CEA CAPA Global Internships
Working Towards
Your Future

CEA CAPA defines an internship as "a form of experiential learning that integrates knowledge and theory learned in the classroom with practical application and skills development in a professional workplace setting (across in-person, remote, or hybrid modalities)." (Source NACE)

Internships integrate knowledge and theory learned in the classroom with practical, hands-on experience gained in a professional setting. This integration is a fundamental aspect of internships, providing you with a valuable opportunity to bridge the gap between your academic learning and real-world application. This combination helps in:

1. Reinforcing Academic Learning: By applying classroom knowledge to real tasks, you can better understand and retain academic concepts.
2. Gaining Practical Skills: Hands-on experience allows you to develop practical skills that are often not taught in the classroom but are essential for your professional career.
3. Building Confidence: Working in a professional environment helps you build confidence in your abilities and prepares you for future job roles.
4. Enhancing Career Readiness & Employability: Experience gained during internships makes you more competitive in the job market and helps you develop the top career readiness skills employers most desire nowadays.

As an extension of your educational experience, internships offer the opportunity to develop a variety of skills that can be applied to your career goals and that are directly aligned with Career Readiness Competencies, through a combination of supervised field experience and related classroom-based experience.

Our priority is to source internships that will allow you to engage in meaningful, project- based work that will positively impact your host organization and enhance your development of Career Readiness Competencies throughout your internship, in alignment with our above definition of an internship.

We do not consider activities like getting coffee or making photocopies an internship and we work to ensure opportunities in our global locations are made up of a range of core tasks. You may be invited to join your colleagues in getting coffee or required to undertake some support work, like making photocopies from time-to-time. It is important to note that as you begin your experience, you should expect to receive tasks that at the surface may not immediately seem meaningful but do indeed contribute to the overall learning in this professional experience.

Both international and domestic internships offer valuable experiences and opportunities, however, undertaking an internship abroad provides unique advantages in terms of cultural exposure, global networking, and personal and professional growth. Interning abroad will involve a different set of challenges and hence rewards than interning domestically.

Some of the key takeaways in which an internship abroad can differ from a domestic internship include:

1. Cultural Exposure: Provides exposure to different cultures, languages, and ways of doing business, which can broaden your global perspective, cultural awareness, and ability to thrive and participate in multicultural environments.
2. Networking Opportunities: Allows you to build a global network of professional contacts, which can be valuable for future international career opportunities.
3. Skill Development: Offers the chance to develop cross-cultural communication skills, adaptability, and potentially language proficiency, which are highly valued in the global job market.
4. Global Perspective: May expose you to different workplace norms, management styles, and regulatory environments, providing a broader understanding of global business operations.
5. Personal Growth: Living and working in a foreign country can enhance personal growth, independence, problem-solving skills, and resilience. It often involves adjusting to a new lifestyle, overcoming language barriers, and managing homesickness.
6. Career Opportunities: Can open doors to international career opportunities and make your resume stand out to employers who value global experience.

Interning abroad provides a unique platform to develop personal and professional skills in a culturally diverse environment, fostering adaptability and intercultural communication. It significantly enhances your résumé, distinguishing you in the eyes of potential employers and broadening your career opportunities. It will also give you the chance to create a global network of professional contacts, a valuable asset in our increasingly interconnected world of business and beyond. CEA CAPA Global Internship Programs give you the opportunity to develop the skills that employers value most and expand your professional growth on an international scale.

Global internships offer a competitive advantage upon entering the workforce, whether you aim for full employment post-graduation or aspire to secure a higher-level paid internship back in the U.S. During your internship abroad with CEA CAPA, you will not only learn how to effectively articulate your newfound skills to grad schools and hiring managers but also have the chance to collaborate with and learn from professionals in your host country.

You will be able to engage in meaningful work and build relationships with international references. Depending on the location, you may even develop foreign language knowledge. This hands-on immersion in your field from a global perspective equips you with a unique and valuable outlook and exposes you to diverse working cultures and practices. The experience cultivates a global professional network and instills a global mindset, which can be instrumental for future employment opportunities.

