Interning in South America: Cultural Tips and Project Highlights

South America offers a unique blend of career development and adventure for young professionals. Imagine gaining international work experience during the week and trekking to ancient ruins or exploring the Amazon on weekends. Interning or volunteering abroad in this region can boost your résumé, improve your language skills, and satisfy your wanderlust all at once. 

Whether you’re a student, graduate, or career changer, South America’s internships span business, healthcare, education, and more, all set against a backdrop of vibrant cultures and breathtaking landscapes.

Cultural Tips for Interns in South America

Preparing for an internship in South America isn’t just about the job – it’s also about embracing the local way of life.

Here are some cultural tips to help you hit the ground running:

• Learn the Language: Brush up on basic Spanish (or Portuguese in Brazil). Even simple phrases open doors, and most programs include language lessons.
• Embrace Customs: Greet warmly (handshake or cheek kiss), share mate in Argentina, dance samba in Brazil, or join a Peruvian festival—locals love genuine interest.
• Adapt to the Pace: “Hora Latina” means things run at a slower pace. Stay patient, use downtime to connect over coffee, and go with the flow.
• Show Initiative & Humility: Outside ideas are welcome, but respect local methods and learn from your hosts.
• Prepare for Adventure: Pack layers — from Andes chills to Amazon heat — and good walking shoes for cobblestones, trails, and market strolls.

Let’s explore some of the best internship and professional advancement programs across South America.

Peru

Peru’s iconic Machu Picchu, vibrant indigenous cultures, and growing economy make it a magnet for interns.

From clinical rounds in Cusco to conservation work in the Amazon, programs combine hands-on experience with weekend treks to Rainbow Mountain or the Sacred Valley. 

With Spanish immersion, professional growth, and breathtaking landscapes, Peru remains a top intern destination in South America.

Maximo Nivel (Cusco, Peru)

Maximo Nivel is a highly rated local organization with an institute right in Cusco’s historic district. Internship placements include Education, Micro-Business, Hospitality & Tourism, Human Rights, Medical, Veterinary Science, and more – all tailored to your interests. 

You’ll intern 6–8 hours a day under the guidance of local professionals, and the program includes daily Spanish classes and homestay accommodations for a true immersion experience. 

Intern Abroad HQ (Cusco, Peru)

Intern Abroad HQ (the internship branch of IVHQ) offers short-term internships starting from 2 weeks, perfect for students or gap travelers on a budget. You can intern in fields like Psychology, Physical Therapy, Dentistry, Education, Marketing, and more. 

Each placement in Peru includes intensive Spanish lessons to help you connect with locals. Programs are very flexible on start dates and duration. You get airport pickup, a homestay with meals, and 24/7 in-country support for a smooth experience. 

Volunteering Solutions (Cusco, Peru)

Volunteering Solutions (VolSol) runs top-rated health care internships in Peru, ideal for students in pre-med, nursing, or dentistry. One standout is their Dental Elective Internship in Cusco, where you’ll shadow and assist local dentists in clinics and public health campaigns. 

Interns help with procedures, sterilize instruments, lead oral hygiene workshops for kids, and even join outreach to rural areas. It’s a fantastic way to gain clinical experience and serve communities in need. 

Involvement Volunteers International (Cusco, Peru) 

IVI offers a unique internship in the tourism sector of Cusco – perfect if you’re interested in hotel management, travel agencies, or hospitality marketing. This Hospitality & Tourism Internship places you with local hotels, hostels, or tour operators to learn the ropes of sales, reservations, guest services, and even social media marketing. 

You’ll also get 1 hour of Spanish class per day to build your language skills on the side. 

Global Vision International (Amazon, Peru) 

Spend two to 24 weeks at a jungle research station in Puerto Maldonado, Peru, working 40 hours a week on hands-on conservation projects. Under expert mentorship, study biodiversity — primate behavior, camera trapping, mammal transects, habitat assessment, and climate monitoring — to protect iconic species like sloths, spider monkeys, jaguars, and pumas. 

