Are you stuck in a rut trying to decipher the world opportunities in your path? Whether you just finished school, or are looking to take a gap year, there’s so much out there to do! If you’re set on traveling the world in a meaningful way for your next move, your decisions are probably stalled due to the ageless question of—should I intern or volunteer? Tricky little question you have there. It’s not as easy to answer as you might think.

It’s a tough decision, but the good news is that you really can’t go wrong!

Volunteering has a wonderful reputation, and you’ll likely receive all sorts of praise for your magnanimous outlook on the world. However, interning is seen as a sensible choice to catapult your career into gear.

And then there’s deciding between an unpaid internship vs volunteering. How are those different? This is that gray area. To answer, an unpaid internship is typically focused more on the college credit side of the aisle, while volunteering is more about spending time bettering the world. Either option is a great way to grow and learn, so what you choose will depend on what you hope to do next.

But even within the two options, there can be overlap in what the opportunities have to offer. Some volunteer positions will help you snag your dream job, and some internships are run through life-changing NGOs.

So is it better to volunteer or intern? What is the difference between volunteering and work experience?

What’s the difference between internship and volunteer work?

Here’s something most people won’t tell you: The main difference between an internship and a volunteer opportunity is…the word! All jokes aside, there is a lot of overlap.

An internship is typically framed as a way to progress your professional skills and portfolio. It’s usually in a typical “job” setting, where you’re working and learning as you go. Some internships are paid (do those!), others can get you college credit, and others offer a bit of both.

Are you interested in a more traditional setting for gaining experience abroad?

Additionally, internships tend to be tied to university programs, so if you’re in school, you’ll probably have additional resources and faculty to help sort out the requirements for your case.

Volunteering is all about donating your time and skills to help a cause. You won’t get paid for it, but in some cases, you’ll get housing and meals taken care of. People don’t volunteer for that cash money—they do it to make a difference. The setting can range from an animal sanctuary in Belize, to an office job in Beijing. And depending on your career goals, volunteer placements can be just as valuable (or even more so) than interning.

Should I intern or volunteer?

Is it better to volunteer or intern? Well, it depends on your goals and situation. If you’re in school and need an internship to graduate, that’s probably the best choice for you (there are some great opportunities abroad, so you can travel and get credit in one fell swoop).

A big difference between volunteering and work experience via internship is what you have the capacity to do. Do you need to be making money right now, and taking steps towards a budding career? Look into paid internships. Can you take a summer off and explore while doing something good for the world? Volunteering is the way to go! Take the time to lay out the pros and cons of each, and apply it to your situation.

Maybe you can end up doing both, so don’t feel like you have to limit yourself. It can be overwhelming when you’re faced with a big decision and you’re being pulled in two different directions. Don’t write one off just yet, even if it means you come back to it in several years.

10 benefits of volunteering and internships

As a volunteer, you’ll get to be a lot more hands-on in your host community.

To help you out with your decision, we’ve laid out some of the biggest benefits between internships vs volunteering. These are the reasons why each experience rocks, and how the experiences vary. Hopefully this makes your decision a bit clearer!

5 big volunteering benefits

1. Serve a worthy cause

Whether it’s teaching in Africa or working at an elephant nursery in Thailand, you’re sure to get warm fuzzies for the myriad good causes out there while volunteering. You’ll have the chance to put a little more good into the world and feel good while doing it.

2. Visit places you may not otherwise have a chance to

Volunteer opportunities can take you all around the world, and sometimes to places you wouldn’t be able to go otherwise. You might end up in a remote jungle village, or a local gem sans tourists!

3. Grow as a person

It wouldn’t be volunteering if you didn’t learn something about yourself. You’ll be in a new environment with new people, learning new things—and it happens fast. It can be a little bit overwhelming but in the most thrilling ways. Doing something like this is bound to open up some parts of you that you didn’t know were there. Can’t wait to meet the new you!

4. Learn a new skill

Volunteering is a great way to hone in on a new skill. It could be wrangling animals, building houses, tracking, trail clearing, or even an entirely new language. There are tons of opportunities to broaden your skillset.

5. Connect with amazing people

The great thing about volunteering is you’ll be in a group of like-minded people who are eager to go on this journey with you. They’re also committed to the cause, and passionate about what you’re passionate about. There is no doubt that you’ll meet all sorts of great folks, from the volunteers in your cohort, to your program coordinators, to the locals you’re working with.

5 essential benefits of interning abroad

Interning abroad is an excellent way to get your foot in the door of your chosen industry.

1. Job security

An obvious answer to whether it’s better to volunteer or intern can come from your job outlook. Interning is a great way to get your toe in the door with a company you adore, especially if you’re going the more “traditional” career route. Many programs have internships that lead to jobs, so scouting the best opportunities to get hired is a great angle when looking into your options.

2. Get paid

The movement for paid internships is gaining momentum, but there’s a ways to go. While there are still probably more unpaid internships out there than those that provide a stipend or salary, it isn’t impossible to find one that actually pays you for the work you do. If choosing an experience for you is based on monetary compensation (we get it—traveling and student loans are expensive), we suggest skipping over volunteer work and looking at internships in “developed” countries like the US, Canada, France, Germany, Australia, and more. (Or check out some valuable tips on how to intern abroad on a budget!)

3. Fun spin on college credit

Many college programs require internship experience for graduation, and even if yours doesn’t, internships are commonly accepted in lieu of on-campus coursework. If you need an internship to graduate, find one that is appealing to you. Maybe that means you intern abroad in Spain for a jumpstart on your business career, or perhaps you spend your weekends drinking wine and eating cheese in France while learning the ins and outs of engineering. The sky is the limit! (Until Elon Musk starts opening up internships in space, that is.)

4. Networking

Getting into the “workin’ world” can be a little bit of a drag (and difficult to gain your footing) unless you know someone. Working as an intern is a great way to get to know people in the field you’re interested in, and perhaps they’ll connect you to your next big thing.

5. Learn about the field

Learning about journalism is one thing, but jumping into an interview IRL is a totally different beast. Interning is a way to get your feet wet in the biz (whatever biz) with a little less pressure than a full-time gig. You’ll have mentors and peers helping you along the way, so soak it up!

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Figure out your goals before choosing to intern or volunteer

Hey, as long as traveling is involved, can you really make a *wrong* decision?

Sooo…should I intern or volunteer? Hopefully you’re a few steps closer to answering this question for yourself.

While there is a technical difference between an internship and volunteer opportunities, they both have the benefit of getting you to another country.

To be honest, both are great options for doing something meaningful abroad. The benefits of volunteering and internships overlap, so if you’re still not sure which is best for you, you could always try flipping a coin and doing a gut check.

The most important thing is to align your adventure abroad with your personal goals, and you’ll be on your way to the experience of a lifetime!

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