New Zealand Internship

Internship CAREER FIELDS

TEAN offers summer (8-week) and full semester (12-week) unpaid internship placements in a variety of positions in exciting industries across New Zealand. There are no industry limitations – if your field is not listed below please contact us to check availability!

Accounting & Finance

Intern for an organization in their finance department or for an accountant who is an accredited mortgage consultant or tax agent. You may be involved in updates and reconciliations for special events within an organization, and will work directly with a finance or accounting unit on projects.

Architecture & Urban Planning

Placements can be in architecture business and city planning. In the past, interns have had the opportunity to shadow client presentations, site meetings and product launches. Please note that is is one of the more challenging fields to place interns.

Art, Photography and Design

Intern at a gallery, museum, boutique art center or a design studio. Placements range from local boutiques to community museums and can include working with local or international artists with the chance to assist with coordinating events or displays.

Animal Care & Wildlife

Work with native animals of New Zealand and domestic animals in local vet centers, or even wildlife centres and rehabilitation zoos, assisting veterinary surgeons with consultations and treatments, as well as working closely with zoologists conducting research on sustainability.

Business

Business internship placements are available in a wide range of local, national and international companies. You’ll work with and learn from managers or directors who will show by example how to manage a team and information correctly. You’ll also be assigned projects and tasks, as well as be involved in company meetings.

Education

Develop as an educator through experience in the classroom or exposure to a school environment, such as an educational camp or other organization. Work closely with students, learn from experienced educators, observe the process of identifying learning needs, develop specific programming techniques to best cater for these needs and practice applying different teaching strategies. Due to the difference in academic calendars of New Zealand and the U.S., educational opportunities in the classroom are seasonal and not always available while you’re abroad.

ENGINEERING

Engineering placements are available with an array of opportunities including mentorship from prestigious engineers in different engineering fields such as mechanical, civil and environmental engineering, providing invaluable hands-on experience.

ENVIRONMENTAL STUDIES

Choose an internship placement in a variety of sectors including policy and procedure, conservation within botanical gardens, conservation of wildlife and habitats, atmosphere and community projects.
Learn more about Environment internships.

EVENTS MANAGEMENT

Learn how to successfully plan a commercial or local event from start to finish, such as music festivals, media events, marketing award ceremonies, corporate conferences and school graduations. Tasks can include organising tables, seating charts and guest lists, preparing audio-visual materials and helping with setup/take-down.

HEALTHCARE

Healthcare is a competitive field that allows successful interns to work alongside healthcare professionals within fields such as research, neuroscience, optometry and more. We work with hosts from all different areas to ensure you can gain as much practical experience as possible in a lab or clinical setting.

Hospitality, Events & Tourism

Internship opportunities can involve working in the local tourism and hospitality industry creating new excursions, being placed within a hospitality or tour company’s marketing and advertising department, looking at tour trends and doing market research.

HUMAN RESOURCES

Intern in a human resources department managing a number of roles to help support the company or organization. Some of the functions carried out may be strategic planning, forecasting labor requirements, recruitment, selection, induction, motivation, performance appraisal and rewarding employees, along with assisting with managing redundancy, employee grievances and complaints. Placements are at international companies, as well as New Zealand-based businesses of all types, sizes and fields.

LAW

Work in a respected local or national law firm. Our host organizations all have incredible legal reputations and are consistently making a great impact in hearings as well as in the national news. Placements are very competitive and depend on multiple factors including your application, current skill set, previous experience and host availability. Tasks may involve researching local legislation legal research, legal drafting, attending court hearings or interviews with clients, and providing draft legal advice to solicitors for approval. Indigenous legal work can be completed as well.

MARKETING

Get the opportunity to work across many aspects of marketing including social media, digital marketing and developing web content. Roles vary with placements at both agencies and in-house, and cover a range of fields or marketing initiatives including potentially working on major TV commercials, advertising campaigns, webinars and online radio interviews.

