Global Internship Requirement

Global Internship Requirement

Globie conducting crop research in Costa Rica

Real Work. Global Settings. Academic Purpose.

Students in Global Resource Systems complete a required international internship where they apply academic knowledge to real challenges in sustainability, food systems, and global development. This experience builds professional skills through structured support before, during, and after placement.

A Required Part of the Major

This internship is an academic requirement designed to prepare students for globally engaged careers. Skills developed are transferable across both international and U.S.-based professional environments.

What Students Do

Students work with host organizations such as NGOs, government agencies, research institutions, and industry partners.

They contribute to structured projects and day-to-day organizational work under professional supervision.

The focus is on applied learning in a professional setting—not tourism or short-term volunteering.

  • 62
    Countries Reached
  • 5+
    Weeks Abroad
  • Real work.

From Here to Anywhere

The internship happens the summer before your final year in the program. Students must have sufficient coursework completed before going. Here's the roadmap, start to finish.

Start the Search

The internship coordinator kicks off placement discussions in October. You'll explore host organizations, regions, and roles together. Be ambitious about where you want to go and what kind of work you want to do.

Two Semesters Before You Go, Coordinator-guided

Confirm your Placement

By mid-spring, your placement should be confirmed, including host organization, paperwork, and coordinator approval. Some placements require a risk management review as well. The earlier you finalize, the smoother your experience will be.

One Semester Before You Go, Plan Ahead

Prepare for Departure

Before you leave you take a pre-departure course that covers professional expectations, cultural context, safety protocols, and how to hit the ground running. You'll leave prepared and excited.

One Semester Before You Go, GLOBE 3200

Do Real Work

During the summer you'll spend five weeks doing real work, embedded with your host organization. There are no classes, but you will be contributing to projects under professional supervision and submitting weekly reflections. 

Summer 5+ Weeks, Complete weekly reflections

Evaluate and Share

When you return, you'll take a dedicated seminar to help you process what you experienced with peers. The semester ends with a final presentation where you share what you build, what shifted, and what happens next.

The Semester After - Fall, GLOBE 3210

Internships Map

Where will you go?