Summer Internships in London: Program

The International Internship Program is designed to provide an integrated learning experience of a high academic standard, combining classroom study and an internship placement for a total of 12 semester credits. Students will spend 50% of their time in the workplace and 50% in classroom-based study and research. The Internship Program consists of a Contemporary British Culture course, a European Business Environment course, internship seminars and an unpaid internship running alongside classroom study, with regular academic analysis of workplace issues.

First five weeks Students take 2 required courses; Contemporary British Culture (SSC 323) and European Business Environment (INB 306). SSC 323 continues on selected Fridays during the placement. Students must also be available for interviews during these five weeks.

Following seven weeks Internship placements Monday through Thursday, continuation of SSC 323 and internship seminars on Fridays, meetings with advisor to discuss research paper and presentations on internships.

Transcripts issued by Richmond, The American International University in London, a U.S.-accredited university.

On the Internship Program students will:

  • Experience and participate in international, intercultural learning and friendships
  • Develop personal skills and strengths that improve confidence as well as future employment opportunities
  • Work in a different culture
  • Develop a strong resumé
  • Participate in career opportunity networking

The objective of the Internship Program is to provide a learning experience of a high academic standard that focuses on the realities of a multicultural and interdependent world. International work experience offers a student the opportunity to test personal interests, abilities and a career field. An international internship also provides a valuable cultural perspective and the opportunity for interns to experience other approaches and viewpoints in the workplace.

Internship staff and your Richmond internship faculty advisor advise and support you throughout the program in individual meetings and seminars. Internships are arranged by the Internship staff and the student, after the staff has met the student and assessed his/her eligibility based on skills, interests and abilities in relation to what the business is seeking. Internships are routinely and formally monitored. All academic aspects of the program are monitored by Department Chairs and faculty advisors.

The ideal internship placement is a coordination between the skills and personality that an organization is seeking and those which a student presents. Each student should approach the program with cultural awareness and flexibility; this will enable the internship office to identify suitable organizations at which the student may intern. Placements are made with both small and large organizations, and selection is based on a number of criteria.

Please note: Students must attend interviews with suitable organizations; this is a competitive process. Final selection is always at the discretion of the organization and the Internship Program is not able to honor specific requests to join a particular organization or guarantee that students will be successful at interviewing.

Internship locations The University is able to arrange internships in a wide range of private companies and public organizations depending on your academic major, interests and suitability. See the sample listing. London has an extensive bus and subway network that allows travel easily and quickly throughout the city. Interns use public transportation to travel to and from work and should budget around $190 per month for this.

Application Procedure

Students complete the application for summer programs and the special application for the internship program which can be downloaded from www.aifsabroad.com. The quality and depth of the answers contribute to placement possibilities.

Students must meet normal criteria for admission to Richmond and have:

  • at least 75 semester credits (105 quarter credits) as of May 2012 and be enrolled in a full-time degree program
  • a minimum 2.75 GPA (3.0 for those students seeking a placement in finance or psychology)
  • a thoroughly and thoughtfully completed internship application, which is assessed and forms part of your portfolio, as well as the completed summer application
  • some work experience, paid or unpaid, during the previous two years
  • letter of reference from a former employer/supervisor
  • letter of academic reference from a former professor/advisor
  • an essay describing what you are looking to achieve from your study abroad experience and how it will shape your future

If a student plans to apply for an internship that is not related to his or her major, the student must contact the internship office before submitting the application to discuss whether or not this is an option. Due to the competitive nature of the internship placement process, in many sectors, organisations will only accept students with relevant educational experience.

Completed applications must be received no later than March 15.