Guide to International Internships

Spending time abroad can be rewarding and challenging. While you will be put in new situations, you will most certainly return better prepared for your future endeavors. Princeton students participate in a variety of programs abroad: independent travel, academic study, language study, research, volunteer work, work-exchange programs and internships. If you are interested in academic study, language study, or research, check with your academic department for help and possible funding. In addition, you should also contact the Study Abroad Office in 406 West College if interested in these types of programs.

If you are interested in finding an internship or volunteer experience abroad, read on! The process is not easy, but the counselors at Career Services are available to guide you along the way. Read through the following information as a way to get started.

Finding an International Internship

The first step in the process of finding an international internship is to think about what you’d like to get out of the experience, both personally and professionally. You need to think about your strengths and weaknesses and decide what you might be good at doing. In addition, you need to assess your own comfort level with being away from home and potentially away from modern conveniences. Some good questions to ask yourself: What countries or areas of the world intrigue me? What kind of work would I be interested in doing? What skills can I bring to an employer? Skills can include things like language abilities, communication skills, and proficiencies in writing, research, or technology.

After you have some ideas of what you’re seeking, it’s time to do some research! A successful international internship search will require a great deal of initiative and work on your part. You should be prepared to start early, at least six to nine months before the date you would like to start working. You can conduct your research in a number of ways. You should utilize the online and print resources that have been compiled by the Office of Career Services as well as by the International Internships Program, located in 319 West College.

In addition, you should never underestimate the power of networking. If you have or will study or travel abroad, try to make contact with individuals who could point you in the right direction in your internship search. Talk to your family, their friends and colleagues, previous employers, your professors, alumni and other professional contacts. Let people know what you are looking for and what your interests are.

Most Princeton students find international internships in one of the following ways:

1. Princeton Programs

These programs consist of opportunities that have been specifically arranged for Princeton students. In most cases, in addition to the internship experience, there is also funding available.

2. Internship Exchange/Work Permit Programs

These non-Princeton programs arrange paid and unpaid internships in a variety of countries. In addition, these programs also facilitate the process of obtaining work authorization in a select number of countries, something that can be challenging to do on your own. There are often placement fees associated with these programs and they can vary widely, so be sure to check.

3. Volunteer Programs

These non-Princeton programs arrange volunteer experiences in a range of areas such as education, health, community development, environment and human rights. Some of these programs have placement fees.

4. Internships set up directly with an Organization

Outside of an established program, you can also obtain an internship directly with an organization. Generally, these fall into a couple of categories: government agencies (such as the U.S. Department of State or U.S. AID), non-governmental organizations (such as the World Bank or the United Nations), and international corporations.

If you know of a specific company or organization you are interesting in interning with, do some research on their web site to see if they offer an internship program. Use the Alumni Careers Network to see if alumni can help you. Internships with governmental and non-governmental agencies are extremely competitive and are often unpaid. They also have application deadlines in the fall for the following summer.

Visas and Other Considerations

One of the biggest and most time-consuming challenges of interning abroad is completing the paperwork necessary for you to live and work in another country. One of the first things you should do is make sure you have an updated passport. It can take 6-8 weeks for a new passport and almost as long to renew an old one, so plan ahead.

Many countries will allow entrance to American citizen visitors for a maximum of three months. However, if you wish to earn money during this time, or plan on staying longer than three months, a visa may be necessary. Getting the correct information about the paperwork you need to work abroad legally will require some research. You can contact the company that has made you an offer. If you are going through an established program for your internship or volunteer placement, ask them for assistance. Finally, be sure to contact the appropriate embassy or consulate for information.

When you contact local consulates, also ask about any travel warnings, or health requirements, such as immunization. McCosh Health Center can be another source of information on this.

The following links will be useful for finding the information you'll need:

www.embassy.org
travel.state.gov

If you are an international student, you will have to contact your nation's consulate to learn about any authorized paperwork you will need to travel in and out of the United States.

For help with housing, labor laws, culture, and safety, take a look at the International City Tours. This resource, provided by the University Career Action Network, provides profiles on seventeen different world cities.