NON-PROFIT/COMMUNITY OUTREACH

Work directly for national or local charities on projects that will truly make a difference. Past interns have worked on important research and have prepared numerous reports for issues that have been presented to government organizations to lobby for new legislation. There are also opportunities developing sustainable approaches to the environment and assisting on community projects.

PUBLIC HEALTH

Work alongside healthcare professionals within agencies or non-profits that are trying to reach certain health goals within the New Zealand community. Opportunities are highly competitive, but may be available in a number of areas such as mental health research,  obesity and drug usage.

PUBLIC RELATIONS

Work in a boutique PR firm that embodies the professionalism, efficiency and trustworthiness you would expect from a larger public relations agency. Our host organizations operate with a certain flair and willingness to push boundaries, and you’ll likely be involved with brainstorming, monitoring media coverage, drafting media materials, preparing clients reports and supporting product launches. Work in a colourful and friendly environment on exciting PR projects and achieve outcomes throughout your internship and see the different you can truly make in this fast paced industry.

REAL ESTATE

Expand your skillset with opportunities to work in sales, leasing, accounting and property management. Past placements have included with estate agents and property agencies working with both residential and commercial properties.

RESEARCH

Work directly with New Zealand universities on research projects focused on a range of topics, such as anxiety, pediatrics, psychology and engineering. Work alongside professionals in a lab setting or research unit whilst gaining valuable training from your peers.

SPORTS MEDICINE

TEAN offers unique opportunities to intern with our leading partners in sports medicine including working as an athletic trainer in fitness and rehabilitation or even with a with a local sports team. Train from experts in specific methods of taping, fitness testing and coaching. Sporting involvement ranges from basketball and baseball to rugby.

SPORTS MANAGEMENT & MARKETING

TEAN offers a range of opportunities in sports management and sports marketing with tasks involving developing business plans, sports operations, player management, sponsorship sales/servicing and ticketing/memberships. We have opportunities with national and local basketball and baseball teams as well as with sports organizations that work in major leagues both nationally and internationally. Our interns have gone on to get jobs in major organizations such as the Los Angeles Lakers.

THEATRE & MUSIC

TEAN interns in theater and music have a number of opportunities to get involved with the local arts scene ranging from working with local radio stations, to being placed in theater companies for both training and work experience. Interns may have the opportunity to be involved in productions or production management, in terms of stage and lighting or sound, and in various theatrical styles such as Shakespeare and mime. Students may also assist with delivery of workshops, marketing and advertising.

TOURISM AND HOSPITALITY

Work in the local tourism and hospitality industry creating new excursions, working within marketing and advertising, looking at tour trends and doing market research.

TV & FILM

TEAN television and film internships give you the opportunity to help produce a variety of media, including videos and web-based content for various platforms and companies, such as TV stations, tourism and travel organizations, and national and international corporations. Projects that interns complete often focus on post production and require research and creative development, client liaison, budgeting, production and delivery across various media platforms.

Past interns have also helped with shoots and received extensive guidance and instruction on filming, lighting and planning techniques, as well as editing and the overall production process.

Academic Credit Through TEAN

TEAN has partnered with a US School of Record, the University of South Florida, to offer a US transcript for in-person and virtual internships. Students participating in a full-time 8-week internship abroad will be awarded 6 upper-division credits. We also offer virtual internship options worth 3-6 upper-division credits, depending on the number of internship hours associated with the program. Credit awarded will be based on the successful completion of the online course which is managed by the WorldStrides Higher Ed Academic team in collaboration with the School of Record.

Upon completion of the program, students receive an official transcript from TEAN’s School of Record, the University of South Florida (USF). Located in Tampa, Florida, USF is accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges (SACSCOC) to award associate, baccalaureate, master’s, specialist, and doctorate degrees. The USF transcript will reflect transfer credit for coursework completed during this program. Please be in touch with your home university regarding credit transfer.

