In-Person Internship Program — Puentes

We provide a complete immersion experience with the following components:

Personalized Internship Placement

Referrals and interviews with companies and organizations according to your interests, skills, and Spanish level in order to confirm your ideal internship.

Professional Enrichment

Professional development seminars on global career insights and reflections.

Pre-Departure Preparation

Step-by-step guidance, pre-departure webinar, and access to the online Puentes Portal with tips and information to help you prepare for your travels.

Network building

Puentes Connect networking event with all interns and internship supervisors.

Internship with Engaging Work

Our internship opportunities have been well-vetted to ensure that you’ll have meaningful, project-based work with real impact and close supervision.

CULTURAL IMMERSION

Engaging activities to help you become as immersed as possible in local Argentine or Uruguayan culture.

HOUSING

Comfortable, pre-screened, and well-located homestays or shared apartments.

Constant Support

24 hours a day, 7 days a week on-site support, plus online resources to maximize your adventures abroad.

Lasting Impact

Connections, support, and continued learning through the Puentes Alumni Network around the world.

 
 

2025 SUMMER PROGRAM DATES

IN-PERSON INTERNSHIP PROGRAM
  • Buenos Aires Session A: Thursday, May 29, to Saturday, July 26
  • Buenos Aires Session B: Thursday, June 26, to Saturday, August 23
  • Montevideo: Thursday, May 29, to Saturday, July 26

  • REMOTE INTERNSHIP PROGRAM
  • Session A: Monday, June 2, to Friday, July 25
  • Session B: Monday, June 30, to Friday, August 22
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    Well-designed and well-structured internships are a valuable way to expose you to new areas of work and to gain lasting professional skills.

    Internship Methodology

    thorough Placement Process

    You will have a one-on-one advising call with the Puentes team to review your internship objectives and interests. Then all enrolled interns interview directly with possible companies and organizations, and based on your feedback and theirs, we confirm your internship placement.

    Meaningful Work

    You will be tackling project-based work, which is designed to directly contribute to the key objectives of the company or organization where you are interning, ensuring that you’ll gain real experience and know-how through substantial, mission-driven work

    program format

    During the in-person internship program, you will be part of a cohort of fellow interns in Buenos Aires or Montevideo who will participate together in local cultural activities, professional development seminars, and social events.

    • Program duration: 8 weeks

    • Internship hours: Working hours are dependent on your university program requirements.

    • Work modality: All in-person interns will work 2-3 days per week in the company’s workspace. Internships may offer fully in-office or hybrid options.

    internship mentoring

    You will have a dedicated Puentes Mentor from our team, who will oversee your internship experience. Before the program begins, your Puentes Mentor and you will review together your program objectives. Your internship begins with an initial meeting to set internship expectations and project goals with your internship supervisor and Puentes Mentor.  During the internship, you have ongoing guidance from your internship supervisor.  As well, you, your Puentes Mentor, and your internship supervisor have a mid-internship meeting to discuss learnings, challenges, successes, and remaining goals.  Your internship concludes with a closing meeting to reflect on your internship experience with your supervisor and Puentes Mentor.

    At least an intermediate Spanish level is recommended. The more Spanish proficiency you have, the more internship options will be available to you and the more opportunities for cultural and professional immersion you will have while in country.

     

    Internship industries

    Our internships are in many diverse and captivating industries. Internship opportunities range from educational and human rights nonprofits to startups and tech companies - with many other high-performing nonprofits, government agencies, and businesses in between.

     

    intern roles

    Our interns take on significant projects that are challenging yet doable and highly impactful for the company or organization. There are many different types of roles available for interns, and we work with your supervisor and you to design the right role and project for you. Some of the possible internships roles are the following:

    I was incredibly involved with many different aspects of running the company I interned with. My supervisors allowed me to learn about nearly every aspect I wanted to, and this was beneficial to creating more impactful content. It is great to know my contributions will be a part of their site for a long time.
    — Kylie P., Research & Writing Intern, Virginia Tech
     

    UPCOMING INFO SESSIONS FOR SUMMER 2025 PROGRAMS:

    October 22, 3pm ET • November 21, 1:30pm ET • December 3, 2pm ET • January 23, 12pm ET

    Please sign up to get login details and/or a recording of an info session on the Puentes internship programs.

