Would it make sense for me to pay to intern abroad?

To provide some context, I go to a nontarget school for undergrad in Massachusetts with a decent major gpa (3.7) and a low cumulative gpa (~2.9-3.0 due to having spent my first 2 years studying chemical engineering and hating it,). I have two internships under my belt, one of them being a private equity intern at a search fund. I am still in the process of networking and applying to boutiques in and outside of my area, and I realize how important an IB summer internship is when time comes for full time recruiting, and I also realize that I'm getting down to the wire in terms of time.

I know of a reputable program that offers study and intern abroad opportunities where you pay around $6k for housing abroad, professional development help, and placement at a firm of an industry of your choosing, and I'm considering an IB internship in Shanghai. I know many people are vehemently opposed to unpaid internships, let alone paid-for internships, but given the circumstances, could dishing out 6k for this be worth it when time comes along for ft recruiting?

8 Comments
 

Could be. If I were you, I'd definitely try to get in contact with someone at Viking Cap to check if the internship is indeed in IB. Would be a shame to pay 6k to get placed in support role

Array
 

There are a million jobs out there that never mention operations or admin, yet they are - this one mentions both immediately. IMO you’re guaranteed to end up in BO...

 

Hic inventore sint debitis aut qui et sequi. Sequi dolor odio molestias nesciunt et similique velit voluptas. Sed neque ipsa alias. Et corrupti tempore deleniti possimus eligendi et voluptas natus. Et et assumenda dolore explicabo fugiat non. Sit amet fugiat non soluta. Et et enim quia praesentium veniam.

A cum est rerum quo et dignissimos alias. Aliquam nihil quia reiciendis quia. Omnis est eos velit alias vitae ea minima voluptas. Rerum quis minus accusantium voluptates sint. Temporibus est voluptas et quam dolorem.

Optio deleniti ut nisi vel officia eligendi. Vitae consequatur est error et eveniet sequi. Accusamus dolor perspiciatis ab.

Enim optio eveniet est architecto ab nam laboriosam. Minus possimus accusantium nihil sed fugiat. Quod vero consequatur quo. Odit sapiente id minus in expedita exercitationem quia dolor.

Career Advancement Opportunities

June 2026 Investment Banking

  • Evercore 01 99.4%
  • Moelis & Company 01 98.9%
  • JPMorgan 01 98.3%
  • Guggenheim Partners 01 97.7%
  • Morgan Stanley 07 97.1%

Overall Employee Satisfaction

June 2026 Investment Banking

  • Moelis & Company No 99.4%
  • Morgan Stanley 02 98.8%
  • Evercore 01 98.3%
  • BMO Capital Markets 12 97.7%
  • Banco Santander 01 97.1%

Professional Growth Opportunities

June 2026 Investment Banking

  • Evercore 01 99.4%
  • Moelis & Company 01 98.9%
  • Morgan Stanley 05 98.3%
  • JPMorgan No 97.7%
  • BMO Capital Markets 12 97.1%

Total Avg Compensation

June 2026 Investment Banking

  • Vice President (14) $434
  • Associates (44) $258
  • 3rd+ Year Analyst (8) $210
  • 2nd Year Analyst (22) $179
  • Intern/Summer Associate (13) $156
  • 1st Year Analyst (78) $151
  • Intern/Summer Analyst (73) $101
notes
16 IB Interviews Notes

“... there’s no excuse to not take advantage of the resources out there available to you. Best value for your $ are the...”

Leaderboard

1
redever's picture
redever
99.2
2
Secyh62's picture
Secyh62
99.0
3
kanon's picture
kanon
99.0
4
BankonBanking's picture
BankonBanking
99.0
5
CompBanker's picture
CompBanker
98.9
6
GameTheory's picture
GameTheory
98.9
7
DrApeman's picture
DrApeman
98.9
8
Betsy Massar's picture
Betsy Massar
98.9
9
dosk17's picture
dosk17
98.9
10
bolo up's picture
bolo up
98.8
success
From 10 rejections to 1 dream investment banking internship

“... I believe it was the single biggest reason why I ended up with an offer...”