Four students on a bridge in Rome

Global Internships in Europe

St. John’s offers a broad range of global internship opportunities during our semester and summer programs in Paris and Rome.

For more than a decade, dozens of students have enrolled in an international internship for academic credit, gaining invaluable global work experience in a broad range of career interests and academic disciplines. Interested students may expect to hold positions in government offices, local universities, schools, private companies, start-ups, hotels and non-governmental organizations (NGOs).

Students in the international internship program will work under the direct guidance of a supervisor from the sponsoring organization as well as a Faculty Coordinator from St. John's and the Office of Career Services.  The local supervisor may ask to visit the student at the job site at the convenience of the sponsoring organization and will complete an evaluation form at the end of the internship.  The Faculty Coordinators will contact students within one week of arrival to discuss progress, and will also maintain contact with the interns’ on-site supervisors in order tor ensure the quality of the experience.

Students can also gain the same global competencies by engaging in a virtual global internship with a company or organization in Paris or Rome. Virtual internships are a great option for students who are unable to travel abroad, or as a follow-on to a program abroad as a way to continue your exploration of French and Italian language and culture.

Please note:  Advanced intermediate competency in French or Italian is required for job placement abroad. Though not all work may be conducted in French or Italian, candidates must pass an interview in French or Italian and be able to handle day-to-day communications in the target language.  All international internships are unpaid and for academic credit only. 

For detailed instructions as well as the course syllabus, please read the information below.  If you have any questions regarding any aspect of the application process, please contact us for assistance. 

Read about one of our student who interned at the Brain and Spine Institute in Paris and our virtual global interns in Paris and in Rome

To read more about our students' global internships in various fields in Paris and Rome, check out their testimonials below. 

More information

Application Deadlines

Fall Semester: May 1
Spring Semester: October 15

Eligibility Requirements

Students must have Junior status or higher, with intermediate language skills in French or Italian, along with approval from the Internship Faculty Coordinator and your Academic Dean. 

    For an in-person internship during one of our semester programs abroad, please include the internship in your course selection for the program you are interested in:

    In order to apply for a virtual global internship, please select from one of the following programs: 

    Students may choose between a 3- or 6-credit intern internship under the advisement of the Department of Languages and Literature and their Academic Dean/Advisor.  Students may also discuss academic internships with their academic advisor or chair for credit within their major, which may carry different requirements.

    Six-Credit International Internship (Semester in Paris or Rome): FRE/ITA 4980A

    The six-credit international internship will last for the entirety of your semester program, spanning all 15 weeks. 

    Time Commitment: 270 hours

    Note for semester students: You must be enrolled in one other in-person course in Europe and may need to take online classes in order to satisfy the time requirements of the international internship while maintaining full-time status (12 credits per semester). In addition, please note that you can be registered for no more than two additional courses and must ensure that your class schedule allows the appropriate amount of time for travel and work.

    Three-Credit International Internship (Semester in Paris or Rome): FRE/ITA 4980A

    Time Commitments: 135 hours

    Academic Expectations: Students n FRE/ITA 4980A will be graded on a combination of written work, hours completed and supervisor evaluations throughout the semester.

    • Journal Assignment 
      • Students are required to maintain a daily journal, written in the target language which should include: 
        • A record of the dates and times of each work period 
        • A record of assignments and pertinent details of each work period 
        • Examples of pertinent material collected during the internship 
        • An ongoing assessment of their learning experience 
    • Final Paper
      • Students must complete a final reflection paper on the internship experience, written in the target language (4-5 pages). 
    • Complete Required Hours
      • Successful completion of required hours at the internship site: 270 hours for a 6-credit internship, or 135 hours for a 3-credit internship.

     

    Read what past participants have to say!

