Internships abroad offer more than experience

Imagine strolling past Big Ben or the Eiffel Tower on the way to your job as an intern. These once-in-a-lifetime opportunities are offered by the JMU Office of International Programs — but you’ll need to move quickly. Applications are due by March 4.

"We have a wide variety of businesses and organizations in Western and Eastern Europe, and we hope they give a number of options to students no matter what their majors may be," said Judy Cohen, coordinator of the International Internship Program.

Fifty internship positions are available for the summer, fall and spring semesters in various areas such as business, government, public relations and the arts. A complete list can be found online at www.jmu.edu/international/abroad/programs_internships.shtml. Internship locations include Italy, Germany, France, Spain, England and the Czech Republic.

After working for the Study Abroad program for 16 years, Cohen has insight into what makes the perfect candidate. "We look for people who are slightly adventurous and want to have the experience of living and working in another culture by doing internships abroad," she said.

Senior Kim Broas will be doing an internship through the program in London, England this summer. She will be interning for 12 weeks with London TheatReview where she will help produce a magazine, as well as learn to judge various theater productions.

"I found many positions that were interesting to me and I knew that I wanted to move to London for the summer," Broas said. "So I narrowed my decision down to one specific choice and the OIP helped put me in touch with the lady offering the internship."

Students must fund their trips including travel, dining and housing expenses. "It’s an investment students have to make, but we think it’s a good investment or we wouldn’t still be doing it," Cohen said. "They’re able to spend time with a company who wouldn’t otherwise be open." Senior Jennifer Lansing did an internship at a publishing company in London in spring, 2004. She discovered the program through the American Intercontinental University, which she attended for a semester in London. She admits that living abroad was expensive but well worth it. "It was a great experience because I basically got trained to do a job there, and at the end I just knew what was expected of me," Lansing said.

Another benefit to working abroad is the option to travel relatively inexpensively to other countries on the weekends and breaks. "I really want to spend some time in Ireland, Scotland and Paris," Broas said. "It’s always been a dream of mine to see the Eiffel Tower. Unfortunately, my job will be very time-consuming, but any chance I get, I’ll be on the go."

Anyone can apply for the program, even students at other Virginia universities or those who will graduate before their summer internship. "We normally expect interns to have completed two years of college before they go off to intern, because it’s a very independent endeavor," Cohen said.

Applications can be found on the Web site and include a written application, experience and language evaluation forms, and require two recommendation letters and a rèsumè.