Internships abroad are not free; and because of visa restrictions, they aren't really paid either. But before you walk away altogether, we would like to give you a sense of what you're paying for and show you why internships abroad are 100% worth it.
Barring personal connections with companies abroad, international internships are nearly impossible to find on your own. The majority of interns choose to go through agencies with international placement partners. This generally offers the best customer service and coordination, as scheduling your program with a US coordinator is much easier than going through international channels (think time zones, language barriers, etc...).
The valuable services and components included with reputable programs include predeparture preparation and information, language lessons, internship coordination and search, interview assistance, on the ground support, and accommodations. Consider also that most international internship programs with language training cost considerably less than University run opportunities - just be sure to look into credit transfers ahead of time.
The real compensation for the experience is emotional gratification, personal development, and differentiation in the global marketplace.
Internships abroad aren't easy. There's no denying it. You'll be living in a new place, meeting new people, taking on new responsibilities, and learning a new language. That's a lot to think about. But never before have internships been so rewarding. Sure, you may have to make copies from time to time and do the things that are generally asked of interns everywhere, but the stepping stones are bigger abroad. With international internships you are able to lay the foundation for an interesting and successful future while making the most of the present. Now that sounds like a plan.