Home University Credit

Participants may be able to arrange academic credit for the internship placement directly through their home university by speaking with their academic department and the study abroad office. At the time of application to the program, students choosing this option will need to provide TEAN with the details of the credit and any special requirements as it relates to the internship placement. Students are responsible for paying their home university for any tuition or fees associated with the credit.

TEAN encourages participants to discuss the academic credit options with their home university early in the application process. Academic credit for internships must be approved and arranged before the internship begins, as credit typically cannot be retroactively arranged.

ENJOY FLEXIBILITY WITH TEAN FLEX

We’ve partnered with Arizona State University (ASU) to help you overcome common study abroad challenges by adding an ASU Online course to your TEAN program. With more than 2,100 courses to choose from, TEAN Flex minimizes academic challenges, like major requirements and limited course options, so you can make the most of your experience abroad. Once you’ve applied, access the Flex form in your TEAN Student Portal for more information on how to add this to your program and enroll in the course you need.

TEAN Staff

Our team works with you start to finish through the internship process. Our staff will help guide you through the application process to go abroad, then upon arrival in New Zealand, you will meet our team who will provide assistance during your time in-country. Our staff is readily available and able to assist you with any questions or issues that you may face during your time abroad.

HOUSING IN INTERNSHIP LOCATIONS

TEAN interns are guaranteed housing in secure, fully-furnished apartments in the host city. Apartments are centrally located within walking distance of public transport.   A homestay with a local Kiwi family may be possible for students interning in smaller cities.

Orientation

There are few places more scenic than your new host country, and during your 4-day Orientation Program we take you to some of the most unique spots on the North Island. Designed to set you up for a successful internship by introducing you to Kiwi culture, including local business etiquette and internship best practices, while also getting to know your soon-to-be friends, the experience kicks off with a welcome dinner overlooking Auckland.

The following day, visit a local marae – a sacred meeting area in the Maori community – to get your first taste of Maori culture before making your way to the stunning Rotorua. Known for its natural landscapes and geothermal activity, this region is filled with interesting activities, excursions and destinations including the iconic Hobbiton. Even if you’re not a hardcore LOTR fan, the private tour of the 12-acre Hobbiton is fascinating with the chance to stroll through some of the movie’s most recognizable sets and learn more about how the films were made. Other activities throughout your Orientation include heading to Wai-O-Tapu Thermal Wonderland where you can see some of the country’s most impressive landscapes and natural attractions (like a 20-meter-high geyser up), relaxing in hot springs and learning the traditional Maori haka.

On the final day of Orientation, travel to your host city where you’ll move into their housing for the duration of the program.

EVENTS AND EXCURSIONS

Even though you are traveling abroad to intern, it’s important to take time to enjoy the local culture. The TEAN Internship Program includes a minimum of three unique and engaging cultural activities, such as concerts or sports events, during your time in New Zealand. Past events have included; touring Waiheke Island with a Maori guide, going to a rugby match, and whale watching along the coast, in addition to coffee catch ups with the TEAN staff.

Eligibility

• All New Zealand Internship Program applicants are expected to have an appropriate academic background related to the internship placement duties.
• Students who have completed at least one year of university work and have grade point averages above 2.5 will be eligible for most internships.
• Applicants must be eligible to apply for the Student and Trainee Work Holiday Visa

Application deadlines

TEAN has a rolling admissions process. We recommend submitting your application anytime from January for Summer and Fall applications and from June for Spring applications. Late applications may be considered. Contact TEAN if the application deadline has passed. 

