1. Addressing the Needs of
Underrepresented Majors through
Experiential Learning Programs
Rigid curriculum requirements and pre-existing perceptions in certain academic fields make semester or year
abroad programs unrealistic. Short-term international internships allow students to earn credit and participate in a
study abroad program while gaining hands-on practical experience.
Real and Perceived Barriers
STRUCTURED CURRICULUM
• Majors that include or focus on accreditations, certifications, or have
continuing education requirements
• Extending graduation timeline2,3,4
• Doubt on degree relativity and professional goals5
FINANCIAL CONCERNS
• Total cost of experience (program fees/tuition, flights, visas, cost of living, etc)
• Lack of funding
• Ability to transfer credits6,7,8
• Foregoing employment9
FACULTY SUPPORT AND DEGREE INTEGRATION
• Limited staff and resources, who may be disconnected with student options
• Confusing process for students, who report being uniformed
• Lack of supportive frameworks, including scholarships2,4,10
SOCIAL AND PERSONAL FACTORS
• Obligations to family
• Lack of family support
• Concerns of leaving friends and changing relationships7,8
FOREIGN LANGUAGE ABILITIES
• Limited abilities or background in local language
• Worries increase for work and volunteer experiences compared to traditional
study abroad programs10,11
Breaking The Barrier With International Internships
STRUCTURED CURRICULUM: Motivations for participating in
experiential learning are greatly affected by curricula. International internships
allow students to fulfill university requirements, while staying on schedule with
coursework and improving skills directly related to their major.
• Placements designed to individual student needs
• Short-term, custom date options to fit schedules
• Focus on professional and personal goals with high-quality, hands-on
experience
FINANCIAL CONCERNS: Short term programs such as international
internships are less costly, allow for scholarships and aid funding, while allowing an
opportunity to focus on participant’s future professional and academic goals.
• Scholarships available, programs often less expensive than students realize
• Credit optional, from home university or school of record
• Short term, flexible dates allow students to fit experience with needs, and
within their budget
FACULTY SUPPORT AND DEGREE INTEGRATION: Students
are matched with sites based on educational background and future personal and
professional goals.
• Third-party providers can lesson burden on faculty
• Start conversations early with advising sessions and degree programs
• High-quality, hands-on experiences relative to major
• Programs can be customized to meet degree requirements
SOCIAL AND PERSONAL FACTORS: Set date programs provide a
group setting, and friends can apply together to reduce the feelings of isolation
and separation from support networks at home. Custom dates and length allow the
internship to be tailored to personal schedules and family obligations.
• Short term, flexible dates
• Group programs with friends or departments
• Set date programs provide social support
• 24/7 On-site staff support, supervisors to provide mentoring
FOREIGN LANGUAGE ABILITIES
• Often placements in English are available across locations. All ISA Internships
are in English unless otherwise requested to be placed in an internship in host
language.
Top 6 Underrepresented Majors1
1.3%
Agriculture
1.4%
Legal Studies and
Law Enforcement
1.8%
Education
1.8%
Humanities
2.1%
Communications
and Journalism
3.4%
Health Professions
ISA Internships
studiesabroad.com/internships (512) 480-8522 internships@studiesabroad.com
1 Open Doors Report on International Education Exchange, 2015.
2 Hatzios, A., & Lariscy, R. W. (2008). Perceptions of utility and importance of international public relations
education among educators and practitioners. Journalism & Mass Communication Educator, 63(3), 241-258.
3 Miller, K. L. (2011). Student’s perceptions of international agriculture after an international agricultural
experience. (Doctoral dissertation, Texas A&M University).
4 NAFSA. (2003). Securing America’s future: Global education for a global age: Report of the strategic task force on
education abroad.
5 Irani, T., Place, N. T., & Friedel, C. (2006). Beliefs, Attitudes, Perceptions, and Barriers toward International
Involvement among College of Agriculture and Life Science Students. JIAEE Journal of International Agricultural
and Extension Education, 13(2), 27-37.
6 Chang, C., Pratt, O., Bielecki, C., Balinas, M., McGucken G.(2013). Agriculture Students’ Interests, Preferences,
Barriers and Perceived Benefits of International Educational Experiences. NACTA Journal, 57(3), 97-103.
7 Commission on the Abraham Lincoln Study Abroad Fellowship Program. (2005, November). Global competence &
national needs: One million Americans studying abroad.
8 Doyle, S., Gendall, P., Meyer, L. H., Hoek, J., Tait, C., McKenzie, L., & Loorparg, A. (2010). An Investigation of Factors
Associated with Student Participation in Study Abroad. Journal of Studies In International Education, 14(5),
471-490.
9 De Winter, U. J. (1997). Science and engineering education abroad: An overview. Frontiers: The Interdisciplinary
Journal of Study Abroad, III (Fall 1997).
10 Loberg, L. (2012). Exploring Factors that Lead to Participation in Study Abroad. UCLA: Education - Ed.D. Leadership
0659.
11 Jones, E., Lawton, W., Mellors-Bourne, R., Woodfield, S. (2015) Student perspectives on going international. (Project
Report) London, U.K. : UK HE International Unit.

2. COMMUNICATIONS AND
JOURNALISM
“I have become more
confident in myself and my
abilities, understanding and
appreciative of the world, and
above all else more marketable
as a young employee
entering the workforce.
