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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.

BELGIUM - Internship

Brussels

Vesalius College

As the center of the European Union, Brussels houses more communication, business and governmental headquarters than anywhere else in Europe. While living in this political and economic hotspot, Vesalius students who participate in an internship are able to integrate into Europe's most innovative and international environment. The application materials are reviewed by the hiring companies and students are selected for interviews for positions 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. Past placements have included positions at European Parliament, United Nations, NATO, NGOs, non-profit organizations, corporations and more. Internships are unpaid and available in the Fall, Spring, and Summer.

Through the internship experience at Vesalius College students will:

  • Receive course credit equivalent to 45 or 90 contact hours or 3 or 6 U.S. credits.
  • Work 10-14 hours a week for 150 hours total, while keeping a log of their hours.
  • Write a 3000-word report on their internship experience.

REQUIREMENTS:

  • 2.7 GPA
  • Second-semester sophomore standing
  • Submit a cover letter and resume

SUBJECT AREAS:

  • Communications
  • Business
  • International Affairs

APPLICATION DEADLINES:

COSTA RICA - Internship

San Jose

Universidad Veritas

Students participating in the Winter 6, Spring 6, Fall 6 or Summer 9 programs in San Jose will complete an eight week internship offered through the Universidad Veritas. Summer students will complete only the internships, while semester students will also complete academic coursework.

Students may be placed into placements in the following areas (based on availability): Business, Education, Marketing, Political Science and Social Work

REQUIREMENTS:

  • 2.5 GPA requirement
  • Acceptance into the ISA summer 9, winter 6, spring 6, or fall 6 programs
  • Students must be at the advanced Spanish level by the time the internship begins. This means that for admission, students in the winter, spring or fall programs must start the program having completed at least 3 semesters/5 quarters of college-level SPanish or the equivalent, while summer students must have completed at least 4 semesters/6 quarters of college-level Spanish or the equivalent. Ultimately, placement is based on a placement exam.

APPLICATION DEADLINES:

ENGLAND - Internship

London

University of Westminster

Student participating in the Fall 1, Spring 1, Academic Year 1 London programs have the opportunity to participate in an internship through the University of Westminster. All internships are un-paid part-time positions. Students are expected to work between 15 to 20 hours per week until the end of the semester. The Internship placement along with the Internship module is worth 15 UK credits (4 US credits) and is taken alongside three other classes at the University of Westminster. The Internship module will be academically assessed through the submission of a portfolio which will be completed throughout the semester.

In the past, students have been successfully placed in the following sectors: Fashion, Music & Theatre, I.T., Accounting & Finance, Marketing, Entrepreneurship, Business, Environment, Politics, Journalism & Media, Publishing, Human Resources, Public Relations, Psychology, Law, Government & Legislature, and not-for-profit. It will be the responsibility of the student to obtain the appropriate visa to participate in this program.

REQUIREMENTS:

  • 2.8 GPA requirement
  • Acceptance in an ISA Westminster semester or academic year program
  • A separate internship application which includes; application, personal statement, two copies of their resume, and passport sized photo
  • Previous work experience in the field of choice

APPLICATION DEADLINES:

ITALY - Internship

Rome

The American University of Rome - Year students ONLY

Year students have the opportunity to participate in academic internships for credit in the fields of art history, business, communications, international affairs or Italian. Internships 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. The internship experience at the AUR will allow students to gain international experience with a business or organization, develop intercultural and language skills while earning 3 U.S. credits. Students who speak Italian well are more easily placed in internships in Rome and throughout Italy.

Academic internships are unpaid are organized by the AUR's Coordinator of Career and Internship Services. Students will work a minimum of 135 hours (exclusive of travel time), attend four internship seminars, give a formal presentation of the internship experience to an AUR academic advisor, and keep a journal of work completed. Former AUR students have secured internships with leading companies and organizations such as: Amnesty International, Caritas Internationalis, Fendi and Vatican Radio.

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)

APPLICATION DEADLINES:

Florence

Florence University of the Arts and APICIUS International School of Hospitality

The Internship option integrates students' design knowledge with field experience at a specific manufacturer and company supervisor. Students serve as nonsalaried, part-time interns for 14 weeks. Some internships may require weekend hours. Students will have regular meetings with their internship supervisors who will monitor their progress. Upon completion of the Internship students will be well trained and ready to enter the professional world.

Internships are offered, but not limited to, the following areas: Accounting and Business; Management; Hospitality Operations and Management; Culinary Arts and Wine Expertise; Communication and Publishing; Photography; Visual Communication; Fashion and Accessories Studies and Technology; Fine Arts; Performing Arts; Architecture; Interior Design and Industrial Design; Student Life and Development Office; Physical Education and Sport Training.

