Internships

Internships are designed for students looking to learn new skills and complete job assignments which will facilitate career advancement. However, internships in a foreign country offer benefits beyond just professional development. Regardless of your chosen major, an internship offers the unique opportunity to immerse yourself in the culture of your host country, meet locals with shared interests, and gain a deeper understanding of and appreciation for the varied theories, policies, and practices prevalent in your academic and professional field.

Program Overview

The University of Kansas, in collaboration with EUSA, the largest independent internship provider in Europe, is now offering a summer internship program in London, England and Dublin, Republic of Ireland. EUSA works with some of the most well-known and established companies in England and Ireland. This allows students to intern with some of the best in their field and gain an international experience and perspective that will open doors throughout their careers.

Currently, internships in London and Dublin are available in the fields of the Arts, Business, Economics, Communications/Journalism, Politics, Healthcare, Social Policy, and Hospitality. Other fields are also available on a more limited basis.

Examples of internship placement sites include:

The Arts: Commercial Galleries, Art Auction Houses, Museums, Architectural Firms, Design Companies, Arts Campaigning Groups, Theatre Companies, Music & Dance Companies, Art Centers, Music Festivals/Event Planners, Record Companies, Fashion Industries, Entertainment Portals, Literary Journals.

Business/Economics: Banks, Stockbroker Firms, Financial Consultancies, Human Resources Departments, IT and Telecommunications Companies, Public Relations/Advertising and Marketing Firms.

Communication/Journalism: Television, Radio, and Independent Production Companies, News Services, Advertising Agencies, Public Relations Firms, Newspapers, Magazines, Publishing Houses, Marketing Agencies, On-line News and Entertainment Portals, Internet advertising/Marketing Firms.

Politics: Parliament, House of Commons, House of Lords, Local Government, Pressure Groups, Think Tanks, Lobby Organizations, Political Public Relations Firms, Non-Governmental Agencies and Advocacy Groups, International Organizations (from the European Parliament, Friends of the Earth, to Amnesty International, etc.).

Health, Psychology and Social Policy: Voluntary Organizations, Local Authority Social Services, After-Care Facilities, Occupational/Physical Therapy Clinics, Counseling Services, Hospitals, Advice Hotlines, Homeless Shelters, Women’s Shelters, AIDS Awareness.

Hospitality: Hotels, Airlines, Travel and Tourism Firms, Tourist Boards, Tour Guide Companies, Tourism Publications.

Eligibility

Students from any academic discipline are eligible to participate in the internship program with approval from their academic advisor at the University of Kansas.*

Preference will be given to juniors or seniors advanced in their undergraduate studies and in good academic standing. A minimum 2.5 GPA is required (exceptions considered only with the submission of a petition).

All accepted students will be required to participate in a placement interview at the University of Kansas Lawrence campus, in March or early April. Applicants will be evaluated on the basis of attitude, maturity, flexibility, personal goals, academic goals, and career aspirations.

*See below for specific eligibility requirements by School/Department.

Internship Placement

EUSA strives to place students in internships that directly reflect or relate to their course of study at the University of Kansas, thus ensuring the quality and academic relevance of the placement. The companies and organizations that make up the list of approved internships are carefully and regularly monitored by site visits and student assessment.

EUSA makes appropriate internship placements based on the skills, interests and professional goals of each individual student and the project needs and work cycles of the internship sponsors. The EUSA internship team interviews each individual student on the University of Kansas, Lawrence campus in March to discuss goals and expectations for the internship experience and to identify the best possible placement opportunities.

EUSA will make every effort to notify a student of his or her placement prior to departure. Once a placement has been offered, EUSA will provide job descriptions, previous students’ evaluations, and web-site addresses of potential sponsors to enable each student to research the placement site and obtain approval from the appropriate academic advisor at the University of Kansas.

Each student will be required to take part in a confirmation interview with their internship sponsor shortly after arrival in London or Dublin. Prior to the confirmation interview, the on-site directors will provide coaching in interview techniques and British and Irish business etiquette. Following the on-site interview, should either the student or the host organization decide that the placement is not a good fit, a new placement will be made available. In this event, the student must seek approval for the new placement from their KU academic advisor.

Internship Structure

Your internship program will consist of two parts: a professional work experience abroad and academic credit at the University of Kansas. As an intern, you will have both a professional work supervisor and an academic advisor.

