Gap Internship Abroad in Sydney
Spend your gap year soaking up the sun in ‘Harbour City’ and getting hands-on work experience.
With glittering harbors, world-famous beaches, and a buzzing downtown full of innovation, Sydney feels both relaxed and ambitious. In this semester-long program, you’ll discover Australia's 'Emerald City' through an internship placement, cultural immersion, and incredible friendships within your cohort.
Intern 15–20 hours per week at a placement matched to your interests, whether in finance, technology, or the creative industries that drive Sydney’s economy. A 15-hour course helps you reflect on your experience and build career-ready skills, and optional U.S. college credit is available through online courses through ASU Online. Resume workshops, guest lectures, and company visits add professional depth, while cultural activities highlight Australia’s collaborative work culture and focus on work-life balance.
Embark on a guided excursion to the majestic Blue Mountains National Park to hike through rainforests, marvel at the Three Sisters rock formation, and learn about Aboriginal history. Experience the thrill of live Australian sports, from rugby to Aussie rules football, surrounded by passionate fans in iconic stadiums like the SCG and Accor Stadium. You’ll return home with real-world work experience, global connections, and a clearer vision of your goals and direction.
Why Choose This Program?
Professional Development
Gain valuable experience through a professional internship, cultural activities, and networking opportunities. Return home with a clearer sense of your academic and career goals.
Strike a Balance
Benefit from CIEE's global support and cultural expertise, while exploring the world at your own pace.
Make Connections
With a part-time internship schedule, you'll have plenty of time to explore the local lifestyle, meet new people, and build your network with locals and fellow gap interns.
96%
of alumni said their language skills improved
94%
said they learned to interact with different cultural backgrounds
89%
said their level of independence increased
The Destination
Welcome to Sydney—Australia’s startup city, surrounded by beaches, bushland, and endless blue skies.
Sydney is Australia’s largest city, home to over 5.2 million people, nearly half born overseas, making it one of the most multicultural cities in the world. It’s also the country’s economic engine, with more than 3,000 startups driving innovation in finance, technology, and creative industries. Known as the Asia-Pacific’s business hub, Sydney offers students a front-row seat to global opportunity while embracing a lifestyle built on balance.
Cultural life in Sydney is just as impressive. The Sydney Opera House anchors a year-round calendar of performances, while the Museum of Contemporary Art highlights work from Australia and beyond. The live music scene buzzes in neighborhoods like Newtown and Enmore, and the city’s food culture is unmatched: from bustling food stalls in Surry Hills to some of the best Asian cuisine outside Asia.
Just beyond the city, nature takes over. Greater Sydney is ringed by more than 200 national parks and reserves, from the cliffs and waterfalls of the Blue Mountains to coastal trails where you might spot kangaroos, cockatoos, or dolphins offshore. In Sydney, wilderness is never far away.
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Sample Itinerary
Top Rated Activities
From ferry rides and museum visits to surfing lessons and hikes in nearby national parks, Sydney is full of activity. Here are two highlights:
Enjoy Australia’s Coastal Lifestyle
Sydney’s beaches are part of its identity. At Bondi Beach, grab a board and test your balance in the surf, or relax on golden sand watching locals ride the waves. Take the ferry to Manly Beach for a more laid-back vibe, with wide stretches of sand, volleyball nets, and cafés lining the promenade. Whether chasing adrenaline in the surf or hanging out with friends by the water, Sydney’s coastline is where city life meets coastal living.
Professional Workplace Visits
Gain insider access to the Sydney work scene, touring local organizations and businesses. During each visit, you'll explore real workspaces, meet professionals, and learn how different industries operate in a global city. These visits make your future career path feel a little more real and a lot more exciting.
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Eligibility
- Be between the ages of 15 and 17 when the program starts and cannot turn 18 while on program.
- Be in the 9th, 10th, 11th, or 12th year of schooling.
- Have a minimum GPA of 2.5.
- Demonstrate, through the application process, flexibility, maturity, adaptability, and readiness to face the challenges of living in a new culture.
Dates & Fees
Application Fee
$50
Priority deadline discount
Apply to a fall semester or academic year program by June 1 and automatically get a $400 discount. Apply to a spring semester by October 1 and get a $400 discount. Discounts are deducted from the final balance.
Insurance
The program fee includes iNext travel insurance. Additional information about insurance can be found on the FAQ page.
Program |
Application Due |
Start Date |
End Date |
Costs |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Program Fall 2026 12 weeks | Start Date | End Date | ||
| Program Spring 2027 12 weeks | Start Date * | End Date * |
*Dates for this program are provided as tentative dates. Please consult with your study abroad advisor to confirm dates before purchasing your flights.
Program Fees
CIEE offers the most student support of any provider in its program fee, including an airport greeting, full-time leadership and support, orientation, cultural activities, local excursions, pre-departure advising, and CIEE iNext travel protection with benefits.
Financial Aid
CIEE offers the most grants and scholarships of any study abroad organization, including $8 million/year in travel grants, merit-based scholarships, institutional and MSI grants, and Gilman Go Global Grants.
Estimated Costs
Students are responsible and manage costs related to travel, meals, books, and personal expenses. Below are estimates for consideration.
Program Fees
CIEE offers the most student support of any provider in its program fee, including an airport greeting, full-time leadership and support, orientation, cultural activities, local excursions, pre-departure advising, and CIEE iNext travel protection with benefits.
Financial Aid
CIEE offers the most grants and scholarships of any study abroad organization, including $8 million/year in travel grants, merit-based scholarships, institutional and MSI grants, and Gilman Go Global Grants.
Estimated Costs
Students are responsible and manage costs related to travel, meals, books, and personal expenses. Below are estimates for consideration.
Ready to change your life?
Our Staff
Thais Oso
Regional Director of Operations for South Pacific Rim, Interim Center Director, CIEE Sydney + CIEE Auckland
Thais started her career as a psychologist working in the Brazilian favelas. She travelled to Australia 19 years ago as a Study Abroad student and fell in love with the...