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
To be approved for internship credit through International Studies (INTL-I498), students must major or minor in International Studies and pursue an internship relevant to their studies. Students should make an appointment with the INTL advisor to discuss if their plans are appropriate for this course and how the internship fits in their academic program. If your chosen internship is not relevant to International Studies there are other options for pursuing credit. See ASCS Q398.
INTL-I 498 requires an internship relevant to International Studies and the INTL Director's approval and authorization. INTL will not approve internships to locations under a U.S. State Department Travel Warning. INTL-I498 can be taken multiple times for up to 6 credits, but no more than 3 credits will be awarded for one internship (50-99 contact hours = 1 credit, 100-149 = 2 credits, 150+ = 3 credits).
Before you register, you must
Students must submit these items by the following deadlines:
- Fall term: October 1
- Spring term: February 1
- Summer term (I or II): June 1
Internships will not be considered for credit retroactively.
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.
If you are pursuing an internship during the academic year (fall/spring), it is recommended that you take the non-credit ASCS-W499 through the Career Development Center. This non-credit course gives you full-time student status so you can stay on your parent's health insurance plan or keep deferring your student loans.
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