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Internships

Due to ongoing health concerns related to COVID-19, internship placements requiring in-person contact with vulnerable populations abroad, including children, the elderly, and those with compromised health, will be limited and may not available due to local Covid protocols during the Spring 2022 semester. If you have questions related to this policy, please contact internship@usac.edu.

Experiential Learning Programs

USAC is excited to announce our newest experiential learning options. Beginning in Summer 2021, students participating in one of three thematic internship options will combine a structured work or research experience with complementary courses designed to provide valuable insights into their chosen career field as well as the language and culture of their host country.

While focusing on their internship or research experience, students will have the full support of a USAC Resident Director and program staff as well as access to many optional activities with other USAC students, including field trips, tours, workshops, elective courses, and other extracurricular activities. Students will pay the regular program fees, which include housing. There are no additional fees for these internship/research experiences, however there are cancellation fees.

For more information, please see the program pages for each of the following options:

Hospitality Internship Program: Alicante, Spain

STEM Research Assistantship Program: Valencia, Spain

Eligibility Requirements:

  • Minimum 3.0 GPA
  • Junior standing (at time of internship)
  • Foreign language proficiency (see program details)*
  • Relevant academic experience
  • Enrollment in a USAC study abroad program

How to Apply

  • Begin with the USAC online application. See the How to Apply Page for more information
  • Receive login credentials for your USAC Student Gateway account via email.
  • Login to your USAC Student Gateway account and complete remaining application requirements, including the $100 non-refundable application fee.
  • Submit the Internship Placement Form available in your Student Gateway account
  • Once your internship application has been reviewed, you will be contacted by the USAC internship team to begin the placement process. The internship placement process will take place concurrently with the USAC Admission process.

    Internship Placement Process

    • During the placement process, students can expect at least two interviews
    • Initial placement screening interview with USAC Internship Team
    • Confirm Pre-Approval by acknowledging cancellation fee
      • Pre-Approval is the point where your application materials will be sent to the onsite staff and the formal placement process will begin
      • You should only accept your pre-approval if you are fully committed to the internship experience.
    • Formal placement interview with Resident Director and/or site supervisor
    • Placement contract signed and placement confirmed – Ready for final USAC approval
      • Once you have been formally placed, you will pay the $500 confirmation deposit and can be formally approved with USAC and can begin your post-approval documents and processes with your USAC Program Advisor.

    Benefits of an International Internship Opportunity Through USAC

    Work with an international company to gain valuable skills and career experience while expanding your professional network in your chosen field through a USAC internship.

    Whether on-site or virtually, you will work closely with a USAC Resident Director (RD), an internship coordinator and a professional supervisor to gain valuable industry experience and skills that can be applied to your career field and professional work environment. You will also learn the fundamental methods and practices of a chosen career field, develop professional competencies, and build a network of professional contacts.

    Through a USAC on-site or virtual internship, you will not only gain practical skills and knowledge but you will improve your intercultural communication and language abilities through immersion in an international workplace and culture.

    Internship Types:

    Global Perspectives Virtual Internships

    USAC Global Perspectives virtual internships allow you to gain valuable career experience while working remotely for an internationally-based company. These placements are ideal if you are unable to participate in an on-site internship as a result of time or schedule restrictions or if you want to enhance your resume and professional network.

    Virtual internships will expose you to industry trends, different perspectives, and global issues that will shape you into a global citizen in and outside of the office. You will gain valuable skills and professional work habits that can be applied to any job.

    Virtual internships placements are available in the following career fields:

    • Business
    • Computer Science and IT
    • Digital marketing and social media management
    • Engineering
    • English language instruction
    • Event planning
    • Grant-Writing and Crowd Funding
    • Graphic Design and 3-D Modelling
    • Health and Wellness
    • Human Resources
    • Journalism
    • Research
    • Social welfare and Social services
    • Translation

    Eligibility requirements and fees differ for virtual internships versus on-site internships. See our Global Perspectives virtual internships page for in-depth information about virtual internship opportunities.

    Explore Virtual Internship Options

    On-Site Internship Opportunities

    On-site internships supplement your academic work with hands-on job experience with an organization or business in your desired field. On-site internships are conducted at your place of business abroad and are managed by the program RD and the company's internship supervisor. The following internship types are available on-site during a study abroad.

