Because many countries experience some level of unemployment, and because of
complex work authorization rules, many international internships are not paid.
This is actually beneficial in that many offices, departments, businesses, and
political arenas have places for interns where they could not possibly offer jobs.
Therefore, it is commonplace to obtain an international internship in an area
directly relevant to your major/career choice. This in effect gives students high
marketability and employability due not only to the directly related internship but
also due to the international experience that the student gains.
PRECAUTIONARY MEASURES TO CONSIDER
There is always the possibility of spurious programs floating around.
If you have found a program that is not well recognized and does not have a well
tracked history, you'll want to validate the credibility of the program. The
following are some pointers that the Texas A&M Career Center & Study Abroad have
suggested. Hopefully, these pointers can assist you in validating your program:
- Contact the program and ask for references of people whom you can contact
regarding previous experiences on the program.
- Go to the program website & find out how much information is available
about that particular program. Some programs offer a great deal of information
on visas, etc., but some are rather sparse, not providing much information.
It wouldn't be wise to re-consider the latter.
- Going with a university sponsored program tends to be more reliable.
- Asking about what organization or affiliation the program belongs to.
- If an internship is involved, inquire about placements and check into the
existence of the organizations/companies involved. Even contact them directly
to see if they work with the given program.
If you have any doubts, please come and talk to the Career Center
(209 Koldus, advisor@cctr.tamu.edu) or
the Study Abroad Program Office (Bizzell Hall West, first floor,
studyabroad@tamu.edu).
WHAT TYPES OF INTERNSHIPS ARE AVAILABLE?
The following is a selected listing of internship opportunities. This
information is designed to highlight a few possibilities for the student to
consider.
Programs offer the student an opportunity to gain experience in his/her
chosen field while earning a salary adequate to meet the student's maintenance
needs in the host country.
-
IAESTE: the International Association for the Exchange of Students for
Technical Experience (IAESTE) facilitates paid technical internships for science
and engineering students
in over 80 countries worldwide. Students in all types of engineering,
architecture, and the sciences are encouraged to apply.
- AIESEC:
The International Association of Students in Economics and Business Management
(AIESEC). Offers paid internships abroad and in the U.S. for students of all majors.
- Congress-Bundestag Young Professionals Program: Approximate year-long fully-funded program that offers 2 months intensive German language training, 4 months study at a German technical university, and a 5-month paid internship. No German required and annual deadline is in December.
- Presidential Internship Program at The American University in Cairo:
This was established in 1981 and provides students (with a Bachelor's degree) an
unrivaled opportunity to learn about the internal mechanisms of university
administration. Internships are offered to students at Texas A&M, Brown,
Harvard, Princeton, and Stanford and are for an academic year. A stipend is
paid over ten months and will be sufficient for living expenses. Housing,
utilities, and basic maintenance are provided free of charge. Each semester,
interns may take one academic course at AUC as well as an evening adult
education course at no cost. Internships are available in the following offices
at AUC: President's Office, Public Relations, Office of Planning and
Institutional Research, The Caravan (newspaper), Office of Enrollment Services,
Center for Adult and Continuing Education, Theban Mapping Project, Rare Books
and Special Collections Library. More information can be found
here.
- American-Scandinavian
Foundation Traineeships: Short-term traineeship which lasts two months and
provides experience in a variety of fields including agriculture, business,
forestry, geothermal science, and horticulture.
- EAGLE Japan Program: Offers engineering students an
opportunity to acquire training necessary to qualify for paid internships with
corporations in Japan. EAGLE assists in finding and arranging internship
positions for students who successfully complete the Japanese language program.
Please note that the above link leads to the
Rose-Hulman Ventures Institute of Technology
student intern program which oversees this
effort. You can also call them at (812)
877-8285 for more information.
Internships for Credit
Some examples of previous academic programs with fieldwork components follow.
Sponsors offer academic credit which, in some cases, may be transferred to Texas
A&M with proper approval from student's academic advisor and dean.
- Arcadia University
: Offers a London Internship Program which offers placements in various
fields, including advertising, sciences, business, marketing, social services,
psychology, and education.
- Boston University: London and Paris internship programs
with semester and summer
options in politics, art/architecture, business/economics,
journalism/communications ,
and performing arts.
- Émigré Memorial German Internship Program : Parliamentary
internship
program designed for graduate students and exceptional undergraduates. It
combines
a six-week orientation program, a semester study program at the University
of Bonn,
and a four-month internship in the German Parliament.
Non-Credit Internships
The following offer fieldwork or work experience abroad; the sponsor typically
offers neither credit nor wage (Peace Corps supplies funds). Instead, such
programs offer the opportunity to gain exposure to an area of interest to the
student and broaden the educational experience.
-
Cross-Cultural Solutions - operates international Intern Abroad programs
in 10 countries (Brazil, China, Costa Rica, Ghana, Guatemala, India, Peru,
Russia, Tanzania and Thailand) with start dates year-round, and
lengths-of-stay from 2-12 weeks. Focus on health, education or social services
for invaluable international work experience. CCS in-country staff will welcome
you to the CCS Home-Base and ensure that all of your needs are met – from
safety and lodging to perspectives and insight about the local culture.
- CDS International (CDS)
A non-profit organization
committed to the advancement of international practical training opportunities.
CDS serves over 50 countries
around the world and almost 1500 individuals annually.
- Peace Corps:
Join an American legacy of students by living and working in a developing
country. The Peace Corps gives students the opportunity to make a difference
in the lives of many while also gaining several benefits. Visit with
Dr. Nelson Jacob in the TAMU Career
Center (209 Koldus Bldg., 458-3699) to talk about these opportunities.
- American Friends Service
Committee: Sponsors short term, volunteer, community projects in Mexico
and Cuba. Volunteers pay a paticipation fee and cover their
own travel and personal expenses.
- Operation Crossroads
Africa: Offers opportunites for students to participate as volunteers or
group leaders in six- to seven-week summer work/travel/study programs
in a number of African countries.
-
Association of International Development and
Exchange: Offers teaching, working
and volunteering abroad programs in Chile,
Argentina, Ecuador, Peru, Costa Rica, China,
England, Spain, and Australia.
- Cultural Embrace:
Cultural Embrace organizes internships and positions are available in advertising, business, health, environment, social services and beyond. Cultural Embrace can arrange internships in Australia, Brazil, Germany, Mexico, Spain, and the United Kingdom.
-
World Endeavors: Offers volunteer,
intern, and study abroad programs in on
nearly every continent. World Endeavors
attempts to find internships and volunteer
opportunities that fit each student's
interests.
