While South America encompasses 12 countries, there are a couple nations that are particularly ideal for some very specific types of internships. One thing to keep in mind when looking for an internships in South america is whether you would like to have a big city experience, a small town lifestyle, or a more rural immersion. In the end, each South American country is very different from the next, so there is surely a perfect fit for everyone; you just have to take time to find it!

Brazil. The land of emotions that can’t be expressed in English, the land of soccer, the land of incredible beaches, and, perhaps most importantly to us, the land of a robust economy. Brazil’s largest cities, Sao Paulo, Rio de Janeiro, and Salvador da Bahia, offer quite a few options in terms of internship placements. Due to its size and prominence in world politics, there are a plethora of international companies to choose from for internships in Brazil. If you speak Spanish, that is probably a good base to build your Portuguese language skills off of, although you’ll probably be able to find internships in brazil that don’t even have a Portuguese language requirement, as long as you’re a native English speaker.

Argentina. The second largest country in South America, Argentina is a country of adventure. From the capital of Buenos Aires to stark Patagonia, there is no shortage of things to do and natural wonders to explore in Argentina. As one of the most important cities in the world, interns will be able to find plenty of internship placements in Buenos Aires, many of which may not even require proficiency in the Spanish language. Something interesting that interns might be able to do in Argentina is get an internship with a cattle company, due to the significance of the Argentinian cattle industry. The other great thing about interning in Argentina is that it offers many amenities that European and American interns will be accustomed to, but at a more affordable price. 

Peru. This coastal, mountainous country is full of such drastic biodiversity that it can actually be shocking to first time visitors. The two most common cities to intern in Peru are Cusco and the capital city of Lima. Cusco is the ancient capital of the Incan Empire and home to a booming tourism industry along with hundreds of archeological ruins. Most internship placements in Cusco are offered at tourism companies, language schools, or volunteer organizations. On the other hand, in Lima, interns can apply for more corporate style internship placements with a number of international companies and organizations.