International Youth Internship Program
Eager to gain skills and work experience that may lead to employment or further education? Consider joining the International Youth Internship Program (IYIP).
Program Overview
Looking to start your career or explore new opportunities? The International Youth Internship Program (IYIP) helps young Canadians develop valuable skills through hands-on experience in international development and community work.
With the support of Global Affairs Canada, IYIP is designed for youth ages 18 to 30 who are Indigenous, racialized, living with disabilities, or 2SLGBTQIA+ — especially those facing barriers to employment.
Through a four- to six-month internship, participants gain practical skills, global connections, and leadership experience with partner organizations in Africa and South America. This program is a collaboration between the YMCA of Greater Toronto, YMCA Cali, YMCA Bogota, YMCA Colombia (located in Bogota), YMCA Togo, YMCA Ghana, and YMCA Sierra Leone.
- Build career-ready skills in real-world settings
- Gain international experience without prior work or education requirements
- Join a supportive community invested in your success
- Become part of the global YMCA network
Each cohort will have the opportunity to become part of the global YMCA network. The work they do during the program will focus on the pillars of World YMCA’s Vision 2030:
- Community well-being
- Meaningful work
- Sustainable planet
- Just world
- Adapt quickly to new settings & cultures
- Work independently & problem-solve effectively
- Build relationships with local communities
- Stay resilient through unexpected challenges
Our Eligibility Criteria:
- Be 18- to 30-years-old when the internship begins
- Be A Canadian citizen or a permanent resident
- Be Indigenous, racialized, 2SLGBTQIA+, or a youth living with a disability who has faced employment obstacles
- Be available to be away from Canada for the entire duration of the internship period.
Work experience or formal education is not a requirement for this program. Language classes will be provided for participants placed in Colombia or Togo.
Attend an Information Session
Application and Participation Process
IYIP is a seven-month commitment involving three weeks of virtual training, one week of in-person pre-departure training, a four to six months in-country internship placement, and a week-long reintegration training, accompanied by YMCA Career Planning and Pre-Employment Support and public engagement activities.
- Application form: Fill out all the required information on the form.
- Screening call: Expect a phone call at the number you provide within seven days after applying.
- Interview: After a successful screening call, the next step is an interview with us.
- Provide semi-professional/professional references: We'll contact your references if your participant candidacy continues after the interview.
- Provide a police reference check: Successful candidates must be willing to provide the IYIP team with a Vulnerable Sector Check police report.
- Onboarding process: After being chosen as a participant, you’ll undergo an onboarding process that includes visa applications, travel clinic visits, and more.
- Pre-departure training: Before departure, you must attend all virtual and in-person workshops and training.
- Departure: You will depart for the four- to six-month placement abroad.
- Re-orientation sessions: When you return to Canada, you will be expected to participate in a week-long re-orientation process.
- Pre-employment services support: You’ll receive support from YMCA Employment Services for three months after you return.
- Public engagement activities: During the program, you will work on an individual project with the intention of sharing your experience as a participant with the public.
Key Dates
Applications are accepted on an ongoing basis.
| Cohort | Destination | Departure Date from Canada | Return Date to Canada |
|---|---|---|---|
| Cohort 3 | Colombia | June 28, 2025 | December 16, 2025 |
| Cohort 3 | Africa | June 28, 2025 | October 28, 2025 |
| Cohort 4 | Africa | January 7, 2026 | May 7, 2026 |
| Cohort 4 | Colombia | January 7, 2026 | June 16, 2026 |
What IYIP Includes
- All flights
- Visa fees and travel insurance
- Required vaccinations
- Allowance for in-country food, transportation, and communications
- Modest accommodation with a local host family
- Food and accommodation for in-person pre-departure and reintegration training (when training is not delivered virtually)
- Language lessons for countries where English is not the primary language
- Employment services
- Support to implement individual Public Engagement project
*We cannot reimburse costs associated with passport renewals and applications.
Unsure if the program is a good fit for you? Please contact the team to learn more: Internationalinternship@ymcagta.org
Application Form
Please ensure you meet all of our criteria before applying.
Testimonials
“Completing the International Youth Internship Program with the YMCA of Greater Toronto opened a whole new network for me. I have been able to remain connected to the community I built while being abroad, bring back what I learned from my experience and apply it to my community in Canada, as well as find a new and meaningful job that aligns with my personal and professional goals."
"The YMCA provides youth and kids with safe spaces to learn, grow, and dream — something that resonated deeply with me. This journey wasn’t just about professional growth; it was a transformation. I stepped out of my comfort zone, embraced challenges, and gained a deeper understanding of myself and the world around me."
"The heart of the YMCA is volunteers. They have this opportunity to express their ideas and come up with workshops or anything really, and everyone is open to listening to them. They made so much by using so little — that’s the thing that stuck with me the most. You can feel the difference in energy and how people treat each other, and that sense of community is truly special.”
Arriving in Colombia