You will have the opportunity to gain and further develop the career readiness competencies that are most in-demand by today's U.S. employers for undergraduate students. These skills include career & self-development, communication, critical thinking, leadership, professionalism, teamwork, and technology (Source: NACE).

Students who intern abroad with us have demonstrated an array of tangible skill development:

• Compared to 24,000 of students enrolled in U.S. institutions and 87,000 entry-level job candidates, our interns ranked higher in proficiency in many career competency areas, including Teamwork, Technology, and Communication.
• On a Career Readiness Level scale of 1 to 7, CEA CAPA Interns were rated a 6.26 on average by their internship supervisors. The scale of this career readiness assessment that students and supervisors complete at the conclusion of a student's internship allows evaluators to rate our interns' performance based on the behaviors associated with the Career Readiness Competencies that employers most desire.

These results are from our student interns who engaged in internships throughout 2022.

• Minimum GPA:
  • 2.5

• Education Completed:
  • At the time of application, you must have completed at least 1 year of full-time undergraduate coursework at a higher education institution.

• Foreign Language Proficiency:
  • English-speaking placements are available in all destinations. Note: If you are applying for a placement in the host language, your language proficiency will be assessed, and you will need to submit your Résumé and Statement of Interest in English and the host language. Also note that some placements may require native English fluency or equivalent due to internship responsibilities.

• Other:
  • Must be in good academic and disciplinary standing at your home institution.
  • By the start of the program, must be at least 18 years of age.
  • Must be currently enrolled as a degree-seeking undergraduate student.
  • Students enrolled in an institution in Canada or Mexico are eligible if the home institution accepts a US transcript and credits.

English-speaking placements are available on every global internship program. However, in some locations such as Madrid and Seville, English-speaking placements may be available only in certain career fields, while other career fields may require proficiency in the host language. If you are interested in applying for a placement in the host language of your program location, during the placement process your language proficiency will be assessed, and you will need to submit your Résumé and Statement of Interest in English and the host language. Also note that some placements may require native English fluency or equivalent due to internship responsibilities.

CEA CAPA Global Internships are unpaid academic experiences where students complete an internship alongside an academic program. Academically-focused international internships take a holistic approach to the placement, often ensuring career development and projects directly related to your broader career interests.

There are significant benefits for students who do an unpaid internship abroad, including earning academic credit, developing competitive career readiness skills in a global context, and gaining exposure to an international work environment.

We understand that choosing to do an unpaid internship is a significant commitment and we are committed to increasing access to study and interning abroad. To help offset the cost of an internship abroad, we are proud to offer more than $2 million each year in scholarships, affiliations, and grant programs for Fall, Spring, and Summer terms. Learn more about our scholarships and grants and other funding options.

All standard CEA CAPA global internships are credit-bearing. You can earn 3 or 6 credits for your internship through the accompanying Global Internship Course (GIC). You can enroll in additional courses to earn 12-15 credits total during the semester or 6-9 credits total during the summer. The GIC is designed to help prepare you for your future, whether that means entering the job market or applying to graduate schools. It is through this course that you will be assessed and receive your academic credit.

Once you receive your confirmed academic schedule, you will meet with your host supervisor to establish an agreed upon, balanced work schedule, taking into consideration academic commitments while allowing time for professional engagement and development at the workplace. Semester programs include a break week from the internship placement.

At CEA CAPA, we offer tailored internship abroad opportunities in 40+ internship career fields including, but not limited to, Business & Operations, Communication & Media, Culture & Arts, Education & Public Service, Engineering & Technology, and Health and Science. You will be prompted to share your top three internship career fields of interest in your application. Through our personalized internship placement process, you will be matched with the most aligned placement and host organization that will allow you to develop transferable career readiness skills and connect your knowledge, skills, and interests. You can learn about a range of sample placements undertaken by past interns by clicking on any career field from our Internship Career Fields webpage. However, keep in mind that there are many more possibilities, as placements are personalized for each student.

CEA CAPA has a global network of more than 2,000 internship host organizations. They range from small start-ups and non-profits to for-profits, small-to-midsize enterprises (SMEs), government agencies, and large multi-national companies. Most host organizations in our portfolio are small-to-mid-sized with an average of 3-20 employees, giving you the unique opportunity to integrate into a close-knit team where your individual contributions are recognized and valued. As stated above, through our personalized placement process, you will be matched with the host organization and placement that most aligns with your knowledge, skills, interests, and goals, so you get the most out of your internship abroad.

