This site highlights various internship opportunities for NAU students. The internship opportunities listed below are available in association with NAU Study Abroad university partners and associated program sponsors. Certain internships (as noted in the description of the internship) are available only to students who are, in addition to the internship, participating as a student taking courses on the study abroad program. Other internships, as noted, may be open for students to do exclusively, without a requirement for taking courses of study at the site or country of interest. Internships partaken through the NAU International Office are considered credit bearing internships. Thus, students pay tuition and fees for these internships the same as if they were taking courses on a study abroad program. Financial compensation is never guaranteed and is the exception rather than the norm for internships listed below. For detailed information on the internships listed below, contact the Study Abroad Advisor designated for the country, or, the contact person listed with the description.
Melbourne
Qualified students of the USAC-Melbourne, Australia study abroad program may apply for internships and will need to complete the Deakin University internship application, available from the USAC Central Office. These internships are available in the areas of business, environmental science, graphics, history, journalism, media arts, performing arts (dance/drama), policy, public relations, sociology and visual arts. Interns receive credits (a maximum of three) but no financial compensation. This internship is taken as one of the student’s units/courses.
Requirements: Enrollment in the Melbourne, Australia program; completion of at least two years of university studies (junior standing), and a minimum GPA of 3.0 on a 4.0 scale.
Examples: “The combination of interning for a professional sports team in a foreign country is something that I could only have dreamed about and I definitely see it as the experience of a lifetime. I assisted with a review of the club's business sponsorship arrangements as well as helping update some club promotional material. Doing this Internship let me experience parts of Australian life that I would never have seen". Johnny McNany, Marketing and Communications major, Internship with the Geelong Supercats (professional basketball team); Social Work (i.e. community health, family support systems, hospitals);
- History (i.e. archival repositories, museums, local council library and heritage sections and non-government organizations involved in social and cultural projects);
- Journalism (i.e. Working for a metropolitan newspaper researching, interviewing people, and writing stories, a three-month Internship at Channel 31 (community television) on production of the television pilot “Geelong Live" );
- Sociology (i.e. undertaking research in local government for a new drug strategy in the local area, targeting initiatives aimed at youth drug use, undertaking research for a Family Services community organization about support for mental illness in the local area);
- Environmental Science which can be based all over Australia (i.e. undertaking coral spawning research on the Great Barrier Reef, dolphin behavior research in Port Phillip Bay for the Dolphin Research Institute, penguin research for the Australian Antarctic Division in Hobart and shark research for CSIRO Marine Research in Hobart, undertaking research for a Family Services community organization about support for mental illness in the local area).
Santiago
Qualified students of the Santiago, Chile program may apply for internships. These internships are designed to complement the academic program. As a result, interns receive credits (a maximum of three) but no financial compensation. The schedule and number of work hours will be determined by the schedule of USAC courses. Students must send their application forms at least 9 weeks in advance with a precise definition of their field of interest. If the specific requirements of the student’s field of interest can not be met, USAC will orient the student to a comparable field of interest.
Requirements: Enrollment in the Santiago, Chile program; minimum GPA of 3.0 on a 4.0 scale; and junior standing at time of internship. The student will be working in a non-English speaking environment and must be able to communicate at the Track IV level. Students will acquire the required technical terms in Spanish on the job.
Spring Semester: It is important to note that the spring semester internships start in March, the date in which the Chilean spring semester begins. For this reason, the internships during the spring are limited to the area of Art History and are worth one credit.
Examples:
- Pre-Colombian Museum or La Merced Colonial Museums of Art , 10 weeks, 5 hrs/week, 2 credits.
- CREARTE: A program for the development in the Arts for children from the 5 poorest schools in Santiago. This institution also incorporates volunteers in the development of its social activities.
- Opportunities are also available with COEPU (Institute in Education and Promotion of Human Rights).
*See semester/year catalog for detailed day-to-day details of trip.
Chengdu
Qualified students enrolled in the USAC-Chengdu, China study abroad program may apply for an internship. There is no additional fee for the internship. The internship is not guaranteed and the number of hours, the field and the number of credits will be determined after the beginning of the semester. The Teaching of English as a Second Language in the local schools is often available and it doesn’t require a high level of Chinese proficiency.
Requirements: Enrollment in the Chengdu, China program; minimum GPA of 3.0 on a 4.0 scale; and junior standing at time of internship. Students must write a proposal about what they plan to do and what they expect to gain from the experience. Examples:
- English teaching, 6 hours/week, 2 credits.