Seeing the concepts off of
paper and in working action
made the application much
more interesting. I learned
the importance of brand
consistency, received lots of
practice writing and editing
submitted articles, and I have
improved both my written
and verbal communication
skills. While at Watchfit I even
received the opportunity to
write my own article for the
website. Through writing my
own article I was able to see
the entire publishing process
from start to finish.“
–– Watchfit, England,
Summer 2015
HEALTH
“Having worked with a
team in a culturally different
environment, I have learned
that providing a sense of
normalcy for the patients
and being available to listen
are both extremely powerful
tools in the field of healthcare.
This internship provided me
with an immense amount
of work-related experience,
including opportunities to
interact with the patients and
even direct involvement with
occupational therapy. I was
incredibly humbled by this
opportunity because it was
the first hands-on experience
with occupational therapy
I have had. I witnessed my
supervisor’s creativeness with
using his knowledge of the
young patients to get them
to productively accomplish
tasks and cope with bad days.
In a low-income environment
especially, his creative
approach seemed especially
resourceful.”
–– Fundación Nuestros Hijos,
Chile, Summer 2015
AGRICULTURE
Greencross Vets
S Y D N E Y, AU S T R A L I A
Greencross Veterinarians are continually seeking
interns that have a strong desire to practice quality
medicine, excellent patient care and are dedicated
to gaining professional skills at a high level. Past
interns assisted the veterinary surgeon and nurses
with surgery, consultations, administrative work,
maintenance and animal care within the clinic.
Ibéricos Torreón
S A L A M A N C A , S PA I N
Iberico Torreón is a family run company dedicated to
the elaboration of Iberian ham and cold meats of very
high quality for three generations. Interns will gain
experience in the agribusiness sector and support
the internationalization of an established business
by assisting in customer research, tracking product
sales and collecting and analyzing data to improve the
production process.
EDUCATION
Islington Public School
I S L I N G TO N , AU S T R A L I A
Islington Public School is a small state of the art
primary school. Interns shadow their teacher in day-
to-day activities before assuming a role at the front
of the class to lead group and individual teaching
sessions. Responsibilities also include assisting with
roll call, lesson planning, and other related duties.
Mt Richmond Special School
AU C K L A N D , N E W Z E A L A N D
The intern will aid at this Special Education school
by assisting in different classrooms and working with
students with mixed needs. Programs cover all areas
of the New Zealand curriculum including, English,
Mathematics, Science, Technology, Social Studies,
Health and Physical Well-Being and The Arts modified
for individual needs.
LAW/LEGAL
Dacheng Law Offices
S H A N G H A I , C H I N A
Dacheng Law Offices is one of the first partner law
offices in China and one of the largest. Working with
one or more of the lawyers, interns are responsible
for drafting contracts, venture capital deals, legal
research, preparation of legal documents, and
communication on foreign investment issues.
Westminster Explained
LO N D O N , E N G L A N D
Westminster Explained is the training division of Dods
and the leading private sector provider of training on
Parliament, government and policy. Interns gain skills
and experience in teamwork, event management,
government and policy at a private sector company
that specializes in government training and policy.
HUMANITIES
Child, Youth and Family
W H A N G A N U I , N E W Z E A L A N D
Child, Youth and Family provides child protection
and social work services to young people, caregivers,
adoptive parents and families who are in need of
support by partnering with hundreds of social service
providers. Interns gain a statutory perspective with
a collaborative approach in providing services to
families including indigenous, working with youth
offenders, with a family centered/decision-making
approach and permanency planning.
Valencia History Museum
VA L E N C I A , S PA I N
The museums’ mission is to promote the history of
the city, from the origins to the present using local
archaeological, artistic, and cultural heritage. Interns
assist in writing information and documents of the
Museum in English, and develop and research projects
while aiding in daily tasks.
University of Newcastle
N E WC A S T L E , AU S T R A L I A
The goal of the study that the intern will be working
on is to find out how open non-Muslims are to
learn more about Muslim culture, and the personal
perceptions of those willing to trying on traditional
Muslim clothing (specifically the hijab). The intern
will be creating, administering, entering data, and
analyzing data from the online questionnaire.
COMMUNICATIONS & JOURNALISM
I Love Chile
S A N T I AG O , C H I L E
Interns have their work published while promoting
English in Chile and Chile in English through the
quarterly and/or weekly digital magazine, online news,
radio and TV. Interns help with editing, proofreading,
content management and conducting research to
write news and features about local events and may
produce video and photographs support for stories.
In One Move
LO N D O N , E N G L A N D
This start-up company has interns help with
promoting the website, compiling marketing
databases, analyzing strategies, creating blogs on
industry forums and assisting with email marketing,
SEO, social media marketing while having the
opportunity to attend industry events to promote In
One Move services.
HEALTH PROFESSIONS
Fundación Diagrama
VA L E N C I A , S PA I N
Fundación Diagrama is an international non-
profit that focuses on nursing and psychiatry for
disadvantaged demographics. Interns assist with
the day-to-day activities of the nursing department
by helping prepare medications for patients and
assisting with medical care, as well as tasks related to
psychiatry for minors with substance addiction.
University of Newcastle -
Priority Research Centre for
Physical Activity and Nutrition
N E WC A S T L E , AU S T R A L I A
PRC conducts a wide variety of research projects
each year where the intern will be involved in one or
more projects, such as a diet and exercise program
for men at risk of Type 2 Diabetes, assessing fitness in
stroke survivors and designing personalized exercise
programs, or exercise training programs for young
people with depression.
Sample Placements
ISA Internships
studiesabroad.com/internships (512) 480-8522 internships@studiesabroad.com