Online Resources

Princeton Programs:

Princeton International Internships Program - Coordinates international internships that have been secured specifically for Princeton students. Also provides funding to students who have received unpaid international internships. Their extensive website also has links to additional organizations offering international opportunities.

German Summer Work Program – Eight-week summer job opportunity in Germany sponsored by Princeton’s Germanic Languages and Literature Department.

Princeton in Asia – PIA is a non-profit foundation offering teaching and professional internship opportunities in several Asian institutions.

Princeton in Africa – Offers several summer internships in health, education and humanitarian organizations.

Princeton in France – Department of French and Italian sponsors a summer work abroad program for undergraduates fluent in French and desiring to gain an in-depth understanding of the culture. Information meetings are scheduled in November.

Class of 1969 Community Service Fund - Creates and funds internships with community service and public service organizations. Each year two or three international opportunities are offered.

Princeton in Ishikawa - Internships in major companies. Eligibility is limited to students who have attended the Princeton in Ishikawa Japanese Language program in a previous summer.

Program in Hellenic Studies - A description of the current available internships can be obtained from the Hellenic Studies Program.

Internship Exchange / Work Permit Programs:

International Association of Students in Economics and Commerce (AIESEC) - A university-based, worldwide internship program for student members interested in business and management.

International Association for the Exchange of Students for Technical Experience (IAESTE) – IAESTE offers worldwide internships to juniors and seniors in Engineering, Architecture, Mathematics, Computer Sciences, Natural and Physical Sciences. They also offer a work-permit service.

British Universities North America Club (BUNAC) – BUNAC makes work programs possible for students in England, Scotland, Wales, Northern Ireland, Canada, Australia, and New Zealand. Also offers volunteer programs in South Africa, Cambodia, and Peru.

Work & Travel Ireland - Helps with work permit to work in paid employment in the Republic of Ireland for up to 4 months.

InterExchange - Offers abroad opportunities in teaching English and childcare as well as volunteer and internship options. Offered in sixteen countries.

International Cooperative Education – Arranges paid internships in England, Germany, Switzerland, Belgium, China, Japan, Singapore, Vietnam, Australia, Chile, Argentina, Uruguay, Bolivia and Peru. Language pre-requisites.

Association for International Practical Training – Organization offering internships in 65+ countries. Also offer assistance with work permits.

American Institute for Foreign Study – Offers internships in Sydney, London, Cannes, Rome and Florence.

Center for Education Abroad – Internships in Australia and the UK offered by Arcadia University.

AustraLearn - Internships in Australia and New Zealand.

French American Chamber of Commerce and French Embassy Cultural Services – Helps find internships and get work papers for France. The organization holds an on-campus information session usually in mid-November.

IES Abroad - Intern abroad in a variety of countries in Art/Theatre, Education, Law, Service, Business, Government/Politics, and Science.

Internships in Francophone Europe – Offers semester-long academic internship program (no summer programs) to students and recent graduates of North American schools.

CDS International - Offers placement programs for internships in Germany, Argentina and Spain as well as work authorization in Switzerland.

RISE - Sponsored by the German Academic Exchange Service offers paid summer research experiences with German PhD students in biology, chemistry, physics, earth sciences and engineering. German language skill is not required for most positions.

Oasis-PraFor - Courses, internships, and volunteer work options in Spain are available through this program.

The American-Scandinavia Foundation - Offers an internship placement service as well as assistance with work permits should you find your own placement in Denmark, Finland, Iceland, Norway or Sweden.

EPA Internships - Offers internships in Britain, Germany, Belgium and Spain.

Global Experiences - Offers internships in Italy, Australia, Spain and France in many areas, including fashion and culinary. Also offers ESL teaching, volunteering abroad programs in Ecuador, and adventure travel.

CLIDA - A langugage school in Italy that also offers 1, 2 and 3 month internships in Florence.

AIFS - AIFS provides the necessary work documents and practical information on finding work and housing in Australia for up to 4 months. There is no requirement that you be a current student to receive assistance.

SEC - Offers internships in Spain, the United Kingdom, France and Germany with or without language courses.

U.S. Department of State – U.S. State Dept. internships in foreign affairs environment. Application Deadline Date is November 1st.

