A vital component of the International Studies major is
experience beyond the IUB campus. Completion of the international
experience requirement is ordinarily done through participation in
an overseas study program or an overseas internship.
See links below to begin your search for an
international
internship.
With the approval of the Director of International
Studies, in rare cases, students may also fulfill this requirement by
participating in a domestic
internship with significant and extensive international involvement (40
hours a week for a minimum of three months).
Beyond the overseas requirement described above all International
Studies students are strongly encouraged to pursue appropriate internships (1-6 credit hours) at
in the United States (see Domestic International
Opportunities) in order to develop additional knowledge and skills and
to be exposed to professional career options related to their major.
INTERNSHIP CREDIT
Students who wish to receive credit through International Studies (INTL-I498)
should make an
appointment with the INTL advisor to discuss how it fits in their academic
program. INTL-I498 can be taken for up to 6 credits (50-99
contact hours = 1 credit, 100-149 = 2 credits, 150+ = 3 credits).
INTL-I 498 requires
an internship relevant to International Studies and the INTL Director's approval
and authorization. Before you register, you must discuss your internship with
Dr. Knudsen and submit the
internship
authorization form. If your chosen internship is not relevant to
International Studies there are other options for pursuing credit.
Successful completion of INTL-I 498 entails the following:
1. A journal. Students should make entries to their
journal approximately three times a week for the duration of their internship.
The journal should note their experiences during the internship.
2. Reflection paper. This 10-page paper draws on experiences
documented in the journal entries. It is an opportunity for self-evaluation and
should include a description of the internship, what was learned, and how the
student grew professionally. The reflection paper is kept on file by
International Studies as a permanent record of the internship.
3. Internship site evaluation. Students evaluate the
internship site on a form provided by International Studies.
4. Employer's evaluation of student. International Studies sends
this form directly to the internship supervisor.
