Why a TEFL Internship Might Be the Best Move You Make in Your 20s
If you’re a student, recent grad, or just figuring out your next move, you’ve probably heard about teaching English abroad. It sounds exciting — new countries, new friends, adventure on the weekends. But then you see all the options: courses, jobs, programs… and your brain goes, “Where do I even start?”
That’s where TEFL internships come in. Think of them as a guided launchpad into teaching abroad. You get trained, placed, supported, and — bonus — you start earning money from day one. At myTEFL, our internships are built with young people in mind: affordable, accessible (you don’t always need a degree), and packed with cultural extras to make the experience unforgettable.
Here’s why a TEFL internship might just be your best next adventure.
1. You Don’t Just Get a Job — You Get Training + Support
Jumping straight into a teaching job overseas can feel like being thrown into the deep end. Internships ease you in. For example, in Vietnam you’ll start with a week-long orientation — complete with hands-on teaching practice, cultural workshops, and local adventures — before stepping into your classroom. In Mexico, you’ll complete a 140-hour onsite TEFL course in a laid-back beach town before starting your paid placement.
So instead of panicking on your first day, you walk in with confidence. Plus, you’ve got 24/7 local support and a crew of fellow interns who are figuring it out right alongside you.
2. Yes, You Get Paid
One of the biggest myths about internships? That they don’t pay. Not here. Whether you’re teaching in Hungary, Costa Rica, or Cambodia, you’ll earn a monthly salary that covers your living costs and then some.
- Vietnam: $1,200–$1,800 USD per month
- Costa Rica: $700–$1,800 USD per month (with a lower cost of living, meaning you can actually save!)
- Cambodia: $800–$1,200 USD per month
- Mexico: $900–$1,200 USD per month after training
So yes, you can sip coconuts on the weekend and keep your bank account happy.
3. The Adventure Factor Is Built In
This isn’t your standard 9-to-5. Internships are designed so you get plenty of time to explore. In Thailand, you’ll learn Muay Thai, take a cooking class, and tour temples during orientation. In Costa Rica, you’ll visit coffee plantations and wildlife sanctuaries. And because you’re not just passing through as a tourist, you get to experience these countries on a much deeper level.
Imagine celebrating local festivals with your students, hiking volcanoes on long weekends, or just hanging out at a neighborhood café practicing your Spanish. These little everyday adventures are what make the memories last.
4. You’ll Build a Global Friend Group
One of the coolest parts of an internship? You don’t go it alone. You’ll meet other interns during training and orientation, and chances are, you’ll end up traveling together, lesson-planning over coffee, or just venting about that one class of rowdy 10-year-olds.
In Hungary, interns even get together for community events in Budapest, and in other destinations, there are group excursions baked right in. By the end, you’ll have a crew scattered across the globe — perfect for future reunions or free couches to crash on when you travel.
5. Real Experience = Future Opportunities
When the internship ends, you won’t just walk away with amazing memories. You’ll also have serious professional experience under your belt. You’ll already have classroom hours, recommendation letters, and an internationally recognized TEFL certificate.
That means you can:
- Extend your contract abroad if you’re loving it
- Move to another country with an even better salary package
- Or return home with a resume that shows adaptability, leadership, and cross-cultural communication (skills employers love)
6. It’s Accessible — Even If You’re Just Starting Out
Here’s the best part: many of myTEFL’s internships don’t require a degree. That means if you’re a gap-year traveler, a student taking time off, or someone fresh out of high school or college, you can still get your foot in the door.
Programs are also super affordable and transparent. Instead of dropping thousands on study abroad, you’re making a modest investment up front — then earning it back once you’re teaching.
7. You’ll Grow in Ways You Can’t Predict
This one’s hard to explain until you’ve lived it. But ask anyone who’s done a TEFL internship, and they’ll tell you: it changes you. You get braver. More independent. More adaptable. You figure out how to lead a classroom, navigate life in a totally different culture, and laugh at yourself when things don’t go as planned (because they won’t — and that’s part of the fun).
These are lessons you won’t learn in a lecture hall or scrolling Instagram. They’re real, messy, exciting, and life-shaping.
So… Is a TEFL Internship for You?
If you’re young, curious, and itching to explore the world while doing something meaningful, the answer is probably yes. You don’t need years of experience, a teaching degree, or a perfectly mapped-out plan. All you need is a willingness to jump in, learn, and embrace the adventure.
Because at the end of the day, a TEFL internship isn’t just about teaching. It’s about becoming a global citizen, building connections across borders, and discovering what you’re really capable of.
And who knows? That first internship might just turn into the start of a lifelong journey.
👉 Ready to start your adventure? Check out myTEFL’s internship programs here.