​Intern Voices...

LEX World Internship Project (WIP)
​A Gap Year for All

LEX offers a unique overseas internship program to adults.  This program welcomes:
  • recent high school graduates looking to explore during a gap year;
  • folks who would like to take a semester or year off during their college career;
  • adults of any age who would benefit from a life-changing exchange experience in another country.

WIP interns spend 1-3 months volunteering with LEX in Japan, Mexico, South Korea, or the U.S. while living with a variety of host families and absorbing the rhythms of daily life. Interns will be immersed in the language of the host country as well as in many other languages through LEX / Hippo Family Club - community-based language clubs at the heart of our programs. Key characteristics of a LEX intern are flexibility, interest in multilingualism, and an openness toward all languages and all people. Read what our past interns have written about their experiences on our intern blog here!  Click to download a detailed brochure on programs in Japan/Mexico/USA  or Korea.

Program Dates
Join a small cohort departing September or February, or choose your own start date. 

​COVID-19
Currently, we can offer a shorter homestay exchange experience in Korea rather than a full internship.  Please inquire for more information.  

Program
​Enthusiastic participation in language clubs and being a cultural and friendship ambassador will be important parts of the internship. Other activities will depend on the intern's interests and skills as well as the needs of the hosting organization, but might include language club promotion, cultural presentations, and administrative work. Interns are expected to be flexible and ready to jump into new tasks and activities. 

Eligibility
Any flexible, curious adult who has a genuine interest in LEX may be eligible to intern with LEX in Japan, Mexico, South Korea, ​or the U.S.

​​Note: Participants are strongly recommended to be fully vaccinated for Covid-19.

Program Fees
Below is a breakdown of WIP costs by destination country and length of internship. WIP interns will generally enter the host country on a tourist visa and stay a maximum of 90 days. In some cases, it may be possible to arrange an internship of 4-12 months with a cultural or volunteer visa. Please inquire about costs and availability if you are interested in a longer program.
Member Program Fees
4 Weeks
8 Weeks
12 Weeks
Mexico 
$2195
$2595
$2995
Japan, Korea, USA
$2595
$3195
$3795
Non-Member Program Fees
4 Weeks
8 Weeks
12 Weeks
Mexico 
$2415
$2855
$3295
Japan, Korea, USA
$2855
$3515
$4175
Program Fees Include:
  • Predeparture orientation and support throughout the program
  • Accomodations with one or more carefully selected host families
  • Meals taken at home with the host family
  • A host family stipend of approximately $100 per week (varies according to receiving country)
  • Admin fees

Program Fees DO NOT Include:
  • Airfare
  • Medical insurance and travel insurance (required)
  • Passport or visa fees
  • Transportation to and from departure airport and arrival airports
  • Hotel nights, if necessary due to flight schedules
  • Living expenses in the host country (meals taken away from the host family, transportation, spending money, etc.)

To Apply
People who are...
Apply through...
Citizens, temporary residents such as students, and permanent residents of the USA
LEX Language Project
​
​Applications for WIP must be received at least four months before the requested start date of the internship / gap year program.
LEX / Hippo Members
The LEX / Hippo office in your home country.
None of the above
The LEX / Hippo office in your destination country.  Please visit the appropriate website for more information (see below for links.)

Funding
LEX is able to offer a limited number of need-based scholarships for interns traveling overseas from the U.S..  Many universities offer internship funding and we recommend that students consult their career centers for potential grants.  In addition, we have compiled a list of external funding sources that both student and non-student applicants may utilize to cover the program fees. Please see the LEX WIP Scholarship and Grant List.