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How to Earn Credits for an Internship Abroad

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AIFS Abroad’s international internship programs are designed to complement your college degree. You can earn college credits through your home institution or AIFS Abroad. Our experienced team of advisors is available to answer your questions about gaining credit while interning abroad.

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Intern with AIFS Abroad and Receive Academic Credit

  • Semester & summer program options
  • Up to 6 college credits in the summer, and up to 12 college credits in the semester in AIFS Abroad internship courses 
  • In-person or online coursework designed with you in mind
  • Transcripts sent directly to your home university from our School of Record, Fairfield University

How to Earn Credits

Home Institution

Work with your Academic Advisor at your home university to determine how you can receive credit for an AIFS Abroad internship for a semester or summer abroad. Your home institution may have an internship course that you will need to enroll in while on your AIFS Abroad program. 

AIFS Abroad

AIFS Abroad offers credit bearing courses to complement your semester or summer internship, with credits issued through Fairfield University, our school of record located in the US. This is arranged during the placement process for your internship. Talk to your AIFS advisor after you apply about enrolling for credit.

Questions?

Contact us at AIFSAbroad@aifs.com or (800) 727-2437 to speak to our experienced team of advisors about earning credit while interning abroad.

Determine if you need to earn credit 

Ready to get started? Download this easy guide to use with your home school advisor. 

Download Planning Guide

Available AIFS Abroad Courses

How Much Do Internship Credits Cost?

Priced per course:

  • One course: $1,200
  • Two courses: $2,400
  • Three courses: $3,600

Syllabi can be accessed through the student portal.

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3 to 6 Credits – Offered Summer or Semester

This course is taught online and is available to full-time interns 

In addition to 32 to 40 hours per week working as an intern, the course component includes journaling, graded reflection and assignments. You will gain experience in a workplace setting, translating what you learned in the classroom into practice. Your work will be mentored by individuals specific to their primary intended career field. 

Appears on the transcript as ELEC2000 International Internship

3 Credits – Offered Summer or Semester

This course is taught online and is available to full-time interns 

Here you will learn what attributes employers want to see on your resume as a new graduate, as defined by the World Economic Forum. Learning these attributes will increase your marketability to future global employers. By the end of this course, you will be better prepared to enter the global workforce as leaders in your career fields. 

Appears on the transcript as MGMT3000

3 Credits – Offered Summer or Semester

This course is taught online and is available to full-time interns 

This course is designed to teach you to identify cultural differences and how to navigate a multicultural workplace. You will learn how to communicate with intercultural competence, particularly as it applies to your host country, and about the underlying cultural concepts that can be applied to your own internship experience. 

Appears on the transcript as COMM3000

3 Credits – Offered Summer or Semester

This course is taught in-person and is available to study + intern participants in AIFS Abroad London, Florence, and Rome Global Education Centers.  

In addition to 32 to 40 hours per week working as an intern, the course component includes journaling, graded reflection and assignments. You will gain experience in a workplace setting, translating what you learned in the classroom into practice. Your work will be mentored by individuals specific to their primary intended career field. 

Appears on the transcript as ELEC2000 International Internship 

Students are concurrently enrolled in a required local interest course for 3 credits: British Life and Culture in London, Italian Traditions and Culture in Florence, and in Rome. Study + intern students are required to take two additional electives to build their full semester schedule of 12 credits.

View internship programs for specific course/credit details.

School of Record

If you can’t earn academic credit directly through your university, AIFS Abroad can offer you 3-12 transfer credits through Fairfield University, our School of Record, for summer and semester internship programs.

  • The transcript will include a Fairfield letter grade and credit
  • Your Academic Advisor or Study Abroad Advisor at your home institution will determine how the credits transfer back for your coursework
  • Financial Aid available

xxxFairfield University is a private Jesuit university founded in 1942 in Fairfield, Connecticut, well known for their commitment to international education. Fairfield is also a study abroad provider to many other U.S. and global universities and maintain many overseas study centers, with the largest in Florence, Italy.

Fairfield and AIFS Abroad have partnered to develop a school of record relationship that will allow academic experiential credit to be available for both Fairfield and non-Fairfield students. It is our collective goal that access to credit and financial aid options will increase opportunities for students.

How It Works

Step 1

Apply

Submit your application and start working with your Admissions Counselor. We will have an interview to learn about your career goals, educational background, and location preferences to ensure that you are a good candidate to intern abroad.

Step 2

Accept

Once your interview and application are complete, you’ll be cleared to apply. Your Admissions Counselor and our Placement Team will determine if we’re able to match you with a great host employer in your chosen destination. If accepted, this means we can guarantee you an internship within your career field.

Step 3

Enroll

After acceptance, the next step is to simply enroll into the program with your initial deposit to secure your spot. Enrolling means you have officially decided to join the program and take on the challenge and thrill of living and becoming an intern abroad in a new city!

Step 4

Prepare

Before you arrive in your host city, you will work one-on-one with your Program Advisor. They work with you on professional development, career advising and make sure you are ready to move and intern in your new home.

Step 5

Interview

We will start the match-making process and narrow down employers to a select few that you would be a great fit for. You’ll have a Skype or phone interview before you leave, so they can get to know you, and you can get to know them. If everything goes well, then your internship is confirmed! You’ll know where you’ll be interning and the role you’ll be walking into before you hop on the plane.

Step 6

Arrive

When you’ve arrived in your city, you will meet the Location Coordinator and the other interns at your housing. Your internship will start soon after you’ve arrived and there will be social events and excursions throughout the course of your program. We strive to give you the independence you want with all the support and resources you need to be successful during your travel and internship.

Frequently Asked Questions

No problem! We offer the option to intern abroad without receiving academic credit. Note that some universities require credit, so be sure to check with your Academic Advisor

Adding credit can allow interns to access existing financial aid options on their home campus. Credit earned can also contribute towards your degree plan and keep you on track for graduation. Some universities will require credit, and we cannot change university requirements. If your university does not offer credit for internships, AIFS Abroad can help. Ask your program consultant when you start your application.

On a full-time internship program, credit is not included – you’ll be asked to confirm your plans or academic credit when you log in to your student portal. On a study + internship program, academic credit costs are included.  

It is always best to check with your home institution advisor to confirm what’s best. They will help you consider your academic degree plan, cost of credits, and course equivalent. Download our planning guide to help with the conversation.

Yes. You can combine an AIFS Abroad internship course with our upper level courses in Global Workforce and Leadership Development, and Intercultural Communication in a Global Workplace.  

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