- Mingshan Hotel 3 hours/week.
- Pratt Whitney (air engine company) every afternoon, 3 credits.
- American Chamber of Commerce
- Newspaper Publishing House
- Sichuan Environmental Protection Bureau.
Heredia
Qualified students of the USAC-Heredia study abroad program majoring in Chemistry may apply for internships in that field. Interns receive a maximum of three credits but no financial compensation. The schedule and number of work hours/credits will be determined by the schedule of USAC courses.
Requirements: Enrollment in the Heredia program; chemistry major with a minimum GPA of 3.0 on a 4.0 scale; and junior standing at time of internship. The student will be working in a non-English speaking environment and must be able to communicate at the Track IV level. Students will acquire the required technical terms in Spanish on the job.
Examples:
- Chemistry – students will be working in a laboratory environment conducting or ssisting in research projects, weekly reports and a final paper will be required. Each student will be assigned a researcher who will be his/her tutor; 6 hours/week, 3 credits.
Puntarenas
Qualified students of the USAC-Puntarenas study abroad program majoring in Biology may apply for internships, which are designed to complement the academic program. As a result, interns receive credits (a maximum of three) but no financial compensation. The schedule and number of work hours will be determined by the schedule of USAC courses. USAC will attempt to place interested students in internships which focus on the marine coast environment in Puntarenas.
Requirements: Enrollment in the Puntarenas program; minimum GPA of 3.0 on a 4.0 scale; and junior standing at time of internship. The student will be working in a non-English speaking environment and must be able to communicate at the Track IV level. Students will acquire the equired technical terms on the job.
Examples:
- Marine Biology – students will be working in a laboratory environment at the Marine Biology Station conducting or assisting in research projects, weekly reports and a final paper will be required and each student will be assigned a researcher who will be his/her tutor, 6 hours/week, 3 credits.
Prague
Qualified students of the USAC-Prague study abroad program may apply for internships. These internships are designed to complement the academic program. As a result, interns receive credits (a maximum of three) but no financial compensation. The schedule and number of work hours will be determined by the schedule of USAC courses. USAC will attempt to place students in any major field of work/study. The work will be done in an English-speaking environment but some knowledge of Czech may be helpful. Students should notify the USAC office about their wish to do an internship 30 days prior to arrival in Prague.
Requirements: Enrollment in the Prague program; minimum GPA of 3.0 on a 4.0 scale and junior standing at time of internship.
Examples:
- Institute of International Relations
- US Embassy in Prague
- International Businesses and Banks
*See semester/year catalog for day-to-day details of trip.
MBA Internship
30 qualified graduate students of the Copenhagen program are selected for internships each semester. Students who are chosen receive graduate credit and a scholarship of 25,000 KDD for living expenses. The internship begins with an intensive three-week period of classroom activity that is culminated by a four hour written exam. During the three weeks, students are paired with a company, an academic supervisor from CBS ( Copenhagen Business School), and a mentor in the company. Each project is agreed upon by both the company and the school, so that it is a true mix of theory and practical application. This ensures that the project can hold up to the academic scrutiny but at the same time is something that can be utilized by the company. The internship and the semester end with the student producing a 50,000 word written project that is evaluated and then presented and orally defended. This internship is NOT available for summer students.
Requirements: graduate student; TOEFL score of a minimum of 600 (if English is not the native language); minimum of 2 years relevant work experience; nomination at their home university; excellent academic record; and a letter of motivation.
University Robert Schuman, Strasbourg, France:
Business students with a high proficiency in French may be eligible for internships through the University Robert Schuman, Strasbourg for a semester and possibily summer term. Interested students should contact Matthew Geilser (Matthew.Geisler@nau.edu) at the NAU International Office.
USAC-Pau, France:
Qualified student may apply for internships for the Spring semester only. These internships are designed to complement the academic program. As a result, interns receive credit (a maximum of three) but no financial compensation. The schedule and number of work hours will be determined by the schedule of USAC courses. Internships students are expected to stay in Pau until May 10 th. USAC will attempt to place students in any major field of work/study. Students should notify the USAC Central Office about their wish to do an internship at least 45 days prior to arrival in Pau.
Requirements: Enrollment in the Pau program. Minimum GPA of 3.0 on a 4.0 scale and junior standing at time of internship. The student will be working in a French-speaking environment and must have taken at least four semesters of college French in order to be eligible.
