FIE expects students to fully comply with the instructions and guidelines listed here. As part of your online application, you will also be required to electronically sign an agreement form indicating your acceptance of these conditions.
It is important for students to understand that the consequences of misconduct within the workplace might result in dismissal with no recourse to a further placement or program refund. Additionally, dismissal may result in loss of academic credit. Please read the following guidelines carefully and refer to them during your placement if you have any questions.
Required Documents and Materials
Students are responsible for ensuring the accurate and timely submission of all required internship materials, including CV, Personal Statement, choices, and industry-specific requirements such as writing samples or portfolios. Failure to submit these materials within the required timeframe could affect the student’s placement.
Students should also ensure that any requested revisions or amendments are completed promptly and within the timeframe indicated by the FIE Team. Failure to do so could delay the student’s placement process and affect the student’s placement.
Pay
In compliance with irish immigration regulations, the placement is an educational experience for which you are earning credit; it is not employment. All FIE internship experiences are unpaid.
Concerns
Any concerns about your placement or conditions of work must be discussed with the FIE Team, and when neccesary, your site supervisor.
No particular placement or placement industry is guaranteed to be available for an individual student during the short time the student is available to work in Dublin. Students must select three different industry choices and may be placed in an internship related to any of their three choices. Students should ensure they are prepared to accept a placement related to any of their choices.
Only in exceptional circumstances will a placement be changed, and only after a thorough assessment of the situation by the FIE Team.
Class Conflicts
Every effort is made to schedule required class components outside of regular working hours. If students have evening commitments at their placement, required class sessions will take priority. However, if needed you should consult with the FIE Dublin Resident Director member to see if special arrangements can be made.
Absences
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Authorized Absences: In the case of a minor illness that necessitates an absence from the workplace, you are required to contact both your site supervisor and the FIE Team each morning of the absence. If you cannot participate in your internship placement for more than two weeks due to prolonged illness, disability or personal reasons such as bereavement, the FIE Team will work with you and your home campus to arrange a suitable academic alternative. Due to immigration requirements, all students must be involved in some form of academic study in order to satisfy their visa and academic conditions.
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Unauthorized Absences: Students cannot absent themselves or resign from their placement without prior discussion with the FIE Team. Students who walk out or leave their placement without due notification will be dismissed from participation in a placement and this will have a detrimental effect on your academic grade.
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Holidays & Leave from Placement: You are expected to work the days and hours that have been designated for your placement except in the case of illness or bank holidays. Leave for other reasons is not permitted.
Conduct
While in your placement, you must remember that at all times you are a representative of your country, your home institution, and FIE. Students are expected to maintain a professional and respectful demeanor in interactions and correspondence with anyone associated with their placement, including FIE staff.
Dismissal & Consequences
Both FIE and the placement site supervisor have the authority to remove any student from a placement due to unsatisfactory performance or unacceptable behavior. Students will in this case receive an “F” grade for the internship course.
In such instances where a student is dismissed or removes themselves from their placement, FIE reserves the right to remove the student from the program (including housing) and therefore require the student’s immediate return to their home country.
Unforeseen Circumstances at the Placement
Occasionally, due to circumstances beyond FIE’s control, a placement which has accepted an intern will no longer be able to host the student or will discontinue the placement. In these circumstances, FIE will inform the student and organize a new placement for the student as soon as possible. The student must successfully interview at the new placement in order to secure the new internship.