Intern Abroad

Types of International Internships

Depending on what kind of experience you are seeking, there are different types of international internships that you may want to consider:

Study Abroad Internships
Volunteer Internship Programs
Direct Internships with International Organizations
Internship Programs and Exchanges

Study Abroad Internships

Study abroad internships are typically linked with semester study abroad programs and offer participants the opportunity to learn more about the local culture through placement in a position with a local organization or business while also taking courses for academic credit within your major, minor or for CORE.

For UM sponsored internship programs, such as the Maryland in London program, you can receive academic credit for an internship experience and through a UM course offered abroad.

For non-UM sponsored study abroad programs with internship courses, you are not eligible to receive transfer credit for an internship.  However, it may be possible to receive UM credit by enrolling in an internship course offered by your academic department.

Samples of UM study abroad internship programs:

• Maryland-in-London study abroad program & work placement option
  The University Career Center, along with the Study Abroad Office, provides UM students with the opportunity to gain first-hand experience in the international workplace through the Maryland-in-London semester study abroad program while earning resident UM credit. While living in the cultural and commercial capital of the United Kingdom, students take UM courses and also study at London Metropolitan University during the fall and/or spring semester. In addition, students have the option to participate in and receive credit for a work placement, the British term for an internship.
  
• Study Australia study abroad program
  UM partners with Study Australia to offer semester length study abroad programs at 29 different institutions in Australia and New Zealand. Participants at selected universities have the option to participate in an internship. At this time, UM students can not receive transfer credit for Study Australia internships but may be able to receive UM credit by enrolling in a separate UM internship course offered by the UM academic department. Students should check with their departmental internship coordinator for more information.

For non-UM study abroad and internship programs, you must meet with a study abroad advisor to ensure that the academic credit is approved for transfer credit.

See international internship resources and programs for an extensive list of international internship options.

Volunteer Internship Programs

A volunteer internship may differ from the traditional definition of an internship in that it usually allows participants to work directly with a population whose needs are under served. Internship typically means a more formal placement working with local professionals.

Also different from strictly volunteering, volunteer internships typically involve some sort of academic or reflective component that allow participants to reflect on how their volunteer work relates back to their field of study.

UM students can not receive transfer credit for volunteer internships even if there is a credit bearing component from a non-UM institution. You should check with your departmental internship coordinator to see if you are eligible to register for a UM departmental internship course.

Sample of volunteer internship program:

Cross Cultural Solutions
Cross Cultural Solutions is a nonprofit organization that places interns at project sites in Latin America, Southeast Asia and Africa for 3-12 weeks. Interns choose one of three areas of focus, health, education or social services and will work with CCS staff to detail your learning goals for the program.

See international internship resources and programs for an extensive list of international internship options.

Direct internships with international organizations

A direct internship with an international organization can be thought of as very similar to an internship with a local organization in the U.S. These kinds of internships are often the most difficult to identify since they are traditionally not part of any formal program.  However, they can often be the most economical international internship option for participants (even if they are not paid).

With direct internships there are some special considerations:

• Government organizations, major international organizations, non-governmental organizations (NGOs), corporations and educational organizations usually offer a range of opportunities for internships and might be a useful starting point for your search.
• Be sure to research what work authorization is necessary to apply for an internship. Some visa requirements stipulate that you must be receiving credit for any internship.
• Be upfront about your non-citizen status (if applicable) with potential employers. Some organizations may be willing to support a work visa for an internship position but others are unwilling and would rather have a citizen of that country fill the spot.
• Consider developing your own internship if there is not an advertised position available. Though this might take some work, it frequently can pay off and be not as difficult as you may think. This strategy shows that you are proactive and will impress potential employers by showing them how you can contribute to their organization.

Reference the University of Nevada, Reno’s Career Development Office for suggestions on developing your own internship.

Sample of a direct internship:

• U.S. Foreign Commercial Service Internship
  The U.S. Foreign Commercial Service offers internships at various embassies in non-U.S. cities. An unpaid internship position is available in London at the U.S. Embassy for international business, business administration or marketing majors (though other majors considered) who are interested in learning about and working in international trade and foreign commercial affairs. Interns should be available for a minimum of three months, able to work for a minimum of four full days per week, enrolled in an academic program and be in possession of a U.S. or U.K passport.

See international internship resources and programs page for an extensive list of international internship options.

Internship Programs and Exchanges

An internship program can be compared to a study abroad program in the way it is administered, but the core of your experience is outside the classroom. International internships through program providers offer an array of services and support to participants such as placement in an internship position abroad, accommodations, board and cultural activities. Often times, these organizations charge a fee for such services.

An internship exchange program is administered through an organization and typically requires some sort of local involvement with the exchange organization and may be linked to a specific field.

Sample of an international internship program:

CDS International
CDS international is a non-profit organization that administers summer and semester length internships in Germany, Spain and Argentina.

Sample of an international internship exchange program:

IAESTE
The International Association for the Exchanges of Students with Technical Experience (IAESTE) is an international organization and coordinates a practical training exchange program between members of local chapters in over 90 countries.

International internship candidates must be an active member of the UM IAESTE local chapter.

See international internship resources and programs for an extensive list of international internship options.