Paris School of Business x Freepackers: a committed partnership for humanitarian work and sustainable development

Turning social commitment into a fully-fledged professional and human experience: this is the ambition of Freepackers and its branch, Realstep. For over ten years, this organization has been designing humanitarian missions, internships abroad, and immersive experiences based on strong values: solidarity, social impact, and environmental responsibility.

Through its partnership with Paris School of Business, Freepackers offers students the opportunity to get involved in international projects while developing both personal and professional skills. In this interview, the Freepackers team shares more about their mission, their commitments, and the concrete benefits of this partnership for Paris School of Business students.

Introducing freepackers and its missions

Can you tell us about Freepackers?

Freepackers was founded in 2010 to meet a growing demand for meaningful international mobility. We organize humanitarian trips for schools, socially responsible summer camps for teenagers, and cultural exchanges. These international programs aim to promote education, pedagogy, and culture.

Since 2019, our non-profit branch, Freepackers Care, has been working to democratize humanitarian efforts through information sessions, workshops, conferences, financial support, and training. The goal of Freepackers Care is to make humanitarian travel inclusive and accessible to as many people as possible.

In 2021, RealStep was created in response to increasing demand for professional experiences abroad. We offer accredited internships, gap semesters, and certified training programs with lasting impact. The concept of a meaningful gap year was born: an impactful, skill-building experience made accessible through paid international programs.

Today, our three entities allow us to place positive and sustainable impact at the core of our activities, meeting the highest standards in social and environmental performance, public transparency, and legal accountability.

Freepack

What are the main missions and values of your organization?

Our missions revolve around education, the environment, and wildlife protection. We uphold values of solidarity, ethics, and positive impact. Our main goal is to work hand in hand with committed local partners to identify needs and develop collaborative humanitarian projects.

Through these long-term international development partnerships, we have become experts in responsible immersive experiences that benefit both local communities and volunteers. We ensure that every mission responds to real needs and creates a positive impact, through careful selection and regular on-site visits.

What types of humanitarian projects do you offer to students?

Our 150+ missions can be tailored to various goals: internships, gap years, semesters abroad, academic credit, research projects, and more, always taking into account local contexts and students' specific needs.

We offer many positions, all related to impactful social or environmental projects. Most are with international NGOs, but also with scientific research projects, social enterprises, sustainable travel organizations, and more. Some of our most popular internships include:

  • Management / Business
  • Marketing
  • Communication
  • Fundraising / Sponsorship (sales profiles)
  • Marine Biology
  • Environmental Science
  • Agronomy / Agriculture
  • International Development and Cooperation
  • Construction (civil engineering, architecture, design, etc.)
  • Education
  • Hospitality and Travel
  • Social Work
  • Psychology
  • Nursing, Physiotherapy, and other medical internships
  • Veterinary internships

Internships range from 4 to 24 weeks and can be adjusted depending on the level of study (Bachelor’s, Master’s, etc.) and the learning outcomes required.
For example, immersion internships focus on personal development and transferable skills, while professional internships are supervised by specialists who evaluate students’ progress throughout the mission.

The partnership with Paris School of Business

Why did you choose to collaborate with Paris School of Business?

A shared commitment to internationalization

Paris School of Business places strong emphasis on international exposure through numerous exchanges and double degree programs. A collaboration with Realstep offers a strategic opportunity to provide students with professional training aligned with market trends and academic expectations.

A vision focused on sustainability and social impact

Paris School of Business promotes corporate social responsibility and sustainable entrepreneurship, values that align perfectly with Realstep's mission to support impactful global projects.

A win-win partnership
 

  • For students: access to enriching and professional international experiences that boost employability.
  • For Paris School of Business: added value to its portfolio of international programs.
  • For Realstep: collaboration with a prestigious business school and access to qualified talent.
Freepack

How is this partnership beneficial to the school’s students?

Choosing Realstep means guaranteed access to meaningful internships with ethical organizations and in a secure framework. Thanks to years of trust-building with its partners, Realstep offers students access to numerous professional opportunities in the humanitarian and sustainable development sectors, positions that are usually reserved for internal candidates or experienced profiles.

