International Internships

CWU Student Colin Cook with officials of the Australian Stock Exchange

International internships give you the opportunity to gain hands-on work experience and earn academic credit in an international setting. A wide variety of internships are available to CWU students through internship provider organizations or your own faculty or personal contacts. Below is a list of overseas internship programs that may help you to find a position, but do not feel limited to this list. Do your own research as well.

To arrange an international internship, you will work with your major/minor department, Career Services, and Study Abroad & Exchange Programs. If you are considering an international internship during your career at CWU, please feel free to speak with staff of Study Abroad & Exchange Programs or Career Services early in the process so that you have the information you need to make the decision to intern abroad.

Academics

Credit for international internships is the same as that for domestic internships, and is provided by the academic department which approves the credit, usually as XXX 290 or 490 (e.g. COM 290 or BUS 490). The number of credits depends on the length of the internship and contact hours. One full week of work usually equals one internship credit.

Eligibility

To participate in an internship, students must be in good academic and disciplinary standing at CWU and receive approval for the internship from the following areas: the employer/supervisor for the internship, your Faculty Advisor, Department Chair/Program Director, Study Abroad & Exchange Programs, and Career Services. Maturity and flexibility are also important personal traits necessary for a successful experience abroad.

How to apply

Because of the unique nature of these placements, you will need to do some independent research before you apply for an international internship.

1. Research international internship opportunities (see resource list below, contact faculty in your department, contact Career Services, or research options on your own).
2. Complete CWU application requirements, as well as any required forms for the internship provider. Deadlines are earlier for international placements than for placements in the U.S. (see below).
3. You will need to meet with your academic advisor to complete the Learning Agreement. If you haven't already done so, please also make an appointment with an advisor in Study Abroad & Exchange Programs to discuss your plans. Appointments can be scheduled by calling 963-3612.

Deadlines

• Fall: September 1st
• Winter: December 1st
• Spring: March 1st
• Summer: May 15th

Program Cost

Program costs will vary widely depending on the location of your internship and whether or not you work with a program provider. Organizations that arrange internships for students generally charge a fee for this service, and may include additional items, such as housing.

International internship participants do not pay a program fee at CWU. You will pay a concurrent enrollment fee in lieu of tuition for the quarter you are abroad which will be charged to your student account at CWU. Any fees for the internship placement will be paid directly to the internship provider, or, if you receive financial aid, you can arrange to have payment sent once your aid disburses. Be sure your internship provider is willing to accept payments after aid disburses for the appropriate quarter (approximately two weeks after the quarter begins) before signing up for this option. SAEP charges a $50 application fee for all programs.

The cost for overseas placements depends on the location you choose and the ability of the host organization to provide you with housing or other necessities. Details of these arrangements should be worked out with your host prior to departure. Study Abroad & Exchange Programs can provide you with some assistance with budgeting issues before you depart. A financial planning worksheet is available to help you budget.

Financial Aid

Most forms of financial aid and scholarships apply to the cost of international internships. If your overseas program costs more than the cost of attendance at CWU, and you have additional aid eligibility remaining for the academic year, the Office of Financial Aid will attempt to increase your aid award to match the cost of your program. You should consult with a financial aid counselor for specific information about awards and eligibility. For more information, please refer to the Study Abroad 101 Booklet and visit our What Does it Cost? webpage.

Resources

The information below is intended to assist students in locating internship providers abroad. Inclusion on this webpage does not constitute a guarantee by CWU of the quality or suitability of provided internships. It is the student's responsibility to research and assess these opportunities carefully.

IE3 Global Internships Offers a broad range of internships in a large variety of countries and fields of study. Internship placements are available in all quarters. Examples of internships currently offered include:

Costa Rica: The Organization for Tropical Studies (biology, environmental sciences)
Germany: Individualized internships (business, political schience, German, related majors)
Namibia: Cheetah Conservation Fund (biology, business/marketing, GIS)
Thailand: Fern Resort (eco-tourism, communications, international marketing/business)
United Kingdom: Shakespeare's Globe & Oregon Shakespeare Festival (Theater, Literature, Art, History)

Research Internships in Science and Engineering (RISE) offers a unique internship model, giving North American students in the fields of Biology, Chemistry, Engineering, Geology and Physics the chance to spend a summer working with German doctoral students on serious research projects. The doctoral students help integrate the undergraduate directly into the lab work and serve as personal and professional mentors. Some German language ability is helpful but not required for all placements.

AIFS: London internship Innternship placements are available in a wide range of private companies and public organizations in London. Placements are made during fall, spring, or summer. A list of recent placements is available on the AIFS website.

AustraLearn Offers placements in Australia in business & communications, education, information technology & law, science, and social sciences. Placement descriptions are available on the AustraLearn website.

Cross-Cultural Solutions: Intern Abroad Cross-Cultural Solutions provides internships in health, education, or social services ranging in length from two to 12 weeks. Internships in Brazil, China, Costa Rica, Ghana, Guatemala, India, Peru, Russia, Tanzania, and Thailand.

IFSA-Butler Internships Offers internships in English-speaking countries in art/design, arts management, biology, built environment, business, community studies, computer science, criminal justice, economics, education, environmental science, finance, history, information technology, journalism and media studies, management, marketing, mathematics, political science and parliamentary, public and social policy, psychology, sociology, social work, technology and research, theatre and third-world studies.

IAESTE Technical Internships Offers internships in science, engineering, mathematics, architecture, computer science, and other technical fields.

InternAbroad.com On-line search engine of internship providers abroad.

More Information

Prices and dates are subject to change without notice. Contact Study Abroad & Exchange Programs for more information.

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