Off-Campus Study & Internships
Many students want to enhance an off-campus study experience by combining a study
abroad with an internship. An internship is a work-related learning opportunity that
provides hands-on practical experience in an area of interest. Available in a wide
variety of fields abroad from both the for-profit and not-for-profit sectors, internships
may be paid or unpaid, for-credit or not-for-credit, and may be pursued in either
semester, based on individual goals. Earning academic credit through an internship assignment requires working with the
host institution abroad and the program provider. Most internships are temporary assignments, typically lasting approximately three
months to a full academic year, completed as part of an off-campus study program.
Completing an internship in conjunction with an Off-Campus Study & Exchanges program
complements your program of study and understanding through cultural immersion, enhanced
foreign language acquisition, and professional development in a global context. Other
benefits to completing an internship include the development of strong teamwork skills
balanced with the exercise of individual responsibility, the opportunity to experiment
with jobs that match academic and personal interests, the chance to develop industry-specific
abilities while enjoying the advantages of a liberal arts education, and the likelihood
of building professional networking contacts and mentoring relationships. Internships
help students become viable, experienced job applicants when seeking employment after
graduation. In fact, many employers consider internship experience in the hiring process,
and often look to their own interns as the best potential candidates for full-time
positions.
Internships are available on the Skidmore programs in Skidmore in Spain, Skidmore in France, and Skidmore in New Zealand. Several Approved Programs also offer part-time internship placements in countries such as the United Kingdom, Austria, China, Germany, Argentina, Australia, Ghana, among others. Internships are also available with some of the approved programs in the United States, like the Washington Semester program in Washington, D.C. and Semester in the City, an internship program in Boston, MA.
If you find that you have questions about preparing for an internship, talk to your program provider for information that pertains to your program location and host culture. If you plan to participate in an international internship that is not part of a study abroad program, please contact the Career Development Center or the Office of Academic Advising.