PAYMENT DEADLINES

Your signed program contract and full payment for the program are due by the program deadline. Please note we do have options for using financial aid and enrolling in a payment plan if you cannot make full payment by the payment deadline. You can find more information about funding your program here

Fall 2024

spring 2025

Summer 2025

Fall 2024

• 8-week program fee and accommodation: $8,250
• 12-week program fee and accommodation: $10,750

spring 2025

• 8-week program fee and accommodation: $8,250 
• 12-week program fee and accommodation: $10,750 

Summer 2025

may Intake

• 8-week program fee and accommodation: $8,250

June Intake

• 8-week program fee and accommodation: $8,250

What’s Included

• Internship Placement
• Guaranteed, pre-arranged housing including internet and utilities
• Four-day North Island Orientation Excursion with some meals, excursions, accommodations and transportation
• Services of local TEAN support staff
• Overseas health insurance, plus evacuation and repatriation insurance
• Cultural events and catch ups during the program
• Pre-departure preparation including flight booking, visa and insurance advising
• Airport pickup and reception upon arrival
• Professional development exercises both during the pre-departure period and upon re-entry, including reimbursement for registration to a returnee conference
• Access to self-assessment tools and supervisor evaluations that provide a roadmap for your development

WHAT’S NOT INCLUDED

• International airfare ($1,200 – $1,800)
• Domestic airfare in U.S. ($500)
• Meals during the semester ($1,995) or summer ($1,000)
• Travel Insurance ($350)
• Cost to commute to/from the internship site dependent on internship location. Check with Internship Program Manager. (up to $500)
• New Zealand Visa ($35)**
• Personal travel and expenses ($800 – $1,300+)
• Some meals during orientation ($150-$250)
• Background checks and relevant certifications to perform a role (First Aid, CPR, etc.): $25-$75

*Numbers are estimated based on previous student experience and budget. Actual amounts will vary depending on student.

**The cost may vary if student choses to apply for an alternate visa other than the one TEAN recommends.

How it works

Take a look through the above information including career fields, program fees and dates.  If you have any questions contact us. The TEAN Internships Team will guide you through the entire process – from application to after you return home.

1. APPLY

Apply online when you are ready. Make sure to meet the application deadline. See Program dates above. Once you have applied please work your way through the TEAN application materials and submit all required materials by the application deadline.

2. ADVISING SESSION

Once TEAN receives your application materials we’ll be in contact to have an advising session with you. We’ll also provide some guidance on editing your resume and cover letter that will be used to introduce you to possible internship placements. Please be advised that you will be asked to make a deposit of $1000 before scheduling this session which will be deducted from your final payment balance.

3. CONFIRM YOUR PLACE WITH A DEPOSIT

Once your deposit is paid TEAN will begin the process of securing your internship placement. You may be called upon to interview at this time. This deposit is fully refundable if you are not placed in an internship. Read the full internship refund policy.

4. INTERNSHIP PLACEMENT

Our placement team will collaborate with you to ensure we secure a suitable role in your top three career field preferences. Upon securing a placement, you will be provided with an Internship Confirmation Letter that includes a list of duties and be asked to sign your offer letter within 5 days.

5. ACCEPTANCE

You will confirm your place by submitting your signed Internship Confirmation Letter by the given deadline. At this point, you will also be asked to make your final payment to secure your internship placement and so that TEAN can begin finalizing arrangements for you onsite.

*TEAN will work with you to provide pre-departure information including flight booking information, visa guidance and housing details. If you cannot make your final payment in full or are using financial aid a Placement Deposit of $1500 will be collected and we can arrange a payment plan for a fee of $25 for you.**

*Does not apply to students from direct bill universities.
​**Please note that the $25 fee only applies when using financial aid if you do not have your Verification of Award form submitted. If the form is submitted you will not be charged a fee for a payment plan when using financial aid.

STUDY AND INTERNSHIP COMBINED PROGRAMS

Students who would like to combine a semester studying abroad with a part-time internship in New Zealand should consider the following study abroad programs. These semester programs offer internships for academic credit as part of their study abroad programs.

AUT University, Auckland – Internships available in most fields.
Massey University, Wellington – Communications internships available
University of Canterbury, Christchurch – Internships available in a variety of fields.