    "My internship in Italy has been one of the highlights of my experience in Rome. I have always said that it was my dream to experience Italy as a real citizen and not just through the eyes of a tourist. My internship gave me the opportunity to do that. At Morgana Production, my boss and I talked about different project ideas, looking particularly at different social problems in Rome. In the end, we decided that the issue of sanitation in the Corviale neighborhood in Rome would be the one we focused on. I began filming not only videos of the city, but also interviewed people who resided in the Corviale section of Rome. After I finished shooting all the clips for the video and the interviews, I started editing the video. This was definitely the most difficult but most rewarding part. Cutting the videos, adjusting the audio, and adding subtitles and narration, and seeing the completed project after weeks of production, was a truly great experience. Above all, during my internship I learned not just many new words, but the culture of Rome and what it is like living there. It was a wonderful experience to be able to work in Italy and I am so glad that I could do it.  I thank all the people who helped me make it possible!" 
    - Rosemary Hageman. Majors: International Communication and Italian

    "My work at Earthday was amazing. I was part of their marketing team. My projects included creating Instagram and Facebook posts about sustainability, researching food and sustainability in the Middle East, and helping a pharmaceutical company develop sustainable practices. I was amazed on how hard everyone worked at Earthday. I learned that it takes a lot of research, networking, design, and hard work to create a perfect product. The best part was learning about the importance of everyone collectively on the team which I was made to feel like I was a big part of because I was included in everything the team did. I am very grateful for this internship because now I know what I want to do with my life. This work has helped me grow as a person and realize how strong I am. If I can challenge myself to live and work in a new country, I can do anything. I miss this experience so much. It made me grow and changed my life for the better." 
    - Megi Alikaj. Majors: Global Development and Sustainability and Italian

    "Growing up in a French immersion school, studying abroad in Paris and completing an international internship had always been my dream to accomplish during my university experience. Wanting to combine my passion for the environment with my interest in French culture and studies, I decided to pursue a double major in Environmental Science and French. With the help of OIE, I obtained an internship with Connecting Food, a French agritech startup company, as an International Agritech Industry Marketing Intern. I was extremely excited to attend this internship at Station F, but very soon after I started, the COVID-19 pandemic unfortunately required me to return to New York. Suddenly faced with this potential loss, I contacted my supervisor, and thankfully we were able to transition my work to a virtual internship. Thanks to this flexibility, I was able to engage in the internship as a perfect testing ground to adapt my background knowledge and experiences in supply chains, food systems, and agriculture, while also learning about the private sector, blockchain technology, and client development. I was also able to refine my French vocabulary, familiarize myself with French company culture, and gain indispensable knowledge of French and American markets. I am glad to say that this internship experience will be a great asset as I pursue a career on the international stage in environmental law." 
    - Samia Shell. Majors: French and Environmental Studies

    "I knew as a freshman at St. John’s that I wanted to study abroad two semesters. I planned my academics carefully so that I could do just that my junior year. As a double major in Spanish and Italian, I spent Fall 2019 in Chile, then Spring 2020 in Rome. I now feel confident that I can work internationally and successfully navigate foreign work environments. I owe that especially to my internship in Rome, which unexpectedly became a virtual internship. For the first part of the semester, I was working in person with my Italian colleagues and even going on lunch breaks with them. I worked for a company helping immigrants integrate into Italian society, from getting their immigration paperwork in order, to finding housing and job placement. In my position there, I translated many of their documents. I was supposed to get more involved with clients had I been able to stay, however things don’t always go as planned (no matter how far in advance you plan them!). It taught me flexibility. Upon my return to New York, we transitioned to email correspondence, and I provided translations to my supervisor remotely. Through my in-person and online work, I gained an understanding of Italian work culture and how it differs from our own. Spending a year abroad was challenging; I learned and grew in ways I could never have imagined. Looking towards a career in translation and international relations, I can’t wait to see how these experiences will help shape my future both professionally and personally."
    - Catherine Testaverde. Majors: Spanish & Italian. Minor: International Studies.