Examples:
- Teaching Assistant in local schools
- Hotel/Restaurant
- Import/Export Companies
- Tourism and Sales
- Journalism
USAC- Luneburg, Germany:
Qualified students may apply for internships. These internships are designed to complement the academic program. The schedule and number of work hours will be determined by the USAC course schedule. USAC will support students in any major filed of work/study. Many students decide to do an internship at the conclusion of the year program. Students who plan to apply for this type of internship should have at least one year of German when the program starts and should take Business German in the spring semester for preparation and help with their application. Due to German laws, USAC Lüneburg cannot arrange internships for students but they can assist students with contacting suitable institutions and companies. Students must let the USAC office know what theirdesired internship field is and must also prepare a cover letter and resume in German. These internships usually last two to three months and may provide a modest stipend, however they are not guaranteed.
Requirements: Enrollment in the Lüneburg program. The student will be working in a non-English speaking environment and must be able to communicate at the Track III level or above.
Examples:
- American Consulate in Hamburg, 2 or 3 months, prerequisite of B.A. or equivalent.
- Literaturhaus organizing stays for international authors who come to give lectures and help during their stay in Germany. These are non-paying positions.
- Import/Export Companies Work Study
There is one work-study position that Lüneburg program students may apply for, which is provided by the University of Lüneburg. The grant compensates the student approximately 250 Euros per month for assisting the Resident Director up to eight hours each week. Qualifications for the grant are a 3.0 GPA and an intermediate knowledge of the German language (Track II or above). Grant applications and information may be acquired from the USAC Central Office.
Volunteer Work
For students interested in pursuing volunteer work while in Lüneburg, the USAC staff will help you to contact local charities, environmental organizations, churches, etc. It is a great way o meet local people and to contribute to the community. However, this is not a commitment to be made lightly. You are expected to fulfill your obligations conscientiously. One possibility for volunteer work is at Wichernhause, a home for people who are mentally ill. A past USAC student volunteered once a week by going for walks, playing games, and talking with the people who live in the home.
Volkshochschule
The Adult Education Center offers courses in art, drawing, history of Lüneburg, philosophy, photography, pottery, theater, women and society and other subjects. Interested USAC students are encouraged to participate in these courses as a way of acquiring knowledge in a non-academic environment and as a way of meeting local people. The range of subjects cannot e confirmed until after you arrive. The Resident Director will assist you in exploring these possibilities. The fees for these courses are the responsibility of the student.
Munich, Germany: Siemens AG ICN.
Responsibilities include: working as a contact between governmental offices and Siemans AG ICN; obtaining and monitoring necessary permits for the delegates & family; proofing and payment of delegation expenditures; providing practical and cultural advice for delegation participants; acting as contact between delegate and his/her private business contacts (i.e. hotels, realtor, landlord, bank, etc.); overseeing adn development of data input and retrieval processes; upkepp and development of departmental website; basic German/English, English/German translation and interpretation; maintaining correspondence between nternational business contacts; general office duties (phones, filing, letter writing in German/English.
Desired qualifications: American born natives English speaker; a high level of German comprehension both written and spoken; knowledge of Microsoft Office Suite-Excell, Access, PowerPoint, Word; basic knowledge of web site development (not absolutely necessary); first-hand experience living or studying in Germany; a high level of flexibility and adaptability to a rapid changing work environment + office management skills.
The International Association for the Exchange of Students for Technical experience:
(IAESTE) now offers students the opportunity to apply online for a paid, technical internship in more than 80 countries. All sophomores, juniors, seniors and graduate students enrolled in a technical course of study (engineering, science, architecture, computer science, agriculture) at a four-year university in the United States are eligible. Please visit: http://www.iaeste.org
American Intercontinental University (AIU): Intern in London to jump-start your career! An academically supervised internship in London will allow you to gain experience in an international business culture and excel in an environment that equires adaptability and commitment. Internship placements are based on your academic and professional experience, as well as your career goals.
London Metropolitan University : Study Abroad students have the ability to select an internship as part of their study programme, on a varying scale from one day a week, to full time (effectively Intern Abroad). The availability of internships can vary according to demand, and subject major or area of career interest.
http://www.londonmet.ac.uk/employability/usinterns/us_home.cfm
University of Essex: Limited opportunities may be available through the University of Essex for internships. Interested students work with the University of Essex Student Union to identify possible internships. Students should be aware that arrangements re the responsibility of the student.
