Off-Campus Opportunities
The Center for International and Intercultural Studies boasts a significant number of programs that not only give students access to academics in new countries and cities. Our number two ranked alumni network and the multiple knowledgeable, kind and accessible advisors seem to be able to give us a leg up as we start to think past dorm living and Dana Dining Center brunch. However, many students have found successful, and even life-changing, internships at a department located on the second floor of Carnegie Hall. The Center for International and Intercultural Studies (CIIS) boasts a majority of programs that not only give students access to academics in new countries and cities but also offers a wide range of internships and work placements.
“Studying off-campus for a semester may be one of the best ways to get an intensive internship during the academic year,” said Associate Dean of International and Intercultural Studies Matt Carotenuto. “From exploring health careers and conservation work in Kenya to finance and the arts in New York City or London, CIIS sponsors dozens of opportunities.” The timing of CIIS’s internship options is appealing in that way. You’re not solely reliant on school breaks to look for positions.
Off-campus internships also have the benefit of introducing you to a different environment that you might not get the chance to experience again. Mary Grace McCann ‘25 spent her internship working in a holistic healthcare clinic in Zanzibar, Tanzania during her Kenya semester, which took her far out of her comfort zone. She spent her internship living and working fully independently, which required using Swahili on a daily basis. “This independence not only strengthened my professional skills but also reinforced my ability to thrive in new and demanding environments,” McCann said.
Over 10 off-campus study programs offer internships, with the Washington D.C. and NYC semesters being heavily internship based, and it’s hard to not to see a “win-win” situation there, as Associate Director of Off-Campus Programs Kim Longfellow, puts it. If you have a career goal in mind, taking an international position can give you a strong edge in the workforce as you continue in your professional journey. However, it can also be a phenomenal experience to try out an internship outside of your aspirations to fully immerse yourself in the local culture. Carotenuto mentioned a Kenya program alum who recently jump-started his television production career after originally being introduced to the media world during an internship on his time abroad. “You never know what doors can open through off-campus study,” Carotenuto commented.
The CIIS office is constantly hard at work to help students connect with programs that suit their interests and abilities, and the opportunity for internships can be a game-changer for the off-campus experience. Whether it be in rural Kenya, downtown London or even Thailand, SLU gives you the chance to take your skills across the world. “Our students are doing really incredible work across various disciplines,” said Director of Off-Campus Programs Caitlin Hatz. “Their internship experiences off-campus are building their resume and showcasing their ability to work professionally in a global setting,” she said.