    "I was already elated to have the opportunity to study abroad in Paris for the entire spring semester of 2019.  However, being able to take part in an internship working alongside the American Federal government onsite was the metaphorical icing on the cake.  With the collaboration of the GLCC and Dr. Petropoulou’s mentorship, I was able to perfectly tailor my resume and letter of intend to the internships I was applying for.  My internship site, a quaint suburb just outside of metropolitan Paris known as Suresnes, was a mere train ride away from the campus. The internship experience allowed me to utilize the knowledge and competencies I had acquired from both my major in Government and Politics and my minor in French and prepare for future careers.  The staff I worked with in Paris was so accommodating, even sending me daily articles in French to improve my vocabulary skills.  My last day, they sent me off with trinkets and gifts, including my favorite French pastry, la tropezienne.  I still keep in touch with them via email even now and made valuable connections!  I am grateful to the French department for facilitating my participation in this experience.  I will always look back on Spring 2019 with a sense of fondness and nostalgia."  
    - Alexa Jean-Baptiste. Major: Government and Politics. Minor: French. 

    "As a double major in Speech-Language Pathology and Italian, I never thought going abroad would even be possible. Through Global Studies at St John’s University, I was given the incredible opportunity of  being immersed in Italian language and culture while learning and experiencing speech therapy practice in Italy. The Global Studies program allowed me to intern with a speech therapist in an elementary school in Rome. Not only did I significantly improve my Italian but I learned so much about the Italian education system and how therapy strategies greatly vary from country to country. The application for interning abroad through St. Johns was fairly simple and Dr. Annalisa Sacca was so incredibly helpful and kind in meeting with me and placing me in an internship directly related to both my major and my interests. The staff at the elementary school in Rome were unbelievably welcoming, and working with the children was always the highlight of my week!  I will never forget my experience in Rome as it has certainly shaped me into the person I am today. It has positively impacted my life and my academic career at St. John's, where I am currently doing research with Dr. Peggy Jacobson on the speech of bilingual children, with the hope to study language acquisition in bilingual Italians."
    Paige Brigham. Majors: Speech-Language Pathology and Audiology, Italian.  Minor: International Studies.  

    "Wanting to obtain the most out of my experience abroad, I knew that participating in an internship would be the pinnacle of my academic tenure in France. As a double major in both Government & Politics and French Language and Literature, I was able to obtain an internship that provided me with the opportunity to receive credits towards both of my major requirements. Being placed at the prestigious diplomatic organization called France-Amériques off of the infamous Champs-Elysées in the heart of Paris, this internship far exceeded all of my expectations. Constantly working in a French-speaking governmental environment challenged me to step out of my comfort zone in order to carry out the everyday work functions which used to come so naturally to me in an American, English-speaking context. Throughout my internship, while I had the amazing opportunity of meeting ambassadors from across the globe as well as the Governor of Alabama by chance, I am most grateful for the knowledge I obtained in regard to the formalities and etiquette used in French culture that I would have never learned if I had not pursued this international experience. Thanks to this internship and the great faculty at St. John’s University, I will now be viewed as an adaptable and conscious global citizen in the eyes of future employers I will encounter. After I finish my degree at St. John’s, I look forward to the numerous opportunities in store for me in the field of international relations and diplomacy all thanks to priceless experience I had at France-Amériques and in France in general."
    - Sean O'Gorman, Majors: Government and Politics and French Literature and Language. 

    "After studying abroad for a semester in Paris that deepened my appreciation for the city and culture, I knew I had to return for a summer internship.  As a double major in French and Public Relations, this was the experience I needed to fine-tune my French and increase my international business competencies.  By working with the Office of International Education, the GLCC and the French department at St. John’s University, I was able to prepare for the interview process, obtain an internship in my field and find a host family to stay with throughout the summer.  The process began as an interview with Dr. Petropoulou and then an interview with a company, and shortly after I landed a marketing internship with Ideta, a small technological start-up that creates artificially intelligent voice and chatbots.  While each day differed, my main tasks consisted of creating an eye-catching advertisement video for international prospects, designing graphics and writing articles in English and French for LinkedIn, and ensuring localization of marketing materials. Not only did I gain valuable work experience, but I learned important cultural competencies that helped me flourish within and outside of the workplace.  Making things all the better, I was placed with a group of individuals that were as eager to teach as they were to learn from me.  Looking back on my experiences, this internship prepared me to stride into my career with a new level of confidence and an elevated understanding of global business practices.  I look forward to applying this knowledge and experience to my career as I grow as a public relations professional.” 
    - Gabrielle Lescarbeau. Majors: Public Relations and French Language & Literature