How is an internship different than a study abroad program?
Can I use my financial aid?
What if I just want to work overseas and don't really care if it has anything to do with my major?
Why is the program only open to juniors, seniors and graduate students?
Can I apply for an internship at the same time I apply for a study abroad program?
Can I apply for more than one internship?
What if I don't see an internship that matches my background, ability and interests?
How can I improve my chances of being selected for an internship?
How quickly will I know if I've been accepted?
What if I don't get accepted?
Do I make my own flight arrangements?
Where will I live?
How does IE3 Global Internships monitor student safety and security issues?

Q. How is an internship different than a study abroad program?
A. An IE3 Global Internship is a full-time professional experience in your chosen field. You will contribute to the daily operations of the host organization and may be the only intern working there. You will not be part of a group of students abroad together. Interns typically do not take classes while overseas. Most previous interns would say that the internship was a much more independent, individualized and professional experience than a study abroad experience.

Q. Can I use my financial aid?
A. Most forms of financial aid can be applied toward the costs of an internship. Consult with a financial aid counselor and the advisor in the international programs office at your home campus for more specific information about awards and eligibility. Once you have been selected for an internship, an official budget will be prepared by the regional director and sent to your campus with detailed costs of the internship.

Q. What if I just want to work overseas and don't really care if it has anything to do with my major?
A. IE3 Global Internships are professional experiences and are therefore different than simply working abroad. Our mission is to enable students to gain skills related to their major and career goals. Most host organizations also want to be sure that students are trained in the fields they've requested and have a genuine interest in the work that they are doing. If you are interested in a summer job overseas or a work experience unrelated to your major, you should look to organizations such at BUNAC or CIEE.

Q. Why is the program only open to juniors, seniors and graduate students?
A. IE3 Global Internships are designed to provide a transition from your academic major to a future career. Overseas host organizations are also interested in what you can contribute to their office, school
or project and therefore prefer that you be further along in your studies.

Q. Can I apply for an internship at the same time I apply for a study abroad program?
A. Yes. As a matter of fact, following your study abroad program with an internship is an excellent way to build on your experience. It does require some additional planning, especially if your internship is in a different country than your study abroad. Talk to your study abroad advisor about options and opportunities. In some cases, you may even be able to use the same application form to apply for both programs.

Q. Can I apply for more than one internship?
A. Yes, on the application form you may indicate up to three internships, in order of preference. Because some internships are for the same major or have a similar focus, applying for more than one position may be to your advantage. The regional director will work to place you in your first choice option and then work closely with you to determine an alternate placement if that is not possible.

Q. What if I don't see an internship that matches my background, ability and interests?
A. If you are motivated to do an international internship but don't see a perfect match, contact your campus coordinator with a concise description of what you want to do and what area of the world interests you. New internship sites are constantly in development. There may be a perfect one waiting just for you!

If you have your own internship lead, but want the support offered by the IE3 Global Internships program, discuss this with your campus coordinator. Self-arranged internships are possible and provide you with the best of both worlds: an internship tailored exactly to your interests and all the support of an established program.

Q. How can I improve my chances of being selected for an internship?
A. The final decision lies with the host organization, so consider the internship application in a light similar to a job application. Why are you a perfect "fit" for the internship? What skills, previous experience and academic preparation do you have that make you particularly well qualified?

If you have lived or studied overseas, you may have already gained valuable cross-cultural skills. Think about how you present yourself in your application. Your application and resume should have no spelling errors and should be neat and typed. Your essays should be specific to the internship for which you are applying and demonstrate how the internship is a logical progression in your academic and professional goals. Check the screening criteria before applying.

Q. How quickly will I know if I've been accepted?
A. Once your file is complete and has been forwarded to the regional director, we try to confirm your placement within four to six weeks. If this is not going to be possible due to holidays, communication difficulties, or the schedules of our counterparts overseas, the regional director will let you know.

Q. What if I don't get accepted?
A. The internship placements are competitive and final decisions regarding acceptance are always made by the host organization. Given these factors, IE3 Global Internships cannot guarantee your placement. If there are other similar placements that might be of interest to you, we will discuss these options with you. In some cases, postponing the internship application for a subsequent round of selection is possible. If you are not selected and no acceptable alternative is available, we will refund your deposit.

Q. Do I make my own flight arrangements?
A. Yes. Once accepted on an internship, the regional director will work with you and the host organization to decide upon an appropriate start and end date for your internship. Once that is decided, we'll provide you with information about student airfares and then let you make your own reservations.

Q. Where will I live?
A. Housing arrangements vary by internship. In some cases, the host organization provides housing. In others, students live with a family. In some locations, you must find your own housing with the aid of the IE3 Global Internships regional director or the host organization. Read the position description carefully. Housing information is generally included in the cost section.

Q. How does IE3 Global Internships monitor student safety and security issues?
A. The IE3 program staff is committed to your personal safety abroad. Below is a summary of the information that we share with students who are accepted on the internship program. While we cannot provide absolute guarantees, we are fully committed to help you gain critically needed international skills and understanding without exposure to unusual risks.

A SAFE EXPERIENCE ABROAD

While there are always risks involved with travel (whether abroad or in the US), we will not send you to a place or circumstance that we consider of particular risk.
We monitor the safety conditions in all countries where we operate drawing upon a variety of sources:

We provide personal safety information and pre-departure briefings to help you understand the reasonable precautions you should observe.
Our overseas representatives or host organizations provide you with further safety advice on site, and serve as backstops should safety issues arise.
Keep yourself informed through State Department Advisories at http://travel.state.gov