Career readiness and study abroad go hand-in-hand, making the Umbra Institute an ideal provider of highly selective unpaid and credit-bearing internships in Italy. Students have the option to intern during semester at the Umbra Institute (3 credits) and after the spring semester (May/June) for one or two months with local institutions in Perugia and Umbria.
SEMESTER INTERNSHIPS
Semester internships become part of the student’s curriculum at Umbra. All semester internships are with the Umbra Institute where students work closely with faculty and staff in key functional areas. Internships include: Photography and Photo Journalism, Social Media Marketing & Communications, International Education Programming: Community Engagement. For detailed information, please see the descriptions below.
SUMMER INTERNSHIPS
Summer internships begin in May (after the spring semester) and are designed to push students to reflect on their personal and professional development as well as actively engage them in their field of choice. For detailed information, please see the descriptions below.
The Umbra Institute works with a range of partners to establish internships that provide substantial opportunities to develop career readiness competencies, as defined by the U.S. National Association of Colleges and Employers (NACE). These enriching opportunities allow students to apply knowledge learned in the classroom as they engage in critical thinking, effective communication in an international work setting, collaborate on teams, apply technology in their field of interest, improve their intercultural fluency, identify career management goals, and utilize their skills in leadership and professionalism.
The Umbra Institute staff works diligently to locate partners who match the needs and interests of our students. However, internship options are limited based on the types of businesses and professional organizations found in Perugia and Umbria. Most internships are conducted entirely in English so there is no language prerequisite, however, some Italian proficiency will be helpful. Check the internship descriptions below for details.
Internships Offered
Umbra offers credit-bearing summer internships for students who are studying at the Institute during the Spring semester. The internship includes a weekly meeting at the Umbra Institute with the faculty supervisor as well as on-site hours with the site supervisor.
Support Staff & Faculty
WHY INTERN ABROAD?
Internships offer substantial benefits when it comes to exploring a possible career path, developing and refining skills, networking, and gaining other valuable work experiences. However, internships abroad provide added benefits for your resume by showing your future employer that you:
- seek to expand your perspective and cultural competence,
- are willing to step out of your comfort zone and take on new challenges,
- can thrive in a diverse and dynamic environment,
- place a high level of importance on both soft skills (cultural intelligence, adaptability, etc.) and hard skills (quantifiable knowledge or abilities such as programming, writing, etc.),
- have demonstrated the skills to be successful in new and unfamiliar situations, and
- are the type of employee they are looking to hire.
DISCOVER PERUGIA
Perugia is well-known throughout Italy as the country’s “UniverCity” and the capital of the region of Umbria. Its location and thriving student population offer opportunities to network with peers from around the globe. Because Perugia is not as well-known to the U.S. as cities like Rome, Florence, Venice, and Milan, interning in the city illustrates to employers your enterprising desire to explore beyond the beaten path and experience authentic Italy. It demonstrates ambition, curiosity, and a propensity for seeking creative solutions to your goals.
The City is Our Campus
Click here to learn more about the amazing student life in Perugia.
APPLICATION & STRUCTURE
APPLYING
To apply, students must submit an inquiry (see below) requesting the internship several months before their arrival. Doing so will allow Umbra to begin the process of confirming the host’s availability and complete the necessary paperwork required by Italy for internships if necessary. Once you have contacted Umbra to request an internship, you will be assigned an Umbra advisor who will assist you with internship-specific placement requirements and the visa process. Placement may require an interview with the Internship Coordinator and/or the host company or organization and cannot be finalized without acceptance to the Umbra Institute.
INTERNSHIP HOURS
Prior to arrival in Perugia, interns are assigned a site supervisor and a faculty supervisor. The site supervisor directs and overseas tasks throughout the internship. The faculty supervisor meets occasionally with the intern to assess their milestones, performance, and achievement of learning objectives. Internships are assigned the appropriate academic level and number of credits based on their nature and scope. Semester interns will perform approximately 8-10 hours per week at the Umbra Institute. Summer Interns should expect to work limited hours (2-3 per week) with the faculty supervisor a week or two prior to the internship. Once the internship begins students will complete all remaining hours (approx. 20 hours per week) at the company with the site supervisor.
PROGRAM FEES
Semester Internships
There are no additional fees for the semester internships at the Umbra Institute.
Summer Internships
$1,975.00
Fees Includes:
The internship tuition (2-3 credits), housing for the duration of the internship (until the end of May or June), internship permit and insurance, transportation to/from internship locations, student services and 24-hr emergency assistance, assigned site and faculty coordinators, official Umbra grade report.
Program Fees do NOT Include:
Meals, independent travel, international health insurance, beginning- and end-of-internship airport transfer, other personal expenses.
APPLYING IS EASY!
Click “Apply Online” below to apply for the spring semester abroad and qualify for internships. Complete the “Inquire to Intern” form to be considered for internship placement.
DEADLINES
SPRING & POST-SPRING SUMMER INTERNSHIPS: November 1st
FALL SEMESTER INTERNSHIP: June 15th
INQUIRE TO INTERN
Fill out the form below to begin the internship inquiry process and be contacted by an Umbra advisor regarding your eligibility and placement.