Internee vs. Intern — What's the Difference?
By Fiza Rafique & Urooj Arif — Updated on March 17, 2024
Internee refers to a person detained or confined, often during wartime, whereas an intern engages in supervised practical experience.
Difference Between Internee and Intern
Table of Contents
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Key Differences
An internee typically refers to a person detained or confined during periods of war or under political circumstances, often without trial. This term is closely associated with situations where individuals are held due to their nationality, political beliefs, or during states of emergency. On the other hand, an intern is usually a student or trainee who works, sometimes without pay, in a particular industry to gain relevant experience and skills. This position is often part of educational curricula or a stepping stone in one's career path.
Internees are often involved in situations against their will, a result of external factors such as conflicts or governmental decisions. The term implies a lack of freedom and autonomy, highlighting a forced aspect of their situation. Whereas interns choose to pursue internships voluntarily to enhance their professional capabilities, seeing it as an opportunity for growth and learning within their chosen fields.
The conditions surrounding internees can be harsh and are a subject of international law, including conventions on human rights and the treatment of prisoners. These conditions are scrutinized and regulated by global organizations to ensure humane treatment. In contrast, interns, especially in reputable organizations, are provided with a structured environment aimed at learning and professional development, often with guidelines and protections in place to ensure a beneficial experience.
The duration and nature of the stay differ significantly between internees and interns. Internees are held for indefinite periods, often dictated by external circumstances beyond their control, such as the end of a conflict. Interns, however, engage in programs of defined durations, tailored to provide meaningful experiences within a set timeframe, often aligned with academic calendars or specific project timelines.
Lastly, the outcome and future implications for internees and interns are vastly different. For internees, release marks an end to a period of confinement, often leading to a need for rehabilitation and reintegration into society. For interns, the completion of an internship is a stepping stone, potentially leading to career opportunities, professional networking, and enhanced resumes, setting a foundation for future endeavors in their professional lives.
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Comparison Chart
Definition
A person detained during wartime or political unrest.
A student or trainee working in a profession to gain experience.
Volition
Detained against their will.
Chooses to intern for professional experience.
Purpose
Detainment due to political, national, or wartime circumstances.
Gains practical experience and skills in a specific field.
Duration
Indefinite, often until the end of a conflict or political resolution.
Fixed, usually aligned with academic terms or specific project periods.
Outcome
Release often requires reintegration into society.
Completion can lead to job opportunities and enhanced professional networks.
Compare with Definitions
Internee
A person confined during a conflict or under political orders.
The internees were held in a camp until the war ended.
Intern
A trainee gaining practical experience in their field of study.
The intern assisted with research in the laboratory.
Internee
A detainee in a camp or prison due to political circumstances.
The memoirs of a World War II internee reveal harsh conditions.
Intern
Someone working, sometimes unpaid, to gain industry experience.
The intern contributed to the project while learning about the industry.
Internee
Someone detained without trial in times of war or emergency.
The government relocated and detained thousands of internees during the crisis.
Intern
A trainee involved in a professional learning experience.
The engineering intern designed a prototype as part of the team.
Internee
An individual held captive due to their nationality or beliefs during unrest.
Internees were often forced to work under difficult conditions.
Intern
A student or recent graduate undergoing professional training.
As an intern at the law firm, she was exposed to various legal procedures.
Internee
A non-combatant detained during periods of conflict.
The family was classified as internees and moved to a detention center.
Intern
An individual in a temporary position for career development.
The intern's summer project led to a full-time job offer.
Internee
One who is interned or confined, especially in wartime.
Intern
A student or trainee who works, sometimes without pay, in order to gain work experience or satisfy requirements for a qualification.
Internee
One who is imprisoned or otherwise confined.
Intern
Confine (someone) as a prisoner, especially for political or military reasons
The family were interned for the duration of the war as enemy aliens
Internee
A person who is interned;
The internees were enemy aliens and suspected terrorists
Intern
Serve as an intern.
Intern
A student or a recent graduate undergoing supervised practical training.
Intern
A physician who has recently graduated from medical school and is learning medical practice in a hospital under supervision, prior to beginning a residency program.
Intern
One who is interned; an internee.
Intern
To train or serve as an intern.