Realstep ensures not only quality internships and administrative support, but also professional supervision throughout the internship. It’s the ideal setting for skill development, discovering new vocations, or building a professional network in the field of sustainability.

And for those who are still unsure of their future career path, these missions are unique opportunities to develop transferable skills such as language proficiency, intercultural communication, and adaptability in international contexts. A true springboard into the professional world!

Practical information and student support

What are the participation procedures for our students?

First, we schedule a phone call between the student and a member of our team to answer initial questions and recommend a mission suited to their goals and profile, while also considering the needs of our NGO partners.

Next, Freepackers sends a shortlist of projects tailored to the student’s profile and the NGOs’ needs so they can choose the one they prefer, at the dates that suit them best.

Once the project is confirmed, a deposit is required to secure the spot. This is also when the student should start checking visa requirements, health regulations, and booking their flight. Anticipating the budget and logistics is key. We support students throughout the process, our team remains available at every step to guide and reassure them.

Finally, once the student has checked off all the administrative items and packed, they are ready to depart. Upon arrival, our local team will welcome them and remain available 24/7 to assist them throughout their mission.

Are there any specific prerequisites (skills, language, etc.) to join a mission?

Everyone can make a difference! No specific skills are required to take part in our missions, there’s a wide variety of opportunities and everyone can contribute in their own way. If training is needed, our local teams are in charge of preparing and supervising participants.

In terms of language, it’s sometimes possible to join a mission with a beginner level, but we recommend at least an intermediate level to fully benefit from the social and cultural aspects. If necessary, we can help participants improve their level through onsite or online language classes before departure.

Upon arrival, volunteers and interns attend an orientation day to learn best practices, risk management, dos and don’ts, and project expectations. This helps them start confidently and enjoy a rewarding experience, even with no prior experience.

How can these experiences support students’ future careers?

These experiences enhance students' CVs by showcasing their ability to commit and thrive in an international and multicultural environment, a highly valued asset among recruiters. International experience demonstrates adaptability, awareness of global challenges, and cross-cultural competence.

By working in teams on humanitarian or environmental projects, students also develop key soft skills like project management and leadership. Not to mention language improvement, self-confidence, and open-mindedness, all of which help them stand out in the job market.

What are your goals for this partnership in the coming years?

Following an initial phase of visibility exchange, allowing us to better understand which types of missions students from Paris School of Business are looking for, we believe integrating Realstep internships into specific academic programs would be a great way to enrich students' education.

This would allow for:

  • Enhancing employability through international professional experience
  • Creating synergies between theory and practice, with internships aligned to academic goals
  • Developing impactful projects in businesses, NGOs, or research organizations
  • Increasing the visibility of Paris School of Business through Realstep’s collaborative offerings and mutual lead generation

What advice would you give to students who are unsure about joining a humanitarian mission?

Over the past five years, we’ve sent more than 1,000 students on humanitarian missions, from all backgrounds, ages, and profiles. Any hesitation can be overcome, anything is possible!

  • Worried about cultural differences? We’ll prepare you as much as possible before you leave, with presentations, group chats, and Q&As. Once you're there, you’ll meet other young people who, like you, decided to take the leap on their own, everyone’s in the same boat!
  • Concerned about covering the costs? With a bit of planning and the right contacts, there are many ways to fund a humanitarian project. The Freepackers team is here to help guide you through funding your experience!

A few tips from our team to get started:

  • Research the country’s culture before you leave, to better understand the local environment and show respect for customs, this helps with adapting quickly.
  • Carefully read project descriptions and local information to avoid unrealistic expectations or surprises.
  • Stay open and flexible. Humanitarian projects often involve the unexpected, and you may need to adjust to changing conditions due to weather, political unrest, etc.

In the end, there’s no reason not to go for it, every mission is a unique experience that opens up new perspectives, strengthens your sense of purpose, and prepares you for a more responsible future.