Your professional work supervisor will be your boss during your internship program. This person will be responsible for assigning work, supervising the progress of your work, supporting you throughout the internship experience, and assessing the quality of your work during the internship. Your professional work supervisor will submit a written evaluation of your performance at the end of the summer. This evaluation will be shared with your academic advisor at KU.

Your academic advisor is a University of Kansas faculty member in the academic department which will grant you academic credit for your internship. Your academic advisor will define the internship experience and the requirements for academic credit (sample work, projects, paper assignments, etc.), and will approve your placement site. Upon completion of your professional internship and submission of all required projects/papers, and in coordination with your professional work supervisor, your academic advisor will assign your grade for the international internship.

Generally, participants will earn three hours of undergraduate credit at KU for successful completion of the overseas internship and all related course requirements at KU.

The Host Cities

London

Students participating in the London Program will balance their time between their internship experience and academic, reflective, and cultural activities. The 8-week program begins with an intensive, week long orientation to the city of London, including a welcome reception, city tour, cultural visit, weekend sightseeing excursion, the student’s confirmation interview, and the first professional development seminar. The internship itself will be required for a 7-week period. All students will work 6 hours a day, Monday-Thursday (for a total of 168 contact hours).

As part of the London Program, students will also take part in weekly cultural experiences (one supervised and one unsupervised) and attend a professional development seminar each Friday. The seminar series, which includes weekly assignments, will be led by recognized leaders in their fields and cover topics such as Ethics in the Workplace, Globalization, Professional Communication, and other related subjects. These seminars will complement the internship experience while in London and give students greater insight into the professional world as they enter a competitive job market after graduation.

London is one of the most cosmopolitan cities in the world. Thousands of world cultures mingle with British tradition in this metropolis, creating an air of excitement and sophistication. London is the cultural capital of the United Kingdom and offers endless attractions: art, theatre, music, and plenty of British politics and history.

London is also home to numerous universities. Like many large cities, the universities are scattered throughout different neighborhoods, each with its own atmosphere and attractions.

The sheer diversity of London life and culture ensures that an internship can be obtained in virtually any field. Each year, students are placed in internships with well-known companies in every sector, as well as with smaller, innovative firms. From Disney to Deutsche Bank, from Volkswagon to Viacom UK, from L’Oréal to Labour Party Headquarters, intellectually engaging, professional internships abound in London.

Accomodations: In London, student residences are centrally located in King’s Cross. All residences are fully furnished, self-contained and specially designed for the student lifestyle. Housed in double occupancy rooms, students will have access to a kitchen with modern cooking facilities and high-speed Ethernet connections.

For more information about the city of London and the surrounding area, visit these websites:
London Tourist Board: www.londontouristboard.co.uk
London On-Line: www.londononline.co.uk
Time Out London: www.timeout.com/london
This is London: www.thisislondon.co.uk
London Transport: www.tfl.gov.uk/tfl/

Dublin

The 8-week program begins with a week long orientation to the city of Dublin, including a welcome reception, city tour, weekend sightseeing excursion, and the student’s confirmation interview. The internship itself will be required for a 7-week period. All students will work 40 hours per week Monday-Friday (for a total of 280 contact hours).

Dublin, the capital of the Republic of Ireland, is a warm and welcoming place. This city prides itself on its beautifully preserved buildings and rich cultural activities.

Nearly one-third of the Irish population lives in Dublin, and half of the country’s people aged twenty-six and younger live there. Thanks to its young population, Dublin is incredibly lively, with a great selection of clubs, pubs, and things to do. It offers fabulous museums and galleries, quaint streets and byways, and good shopping. Dublin is also home to several universities which host lectures, seminars, exhibitions and social events year-round.

Internships in Dublin offer students the chance to work with internationally recognized companies and national and European organizations, while experiencing the warmth and individual attention of a small, welcoming city. Skillful interns in Dublin might find themselves getting a byline in the Sunday Tribune, working in the marketing department of an internationally recognized brand such as Guinness, or writing a report on a salient social issue for the European Commission.

Accomodations: In Dublin, students live in Shanowen Square, a newly built apartment complex especially designed for student use. The fully furnished apartments consist of 3 to 5 single bedrooms with private bathrooms, a shared kitchen and living area, Internet connections and on-site laundry facilities. Located approximately three miles from the city centre, across from the campus of Dublin City University in the Glasnevin/Santry neighborhood, Shanowen Square is well served by public transportation.