Accommodation, meals, airport transfers, and comprehensive support are included. 

Argentina

From Buenos Aires’s cosmopolitan buzz to Mendoza’s vineyards and Patagonia’s peaks, Argentina offers diverse internships and Spanish immersion.

After work, enjoy asado gatherings, tango lessons, or a day trip to Iguazú Falls. The blend of European flair and Latin spirit makes Argentina uniquely captivating.

Intern Abroad HQ (Córdoba, Argentina) 

Intern Abroad HQ’s programs in Córdoba are among the most affordable and flexible in South America.

This university city is full of young people and startups, making it an ideal backdrop for internships in Business Development, Law & Governance, Global Health, NGO Support, Veterinary Medicine, and Arts & Culture fields. 

Projects Abroad (Buenos Aires & Beyond)

Projects Abroad in Argentina focuses on professional growth combined with meaningful work. In Buenos Aires, you might intern in Human Rights, working with local organizations on advocacy and policy initiatives. 

In more rural settings or smaller cities, Projects Abroad offers unique placements like an Equine Therapy Internship, where you assist therapists working with children with disabilities using horses as a therapeutic tool. This equine therapy project (based just outside the city, in the scenic countryside) is perfect for those who love working with animals. 

If media is your thing, Argentina also hosts a Radio Journalism internship where you can join a community radio station, helping produce programs and report on local news (a fantastic way to improve your Spanish journalism skills). 

Ecuador

Though small, Ecuador boasts immense biodiversity and culture. Intern in the Andes, the Amazon, or the Galápagos.

With clear-accented Spanish and colonial charms in Quito and Cuenca alongside Galápagos’s unique wildlife, Ecuador offers unforgettable professional growth and adventure.

Projects Abroad (Galápagos, Ecuador)

Projects Abroad offers a Social Work Internship on San Cristóbal Island in the Galápagos. This truly unique internship lets you work at a kindergarten and care center for disadvantaged children, including those with special needs. You’ll support local staff in providing education, therapy, and extra attention to kids who need it. 

Interns stay with host families on the island, gaining insight into Galápagos culture.

Brazil

Brazil offers niche internships and volunteer programs that blend professional growth with unique adventures.

Though less common than in Peru or Argentina, Brazil’s opportunities showcase South America’s diversity — from Afro-Latin culture and the Amazon basin to vibrant coastal cities and rainforest communities. 

One notable option is volunteering in Rio’s favelas (urban slums) to support children and youth. For example, IVHQ offers a Child Care program in Rio de Janeiro where volunteers work at community daycare centers in underserved neighborhoods. 

Another volunteer project in Rio involves teaching arts and music with local children, combining creativity with community service. 

Tip: If Brazil calls to you, consider getting TEFL certified – teaching English is a popular way to work in Brazil long-term.

Teaching English in South America (TEFL Opportunities)

Teaching English is a popular avenue for young travelers to live and work abroad, and South America is no exception. A TEFL (Teaching English as a Foreign Language) credential not only prepares you to be an effective teacher but is often required for paid teaching jobs.

One highly regarded resource is the International TEFL Academy, which offers accredited TEFL courses (online or in-person) and job placement assistance for graduates. A program like International TEFL Academy’s TEFL certification equips you with the skills to plan lessons, manage a classroom, and adapt to different learning styles. They also provide country-specific job guidance – for example, they can advise on booming markets like teaching English in Ecuador and how to navigate work visas there.

Forge Your Own Path in South America

Ready to take the leap? Interning in South America is more than a résumé boost — it’s an invitation to cultural immersion, language mastery, and unforgettable adventures. Whether you’re shadowing healthcare professionals in Peru’s Andes, supporting community projects in Brazil’s favelas, or honing business skills in Argentina’s startups, each program offers hands-on experience that sets you apart. 

Embrace “Hora Latina,” learn from local mentors, and explore epic landscapes on your days off. Start your South America internship journey today and transform your career and worldview—all while discovering why this vibrant region is the ultimate classroom.