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Internships and Service Learning

Participation in internship or service learning opportunities abroad is an excellent way to immerse oneself in another country's culture and way of life.

There are many ISA programs that offer internship or service learning opportunities for students. These opportunities add another dimension to the study abroad experience through daily interactions with locals, resulting in a greater understanding of the culture, community and language of the host country.

Below you will find more information on Internship and Service Learning possibilites with ISA.

Internships

BELGIUM

Brussels - Vesalius College

Students will get course credit for the internship which is equivalent to 45 hours of credit or one semester course.

Students must supply a cover letter and a résumé.

The application material will be screened by the staff at Vesalius College and students will be selected to interview with companies that best match their skills and abilities. The internships are very competitive and are NOT guaranteed. A designated supervisor will offer academic support and guidance during the internship, outlining the assessment and monitoring the progress of the student.

Internships are unpaid and available in the Fall, Spring, and Summer.

REQUIREMENTS:

  • 2.7 GPA
  • Junior standing

SUBJECT AREAS:

  • Communications
  • Business
  • International Affairs

INDUSTRIES:

  • European Parliament
  • United Nations
  • NATO
  • SWIFT
  • News organizations
  • Defense organizations
  • Corporations
  • NGOs
  • Non-profit organizations

Application deadlines are:
Fall - June 15
Spring - October 15
Summer - May 1

ENGLAND

London - University of Westminster

In the vibrant city of London, students have the opportunity to participate in an internship related to their studies at the University of Westminster. The internship experience is designed to help students develop their professional skills, but it can also help develop confidence, communication skills and facilitate personal growth. An internship through the University of Westminster can be highly rewarding and provides a unique opportunity to experience another aspect of English culture.

Why a University of Westminster internship?

  • Strong academic support, including a dedicated Internship Coordinator who works closely with organizations to try and place students in their top internship selection
  • Gain international experience with a business or organization
  • Develop you intercultural competencies
  • Enhance your resume
  • Earn up to 4 US credits (15 UK credits)

Once you have been accepted into the study abroad program, the Internship will then be organized by the University of Westminster' Business Experience & International Unit (BEIU). The Internships are part-time and run for 10 weeks (with the possibility of extending in some cases). The Internship placement along with the Internship course (Internship Toolkit-Learning by Doing) is worth 15 UK credits (4 US credits) and is taken alongside three other classes at the University. The "Internship Toolkit-Learning by Doing" module will be academically assessed through the submission of a coursework portfolio which will be completed throughout the semester. The graded progression of the module fosters students' development of analytical thinking skills by applying relevant theory and concept to their work experiences.

Alongside the academic study, students will be expected to normally work between 15 to 20 hours per week over two to three days.

You should be aware that in order to secure an internship in the field of your choice you must have some work experience in this area or be able to demonstrate relevant skills (including practical ability) acquired through study. Please note that whilst the Business Experience & International Unit will promote you to employers, they cannot guarantee an interview or internship.

REQUIREMENTS:

  • 2.8 GPA requirement
  • acceptance in an ISA London semester or academic year program
  • Students must fill out an internship application, which includes; application, personal statement and two copies of their résumé.

In the past, students have been successfully placed in the following sectors:

  • Fashion
  • Arts & Theatre
  • Music
  • Accounting ' Finance
  • Marketing
  • Entrepreneurship
  • Business
  • Environment
  • Politics
  • Journalism
  • Publishing
  • Human Resources
  • Public Relations
  • Psychology
  • Law
  • Government & Legislature
  • Not-for-profit

The Business Experience Unit will make every effort to offer students an internship in the field they desire, but students should be aware that the following fields are particularly difficult to secure employment in:

  • Theatre: Performance
  • Stock Market (althrough there are finance and accounting opportunities
  • Law and Law courts

Application Due Dates:
Fall - May 1
Spring - October 15

Internships are unpaid and available in the Fall and Spring semesters. The internships are very competitive and are not guaranteed. It is the responsibility of the student to obtain the appropriate visa to participate in this program.

Students are required to stay in their internship until the end of the semester (students studying in only the Fall semester will finish at Christmas Break). Please note that students on internship in the Spring semester would be required to work through Spring break in the event that these dates coincided with the term.

For international students in the UK, the maximum number of hours you can work is 20 hours per week during term time, regardless of whether the position is paid or unpaid.

