What does STN’s internship look like day-to-day?

Let’s be real - when people hear “Hawaii internship,” they usually picture nonstop beach days and coconut drinks. And yes… there are some unreal moments like that (not too sure about the coconut drinks, ngl). But at Surfing The Nations, we’re also known for something else:

We work hard. Like, purpose-driven, sleeves-rolled-up, let’s-go kind of hard.

The balance? We play hard too :)

Here’s what your life could look like as an STN intern:

The Weekly Rhythm (aka Your New Normal):

We run Tuesday through Saturday, 8 am - 5 pm.

Tuesdays are a little different—in the best possible way. It’s our “Sabbath” day, where we slow things down and focus on spiritual growth as a community. Think: worship, connection, and getting grounded for the week.

After 5 pm? Your time. Chill, explore, hang with friends, FaceTime home - whatever you need.

You’ll also have:

• A weekly Bible study night
• A once-a-month all-night prayer gathering (don’t worry, you’re only scheduled for one hour!)

Internship-specific Mornings vs Afternoons:

Mornings = reset + refocus
We start the day intentionally with a personal devotion time, and then either prayer, worship, and/or Bible classes. It’s not rushed - it’s a curated space to grow deeper in your faith.

Afternoons = where things get real
No two days are exactly the same, but this is when you’ll jump into things like:

• Feeding the Hungry
• Mentoring at-risk kids
• Surf lessons
• Island adventures
• Service projects

Basically, mornings fill you up, and then the afternoons pour you out.

Free Time

Your weekends are Sunday & Monday.

So once Sunday church wraps up, you’re off the clock until Tuesday morning. Beach days, hikes, exploring the island, road trips with friends—it’s your time to enjoy Hawaii and recharge.

Getting Around

We’ve got you covered for all program-related transportation: airport pickup, outreaches, surf days, adventures, all of it.

Outside of that, it’s a bit more DIY:

• Grocery stores, Walgreens, and food spots are within walking distance
• Some interns split the cost of renting a car
• Others buy and resell a car during their stay

These are just ideas and are not encouraged or endorsed by STN, just simply some things we’ve seen other interns do!

Surfing!?!

You’ll get 5-7 small-group surf lessons with our experienced instructors during your internship. Whether you’ve never touched a board or you’ve surfed before, the goal is simple: get you confident in the water and fully stoked.

(Quick disclaimer: obviously, we can’t control the waves—but we make the most of them when they show up.)

The bottom line?

This isn’t a vacation. It’s not just a program either.

It’s a season where you grow spiritually, serve people in a real way, build strong friendships, and yes—experience Hawaii in a way most people never do.