PARIS – FRENCH STUDIES
Internships The internship program provides advanced French language students with both a practical work experience and an internship seminar for credit, which focuses not only on day-to-day experiences but on the ability to adapt to a different cultural and work environment. Application Requirements The internship application consists of several pieces; be sure to review and complete them all by the deadline stated on the forms. In addition, you must register for the Internship Seminar on your Course Preregistration Form once it is released. Selection Final selection and placement with an internship are based on several factors: the applicant’s written and oral French skills; previous coursework related to the internship; prior work experience and/or demonstrated interest in the field; and a strong commitment. The IES Abroad Paris Internship Coordinator and the organization offering the internship will interview all applicants. Therefore, final approval and placement occur on-site. Students whose home university approves credit for an internship will be given preference for an internship in Paris. IES Abroad does not guarantee placement in an internship. Time and Work Involved Students are expected to devote 10 to 15 hours per week to their internship. The work schedule is determined by the internship supervisor in accordance with the student’s class schedule and the organization’s working hours and needs. Interns must also enroll in the internship seminar plus individual meetings with the coordinator during the semester. As part of the seminar, students keep a journal, give oral presentations and submit a final paper of eight to ten pages based on their work experience and course readings. The time investment often means that students must set their course schedule to accommodate sufficient blocks of time at the internship site. Due to scheduling challenges and time commitment, we do not recommend that students plan to participate in an internship and take courses at partner universities. Credit Subject to prior approval of the home institution and satisfactory completion of assignments, students receive 3 credits for the internship. The grade is based on the work supervisor’s evaluation of the intern’s performance and the grade obtained for the internship seminar. The internship seminar is required of all participants. Students must submit the signed, original Internship Approval Form indicating that they will receive credit from their current college/university.
Attire Some internship sites require professional dress. For men this means a suit (preferably) or dress slacks, a sport coat, and a dress shirt; for women this means a suit or a dress appropriate for office wear. However, for the majority of placements, the attire will be business casual. Please ask your Internship coordinator or placement supervisor for guidance regarding appropriate attire. Internship Opportunities IES Abroad internships are offered on a part-time, unpaid basis only. It is important to remember that you will be functioning in a language that is not your own. Even if you may be called upon to use English (in translation for example), the working language remains French.