A unique collaboration among Clemson University’s Center for Career and Professional Development, the College of Business and the Office of Global Engagement has afforded 22 students the opportunity to study abroad this summer through Clemson’s International Internship Program.

Partnering with Academic Programs International, Clemson is able to provide valuable work and cultural experience to students from May 30 through July 29 in one of four destinations: Sydney, Australia; Dublin, Ireland; Barcelona, Spain; and Santiago, Chile.

Leah Hughes, who leads the program for the College of Business, said students increase their value to potential employers because of the experience and competencies gained from international internships.

“Rather than just saying that they enjoyed their time overseas, students participating in the program are able to cite specific examples of how they learned to adapt, demonstrated effective communication skills, developed a greater sense of self-awareness and increased their professional competence,” she said.

Students enrolled in INT 3010 receive three credit hours for completing the online course, which bookends the time abroad with two weeks of pre-departure activities and two weeks of reflections on the impact of cultural discoveries.

The program began in 2016 with meaningful input from all three collaborators, according to CCPD’s chief solutions officer, Troy Nunamaker.

“The CCPD has a three-credit international internship course framework; the College of Business has a large number of students interested in interning overseas; and Global Engagement provides the conduit for applications, enrollment and tuition collection,” he said. “This is truly a unique partnership that provides wonderful opportunities for our students.”

Hughes and Nunamaker recently led a session at the Cooperative Education and Internship Association conference in Charleston. Their presentation, “Expanding International Internship Opportunities,” provided attendees from across the country insight into the course curriculum development process, pros and cons of a third-party international programs provider and overall program takeaways.