Through the Center for Social Action at Christ College, USAC Students can volunteer in a variety of settings. Some of these opportunities include working with local NGOs on issues of HIV, women and children and the environment. Other possibilities include running programs in local villages, assisting with watershed and sanitation issues, and educating disadvantaged children in Bangalore. Through the Office of International Affairs, USAC students can mentor Christ College students who are preparing to study abroad in the U.S. as part of their degree program.
The USAC - Cork, Ireland: A small number of internship opportunities are available for U.S. students taking yearlong or semester programs at University College Cork. Students earn credit but are not paid for the internships. Applications are due at the time of acceptance to UCC and must include an outline of the student’s academic background, a two page statement on the reason for applying and the name of a faculty advisor who can vouch for the student’s suitability for the position. Please note on your USAC application, under course selections, if you are interested in this option.
Requirements: Enrollment in the Ireland program.
NAU/ASU Italy programs in Florence and Rome
Florence:
USAC-Torino
Requirements : Enrollment in the Torino, Italy program; minimum GPA of 3.0 on a 4.0 scale and Junior standing at the time of program attendance. Placement is not guaranteed by USAC, and is determined by application to USAC and interview with internship sponsor once in Italy.
Examples:
- International Film Festival in mid-March (translations, assist visiting directors, etc). This internship would be best for students with advanced Italian language skills.
- Architecture/Interior Design (studio assistant)
- English (or second language) tutoring at local schools.
ITESM, Mazatlan, Mexico: The internship program at ITESM functions like any other subject offered: The student enrolls, is required to attend mandatory meetings, must research their assigned area, and is finally evaluated. The working schedule wil be negotiated with the business, and the student will work either 140 or 280 hours depending on the Internship selected. Students will be guaranteed 3 interviews at 3 different businesses in hope that a successful match can be made. Types of businesses offering internships are, computer technology firms, newspapers, radio, university activities, teaching, hotels, restaurants, and manufacturing firms. Requirements include, 1) curriculum vitae; 2) statement of purpose; 3) at least 2 months advance notice of interest. For additional information contact Jenn Grove (Jenn.Grove@nau.edu), Study Abroad Advisor.
USAC-Puebla
Qualified students of the Puebla, Mexico program may apply for internships. These internships are designed to complement the academic program and therefore will have a social work/health focus. As a result, interns receive credits (a maximum of three) but no financial compensation. The schedule and number of work hours will be determined by the schedule of USAC courses and authorization by the Resident Director. USAC will attempt to place students in a field related to the student’s interest. The student will be working in a non-English speaking environment and must be able to communicate at an advanced level, apart from technical terms, which the student will acquire on the job. The internship program is limited to 12 people.
Requirements: enrollment in the Puebla program; Track IV level; minimum GPA of 3.0 on a 4.0 scale; and junior standing at time of internship. The student will be working in a non-English speaking environment and must be able to communicate at the Track IV level. Students who are interested in an internship must notify the USAC Central Office at least 60 days prior to their arrival in Puebla.
Examples:
- Child Welfare
- Health Care Related Institutions
- Primary Education
- Women and Indigenous Groups Rights
- Homelessness
- Community Organizations
The Hanzehogeschool, Groningen: The Hanzehogeschool, a partner instution of NAU, may have select internship possibilities for students in the Business and Communication fields. Interested students should contact Matther Geisler (Matthew.Geisler@nau.edu), Study Abroad Advisor, International Office. Internships would be arranged on a need-be basis, initiated upon request from an NAU student. Internships would typically be credit bearing.
The Netherlands: Internships opportunities may be available for HRM students studying at either NHTV, Breda or the Hanzehogeschool, Groningen. Interested students should contact Paul Wiener (Paul.Wiener@nau.edu), Hotel Restaurant Management, NAU..
Alicante
Qualified students of the Alicante program may apply to do an internship in the community. This field experience type internships is designed to compliment the academic program and, as a result, students receive credit but no financial compensation. The schedule and number of work hours will be determined by the schedule of USAC courses. USAC will attempt to place students in a field related to the student’s interest. The student will be working in a non-English speaking environment and must be able to communicate at an advanced language level. There is a 200 euros internship fee for all University of Alicante students.
Requirements : Enrollment in the Alicante program; minimum GPA of 3.0 on a 4.0 scale; Junior standing at the time of internship and be a student in Track IV.
