Real Work Experience Around the World
Follow Florida State University to the next level of education: international internships. These are remarkable opportunities for both undergraduate and graduate students to work within prestigious organizations and dynamic corporations, while at the same time earning academic credit. Internships are integral to FSU's global perspective, offering students not only incomparable career experience, but more intense cultural interaction. At our respected year-round study centers, FSU has forged strong professional affiliations within the host countries. The result is coveted job placements in three major world cities: London , England ; Panama City , Republic of Panama ; and Valencia , Spain .
What is an internship?
Internships are unpaid, full-time (part-time, available fall and spring only) work assignments in business, political, and professional settings for which students receive academic credit. Interns also complete a personal journal, a summary report, and other academic requirements. Internships are planned with, and guided by, a professor and the International Programs Internship Coordinator. But once on the job, interns function as employees, with full responsibilities to the host firm, their colleagues, and superiors. These experiences can be invaluable in shaping and defining an education and career. Internships help students:
• focus on a prospective career
• add a practical component to academic study
• open a new area of special interest
• develop new skills for future advancement
Why intern abroad?
Students who work across national and language borders step immediately into the future—and step away from the crowd. In today's global society, an international internship amplifies your academic record. It sets you apart on both graduate school and employment applications.
Our returning interns emphasize growth, excitement, and enjoyment —but these gifts happen through the students' own hard work and professionalism. As with any real-world job, you must meet the standards of the host organization; they must both perform well and work well with people. With a position abroad, though, they add another achievement: the ability to work within office dynamics and across cultures.
Important Information About Placements, Majors, and Individualized Internships
International Programs seeks to accommodate every qualified student with an appropriate internship. The internship listings in this catalog reflect a sampling of recent placements. Many other possibilities exist. Specific placements are not and cannot be guaranteed.
Conditions and Eligbility
Competition for international internships is keen, as the sponsoring organizations are seeking highly capable interns. Only the most qualified candidates are selected. While we make every effort to find the best placement to match your academic and career goals, we cannot guarantee a specific placement. Placements are dependent upon your credentials, the availability of suitable positions, and a possible interview. When requesting a placement, students should carefully consider the commitment, maturity, level of responsibility, and qualifications required for an international internship. Please keep in mind students may be required to work during scheduled social/cultural events, including semester breaks. An internship is a serious commitment which, when accepted, must be fulfilled.
Application Process
1. Before applying for an International Programs internship, contact your major department about its internship policies. We need to know whether an internship is a degree component as well as any specific departmental requirements that may apply. Please note: Graduate student applicants MUST gain approval from their academic department before applying for an internship. For more information, please contact the International Programs Internship Coordinator.
2. Complete the program application.
3. Complete the Internship Request Form
4. Submit to International Programs:
(a) the application
(b) the Internship Request Form
(c) An electronic resume in English submitted directly to the Internship Coordinator. Students applying for an internship in Panama or Spain must also submit a resume in Spanish.
(d) 3 letters of recommendation: 2 academic and 1 employer (use reference form)
(e) an official transcript for non-FSU students.
(f) the intern application fee of $250.00.
Note: Before applying for an internship in Panama or Spain , contact the International Programs Internship Coordinator for Spanish-language requirements. Interns in Panama and Spain should be highly proficient in Spanish.
After a student applies, International Programs will contact him/her to confirm eligibility and discuss placements. If you have any questions, contact the Internship Coordinator at 850/644-3272, 1/800/374-8581, or intprog1@admin.fsu.edu. (Put “Internships” in the email subject line.)
Internship Fee Liability and Refund Policy
• Application Fee: The $250 application fee is nonrefundable.
• Confirmation Deposit: The $1500 confirmation deposit is refundable until the close of business on the deposit's due date. If an applicant has paid or been granted a deferred payment plan for the deposit and has not withdrawn from a program as of the close of business on the deposit due date, the applicant becomes fully liable for the confirmation deposit.
• Full Program Fee: Program applicants who have demonstrated their intent to participate in the program by payment or by deferral of the confirmation deposit and who have not withdrawn from the program as of the full payment due date become fully liable for the full program fee as of the close of business on the full payment due date.
• Refunds of program fees will be granted in instances of withdrawal prior to the start of the program under the following circumstances:
1. Illness of the student of such duration or severity that precludes overseas travel. The student will be required to submit all relevant medical records for review and evaluation by FSU's Thagard Health Center . Thagard Health Center will advise International Programs' refund committee of its recommendation. International Programs' refund committee will notify the student of the decision.
2. Exceptional circumstances that could not have been foreseen and were beyond the control of the student,as approved by the International Programs' refund committee.
• Timely notification in relation to the event that caused the need for withdrawal will be considered in evaluating your request for refund. In no instance will a refund request be considered if it is made after the end of the semester for which the refund has been requested.
• Refunds cannot be granted in instances where withdrawal occurs after a program has begun.
• Applicants who apply and are accepted after the published due dates remain liable for fees in accordance with the published due dates.
Application and Payment Deadlines
Important requirements:
• Upon notification of acceptance, you will receive and return a Internship Agreement which details the terms and conditions of your internship.
• To defer fees, you must submit a deferment request form. Non-FSU students may only defer up to 50% of their program fees. Deferment forms are available at international.fsu.edu. Non-FSU students may only defer 50% of their program fees. Deferral forms are available below.
Students who apply on or before the application deadline receive a $100 discount from the program or internship fee. Click here for deadlines.
