Study Abroad in Granada: Internships

In a competitive world, practical experience is an invaluable addition to classroom learning. The internship program provides vital insights into a career field, experience in the global workplace, practical exposure to demands of specific jobs and development of professional and personal skills.

International work experience helps students test a potential career path while exploring interests and abilities in new ways. Working side by side with “Granadinos” is the best way to gain insight into their culture, understand different approaches and prepare for the realities of working in a multicultural and interdependent world.

AIFS has specifically designed the International Internship Program to combine an academic program and individual attention with a unique opportunity to spend 45 hours working in Granada-based organizations.

The program benefits students by enabling them to:

  • apply academic training to practical situations in business and other organizations
  • work alongside professionals and managers to observe different work-styles and techniques
  • relate work experience to classroom situations
  • enrich employment opportunities and establish a work record for their CV (resumé)
  • acquire skills and strengths essential to the development of personal confidence
  • gain contacts and insight into a career area

Interns are full members of the AIFS community and benefit from all facilities and services. They can use the AIFS office and other facilities and take part in the active community life of the diverse student body through travel, sports and social programs.

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 University of Granada Internship Coordinator 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. In some working places the language barrier is not considered a problem although some places require a good knowledge of the Spanish language.

Students on the Internship Program use public transportation to get to work if necessary. Interns should budget approximately 15 euros per month for a bus pass.

Please note: Students must attend interviews with suitable organizations and understand that this is a competitive process. Final selection is always at the discretion of the organization and the University of Granada Internship Coordinator. The internship program is not able to honor specific requests to join a particular organization or guarantee that students will be successful at interviewing. Students who do not meet the language requirement or who are not accepted into the program will automatically continue the semester on the regular AIFS Granada program; completing 4 or 5 courses.

 

Admissions Guidelines

Students must meet all the normal criteria for admission to the AIFS Granada semester program and have:

  • 2.5 minimum GPA
  • a completed application form for the regular AIFS Grandada semester program
  • a signed commitment contract
  • an original, signed recommendation by a University professor specifically citing the student's experience in Business or Education, studies in either field and personal qualities specific to these fields
  • paid or unpaid work experience during the last two years
  • letter of reference from a former employer (optional)
  • a current resumé

Completed applications will be reviewed by the University of Granada Internship Advisor. AIFS will notify applicants of their acceptance during the first few weeks on campus. Students who do not meet the language requirement or who are not accepted into the program will automatically continue the semester on the regular AIFS Granada program; completing 4 or 5 courses.

 

Internship Opportunities

Internship opportunities are available in the areas of Communications, Internet Design, Graphic Design, Video Production, Nutrition and Renewable Energies.

Local companies have included:

  • Hitsbook
  • Item Media
  • Mitra
  • Money Networks
  • Nutróptima
  • Útopi

Internships in Education are also available in Primary School, High School, and English Classes at the following schools:

  • Nuestra Señora del Rosario
  • Ave María Vistillas
  • Sagrado Corazón

 

Academics

Course load Students participating in the Internship Program earn up to 19 credits. It consists of Intensive Spanish language (4 credits spring), 14-hour internship seminar (12 hours of group seminar plus a 2-hour individual seminar with a University of Granada Internship Advisor) followed by 45 hours of internship at either a local company or at a local school (3 credits). Students select 3 or 4 courses (maximum of 12 credits) from the regular program for the duration of the semester. (Of the remaining 12 credits: Speaking and Writing Skills (3 credits) is required for all students. Spanish Grammar (3 credits) is also required for Intermediate students).

Student advising The University of Granada Internship Coordinator supports students on an individual basis throughout the program in the seminars, and during the internship period. They are in regular contact with the student and the workplace supervisor and contribute to the academic component of the internship program grade.

Attendance and participation in classes are required. For each course students cannot accumulate more than four absences regardless of the reason. Failure to account for absences will automatically result in an F grade for the course.

Class Time

Spring semester classes meet for 14 weeks, plus one exam week. Each class meets twice a week, for a total of 3 hours. Students should note that classes are scheduled on at least four Fridays during the semester.

Grades

No AIFS participant is permitted to take a course without receiving a letter grade. Pass/Fail grade options are not available.

Student Advising

AIFS maintains an office with full-time staff in Granada and has a close relationship with officials of the University. The AIFS Resident Director and staff can help students find a suitable academic program.

Transcripts

Transcripts are issued by the University of Granada. The internship will appear on the transcript.

 

Courses

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