Internships
Internships abroad are transformative experiences for students personally, professionally and academically. By turning the city of Rome into their classroom, students can gain practical, real-world work experience to enhance an academic course offering.
This once-in-a-lifetime experience is especially valuable if you wish to work abroad in the future or diversify your professional profile. Internships are offered only during the fall and spring semesters. There is a course fee attached to cover the mandatory insurance costs required by Italian law.
Placements are available in international and Italian private companies, non-profit organizations, educational institutions, and museums, to name just a few. These internships may focus on a variety of topics and may be relevant to the fields of International Studies, International Business, Finance, Communication, Accounting and more.
Complete the online application. 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.
Students placed in an internship should enroll in 4 additional classes. When your internship is confirmed, this will give you a total of 5 classes (15 credits). Students already engaged in other on-campus duties (such as Resident Assistant) are discouraged from applying for the internship due to workload.
| Application Dates | |
|---|---|
| Fall Semester | April 22-May 22 |
| Spring Semester | October 1-October 31* |
*Important for Spring Applications: Due to short turnaround time, students are encouraged to apply as soon as possible. The placement process begins upon receipt of application.
What materials are required to apply for an internship?
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.
Upon arrival in Rome, each accepted student will need to complete the process to request an Italian fiscal code, which is required to activate insurance for internship students. More details will be shared about that process at the start of the term.
What types of internships are available?
Be advised that these categories are fluid based on several factors and no internships are guaranteed at any point in the application process.
International Marketing, Market Research and Communication
- Focus: Global branding, consumer behavior analysis, digital marketing strategies and communication.
- Possible placements: a sustainable farm-to-table agricultural cooperative; an up-cycling clothing project; a non-profit food organization.
Entrepreneurship & Innovation
- Focus: Collaborating with incubators or small businesses on new product development.
- Possible placements: an innovation hub where entrepreneurial ideas become real-world ventures; several start-up digital companies.
International Business Consulting
- Focus: Supporting multinational clients with market entry strategies, operational improvements, and competitive positioning.
- Possible placements: a global consulting firm specialized in talent and leadership management; a law and tax firm that provides clients with integrated assistance on all legal and tax matters of business law.
Sustainability and Agroecology:
- Focus: Supporting research, projects and activities related to community-based farming or ecological projects.
- Possible placement: a sustainable farm-to-table agricultural cooperative; an NGO that focuses on social justice and ecology.
- JFRC Sustainability Intern: As a Campus Sustainability Intern, you will support university-wide efforts to promote sustainable practices with a possible focus on food waste reduction, effective waste management, urban agriculture, and students' engagement in sustainability abroad. This role works closely with faculty members and the broader campus community.
Art and Archeology:
- Focus: Supporting museums and collections in daily activities and special projects.
- Possible placement: museums and exhibitions centers.
Education:
- Focus: Collaborating with conference centers and educational programs for different learners.
- Possible placement: A language school, an educational program for children, a conference center.
Social action and social research:
- Focus: Supporting associations and research centers serving women, children, migrants in projects and activities.
- Possible placements: a refugee center and activist associations; a research center on psycho-social themes.
How important is it to learn Italian for my internship?
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.
How many hours must I commit to and for how long?
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.
I am a not Loyola student. Will I get credit for the internship?
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.
Will enrolling in the internship class still allow me to travel during the weekends?
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.
Should I plan to bring professional clothing?
No, most workplaces in Italy are more informal than in the US. You will be informed of any exceptions related to your internship.
Internships abroad are transformative experiences for students personally, professionally and academically. By turning the city of Rome into their classroom, students can gain practical, real-world work experience to enhance an academic course offering.
This once-in-a-lifetime experience is especially valuable if you wish to work abroad in the future or diversify your professional profile. Internships are offered only during the fall and spring semesters. There is a course fee attached to cover the mandatory insurance costs required by Italian law.
Placements are available in international and Italian private companies, non-profit organizations, educational institutions, and museums, to name just a few. These internships may focus on a variety of topics and may be relevant to the fields of International Studies, International Business, Finance, Communication, Accounting and more.
Complete the online application. 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.
Students placed in an internship should enroll in 4 additional classes. When your internship is confirmed, this will give you a total of 5 classes (15 credits). Students already engaged in other on-campus duties (such as Resident Assistant) are discouraged from applying for the internship due to workload.
| Application Dates | |
|---|---|
| Fall Semester | April 22-May 22 |
| Spring Semester | October 1-October 31* |
*Important for Spring Applications: Due to short turnaround time, students are encouraged to apply as soon as possible. The placement process begins upon receipt of application.