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ITALY

Rome - American University of Rome - Year students ONLY

In the historic city of Rome, year students have the opportunity to participate in academic internships for credit in fields related to their studies at the American University of Rome. They provide students with a practical way of relating their studies to their career interests and give them the opportunity to gain "real world" work experience. An internship through the American University of Rome can enhance students' ability to make in-formed career decisions, give them increased marketability in the job market and the opportunity to obtain academic credit while gaining life experience.

The internship experience at the AUR will allow students to:

  • Gain international experience with a business or organization
  • Develop you intercultural and language skills
  • Enhance your resume
  • Earn 3 US credits

REQUIREMENTS:

  • Good academic standing (GPS 2.75 or above)
  • Junior or senior standing and permission of academic advisor
  • Acceptance in the ISA Rome YEAR program (academic internships at the AUR are not practical for study abroad students who visit AUR for only one semester)
  • Students who speak Italian well are more easily placed in internships in Rome and throughout Italy

In the past, students have been successfully placed in the following sectors:

  • Art History
  • Business
  • Communications
  • International Affairs
  • Italian

Former American University of Rome students have secured internships with leading companies and organizations such as:

  • Amnesty International
  • Caritas Internationalis
  • Fendi
  • Italian Republican Party
  • Vatican Radio

Academic internships are unpaid and available to year students only. Once you have been accepted into the Rome Year program, Internships will then be organized by the American University of Rome's Coordinator of Career and Internship Services. The Internships are part-time students will work a minimum of 135hours (exclusive of travel time). Students involved in internships will also attend four internship seminars, give a formal presentation of your internship experience to the class and your AUR academic advisor and keep a journal or written documentation of your work.

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SPAIN

Bilbao - University of Deusto

The University of Deusto offers students the opportunity to participate in an internship program during their semester/academic year in Bilbao. Two internship tracks are offered: Business and Education.

BUSINESS

The goal of the business internship is to complement the student's academic background with participation in a professional environment. Students are expected to gain professional self-awareness through observation, participation, and analysis of professional activities and through interaction with colleagues in a work environment.

Students spend approximately ten hours per week at a work placement. A supervisor assists the student in the practicum setting and evaluates the quality of the student's work. Deusto faculty guide students throughout the duration of the internship program. Meetings with an academic component are held on a weekly basis.

INDUSTRIES:

  • Accounting and Finance
  • Business
  • Hotel Management
  • International Relations
  • Marketing
  • Public Relations

EDUCATION

The education internship mainly focuses on the active observation of Spanish or English language classes in primary or secondary education centers and may include students' participation in the class when/if deemed appropriate by the instructor of the course. The institution may also request a complementary one or two-hour collaboration from the student in courses taught in English. These hours will complement the student's academic background, and will count towards the total time devoted to the internship.

Students spend approximately 4-5 hours per week at the education centers. A supervisor will assist the student in the internship setting. Deusto faculty guide the students' observation process and meetings will be set on a regular basis.

REQUIREMENTS:

  • 2.75 GPA
  • Students should be registered in Advanced-level Spanish or have an equivalent/higher level of Spanish proficiency
  • All students must submit an application, a language form, and a statement of intention.
  • Business internship applicants must also submit their résumé
  • Education internship applicants must also submit a summary of their previous experience in education and classroom observation.

The University of Deusto certifies that 4 U.S. credits will be awarded for the successful completion of the internship. Students pay an additional $400 fee to participate in the internship program. Alongside their placement, students enroll in three additional classes.

Transfer of credits is determined by the student's home university. Internships are unpaid and available in the Spring and Fall semesters. Students will receive notification of their internship placement approximately one month prior to the program start date.

Service Learning

SPAIN

Bilbao - University of Deusto

The University of Deusto offers students the opportunity to participate in a service learning project during their semester/academic year in Bilbao. The goal is to complement the student's academic background with additional interaction with native Spanish speakers, meet real needs within the community, and increase awareness and commitment to social justice issues. Students are expected to develop skills in the Spanish language and knowledge of the Spanish culture through immersion activities.

Students combine in-class activities with participation in the activities of organizations working in the Bilbao community. Assessment is based on the evaluation of students' participation in class together with out-of-class organizational activities, the completion of a logbook, and a final report.

REQUIREMENTS:

  • 2.75 GPA
  • Students should be registered in High Advanced-level Spanish or have an equivalent/higher level of Spanish proficiency

The University of Deusto certifies that 4 U.S. credits will be awarded for the successful completion of the service learning project. Alongside their placement, students enroll in three additional classes. Transfer of credits is determined by the student's home university. Service learning projects are unpaid and available in the Spring and Fall semesters.