What an Internship in Asia Costs in 2027: Fees and Living Costs

Quick answer: AIP programs start from $2,050 for Explorer, $2,300 for Traveler and $3,500 for Pioneer, for 6 weeks in the lowest-priced destination. Traveler and Pioneer include housing and airport pickup. Flights are not included. Budget roughly $450 to $1,500 a month for daily living, depending on the city.

The program fee is only part of what an internship abroad costs. This guide explains what the fee covers, what it does not, and what daily life costs in five popular cities.

What the program fee covers

Every program includes your internship placement, visa assistance, CV and career consultation, a certificate from your host company and 24/7 emergency support. The three programs then differ in how much help you get with housing and arrival.

• Explorer, from $2,050. We find your internship and support you throughout. You choose where to live.
• Traveler, from $2,300. Our most popular program. It includes Standard housing, airport pickup and a pre-arrival orientation.
• Pioneer, from $3,500. It includes Premium housing, a private apartment to yourself, plus airport pickup, a preloaded transport card and SIM, a drop-off on your first day at work and guided tours.

These are the lowest prices, for 6 weeks in the lowest-priced destination. Your exact price depends on the destination and how long you stay, from 6 to 24 weeks. For example, in Japan the 6-week price starts at $2,200 for Explorer and $4,920 for Traveler, and in Malaysia it starts at $2,150 and $4,360. In India and Nepal, the price also includes 3 meals a day. See the full list on the pricing page.

What the fee does not cover

• Flights. You book your own. They are not included in any program.
• Insurance and spending. Travel and health insurance are not included. We point you to an insurance portal where you can sign up in a few minutes. Plan separately for food, local transport and spending money.
• Housing on Explorer. You choose where to live, so you pay for it yourself.

Most international internships are unpaid, so plan to cover your own costs.

What daily life costs in five cities

These are rough monthly figures for one person, excluding the program fee and flights. They are October 2026 estimates, rounded, based on crowd-sourced Numbeo data. They change with exchange rates, so treat them as a guide and not a quote. Rent is the biggest difference between cities.

• Bangkok: about $200 to $400 for a room or shared flat, $250 to $400 for food and $25 to $50 for transport. Roughly $650 to $1,000 a month in total.
• Seoul: about $300 to $550 for a room, $300 to $450 for food and $45 to $60 for transport. Roughly $900 to $1,500 a month in total.
• Tokyo: about $350 to $700 for a room, $300 to $450 for food and $60 to $110 for transport. Roughly $950 to $1,500 a month in total.
• Kuala Lumpur: about $150 to $350 for a room, $200 to $320 for food and $15 to $40 for transport. Roughly $450 to $850 a month in total.
• Ho Chi Minh City: about $200 to $400 for a room, $200 to $300 for food and $15 to $40 for transport. Roughly $500 to $850 a month in total.

On Traveler and Pioneer your housing is already in the program fee, so your own costs are mainly food, transport and fun. See our Thailand and Japan pages for what is included in each place.

How to compare providers

Other established providers typically charge about $3,500 to $6,500 for a 6 to 8 week program, with some Tokyo and Seoul programs above $8,000. A low headline price often leaves out housing, airport pickup or support, so check what is included, what is refundable and what is paid on top. With us, if we accept you and can't place you, you get your full $500 deposit back.

Ways to lower the cost

• Refer a friend. A friend who applies with your code gets $200 off, and you get $200 off your final payment for every friend who pays a deposit. The discounts are cumulative.
• Ask your university. Some universities fund or discount our programs, and you may qualify for a scholarship or grant. See our funding page.
• Choose a lower-cost city. Bangkok, Kuala Lumpur and Ho Chi Minh City cost less day to day than Tokyo or Seoul.

Not sure which program fits? Read how it works, or book a free call with a career advisor and we will go through the numbers with you.

FAQs

How much is the AIP deposit?

The deposit is $500 for every program, paid once you are accepted. The rest of your program fee is due within 5 days of your placement being confirmed, or 30 days before you start, whichever comes first.

Are there hidden fees?

The price on our pricing page is the program price in US dollars. Flights are not included in any program. Plan separately for travel insurance, food, local transport and spending money, because they are not part of the program fee.

Can I pay in instalments?

You pay in two steps: the $500 deposit once you are accepted, then the rest of the program fee on the dates above. If you need a different arrangement, ask your career advisor on your free call.

Is housing included in the price?

On Traveler and Pioneer, yes. Traveler includes Standard housing and Pioneer includes Premium housing. On Explorer you choose where to live and pay for your own housing.

What is the cheapest destination for an internship in Asia?

Explorer starts from $2,050 for 6 weeks, and the lowest prices are in places such as Thailand and Vietnam. Daily costs are also lower in Kuala Lumpur, Ho Chi Minh City and Bangkok than in Tokyo or Seoul.

Want an exact price? Open the pricing page, pick your destination and length, or apply for free.