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@No_Sense_Needed
Such an interesting and frustrating subject...
First I have to make is about a comment made in the OP about internships (when unpaid) are illegal, this is not true. Not that I am saying this is fair, but there are guidelines to what an internship consists of and not law. And even then these guidelines will change from company to company.
The guidelines state if an intern is unpaid then he/she is actually a volunteers and came and go as he/she pleases. These guideline then change when expenses are covered and then change again when minimum wage is introduced.
I did several internships over the course of a year after graduating and my latest led to me getting a job which I have been in for a year and now have an intern helping me out. I believe my knowledge of being an intern not so long ago helps me manage her needs as a growing professional.
I personally never interned for a company if they didn't pay expenses and if I had to intern again I would stick to this rule. It's easy to see working for free as a joke but it can pay off.
I interned in New York and the company paid my rent (this was 2 years ago in the height of recession) and in the same building was NYLON magazine. While talking to girls outside on a cigarette break I found out Nylon only had 4 full time members of staff (an international magazine!) and all other work was carried out by interns unpaid. One girl had been interning for 4 years waiting for a position to open up! MUG!!