REQUIREMENTS:

  • Good academic standing (GPA 2.75 or above)
  • Sophomore standing or higher
  • Must have successfully completed, at their home schools, the preliminary courses necessary and at the levels stipulated
  • Students must submit a letter of intent and resume at the time of application

APPLICATION DEADLINES:

SPAIN - Internship

Bilbao

University of Deusto

Students participating in the Bilbao Fall 1 & 2, Spring 1 & 2 or Academic Year 1 & 2 program have the opportunity to participate in either a business or education internship. Business placements require approximately 10 hours per week while education placements require approximately 4 hours per week. Internships are available in the following industries: Business, Hotel Management, International Relations, Marketing, Education. Alongside the placement, students enroll in three additional classes.

The University of Deusto certifies that 4 US credits will be awarded for successful completion of the internship. Students pay an additional $400 fee to participate in either internship. Internships are unpaid and available in spring and fall semesters.

REQUIREMENTS:

  • 2.75 GPA
  • Advanced-level Spanish or the equivalent
  • Business: Resume, statement of intention and application - Education: outline of background in education

APPLICATION DEADLINES:

Granada

University of Granada

The University of Granada offers students the opportunity to participate in an internship program during the semester/academic year in Granada. Two internship tracks are offered: Business and Education. Transfer of credits is determined by the student's home university and internships are unpaid. Placement is limited and will not be confirmed until students arrive on-site. In order to determine eligibility, each student will be required to take an on-site placement exam and be interviewed by the Program Director before assignments are made.

BUSINESS

During the Spring 3A & 3B, Fall 3A & 3B and Academic Year 1A & 1B programs students can take and internship course for the equivalent of 45 contact hours per semester, working within a Spanish business. The University of Granada faculty guide interns throughout the semester, conducting seminars, interviewing students and assigning projects. Alongside their internship placement, students enroll in 3-4 additional classes.

REQUIREMENTS:

  • 2.50 GPA
  • Students must place into the high advanced language level or higher to be eligible for the internship within a local Spanish company.

APPLICATION DEADLINES:

EDUCATION

During the Spring 2A & 2B, Fall 2A & 2B and Academic Year 2A & 2B programs students can take and internship course for the equivalent of 45 contact hours per semester, working within a Spanish educational institution. The University of Granada faculty guide interns throughout the semester, conducting seminars, interviewing students and assigning projects. Alongside their internship placement, students enroll in 3-4 additional classes.

REQUIREMENTS:

  • 2.50 GPA
  • Students must place into the high intermediate language level or higher to be eligible for the internship with a Spanish educational institution.

APPLICATION DEADLINES:

Sevilla

Menéndez Pelayo International University

Students participating in the Fall 5 or Spring 5 program in Sevilla will be involved in an educational internship. They will take the Second Language Acquisition: Theory and Practice course and intern two hours a week assisting in an English classroom at a local school. They will take courses at the Menéndez Pelayo International University with students from the Fall/Spring/Year 3 program and can choose from educational courses as well as a variety of courses taught in Spanish or English at the Menéndez Pelayo International University.

Internships are unpaid and available in the Fall 5 and Spring 5 semesters. Students are required to stay in their internship until the end of the semester.

REQUIREMENTS:

  • 2.50 GPA

APPLICATION DEADLINES:

COLOMBIA - Service Learning

Barranquilla

Universidad del Norte

The Univoluntarios course, offered at the Universidad del Norte through the Latin American Studies, International Business & Courses with Locals program, offers high intermediate through advanced-level students the opportunity to participate in a 3 credit service-learning project during their semester/academic year in Barranquilla.

Through the service learning project students will explore self understanding, recognize and identify the context in which they will be involved and finally put into play actions and activities aligned with the interests, objectives and reality of the organization with which they are working. Student will complete this course mostly on Friday afternoons and Saturday mornings.

The Universidad del Norte awards approximately 3 credits of coursework for the successful completion of the service learning project. Along with the service-learning project, students can also enroll in normal courses at the Universidad del Norte.

REQUIREMENTS:

  • 2.75 GPA
  • Students must place into the high intermediate level or higher on the Universidad del Norte placement exam.

APPLICATION DEADLINES:

SPAIN - Service Learning

Bilbao

University of Deusto

Students participating in the Bilbao Fall 1 & 2, Spring 1 & 2 or Academic Year 1 & 2 program have the opportunity to participate in a service learning course. 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.

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.

REQUIREMENTS:

  • 2.75 GPA
  • Students should be registered in high advanced-level Spanish or equivalent level of Spanish proficiency

APPLICATION DEADLINES: