As the massive sports industry continues to grow, sports careers will continue to expand and diversify. Fortunately, this means there are an abundance of sports internship opportunities for students seeking both work experience and a resume boost. Most countries do not offer paid sports internships, due to visa restrictions and cultural norms. Despite the differences in types of sports internships abroad, all interns will be expected to be highly enthusiastic and willing to complete a variety of tasks, including paperwork as well as physically demanding work.

A popular option for sports internships abroad is working with a sports complex, such as a gym or fitness center. Internship options in this area may involve both personal training, allowing interns to work with individuals on their fitness goals and help them take steps to reach them under the tutelage of licensed and experienced personal training, and sports marketing, which will teach interns how to promote memberships or team involvement.

Interning in sports medicine will certainly be an enlightening opportunity. Whether through a hospital, training center, or a variety of other businesses, internships in sports medicine can involve learning the basics of everything sports-related, from the complicated realm of physical therapy to the essentials, such as finger-taping and basic nutrition. 

Though more rare, coaching internships abroad can be obtained with passion and diligence. These sports internships can vary greatly depending on the age of athletes you’d prefer to work with, from children to adult professionals, and the sports you’re interested in, whether team or individual. Interns should expect to have plenty of personal interaction with athletes and to plan warm-ups, workouts, and goals.