For more information about the city of Dublin and the surrounding area, visit these websites:
Dublin Tourist Board: www.visitdublin.com
Time Out Dublin: www.timeout.com/travel/dublin

Program dates for Summer 2010

On-campus Events and Deadlines:

Program Dates for LONDON:

Program Dates for DUBLIN:

Cost

Program Fee:

Approximately $5,150 for the eight week program in Dublin.

Approximately $7,050 for the eight week program in London.

The program fee includes internship placement in Dublin or London, housing in student residences for the program duration, excursions, orientation, evacuation and repatriation insurance, mobile phone.

Tuition and Fees: Estimated tuition and fees for 3 credit hours (based on standard tuition rate): $657*

*Actual expenses for KU students will vary by the student’s individual tuition compact.

Additional estimated expenses include course fees at KU, airfare round-trip to program site, meals, personal spending money, passport, and visa.

Note:
All dates, costs, and program information are subject to change as necessary due to fluctuations in the exchange rate or other reasons.

Financial Aid

KU students who qualify for summer financial aid in the form of Stafford and/or other loans, Pell or SEOG Grants, and scholarships may apply the aid to the cost of a Study Abroad Program.

Limited supplemental scholarships are available to KU students. Applications are available in the Office of Study Abroad. The scholarship application deadline is March 1.

Application Procedures

Application Deadline: February 10, 2010. Early application is strongly encouraged.

Applications submitted after the deadline will only be considered with prior approval of the Program Coordinator at the Office of Study Abroad. Absolutely no applications will be accepted after completion of the on-campus interviews in March or early April.

Applications are available in the KU Office of Study Abroad, 108 Lippincott Hall. You can also download the application on the web at www.studyabroad.ku.edu.

Guidelines for Specific Schools/Departments

College of Liberal Arts and Sciences

Regardless of your chosen major, an internship abroad offers the unique opportunity to immerse yourself in the culture of your host country, meet locals with shared interests, gain valuable “hands-on” experience, and gain a deeper understanding of and appreciation for the varied theories, policies, and practices prevalent in your academic and career field.

Eligibility
Students from any academic discipline are eligible to participate in the internship program with approval from a faculty member at the University of Kansas.

Credit/Course Requirements
Many departments have internship courses established and specific faculty members that work with students undertaking internships abroad (some of which are listed in this brochure). In addition, each department has a Study Abroad Faculty Advisor who determines KU course equivalencies for academic work done abroad. A list of advisors’ names and contact information by department is available on the OSA website at www.studyabroad.ku.edu.

Each student will work directly with his/her academic advisor to determine the parameters of the internship experience (course requirements, grading criteria, etc.) and the credits to be earned for participation.

Communication Studies

Communication Studies students completing an internship abroad will have the unique opportunity to explore the nuances of strategic business communication practices in England and Ireland through internships in advertising, marketing, and public relations.

Eligibility
A Communication Studies student must meet the following prerequisites to participate in a summer internship in London or Dublin:
• Prior admission to the COMS major
• Completion of 15 hours of COMS credit
• GPA of 3.0 or above in COMS coursework
In addition, all internship placements must be approved by the COMS 530 Coordinator.

Credit
Students will earn three hours of COMS 530 Internship in Communication Studies for the successful completion of a pre-approved, full-time internship in London or Dublin.

Course Requirements
In addition to the performance evaluation completed by your supervisor abroad, all Communication Studies students will be required to write a term paper describing and analyzing the internship experience upon completion of the program, as described specifically in the department’s COMS 530 handout.

For more information, contact:
Dr. Adrianne Kunkel
Professor and Internship Coordinator
102 Bailey Hall
864-9884
adkunkel@ku.edu

Psychology

By undertaking an internship abroad, students are able conduct psychology focused fieldwork in an organization related to their professional interests and future career goals. This unique opportunity allows students to experience firsthand the different theories, policies, and practices within the field of psychology.

Eligibility
Prior admission to the Psychology major is required to be eligible to earn credit for a summer internship in London or Dublin. In addition, all students must develop an internship plan in conjunction with their academic advisor and all internship placements must be approved.

Credit
Students will earn three hours of PSYC 483 Undergraduate Internship in Psychology upon successful completion of a pre-approved internship in London or Dublin.

