International Internship Course, Dublin
The placement component, together with online coursework, discussion and reflection, form the International Internship Course in Dublin.
The Placement
The internship placement is an ideal opportunity to have an ‘insider’s view’ to Irish life and culture. Pre-departure guidance and on-site support provided are keys to success. Students are individually matched to an appropriate organization based on skills, past experience and field of study. Internship placements are carefully vetted, and student progress is monitored and supported throughout the term.
Please note that all student internships are unpaid and must be taken for academic credit.
E-Learning
In order to enhance and contextualize the internship experience, there is an important academic component that runs in conjunction with the placement. Students will follow a primarily online course format in which they work with a faculty member and their peers to reflect upon the experience and exchange ideas. This e-learning will be enhanced with face-to-face contact with the course instructor.
Students will be assessed on their ability to engage analytically with the internship experience. Students will be required to write reflective weekly summaries, dialogue with classmates and write a final report that will provide structured expression of student development throughout the process.
By the end of the experience students should be in a position to:
- Exhibit a high degree of understanding of the organization, its culture as well as the sector in which that organization operates.
- Describe and analyze their internship experience and the ways in which they have developed personally and professionally during the program.
- Reflect on their performance in the workplace and areas of strength and weakness.
- Identify their own values, world view and determine possible career paths.
- Engage with intercultural issues which have emerged during that experience and demonstrate a level of cultural competence.