    Participate in professional development seminars and networking events that complement your internship experience and provide you with career-boosting skills and insights.

     

    Seminars and Networking Events

    You will be invited to various professional events, including our annual “Puentes Connect” networking event, an evening where all interns and internship supervisors gather with food and beverages to make connections and grow our global Puentes community. Puentes interns will also learn from professional development seminars on global career insights and reflections about their experiences abroad.

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    Co-Working SPACE

    You will have access to a co-working space to use during your program, to complement your in-office time and your work-from-home time, also benefiting from increased networking with other Puentes interns and with other local professionals.

     

    Career Building Guides

    On the exclusive Puentes Participant Portal, you will have online guides on the following professional development topics in order to help you leverage your international internship experience while taking your next career steps.

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    Resume Building

    Learn about resume best practices to help you enhance your resume. Come away with a highly polished resume and the tools and know-how to keep your resume updated going forward.

    Informational Interviewing

    Discover how to find, prepare for, and arrange informational interviews in order to maximize and maintain your new networks.

    International Job Curation

    Gain insights on how to approach the idea of working in a different country, including the job search, the destination selection, and the adaptation to life abroad.

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    Job Interviewing

    Learn insider tips and tricks on how to nail your next in-person or virtual job interview through recommendations on successful interviewing practices and sample interview questions.

     
    I think learning about the culture of Argentina [through Puentes Presenta] was very fascinating and an extremely rewarding part of the process.
    — Brynn L., Circular Fashion Intern, University of Pennsylvania

    Get to know the hotspots and hidden gems of your new home city through local cultural activities and resources included in your internship program.

     

    Immersive Day Trip

    We’ll take you on a day trip adventure to a nearby destination. From Buenos Aires, we’ll travel to Pilar, the Polo capital of the world, to experience the vast Argentine countryside and gaucho hospitality - riding horses, eating an Argentine “asado” (barbecue), learning polo, and playing traditional Argentine games.

    From Montevideo, you will visit the beautiful city of Colonia del Sacramento, a UNESCO-World Heritage site. It is known for its iconic cobbled historic quarter and colonial Portuguese and Spanish buildings. You can visit the Colonia del Sacramento Lighthouse, surrounded by the ruins of a convent, which offers panoramic views of the town.

     

    Local Cultural Activities

    Both Argentines and Uruguayans are enthusiastic and passionate dancers, so you can learn some of their dance moves in a tango class in Buenos Aires or a candombe drum class in Montevideo. Don’t forget to pack your dancing shoes!

    Other cultural events may include a lesson on how to make a traditional dessert and how to prepare and drink “mate, the regional beverage of Argentina and Uruguay.

     

    Mixer with local students and young professionals

    You will meet and mingle with local peers from Buenos Aires or Montevideo and get to know each other through facilitated group activities. This event is a great opportunity to share cultural insights and practice Spanish with locals, while also fostering bonds with fellow Puentes interns.

     
     

    City Tour

    Upon your arrival to Argentina or Uruguay, you’ll go on a tour of the major sights and neighborhoods of your new home city.  You’ll be oriented in no time!

    Highlights of the Buenos Aires tour include the colorful “Caminito” of La Boca, the elegant Teatro Colón opera house, the Parisian architecture of Recoleta, and the historical Plaza de Mayo square. 

    In Montevideo, you’ll see the Independence Plaza and Parliament Palace, stroll down the coastal promenade and La Rambla, and visit the charming neighborhoods of Carrasco and Pocitos.

     

    Community Impact Day

    You will have the chance to do a volunteer day with a local nonprofit organization to make a positive contribution to Argentine or Uruguayan society, while more fully understanding the country’s socioeconomic context. You will work alongside the nonprofit organization staff and the local community members to carry out a project that will make a difference in the community around you.

