We strive to prepare our students for an increasingly global workplace by providing them the opportunities to acquire the experience and skills needed to interact successfully in the global community. 

The International Studies Internship enables students to earn academic credit while gaining valuable experience related to their program of study.

Students collaborate with their faculty supervisor to find suitable placements. Interns may work locally with internationally related instutions, in Washington, DC, or abroad.  Students planning a semester of study abroad may wish to consider an internship as part of their course work.

Find examples of Internship sites in the following links:

Phi Kappa Phi
Study Abroad and Internship Grants

The Program is open principally to juniors and seniors.   The student arranges with the faculty advisor the number of credits to be earned.

Interns earn academic credit through completion of two requirements:

I.                  Service in an approved setting with appropriate supervision.   The intern performs fifty clock hours of service per each academic credit earned.  Each service episode is recorded in a service log (see "Portfolio") and is validated by the internship supervisor.

II.               Portfolio.  The purpose of the portfolio is to package evidence of service and learning during the internship.  The goal is to assemble a document that will make the education and training value of internship readily apparent, for example, to a potential employer, as well as provide a lasting repository of important materials for the intern.

Portfolio Components:

1.     Journal.  About 10-15 total pages per credit of observations and reactions made weekly, especially as relating to 2-3 general topics or themes selected by the student and approved by faculty supervisor.

2.     Bibliography.  When appropriate, the intern and faculty supervisor will select related background reading to give broader context to the internship experience.

3.     Service Log.  In left to right columns, a record of: dates, times with line totals, place, and activities of service for a total of 50 hours per academic credit.

4.     Letters of Evaluation.  From supervisors and related staff.

5.    Related documents.   Photocopies of flyers, information sheets, etc, resulting from or illustrating the internship experience.

6.     Introductory Statement.  About 5-7 pages of introduction explaining nature of internship and its relationship to any background reading.

7.     Conclusion Statement.  Two-to-four pages answering the question, "What have I learned."

For more information, contact:
Prof. Kathryn Murphy-Judy, PhD
Internship Coordinator
VCU World Studies