Engaged Learning

The following materials are required for submission along with your online application:

• Current résume
• Statement of interest and goals: no longer than one page double spaced (300 words), this statement should explain your goals and objectives for the internship placement.
• Professional letter of reference: submit a letter of reference from a previous employer or supervisor (if not available you may ask a former professor).

Once you have been interviewed by the prospective placement and they have confirmed their availability to host the intern (about one month after the application deadline), you'll receive an official confirmation, which you will sign and return within the indicated date.

Each accepted student will need to request an Italian fiscal code, which is required to activate insurance for internship students. For this process, students need to refer to an Italian Consulate wbesite:

The fiscal code may be requested by foreign citizens based on which Italian Consulate serves your area. 

 To request the Italian Tax ID (“Codice Fiscale”) you need to provide the following documents 

1. the form attached (filled following the instruction provided) 
2. a copy of your passport  
3. a copy of your birth certificate 

You may submit your request by coming personally to the Consular Office, by email to commerciale.chicago@esteri.it,  

For a semester internship, you should enroll in 4 additional classes. When your internship is confirmed, this will give you a total of 5 classes (15 credits).

Knowledge of Italian will increase the possibility of placement in certain institutions, but no previous Italian experience is required. All students, regardless of whether they do an internship, must take Italian language classes while they are in Rome if they have no prior knowledge of the language.

Twelve hours a week, for a minimum of 100/120 hours total (plus 15 hours in class meetings), not including your commute time.

Although the vast majority of placements are in the center of Rome, it is reasonable to consider an average of 40 minutes commuting. The regional train (the nearest station is about a 15-minute walk from campus) is the fastest and most convenient way of transportation from the Rome Center.

The internship class should count, at least, as elective credit for all students regardless of their home university. Elective credit means that students should receive 3 course credits counted toward their overall credit count.

If you would like to know if the internship course will satisfy a core curriculum or major requirement at your home university, you will need to confirm this directly with your study abroad office and advisor at your home institution.

Apart from any exceptional special events or projects that may take place on weekends, the internship follow the same class calendar as any other class; that is, you will work between Monday and Thursday.

No, previous experience is not a requirement although it could be useful to you on a personal level, in order to reflect on the cultural differences between Italy and the U.S.

No, most workplaces in Italy are more informal than in the US. You will be informed of any exceptions related to your internship. 

The internship schedule is arranged between the intern and the host agency, therefore no conflict should occur. You'll want to discuss this during the interview with the prospective placement in order to prepare a meaningful schedule, which includes your academic commitments.

As part of the course that complements the internship, students are required to complete some assignments including a Blog, a 2-page Engaged Learning paper and create a Learning Portfolio as final project to be presented at the end of the semester.