The decision on where you intern abroad is completely up to you! CEA CAPA global internship opportunities can be found all over Europe and Australia. Internships abroad can be a standalone program or coupled with study abroad courses in both the summer and semesters, depending on your academic needs and interests. Regardless of your chosen location, CEA CAPA Global Internship Programs offer a holistic experience of support services before, during and after the program ends including visa support, housing, academic courses, career development, and excursions. No matter where you go, you will get the full internship abroad experience!

The placement process has 5 stages: the Enrollment Stage, Coaching Stage. Matching Stage, Interview Stage, and Placement Confirmation Stage. To learn more about the anticipated timeline, action items, and deadlines for each stage, please review the Placement Process Checklist and Deadlines resource.

Throughout the placement process, you will work your CEA CAPA Site Specialist, Internship Specialist, and Internship Coordinator. Your Site Specialist, based in the U.S., will work with you on the logistical aspects of your study abroad experience such as your housing application, location insights, visa process if applicable, and signing up for your courses. Also based in the U.S., your Internship Specialist will be there for all things career readiness: including helping you refine your professional documents and preparing for your interview. They will answer any questions related to the placement process. Finally, your Internship Coordinator, based in the country you will be interning in, will review your application materials, share your résumé and intern profile with relevant organizations and help you set up your interview. Once you've started your internship, they will support your experience.

The placement process varies in length based on several factors. The sooner you submit your application, the quicker our Internship Specialists can assist you in meeting the required document standards for matching, which takes place by our on-site internship coordinators. Our on-site Internship Coordinators aim to confirm placements 14-days before the program departure date. If there are delays in confirming at this point, you will be informed in advance.

Your on-site Internship Coordinator, Global Internship Course Instructor, and host organization Internship Supervisor will have regular recurring touchpoints with you throughout your internship to provide you with comprehensive triangulated support. They will help guide you and make meaning of your experience alongside your peers who are also interning abroad.

Internship experiences can vary widely depending on the field, organization, and the specific role. However, there are some common elements that you can anticipate during your internship program:

Stage 1: Getting Started

• Orientation & Onboarding: You'll be introduced to your host organization's mission, team, tools, and the projects you'll be working on. This sets the foundation for your experience.

Stage 2: Doing the Work

• Assigned Tasks & Projects: Expect to contribute to real-world work, either supporting ongoing initiatives or contributing to smaller projects. These tasks help you apply academic knowledge and build new skills.
• Mentorship & Supervision: A mentor or supervisor will guide you, provide feedback, and support your experience through regular check-ins.

Stage 3: Growing Professionally

• Learning & Development: You'll build both technical (hard) and interpersonal (soft) skills like communication, teamwork, and problem-solving.
• Professional Networking: Internships often include opportunities to meet professionals, attend events, and build connections that can benefit your future career.
• Workplace Culture: You'll observe and adapt to professional norms, communication styles, and cultural differences unique to your host country and organization.

Stage 4: Facing Challenges

• Problem-Solving & Adaptability: Challenges are part of the journey, whether it's dealing with tight deadlines, unfamiliar tasks, or time management. Mistakes are learning opportunities, and support is available from your internship coordinator, host organization supervisor, and Global Internship Course instructor.

Stage 5: Relfecting & Planning Ahead

• Reflection & Career Planning: You'll reflect on your strengths, growth areas, and career goals through structured activities like peer discussions and workshops. Your internship may clarify or expand your career interests.
• Final Presentation & Evaluation: You'll present what you've learned and receive feedback through evaluations from both you and your supervisor, resulting in a career readiness competency report.

To further support your internship journey as part of your Study Abroad program with CEA CAPA, we have developed a resource aimed at Parents, Family and Guardians. This resource provides insight into our programs and answers many frequently asked questions we receive from our students support network. Please share this resource with your support network to help them understand your internship program in more detail. Parent/Guardian/Family FAQ - English / Parent/Guardian/Family FAQ - Spanish