Intern
To confine, especially in wartime.
Intern
A person who is interned, forcibly or voluntarily.
Intern
A student or recent graduate who works in order to gain experience in their chosen field.
Intern
A medical student or recent graduate working in a hospital as a final part of medical training.
Intern
(transitive) To imprison somebody, usually without trial.
The US government interned thousands of Japanese-Americans during World War II.
Intern
To confine or hold (foreign military personnel who stray into the state's territory) within prescribed limits during wartime.
The Swiss government interned the Italian soldiers who had strayed onto Swiss territory.
Intern
To internalize.
Intern
.NET 2003 Developer's Cookbook (page 81)
Intern
(intransitive) To work as an intern. Usually with little or no pay or other legal prerogatives of employment, for the purpose of furthering a program of education.
I'll be interning at Universal Studios this summer.
Intern
(archaic) Internal.
Intern
Internal.
Intern
To put for safe keeping in the interior of a place or country; to confine to one locality; as, to intern troops which have fled for refuge to a neutral country.
Intern
To hold until the end of a war, as enemy citizens in a country at the time of outbreak of hostilities; - an action performed by countries.
Intern
A resident physician in a hospital, especially one who has recently received the Doctorate and is practising under supervision of experienced physicians, as a continuation of the training process; a house physician; also called houseman in Britain.
Intern
A person working as an apprentice to gain experience in an occupation; sometimes the position is paid a salary, and other times it is not; as, a white house intern; an intern in a law firm.
Intern
An advanced student or graduate in medicine gaining supervised practical experience (`houseman' is a British term)
Intern
Deprive of freedom;
During WWII, Japanese were interned in camps in the West
Intern
Work as an intern;
The toung doctor is interning at the Medical Center this year
Common Curiosities
Can internships lead to employment?
Yes, internships often serve as stepping stones to future employment opportunities, providing valuable experience and networking.
What does an intern do?
An intern works, sometimes unpaid, in a particular industry to gain relevant experience and skills, often as part of their education or career development.
Are internees always detained during wars?
While war is a common context, internees can also be detained during political unrest or under authoritarian regimes.
What is an internee?
An internee is someone detained during wartime or political turmoil, often without trial, due to their nationality, political beliefs, or other factors.
How long does an internship last?
Internships can last from a few weeks to several months, typically aligned with academic calendars or specific project timelines.
What can internships offer besides work experience?
Internships offer professional networking, skill development, and sometimes academic credit, contributing to a trainee's career growth.
Do internees have rights?
Internees are protected under international law, including conventions on human rights and the treatment of prisoners, ensuring humane treatment.
Can anyone be an intern?
Internships are typically pursued by students and recent graduates looking to gain experience in their field, but they can also be undertaken by individuals seeking to change careers or gain new skills.
How does interning benefit a career?
Interning provides hands-on experience, enhances a resume, offers networking opportunities, and can lead to job offers in the desired field.
Is interning a voluntary activity?
Yes, individuals choose to intern voluntarily to gain professional experience and skills in their field of interest.
What kind of work do interns do?
Interns may work on projects, assist with research, or perform tasks that contribute to their learning and understanding of the field.
How does one become an intern?
Becoming an intern usually involves applying for internship positions, often through educational institutions, industry programs, or directly to companies.
Why are people interned?
People may be interned for various reasons, including their nationality, political beliefs, or during states of emergency, often as a security measure.
What is the difference between an internship and a job?
An internship is a temporary, often educational, position designed to provide experience and training, while a job is a permanent position with specific responsibilities and compensation.
Are all internships unpaid?
No, some internships are paid, offering stipends or salaries, while others may provide academic credit or other forms of compensation.
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Written by
Fiza RafiqueFiza Rafique is a skilled content writer at AskDifference.com, where she meticulously refines and enhances written pieces. Drawing from her vast editorial expertise, Fiza ensures clarity, accuracy, and precision in every article. Passionate about language, she continually seeks to elevate the quality of content for readers worldwide.
Co-written by
Urooj ArifUrooj is a skilled content writer at Ask Difference, known for her exceptional ability to simplify complex topics into engaging and informative content. With a passion for research and a flair for clear, concise writing, she consistently delivers articles that resonate with our diverse audience.
