Six months working with either Water, Sustainable Industry & Market Entry Advisory or Water & Marketing and Communications - with Chicago as your home base in one of the U.S.' major business hubs and one of its most liveable cities. What locals call ‘the third coast’.
As an intern at the Consulate General of Denmark in Chicago, you'll live and work in the third-largest city in the U.S. Depending on your team, you'll work with anything from business development, market entry, and sustainable industry to water and communications, gaining hands-on experience while contributing to our work with Danish companies in the U.S
No two days look the same. You might research a North American market or create content for a communications campaign one day, and help prepare a Danish delegation visit, or conference the next. From the beginning, you’ll be given real responsibility and encouraged to bring your own interests and strengths into the work.
You’ll join a team of around 14 colleagues and 2 fellow interns each semester, working across:
Market Entry Advisory - helping Danish companies explore opportunities, navigate the North American market, and connect with relevant partners
Water Technology Alliance - connecting Danish water solutions with utilities, industry stakeholders, and opportunities across the U.S. and Canada
Sustainable Industry - supporting Danish companies with solutions for more sustainable and resource-efficient industries
Marketing & Communications - bringing our work to life through content, digital communication, branding, and storytelling
Living abroad comes with expenses, so it is important to know what to expect before applying:
The internship is unpaid. You receive a monthly contribution of DKK 5,000 toward documented rental expenses.
Most interns live in Gold Coast, a central and popular neighborhood within walking distance of both the office and much of downtown Chicago. Interns typically have their own apartments, often in the same building as the other interns. Budget around USD 1,500/month for rent, plus a one-time move-in fee of approximately USD 400-500. Other neighborhoods are also an option, depending on your budget and preferred commute.
Most interns are eligible for Danish SU - check your individual eligibility before you go.
Many former interns have supplemented their budget with grants and scholarships. We can connect you with previous interns who can share their experiences and tips on where to apply.
Getting to the office: Chicago is a very walkable city, and interns have previously lived around a 15-minute walk from the office. The city also has an extensive public transportation system, with buses and ‘L’ trains connecting neighborhoods across Chicago. You do not need a car for everyday life in the city.
Our interns come from different universities, study programs and countries. We actively value that mix, and you'll be working alongside people who see things differently than you do.
Many interns are writing a report or assignment as part of their degree – we build time into your internship for that, planned together with your supervisor.
On top of various U.S. national holidays, you're granted vacation days during your stay – plenty of room to actually get out and explore the Midwest and beyond.
Interns don't just work together - they explore together. From catching a Cubs game or joining a recreational sports league to enjoying the sun at one of the city’s 22 beaches, exploring its many neighborhoods, or making your way through Chicago’s famous food scene, there’s plenty to experience outside the office too. And it probably won’t take you long to see why Time Out ranked Chicago the most beautiful city in the U.S.
Chicago is also perfectly located for exploring the rest of North America. Weekend trips to Milwaukee, Indianapolis, Detroit, St. Louis, and even Toronto are within easy reach by train, car, or a short flight, while major cities like New York, Washington, D.C., and destinations across Texas are only a few hours away by plane. With two major airports and Amtrak connections across the country, six months in Chicago gives you plenty of opportunities to see more of the U.S. and beyond.
You're ambitious, curious and ready to take ownership of your own experience. You don't need to know exactly where it will take you but you should be ready to move far from home, manage your own finances and housing, and roll with a workplace where priorities shift fast when delegations, events or global developments demand it.
