Projects Abroad interns at their business placement in Sri Lanka.

Business Internship in Sri Lanka

Prepare for your future career in business and gain practical work experience in vibrant Colombo

Destination

Sri Lanka

Age

18+ y/o

Minimum Stay

4 weeks

Start Date

Anytime

Accommodation

Homestay

Requirements

You need to speak intermediate English.

What’s Included

24/7 Support

Round-the-clock support on the ground and 24/7 back up from our global teams.

Accommodation & Amenities

Clean, safe, and welcoming accommodation. A home away from home with comfortable amenities.

Activities, Training & Equipment

All programme activities and equipment, including training and workshops from experienced professionals.

Certification

Certified record of service hours, workshops, and activities for your CV.

Request Info

Starting at £2,185 for 4 weeks

Flexible 0% Interest payments

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Trip Overview

Gain real business experience

Work in Colombo, contributing to various projects and learning from experienced professionals in a range of fields, from marketing to hospitality.

Improve future job applications

Develop key skills like research, communication, and administration, gaining valuable international work experience to enhance your career prospects.

Explore Sri Lankan business

Learn how businesses operate in a different cultural context, gaining insights into diverse industries and working practices.

Discover Colombo

Immerse yourself in the energetic atmosphere of Sri Lanka’s commercial hub, exploring stunning architecture, shopping streets, and beautiful beaches.

Experience Sri Lankan culture

Live with a local host family, enjoying delicious Sri Lankan cuisine and learning about the customs and traditions of this captivating country.

What you need to know

Overview

Are you looking for international business experience? Consider yourself punctual, professional, and hard-working? This internship is ideal for business students and recent graduates looking to build their CVs. Put your knowledge into practice while experiencing working life in a completely different culture.

You will have a supervisor for the duration of your placement. Their role is to ensure you get the most out of your time abroad. They will be there to mentor you, assign tasks, and answer any questions you might have.

To ensure you have the best experience, we work hard to tailor the internship to your interests. We have business placements available in a number of different fields, from HR to business administration.

A Day in the Life

Once you’ve enjoyed breakfast with your host family, you’ll travel to your work placement. You might be able to walk there, or take a bus or rickshaw. On your first day, our staff will accompany you to show you the way.

A typical day on this project runs from 8.30am – 5pm, Monday to Friday. Some placement options may require evening or weekend work as well.

The specific activities you’ll get involved in will vary according to the placement you’ve chosen. You may end up joining in on client meetings, discussing the progress on a current project. Or you’ll be busy with research that will form the basis of a product development plan. Whatever the activity, you’ll be undertaking work that contributes towards the goals of the business.

At the end of the day, it’s time to relax. Get a taste of local cuisine sharing dinner with your host family. Join in on one of our regular socials, making friends with fellow interns and volunteers. Take time to explore the city, absorbing the sights and smells of your new home.

Aims & Impact

The main aim of this internship is to provide you with an educational and practical work experience in a professional setting. You’ll gain international experience while learning how business is conducted in Sri Lanka.

Working alongside qualified local business people, you’ll be able to share knowledge and ideas. It’s a great way to take part in cultural exchange and build working relationships.

Gain business work experience in Sri Lanka as an intern, and prepare for your future career in the business world. Learn new skills, enhance your CV, and experience working life in a growing economy.

Activities

The great thing about business internships is that the tasks are varied and interesting. Specifics will depend on which placement you choose. Options include:

Training
Research
Consultancy
HR
Quality management
Accounts and bookkeeping
Business administration
Hospitality
Healthcare
Travel and tourism
Marketing

Here are some examples of the kind of work you could get involved in:

Conduct research for current or future projects

Research is a fundamental part of creating business plans and company projects. You can given the task of conducting market research, gathering information about your consumers’ needs and preferences. Or you’ll look into potential partners, suppliers or new opportunities.

Liaise with clients on behalf of the business

Communication is another vital aspect when it comes to conducting business. You can be tasked with liaising with clients on behalf of the business. This can involve keeping them up to date on progress, proposing new initiatives, or obtaining their approval for the final work.

Attend meetings alongside colleagues from the office

Meetings are an inevitable part of business life, whether they take place online or in person. You may have the chance to join in on these meetings, which will give you insight into how business is conducted. Interns might be asked to take notes, or even contribute where necessary.

Assist with business administration tasks

There are so many tasks that go into the daily running of a business. You can help:

Draw up job descriptions for staff
Sit in on candidate interviews
Plan events
Keep track of accounts
Work on bookkeeping

This will give you experience in the necessary and varied field of business administration.

Map & Location

Ayubowan! That’s “may you live long” in Sinhala, the language of Sri Lanka, a beautiful island nation in the Indian Ocean. Experience a culture and tradition dating back thousands of years and try the exotic flavours of Sri Lankan cuisine.

Did you know Sri Lanka is thought to have world’s oldest wildlife sanctuary? While exploring, you’ll find ancient cities with distinct architectural styles, vast tea plantations in mist-covered hills, and the warm hospitality of its people.

Colombo

Colombo, the commercial capital of Sri Lanka, sits on the west coast of the island where history, culture, and modern life intertwine. This city of over 750,000 residents experiences a tropical climate with warm temperatures year-round.

With a mix of architectural styles, Buddhist temples, cultivated parks, and winding canals, the city is varied and interesting to explore. You’ll find floating markets, beautiful waterfronts, and incredible people as you do!

Food & Accommodation

Experience the warmth of Sri Lankan hospitality and settle into your home away from home. We provide everything you need for a comfortable and enriching stay, including a cosy bed, three delicious meals a day filled with local flavors, and access to clean drinking water.

You’ll be welcomed into the home of a carefully vetted Sri Lankan family, offering a unique opportunity to immerse yourself in the local culture. We’ll take care of your daily transport to and from your placement, making your experience even smoother.

Your host family home will be a safe and comfortable space, and if you share a room, it will be with someone of the same gender and similar age. This allows you to connect with fellow travellers, share your experiences, and create lasting memories.

Free Time and Leisure

Sri Lanka is well-known for its diverse landscapes. From beaches to tropical jungles, there’s something for everyone in this fascinating country.

The buzzing Pettah Market is a must-see. You can chat to friendly vendors, buy handmade products, and enjoy the electric atmosphere around you. For cultural enrichment, you can spend an afternoon in the National Museum of Colombo. The Gangaramaya Buddhist Temple is also a highlight, with its vast collection of artefacts.

The town of Galle is a sea port with a strong Dutch heritage and plenty of old colonial buildings to explore. You can also venture inland to hike in the hills, swim in the cool waterfalls, and visit traditional hill towns.

Sri Lanka’s national parks include safari parks where you can spot wildlife like leopards and elephants, or spend an early morning bird-watching in one of the wetland sanctuaries. There are also rainforest reserves crammed full of tropical biodiversity.

You’ll be sharing this unique experience with many other volunteers. This means you can travel solo or spend your free time with the friends you make during your trip.

Your Arrival Made Easy

When you arrive at your respective airport, a member of Projects Abroad staff will be there to meet you. You can find more detailed information on arrival airports, orientation, and visas on our Sri Lanka Arrival Procedures page.