Course Requirements
In addition to the performance evaluation completed by your supervisor abroad, all Psychology students will be required to submit a critique report summarizing their internship experience.

For more information, contact:
Dr. Dennis Karpowitz
Associate Professor of Psychology
417 Fraser Hall
864-9801
dkarpowitz@ku.edu

School of Business

An overseas internship experience provides many benefits to a student of Business. An internship will allow you to improve your professional skills, familiarize yourself with the business environment, network with business professionals, and gain meaningful “real world” job experience that will help you hit the ground running upon graduation from KU.

Eligibility
A Business student must meet the following prerequisites to earn extra credit in a summer internship in London or Dublin:
• Completion of at least two of the following Business courses: FIN 310, MGMT 310, MKTG 310 or SCM 310
• Internship must relate to student’s Business major or long-term career goals
• Must be pre-approved by the Director of the Internship Program, Jolene Phillips

Credit
Students will earn 1credit hour of BUS 399 Internship in Business for junior/senior business credit upon successful completion of a pre-approved internship in London or Dublin.

Course Requirements
In addition to the performance evaluation completed by your supervisor abroad, all Business students must also complete the following requirements for credit to be granted and a grade to be assigned: weekly activity journal; informational interviews at internship placement; paper analyzing the internship experience and participation in an orientation workshop and wrap-up seminar hosted by the School of Business.

For more information, contact:
Jolene Phillips
Director of Internship Program
Assistant Director, Business Career Services Center
125 Summerfield Hall
864-4581
jphil@ku.edu

* Students interested in undertaking an Accounting Internship need to contact the Director of the Accounting Internship Program, Jeremy Lill at jibble@ku.edu or 785-864-5109.

School of Journalism

Journalism Studies majors may complete an internship abroad in either News and Information or Strategic Communications. The School approves this program with the objectives of familiarizing its students with the professional environment in which they will work later on, orienting them to cultural practices common within the field, and helping them develop intercultural communication skills.

Eligibility
Journalism students must have completed either JOUR 435 Message Development or JOUR 415 Multimedia Reporting to be eligible for a summer internship in London or Dublin. In addition, all students must register with the Journalism Career Center and all internship placements must be approved by the Internship Coordinator.

Credit
Students will earn three hours of JOUR 507 Practicum in Journalism (Professional) upon successful completion of a pre-approved, full-time internship in London or Dublin.

Course Requirements
In addition to the performance evaluation completed by your supervisor abroad, all Journalism students will be required to submit a four-page report summarizing the internship experience as well as five work samples completed on-the-job.

For more information, contact:
Patty Noland
Professor and Internship Coordinator
Journalism Career Center
210 Stauffer-Flint Hall
864-7630
pnoland@ku.edu

Other Options

Students may also earn academic credit for their internship abroad through the University Career Center. The University Career Center has designed a course, PRE 575 Internship Exploration, to help students develop the competency of self-directed learning. Study, reasoning, reflection, theoretical and/or conceptual exploration supplement the internship experience to develop new skills and knowledge for students to utilize as they enter a competitive job market after graduation.

Eligibility
All internships must be approved by the course instructor prior to enrollment in the course.

Credit
Students will earn 1-5 credit hours of PRE 575 Internship Exploration upon successful completion of a pre-approved internship in London or Dublin.

Course Requirements
In addition to the performance evaluation completed by your supervisor abroad, students will be required to complete weekly reading and writing assignments, participate in an on-line discussion and create a final portfolio of internship accomplishments for credit to be granted and a grade assigned.

For more information, contact:
Erin Wolfram, Assistant Director
Internships, University Career Center
110 Burge Union
864-7676
ewolfram@ku.edu

Application Procedures

Application Deadline: February 10, 2010. Early application is strongly encouraged.

Applications submitted after the deadline will only be considered with prior approval of the Program Coordinator at the Office of Study Abroad. Absolutely no applications will be accepted after completion of the on-campus interviews in March.

Applications are available in the KU Office of Study Abroad, 108 Lippincott Hall. You can also download the application.

(Adobe Acrobat Reader is required to download an application. If your computer does not have Acrobat Reader you can download it for FREE.)

For more information
contact:

University of Kansas
Office of Study Abroad
Lippincott Hall
1410 Jayhawk Blvd. Room 108
Lawrence, KS 66045-7515
Phone: 785-864-3742
Fax: 785-864-5040
osa@ku.edu
www.studyabroad.ku.edu