International internships enable students to pursue a professional and career-building experience while at the same time exploring and immersing themselves in a foreign culture. Offered during a semester-long study abroad program or over the summer, international internships are available around the world and in all major disciplines. 

For more information, be sure to chat with the Center for International Programs (international@siena.edu) in Foy Hall 301 or the Career and Internship Center (careermail@siena.edu) in Foy Hall 203

WHY SHOULD I DO AN INTERNATIONAL INTERNSHIP?

The value of an internship is undeniable. Forbes magazine remarks it is "the ultimate return on investment for today's college students," as you develop key traits and experiences to prepare yourself for a successful future.

International internships add another layer to this experience by enabling you to gain real-world experience in another country's culture, grow your global network through professional connections with employers and colleagues, and acquire global competencies such as intercultural communication and the flexibility to work in diverse teams. Most importantly, as with all international experiences, an internship abroad makes your future job applications stand out from the crowd.

Where could I go and what could i do?

The options for interning abroad are endless. Available across numerous global cities including London, Berlin, Buenos Aires, Singapore, Cape Town, Sydney, Amman, Madrid, and San José, internships can either be part-time (15-20 hours/week) or full-time (35-40 hours/week) depending on the length of the program. 

Siena students have interned in a wide range of fields including finance, marketing, communications, public health, education and social work. Internship placements are identified through the student's program, which will work to find an ideal internship based on past professional and extracurricular experiences and future career goals.

HOW DOES IT WORK?

To get started, follow the steps below:

  1. Identify how long you want to go abroad (i.e. semester or summer) and where. Consider the value of different locations. For example, London is one of the world's centers for finance and thus ripe for internships in business, while Buenos Aires offers just as strong internship placements and the added benefit of improving your Spanish language skills.
  2. Figure out which program suits you best and apply. Set up an appointment with a study abroad advisor in the Center for International Programs (international@siena.edu) to review the list of available programs and find the right fit for you.
  3. Submit all necessary materials and communicate your interests to your program. As part of your program's application, you will likely need to submit a resume and cover letter, and indicate in what field you would like to intern abroad as well as your plans once you graduate from Siena. This will help your program find an internship placement that suits you best.
  4. Finalize your internship placement and off you go! Your internship abroad program will present you with a few internship placement options. Discuss with them what you think and once you've decided on a placement, you're all set!