Can I do an unpaid internship off campus while on F-1 status?

Unpaid off-campus internships require CPT/OPT authorization; I did CPT through my university with school approval and employer agreement.

Back when I was on F-1, I really wanted an off-campus internship. I soon learned you can't just take an unpaid gig and call it a day, off-campus work needs authorization. I booked a meeting with international student services, explained the internship I’d found, and found out CPT (Curricular Practical Training) was the route I needed. CPT has to be tied to a course and approved by your school, supervisor, and the DSO. I got a resume and a formal offer letter from the employer, plus a course code from my adviser, and a learning objective describing how the internship fits my degree. The whole process took a few weeks, and I could only work part-time during the semester (about 20 hours/week) while enrolled. It was unpaid, but the experience mattered way more than the paycheck. I had to report hours and keep everything updated in SEVIS, and I couldn’t start until CPT was approved. Without that authorization, it would have jeopardized my status.