    General Skills-Based Internships

    General skills-based internship placements are suitable for students seeking an entry-level work experience in a broad career field. These placements do not require prior experience or specialized skills and knowledge, and are intended to provide students with a better of understanding of the field, emphasizing intercultural communication and the development of professional skills applicable to a wide variety of professional environments. The majority of USAC internship placements are comprised of this type.

    Discipline-Specific Internships

    Discipline-specific internship placements are suitable for advanced students seeking an in-depth professional experience in a specialized career field. These placements do require prior experience and assume students will possess requisite skills and knowledge of the field, and are intended to provide students with the opportunity to further develop these skills and knowledge through applied practice. There are limited placements of this type, which may have stricter eligibility requirements, including, but not limited to, advanced language proficiency, specialized skills or academic training, and higher GPA requirements. Additionally, these placements may require a separate application.

    Research Internships

    Research internships are project-based placements suitable for students in the sciences or other research-based fields seeking to develop knowledge in research methodology and practice. Entry-level placements are intended for students without prior lab or research experience. Students will work under the close supervision of the site supervisor and will be introduced to essential aspects of research theory and practice. Advanced placements are intended for students with prior lab or research experience. Advanced students will work under the supervision of a site supervisor but may be assigned tasks to complete autonomously. Advanced students are expected to contribute to the written work of the project. There are limited placements of this type, which may have stricter eligibility requirements, including, but not limited to, advanced language proficiency, specialized skills or academic training, and higher GPA requirements.

    Volunteer and Community Service (non-credit)

    Volunteer and community service opportunities are non-academic experiences suitable for all students. These positions require no prior experience or specialized skills or knowledge and do not require a significant commitment of time. While volunteer opportunities are not for credit, they provide a wonderful opportunity for students to engage with the local community in meaningful ways, to develop intercultural communication and language skills, and to enhance their learning experience abroad in a less formal manner. For more information on volunteer opportunities please visit the Volunteer and Community Service page.

    On-Site Internship Eligibility:

    • Minimum 3.0 GPA
    • Junior standing (at time of internship)
    • Foreign language proficiency (see program details)*
    • Relevant academic experience
    • Enrollment in a USAC study abroad program

    *Local language proficiency is not required for all placements; however, it may determine the placements for which a student qualifies. Placements range from beginner to advanced language abilities, and vary across program sites.

    USAC-Arranged On-Site Internships

    Availability:

    On-site internship placements are available during the Fall and Spring semesters. Summer internships are available at select program sites and require participation in both summer sessions unless otherwise specified.

    Fees:

    Beginning in Fall 2021, a $985 internship placement fee will be required of all students participating in an in-person USAC internship. This fee helps offset the costs of securing quality internship placements and helps provide a range of professional development activities, including an online internship seminar, career workshops, and panel discussions.

    Credits and Hours:

    USAC students may earn 3 internship credits during semester and summer terms. Due to the compressed nature of summer terms, students must complete both summer sessions.

    Examples of work hours for semester internships:

    • 3 credits = 135 hours (approximately 9-10 hours per week)

    Examples of work hours for summer internships:

    • 3 credits = 135 hours (approximately 15-16 hours per week)

    Internship hours may not conflict with the student's USAC course schedule and internship credits do not count toward the minimum credit requirement.

    Assessment:

    Students will maintain a weekly log of hours worked and activities performed, meet periodically with the Resident Director or Internship Coordinator throughout the term, and submit a mid-term and final summative and reflective essay.

    Transportation:

    Students are responsible for transportation to and from the internship placement site.

    How to Apply:

    To apply for an on-site internship placement, students must

    • Complete the Internship Placement Form available in your student Gateway account.
    • Once your placement form has been reviewed and eligibility requirements confirmed, you will be contacted by the USAC internship team to begin the placement process. The internship placement process will take place concurrently with the USAC Admission process.

    Internship Placement Process:

    • During the placement process, students can expect at least two interviews
    • Initial placement screening interview with USAC Internship Team
    • Formal placement interview with Resident Director and/or site supervisor
    • Placement contract signed and placement confirmed

      Applications for 3-credit internships must be submitted by the program application deadline. (see program calendars for specific dates).

      On-site internships are currently offered in the following programs:

      Host University-Arranged Internships

      These are organized and evaluated by the Host University and will be credited on the host university transcript in the local grading system. If you are interested in a Host University-arranged internship, you will indicate your interest during the course registration process. Internships are currently offered on the following programs:

      If you have further questions, please contact the USAC Internship at: enrollment@usac.edu.