BGSU adding new global internships in Hong Kong and Melbourne

Bowling Green State University is expanding students’ opportunities to enrich their lives and their career possibilities with international internships. The University is adding Hong Kong and Melbourne, Australia, as two new sites for BGSU students to engage in internships abroad, starting summer 2019. These locations join BGSU’s current global internships in Madrid and Alcalá, Spain, London, and Lisbon, Portugal.

Working with an established partner in Hong Kong and Melbourne, BGSU’s Office of International Programs and Partnerships, in cooperation with the Career Center, will offer internships with companies and nongovernmental organizations across several fields. Students will identify the areas associated with their major that they want to explore and BGSU’s local partner will suggest placements that will allow them to practice their skills. Due to visa restrictions, these are not paid internship experiences. Students are not expected to speak a foreign language to apply.

While interning in Hong Kong or Melbourne, students will share apartments with other interns from the U.S. and other countries in designated buildings in residential areas with easy commuting access to their internship placements. BGSU’s partner provides around-the-clock local support, an orientation to better acquaint interns with their new professional environment, and social events to strengthen the students’ connection to the local culture. 

“Not only do internships like these help students make professional connections in an international setting, they also enhance their resumes and help them stand out with potential employers,” said Dr. Marcia Salazar-Valentine, International Programs and Partnerships executive director. “BGSU is always seeking opportunities to enhance students’ life skills and enable them to thrive in a variety of settings, and Melbourne and Hong Kong will provide rewarding cultural experiences.”

The new internships are offered for variable credit hours depending on the students’ needs and are officially listed on their BGSU transcripts. In addition to the credit hour tuition fees, the cost of the internships ranges from $5,000 to $8,500 depending on the length of the program (four to 12 weeks). To make this a seamless registration process for students, all costs are included in their bursar bill.

BGSU is also working with partners to expand student internship opportunities in Shanghai, Tokyo and Toronto. To learn more about BGSU’s Global Internships, students may contact International Programs and Partnerships’ Education Abroad division at edabroad@bgsu.edu or 419-372-0479.