Flinders University
Internship Programs in
the United States
2013
Topics Covered
1. Introduction-Who is the AIC?
2. Program Overview
3. Internship Experience
4. City Information
5. The Placement and Visa Process
6. Academics
7. Next steps
Introduction
Academic Internship Council Programs
 Not-for-profit academic study abroad/away organization
 Drawing from nearly 30 years of experience
 Work with a wide variety of industry areas
 Provide assistance with resume review, interviewing skills,
professional context and support during the program
 Staff and Internship teams in:
 New York City, Boston, San Francisco, Toronto, Singapore
Program Overview
January 13 – February 23, 2013 (note updated dates)
 Orientation Activities
 Six week internship, full-time, roughly 40 hours a week MondayFriday
 Visa Services
 Professional development components
 Orientation and cultural activities
 Housing
 Full-time on-site support and emergency assistance
Program Overview
You can think of the program in the following way:
Equal parts
 Exploring and living in New York City or San Francisco
 Experiencing a US Workplace
 The internship itself
What is an Internship?
Defined as:
A short-term, academic, supervised,
Practical work experience
that exposes a student to responsibilities in a career
field of interest.
What is an Internship?
This short-term, generally unpaid experience, will
allow you to try out a job to see if it’s what you’d like
to do in the future…or not!
It will also give you an opportunity to experience the
US workplace; the similarities and differences
between the US and home.
Why an internship in the U.S.A.?
Potential benefits include:
 Exposure to US culture and work environments
 Increased knowledge of global community
 Larger professional network
 New perspective on your academic, career, and personal life goals
About New York City
Hub for global commerce,
finance, media, culture,
art, fashion, international
affairs and entertainment.
It is also home to a
number of non-profit,
technology, and
educational organizations.
About New York City
There is always something to do…
Visit major sites like Times
Square, the Statue of
Liberty, the Museum of
Modern Art, the Bronx Zoo
and Central Park.
See a Broadway show,
walk on the Brooklyn
Bridge, eat a slice of NYC
pizza
About New York City
As part of the program…
Participate in a subway/bus
tour, walking tours of specific
neighborhoods, ice skating, and
trying NYC treats!
On their own, past students
have…
Attended concerts at various
musical venues, seen
Broadway shows, visited
museums, and did lots of
shopping
About San Francisco
Hub for technology,
commerce, media,
finance, culture, art,
fashion, international
affairs and healthy living.
It is also home to a large
number of non-profit,
environmental and
educational organizations.
About San Francisco
There are many things to do…
Visit major sites like: Pier
39, Union Square, Cable
Cars, Alcatraz, Chinatown,
the Exploratorium and
Golden Gate Park.
Explore other Northern
California destinations like
Santa Cruz, Sausalito,
Monterrey or San Jose.
About San Francisco
As part of the program…
Participate in a city tour, visit
Lucas Films, spend time in
Napa and Sonoma Valley, and
explore the Berkeley
neighborhood.
On their own, past students
have…
Attended improv comedy
events, hiked in National
Parks, visited graduate
schools, and did lots of
shopping
Housing
 Double rooms with common kitchen and bathroom, the
equivalent of U.S.-style student residences
 Located in a residential neighborhood
 Easy access to cultural activities
 Easy access to public transportation
 Expect close to a 30 minute commute, very similar to what
locals do daily
 Many students have enjoyed the amount of accessibility the
cities offer.
Placement Process
Before the Internship
1. Complete the program application
2. Attend pre-departure orientation (via webinar)
3. Individual meetings with AIC



Discuss priorities and preferences for an internship
What are you hoping to gain and what do you NOT want to do?
How does this fit into your larger career goals?
4. The AIC Internship Team finds an appropriate organization for you
and works with you and the employer to arrange an interview.
 The phone interview typically takes place 6 or 8 weeks prior to program
to give ample time for visa paperwork.
Placement Process
Things to keep in mind
Internships are contingent on employer needs and industry
trends. For example, if you are hoping to have a finance
internship at a bank, you should have completed finance
courses or have already done an internship in the field.
A big name employer does not guarantee a good experiencemany small employers offer wonderful placements.
Internships are competitive in both cities and employers have
different needs.
Placement Process
Things to keep in mind
Communication and coordination are very important. We
expect that you will adhere to deadlines.
Placement is always contingent upon a successful interview so
it is imperative that you prepare!
Students who keep a positive attitude and are flexible generally
have an easier time through the placement process.
Visa Process
The J-1 Visa process is rigorous. It requires:
• 2 Letters of Reference
• Financial Records
• Application Forms
• Internship Location Information
Diligence in adhering to deadlines and lots of patience!
Please note that due to J-1 regulations the following fields cannot be
accommodated: Medicine, Nursing, Pharmacy, Nutrition, Dentistry, Direct
Child, Patient, or Eldercare
During Your Internship
• Professional Development workshop on Making the Most of Your
Internship and Work Styles and/or Networking
• Mid-term and final review to assess progress achieved at the
workplace
• Ongoing advice and support on how best to handle issues that come
up during your internship
Internship Experience
Past students have said:
 “It was a very good learning opportunity and it helped
widen my views and way of thinking greatly.”
 “I love what I'm learning from this internship placement,
even if this might not be the kind of job I want to take on in the
future, the skill set gained in this internship is still highly valuable in
any job I am to go into.”
 “Future interns on the program may not get their ideal internships but
it is still a priceless opportunity to spend a summer here in NYC so I
think it is imperative to bring this message to them loud and clear.”
Academics
Yes, there is study in study abroad!
 In many ways, your internship is your textbook and
the city is your classroom!
 Employer evaluation will be sent back to the
university to factor into any grading for academic
credit
 Confirm requirements before you leave campus!
Next Steps
 Complete & Submit Short Term Flinders Abroad
Application Form (Deadline is 31 July 2012)
 Contact the Student Mobility Team at the
International Office with Questions
www.flinders.edu.au/international-students/study-at-flinders/study-abroadexchange/flinders-abroad-new/short-term-opportunities/aic-internship.cfm
 And a Quick Note about Finances…
Questions?
Contact Us!
Surabhi Lal, New York City Program Director
nyc@academicinternshipcouncil.org
Devon Howland, San Francisco Program Director
sf@academicinternshipcouncil.org
Mary Hurley, Director of Programs
visas@academicinternshipcouncil.org
Kate Moore, Executive Director
info@academicinternshipcouncil.org