UC's Academic Internship Program is Awarded $100,000 to Support New, Student Global Experience

From UC News:
UC’s Academic Internship Program Is Awarded $100,000 To Support New, Student Global Experience

Applications are underway, and an Oct. 4 student information session is planned for the Singapore Experience, with the first group of participants spending their spring semester gaining real-world work experience in Asia.

Date: 10/2/2012 12:00:00 AM
By: Dawn Fuller
Phone: (513) 556-1823

Photos By: Provided

   The University of Cincinnati’s Division of Professional Practice & Experiential Learning and UC International Programs are coordinating $100,000 in new funding to support students as part of a new, international internship opportunity. UC’s new Singapore Experience program was awarded the funding from the Freeman Foundation, a private foundation that supports partnerships resulting in building connections and cultural understandings between the United States and East Asia. 


The Singapore Experience is the first international academic internship program under UC’s Division of Professional Practice & Experiential Learning. It also supports goals of the UC 2019 Academic Master Plan in increasing the number of UC students who study abroad. “We have a well-established national academic internship program and we wanted to expand on those experiences in a dynamic way,” says Darnice Langford, professor and associate director for the Center for Cooperative Education Research and Innovation. “Asia’s presence is really beginning to be illustrated in the world, and Singapore is a vibrant and dynamic destination for UC students. Plus, it’s an English-speaking country.”

“Singapore is an absolutely fascinating place, and students in all disciplines will be able to have experiences that will position them very well for the future,” says Kurt Olausen, director of International Programs.

The 12 credit-hour Singapore Experience is open to all majors and all undergraduates and includes:

• Personalized job placement and ongoing support
• Furnished housing and kitchen
• Professional development and networking opportunities
• Cultural and recreational activities

“It’s an opportunity to build career connections in Singapore,” says Langford. “The population is growing at a very low rate. Therefore, Singaporean companies are interested in building their workforce by recruiting from American schools. Plus, there are around 1,500 American companies that are operating in Singapore.”

The fall and spring internships run 13 weeks at a cost of $6,980, and the summer internship program runs 10 weeks at a total cost of $5,750. Students would also participate in one distance-learning course related to the internship experience.

Students can apply for consideration for the funding assistance through UC International Programs’ online student grant application. 

The funding supports student expenses, travel and housing during the Singapore Experience internships over the 2012-13 academic year. The grant is open to renewal from the Freedom Foundation for the following academic year.

Internship application deadlines are Nov. 1 for the pilot group this spring and for summer; March 1 for fall 2013 and June 1 for spring 2014.

Student Information Session Oct. 4
UC undergraduate students who are interested in learning more about the internships can attend an information session co-sponsored by the Division of Professional Practice and Student Government. The open house will be held at 4 p.m., Thursday, Oct. 4, in Room 500 of Swift Hall.

Get More Information and Application Details Online About The Singapore Experience

About the Freeman Foundation

UC was among approximately 60 colleges and universities that were invited to apply for the grants of up to $100,000 annually from a total of $1 million in funding to support paid or unpaid student internships in Asia.

The Freeman Foundation’s major objectives include strengthening the bonds of friendship between the United States and countries of East and Southeast Asia. Through education and educational exchanges, the foundation works to develop a greater appreciation of Asian cultures, histories and economics in the U.S. and a better understanding of the American people and of American institutions and purposes by the peoples of Asia.

What is an Internship?
At UC, an internship is an opportunity for a student to work with a company or organization to gain valuable professional experience. Students take a course to prepare for their experience and earn academic credit while gaining valuable internship experience.