Global Learning without Travel Virtual Internship Opportunities
Overview
Still hoping to complement your degree program with some international work experience? You still can, without having to leave your home!
The Education Abroad office is working with our international partners to offer virtual global work experience opportunities. These opportunities are available for both undergraduate and graduate students. Virtual internships offer students a chance to get first-hand work experience in their field on a global scale, all from their own chosen location. Benefits include:
- Flexibility to work and study simultaneously
- Virtual experience working in different countries, organizations and economies
- Minimal cost to the intern
- Opportunity to make an important professional global connection
"Overall I had a positive experience. As someone who participated in the program in-person in summer 2019, I think the quality of my internship was essentially the same. I would happily participate in the program again, virtual or in-person. Dr. Daniel Holder, the organizer of the program, did a very good job of converting the program into a virtual format despite the short time frame they had to work with."
- Jenny Le, RWTH Aachen UROP Virtual Intern
Please see below for a list of current partners offering online global work opportunities:
Aga Khan University Virtual Internship Programme
AKU is offering their virtual internship program only to a select group of international partners including UAlberta, UToronto, UBC, Waterloo and Western (in Canada), Brown and UWashington (in the US), and NOVA Lisbon (in Portugal). We invite you to join other interns from this select group of institutions as you contribute knowledge and build skills while working online.
RWTH Aachen Virtual Internships
UAlberta has had great success placing students in internships at RWTH Aachen (both traditional and virtual). While we are still facing travel restrictions, we invite you to explore virtual opportunities that will provide invaluable experience both personally and professionally. Admissions will be done on a rolling basis, so please contact the International Internships Coordinator for more information.
OWL Consortium of Universities
Home to approximately 120,000 companies, the Ostwestfalen-Lippe (OWL) in northwestern Germany is a region with an industrial focus that connects business and science. The collaboration of these companies with the local universities makes OWL an important location for study and research that attracts more than 65,000 students each year.
The OWL consortium consists of Bielefeld University, Paderborn University, the Bielefeld University of Applied Sciences and the OWL University of Applied Sciences and Arts. Like Leeds, OWL is also developing online internship opportunities which should be available starting in the Winter term. Admissions will be done on a rolling basis so please contact the International Internships Coordinator for more information.
Virtual IWE
UAlberta is pleased to offer internship opportunities in France, Germany and Brazil. Given the current travel restrictions, these internships will be online. Our onsite Liaison Officers are available to help you in your internship search and offer a wide range of of services including initial interviews, resume review and contacting potential host organizations. We invite you to review the information on our website. Please note that this experience has a different application process. If you have any questions, please contact the International Internships Coordinator. This could be a great opportunity if you cannot find the opportunity you are looking for with our other partners!
Our In-country liaison can search for a virtual internship opportunity that fits your program of study, interests and experience.
Application deadline: For all other IWE programs, admissions are done on a rolling basis
Global Career Center Internship
The Global Career Center (GCC) partners with educational institutions around the world, host organizations from a wide range of industries, and learners of all ages to connect employability and education through collaborative program development, comprehensive services delivery, and curated experiential education.
Application deadline: 2023 applications are open!
When Can I Go?
Terms Offered: Winter, Fall, SummerDuration: 2 months - 8 months
Eligibility Requirements
Open to: All Faculties (including students completing the Certificate in International Learning)
Level: Undergraduate, Graduate, Graduated
Language: English is required. In some cases, it would be to the applicant's advantage to have some ability in the language of the host country, but this is not required.
Application Process
Step 1 - Applicant emails unofficial transcript, resume and a brief letter of intent to trevor.buckle@ualberta.ca indicating which program you are interested in.
Step 2 - Trevor will screen for basic eligibility and forward documents to partner contact.
Step 3 - Partner contact will review documents and may invite the applicant to Skype or phone conversation to establish expectations (both for the applicant and the supervisor).
Step 4 - If approved, the applicant will be asked to complete the Virtual Internship application in the Horizons portal and pay program fees.
Step 5 - Virtual Intern and supervisor will complete an Internship Work Plan.
Program Contact
Education Abroad ProgramFor more information and how to apply, click here
Funding Opportunities
Students receive on average between $1,200-$1,800 in funding.
Over 70% of students who apply get funding.