Bilbao/Getxo
Qualified students of the Bilbao/Getxo program may apply for internships. These internships are designed to complement the academic program whether it is undergraduate or MBA. As a result, interns receive credits (a maximum of three) but no financial compensation. The schedule and number of work hours will be determined by the schedule of USAC courses. USAC will attempt to place students in a field related to the student’s interest. The student will be working in a non-English speaking environment and must be able to communicate at an advanced level, apart from technical terms, which the student will acquire on the job.
Requirements: enrollment in the Bilbao/Getxo program; Track IV level; minimum GPA of 3.0 on a 4.0 scale; and junior standing at time of internship. The student will be working in a non-English speaking environment and must be able to communicate at the Track IV level.
Examples: Placements have ranged from advertisement and communication agencies, TV production and multimedia production companies, to libraries, non-governmental organizations, public schools and hospitals, and museums. The following examples were for 3 credits, averaging 9-10 hours/week or 2 credits averaging 6-7 hours/week. Please note that these are just examples and it doesn’t guarantee availability or that students can request specific companies.
- Guggenheim Museum Bilbao and Museo de Bellas Artes de Bilbao (contemporary art museums); developed and prepared educational material for organized school children visits, selected works of art for catalogs and educational materials, translated tourist and cultural information.
- Instituto José Miguel de Barandiarán and Escuela Publica de Lamiako (Elementary and Secondary schools); assisted a teacher in an ESL class, created audiovisual materials and prepared exams. Bilbao Public Library; computerized the library’s filing system, assisted with circulation needs, issued library cards. GamePro (interactive entertainment provider for multi-platform gaming enthusiasts); supervised and corrected English translations of games, translated help menus, assisted with mathematical formulas for video games.
- Villa Hederra (landscape planning & design company), planted trees and flowers, assisted in the bonsai section, soil preparation.
- Inmobiliaria Chomon and Novia Salcedo, Oficina Internacional de Acogida de Estudiantes (state and non-governmental agencies); helped find properties, organized housing for university students and staff.
- Owasys, A & L Comunicación, Lázaro Ituarte S.A., Sanchos & Asociados (marketing, communication and import/export companies); created and ranslated marketing materials and scripts, completed shipments and filed invoices, collected quotes, used computer programs such as Excel, PowerPoint in Spanish.
- Galdacano Hospital and Caritas Internationalis (health and science organizations); translated questionnaires from specific studies and wrote summary reports, met with specialists, taught children proper health and hygiene habits.
Madrid
Qualified students of the Madrid program may apply for internships. These internships are designed to complement the academic program. As a result, interns receive credits (a maximum of three) but no financial compensation. The schedule and number of work hours will be determined by the schedule of USAC courses. USAC will attempt to place students in a field related to the student’s interest. The student will be working in a non-English speaking environment and must be able to communicate at an advanced level, apart from technical terms, which the student will acquire on the job. Students must send their resume and application forms in at least six weeks in advance with a precise definition of their field of interest.
Requirements: enrollment in the Madrid program; Track IV level; minimum GPA of 3.0 on a 4.0 scale; and junior standing at time of internship. The student will be working in a non-English speaking environment and must be able to communicate at the Track IV level.
Examples:
- Castilla-Leon Tourist Office
- Local pre-schools
- Non-profit organizations
- Assistance for the physically and mentally disabled
- Extracurricular activities/tutoring for disadvantaged youth
University of Zurich, Switzerland: Incorporating an internship into a student's studies at the University of Zurich may be possible. Students would need to locate the opportunity themselves following their arrival to Zurich, or prior to their arrival, if such arrangements can be made. Students interested in this opportunity can contact the Switzerland study abroad advisor for more details.
IAESTE Switzerland: http://www.iaeste.ch/
IAESTE USA: http://www.iaeste.org/network/united_states.html
The International Association for the Exchange of Students for Technical Experience is an organization for the exchange of students at institutions of higher education wishing to obtain technical experience abroad.
IAESTE is a non-political, independent and non-governmental association, consisting of national committees in more than 80 countries. IAESTE Switzerland cooperates with over 30 schools and 100 Swiss companies to offer students of various technical faculties unique working experiences all over the world.
NAU students can contact IAESTE directly for more details on internship opportunities.
Federal Office for Migration - http://www.swissemigration.ch/elias/en/stagiaires/index.html?S=0
Occupational Training in Switzerland
Note: Not all opportunities listed above are affiliated with the Northern Arizona University International Office. Information is provided as reference only and Northern Arizona University assumes no responsibility for non-affiliated programs.
©2007 Arizona Board of Regents
Center for International Education, Northern Arizona University