Internships & Community Engagement Abroad

Want to gain professional experience while living abroad? International internships combine academic credit with hands-on work experience, helping you build career skills, strengthen your resume, and make progress toward your degree.

To set yourself up for success, you’ll want to start planning at least two quarters in advance as internship placements take time to confirm. 

Full-Time Internship: Complete a full-time internship abroad (for credit, not for pay), typically accompanied by an internship course. Coursework encourages reflection on workplace culture, professional development, and the skills you're gaining through your international experience, helping you articulate your experience and strengthen your resume.

Internship + Study: Combine a part-time internship with academic coursework. This option allows you to gain professional experience while continuing to make progress toward major, minor, GUR, or elective requirements.

Community Engagement and Service Learning: Connect more deeply with the people and culture around you by working alongside local organizations and partners on a local project. Through guided reflection and engagement, you'll deepen your understanding of sociocultural issues, strengthen your intercultural skills, and gain a greater appreciation for your host community.

If you plan to apply internship credit toward your major or minor, you'll need to work with a faculty advisor to ensure your internship aligns with departmental requirements and academic goals.

As part of the Education Abroad application process, you will complete the Departmental Academic Advising eSign Form with your faculty advisor before your program begins.

Some departments have additional requirements for international internships. Be sure to review any applicable guidelines early in your planning process:

• International Internship Guidelines
• Health and Human Development (HHD) majors (including Kinesiology, PEHR, Public Health, Recreation): the International Internships Guidelines - HHD for more information about requirements and procedures.

Internship Credit: An official transcript from your program must be sent to Education Abroad for processing upon completion of your program.