Volunteer Programs and Resources:

Idealist.org – Comprehensive nonprofit site that includes internship and volunteer listings for a variety of countries.

International Volunteer Programs Association - A search engine for finding international volunteer placements.

Volunteers for Peace - Links to international volunteer organizations and workcamps.

Universal Giving - Partners with several organizations for volunteer opportunities locations around the world. Searchable database by geographic area and area of interest.

Cross-Cultural Solutions - Operates international Intern Abroad programs in 10 countries with start dates year-round, and lengths-of-stay from 2-12 weeks. Interns can focus on Health, Education or Social Services. Partial scholarships are available through Career Services; contact us for further information.

Foundation for Sustainable Development - Internships in Argentina, Bolivia, Ecuador, India, Kenya, Nicaragua, Peru and Uganda working on international and community development.

Center for Cultural Interchange - Language study, volunteer projects, and internships in over 20 countries around the world. Programs run all year round, and the majority of experiences focus on the homestay experience.

AmeriSpan - Works with over 150 organizations in Latin America and Spain to place volunteers.

Amigos de las Americas - Provide opportunities to participate in service projects in Latin America.

Explorations in Travel - Provides volunteer work placements for students and adults from all over the world. Volunteers must pay fees and expenses, depending upon placement.

SEED Volunteer Program - Engineers for a Sustainable World sends engineering students around the world for volunteer placements.

United Planet Quest Program - Offers volunteer programs from 1 week to 1 year in over fifty countries.

Comprehensive Sites and Directories:

Internships Series Online - This web site gives you access to 14 searchable directories that provide up-to-date information on over 2,800 organizations offering internships and summer jobs for students. Students and alumni must call 258-3325 for User ID and Password.

Transitions Abroad - A very detailed site with information for those wanting to work, study or travel abroad. Includes listings of programs offering opportunities as well as a classifieds section.

GoAbroad - Can search for study abroad, internships, language schools, volunteer opportunities, teaching, jobs abroad, and adventure trips. Also offers country specific travel guides and tools such as rail pass information and student id cards.

Best Bets for Internships Abroad – University of California, Irvine International Opportunities Program. Site outlines internship programs and web sites for Best Bets For Internships Abroad.

Learning Abroad Center - University of Minnesota. Search for work, intern, and volunteer programs by country.

SummerJobs.com – Database of teaching, tourist, and service sector jobs worldwide.

ResortJobs.com – Database of job listings at worldwide resorts, ski areas, camps, parks, cruise ships, and hotels.

Live-In Jobs UK – Phone or Fax for list of seasonal employment opportunities in hotels in England, Scotland, and Wales. 3-6 month positions include waiting tables, bartending, receptionist, or chef.

Backdoorjobs.com – Offers a directory of short-term job, volunteer, and internship experiences in many different countries. The programs have internships in engineering, medicine, non-profit, and business to name a few. Most programs do have placement fees associated with them.

Study Abroad Information:

Study Abroad Program - Located in 406 West College.

Studyabroad.com – A consortium of dozens of university study abroad programs that provides excellent information on exploring cultural differences.

Institute of International Education – Indexes for internships, practical training, volunteering, and student teaching list over 1300 programs, most of which charge tuition and give academic credit.

OLC International - OLC can help you to find the ideal language course at one of its international study centres.

Books and Print Resources

The Career Services library has numerous books, directories, magazines, and newsletters that address the international job search, many of which contain companies, advice, and resources useful for the internship search abroad. Below is a partial list of the books you may find helpful. The International Internship Program office in 319 West College has some print resources as well.

International Internship Directories & Guides in the Career Services library:

• Alternative Travel Directory: Complete Guide to Work, Study, Travel Overseas
• Directory of International Internships: A World of Opportunities
• Handbook for Creating Your Own Internship in International Development, A
• Imaginative Soul's Guide to Foreign Internships: A Roadmap to Envision, Create & Arrange Your Own Experience
• International Directory of Voluntary Work
• International Internships
• Summer Jobs Abroad 2005
• Work Abroad: Complete Guide to Finding an Overseas Job