     

    Destination Guides and cultural guide for Argentina and Uruguay

    Many interns take advantage of holiday weekends and extra time before or after their internships to get to know the incredible landscape and culture of Argentina and Uruguay outside of their home city.  As a Puentes intern, you have access to the exclusive Puentes Destination Guides, which offer carefully curated recommendations and insider tips for major destinations within Argentina and Uruguay.  Through the Puentes Culture Guide, you will be able to learn about the country context, the local slang, cultural differences, and recommendations on how to meet locals and improve your Spanish.

     
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    Living in Buenos Aires is an invaluable experience that will allow you to learn more than you ever thought you could about the city, the people and the amazing culture. I loved immersing myself in this new place and could not have done it as successfully without the help from Puentes!
    — Meredith M., Princeton University

    All in-person interns are housed in private bedrooms in homestays or shared apartments. Program housing arrangements are carefully vetted and overseen by the Puentes team.

     
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    Homestay

    Fully immerse yourself in Argentine or Uruguayan culture and improve your Spanish by living with a host, often a retired couple, a single adult, or a two-parent household with or without children. You will have a private room, a private or shared bathroom, and access to shared living areas.  You are provided with breakfast daily and dinner five evenings a week.

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    Shared Apartment

    Make friends with your apartment-mates, while also enjoying greater independence.  Located in a safe and vibrant neighborhood, you will have a private bedroom and share the common spaces of the apartment with other international interns. You will have kitchen space for cooking your own meals.

    All housing includes bedding, towels, weekly cleaning, and Wi-Fi access. For more information on the housing options, check out our Housing Guide.

     
    There are no words to describe how perfect my host mother is, not only as a host mom but also as a person. She is the kindest, warmest, funniest, sweetest person on this earth. She was so welcoming and kind to me throughout my entire experience. She was always there for me when I needed something yet she let me have my own space and encouraged me to go out and have fun. I connected with her so much that we often ended up having lengthy conversations about our lives. My host mother is an angel and has made a deep and meaningful impact on my life.
    — Genna G., Princeton University, Community Development Intern
     

    Before, during, and after your Puentes experience, our team is dedicated to making your adventure abroad as enjoyable and meaningful as possible.  

     

    Pre-Departure Preparation

    In advance of your departure for Argentina or Uruguay, we’ll give you access to the exclusive online Puentes Participant Portal with detailed pre-departure steps, information to help you prepare for your travels and life abroad, and a directory of fellow interns.  You will also participate in the Pre-Departure Webinar with the Puentes team to review program details and your pre-travel questions.

    Airport Pickup and Orientation

    Upon your arrival to your destination city, you are welcomed at the airport by Puentes staff and transported to your new home.  We’ll also provide you with a welcome packet with a local transportation card, local currency for your first days in the country, and other treats.  You will have a two-day Orientation seminar to tell you all about the city and the Puentes program, followed by a Welcome Dinner so you can get to know your intern cohort. 

     

    On-Site Support

    The Puentes team is available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week on the ground, in person.  You also have regular, scheduled contact in person with the Puentes team through professional development sessions, the internship oversight meetings, and cultural programming.  Puentes is always available to help you work through any adjustments to your life abroad.

    Lasting Impact

    Your Puentes experience doesn’t end in Argentina or Uruguay.  After completing your Puentes adventure, you join the network of Puentes alumni.  You will continue to be supported through the mentorship of the Puentes team, and you’ll be eligible to receive letters of recommendation from Puentes for your future professional and academic endeavors.  We are committed to continuing to build bridges for your future.

     
    I felt very supported by the Puentes staff. I really liked that they kept checking in to make sure everything was progressing smoothly at my internship. I also liked that they kept me accountable in reaching my goals for the program.
    — Jeffrey F., Marketing Intern, University of Pennsylvania
     
     
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