suriname. English is widely known cross South America making it fairly easy travel for those uneducated in more than one language. Your internship options may be more diverse if you have some background in either Portuguese or Spanish.
• Business: Latinos, in general, are a very warm and friendly people and enjoy casual conversation before getting to business. This casual conversation is aimed at getting to know you personally as the interest is more in you, the person, rather than you as a representative of some faceless corporation. Personal space is of no concern during social or business conversation. Expect to stand close together, casual touching and, of course, the "abrazo", or embrace, among good friends. Do not be startled to have a Latin businessman hold your elbow while conversing, or walk down the street arm-in‐arm.