Summer 2010

13 weeks (late May to mid-August)

Sponsored by the Colleges of Arts & Letters, Communication Arts and Sciences, Social Science and James Madison College

Arranged through the Office of Study Abroad (OSA)

What's this program about?

This program is designed to engage students in a variety of experiential opportunities that reflect their career interests and provide an academic component to enhance their professional development as well as broaden student understanding of contemporary Irish culture. 

MSU has contracted with an established, well-regarded placement organization to identify student internships. This agency will act as our overseas internship office. Agency professionals will secure full-time internships, set up on-site interviews, make the necessary evaluation visits and will work with the on-site supervisor to oversee the internship for the duration of the placement. Additionally, they will act as the liaison with MSU representatives from James Madison College, the College of Social Science, the College of Arts & Letters, the College of Communication Arts and Sciences, and the Office of Study Abroad.

What kinds of placements are available?

Opportunities are available for unpaid internships in the following areas:

Other areas may also be available for students based on their interests and skills.

Interns may be placed with internationally recognized companies, domestic government agencies, as well as national and European organizations, while experiencing the warmth and individual attention of a small welcoming city.  Because of Ireland’s relatively small population, skilled applicants might find themselves getting a byline in the Sunday Tribune, or working in the marketing department of an internationally recognized brand such as Guinness. 

What can I study?

The program facilitates the integration of experiential opportunities and academic coursework.  Internships are undertaken on a four-day/week basis for 12 weeks.

JAMES MADISON MAJORS

James Madison College students will earn 12 MSU credits for their Field Experience internship through the JMC Field Experience courses (MC 400 and MC 401). All normal academic expectations and requirements of the JMC Field Experience program will pertain. You will work with the Director of Field Experience in compiling your internship application, and will continue contact during and after your internship to ensure timely compliance with the requirements of MC 400 and MC 401. James Madison College majors interested in this program should first meet with Grant Littke, Director of Field Experience, to determine eligibility and placement interests. If qualified, students will be given instructions on completing application materials.

COMMUNICATION ARTS AND SCIENCES MAJORS

Juniors or seniors in the College of Communication Arts and Sciences (CCAS) will earn12 CAS credits as COM 493 and CAS 492, and will complete the normal academic requirements of  the CCAS Internship course. CCAS majors interested in this program should first meet with Dr. Vernon Miller, Program Coordinator in CCAS, to determine eligibility and placement interests. If qualified, students will complete application materials with Dr. Miller.

ARTS & LETTERS MAJORS

Majors in the College of Arts & Letters will earn  twelve MSU credits for their field experience and enroll in AL 493A. All students will be held to the normal internship requirements of the College of Arts & Letters. Arts & Letters majors interested in this program should first meet with Bethany Judge, Program Coordinator in Arts & Letters, to determine eligibility and placement interests. If qualified, students will complete application materials with Bethany Judge.

SOCIAL SCIENCE MAJORS

Juniors or seniors in the College of Social Science will earn 12 MSU credits for their field experience and enroll in SSC 493. All students will be held to the normal internship requirements of the College of Social Science. Social Science majors interested in this program should first meet with Oumatie Marajh, Program Coordinator in Social Science, to determine eligibility and placement interests. If qualified, students will complete application materials with Oumatie Marajh.

OTHER MAJORS

Students majoring in other MSU colleges may contact Oumatie Marajh of the College of Social Sciences or Bethany Judge, College of Arts & Letters, who will provide further direction.

Course prerequisites may apply; see Course Descriptions (on the MSU Website) or program leader for details.

What are the requirements?

Eligibility for enrolling in internship credits and academic requirements of those credits will be determined by the responsible academic unit. 

All applicants will be screened for eligibility, credit, academic seriousness and maturity, and records of behavior with Judicial Affairs.  However, preference will be given to students with a minimum grade point average of 3.0 or higher.  Students who do not meet this requirement may discuss their eligibility with the appropriate internship coordinator. 

Preference will also be given to students of junior standing at the time of application, although students of sophomore or senior status may be considered if all other requirements are met.

Applicants’ participation may be denied or their participation approval may be revoked if their conduct before departure raises doubts as to their suitability for program participation.

Where will I live?

Housing is available in flats (apartments) and does not include meals.  

The flats are located three miles north of city center and students should expect at least a 45-minute commute to their workplaces, each way. Accommodation is in three-, four- or five-bedroom apartments. Each student will have their own bedroom and bathroom but share a kitchen and common living area.

Who can tell me more about this program?

To begin your internship application contact:

Bethany Judge
College of Arts & Letters
200 Linton Hall
Phone: (517) 355-6519

Dr. Vernon Miller
College of Communication Arts and Sciences
564 Communication Arts and Sciences Building
Phone: (517) 355-3280

Grant Littke
James Madison College
329 S. Case Hall
Phone: (517) 353-6757

Oumatie Marajh
College of Social Science
201C Berkey Hall
Phone: (517) 353-9202

For information contact:

Beth Laux
Office of Study Abroad
109 International Center
Phone: (517) 432-2686    

Do I need a passport or visa?

U.S. and non-U.S. citizens need a valid passport both to enter other countries and to return to the United States.  If you already have a passport, make sure it is valid until at least six months after your return date.  If you must apply for or renew a passport, APPLY EARLY, since a minimum of eight to ten weeks is usually required for processing.  During peak travel seasons, more processing time is required.  Passport forms are available at many federal and state courts, probate courts, some county/municipal offices and some post offices.  They can also be downloaded from the Web.

For more information about passports visit the web page.

A visa is official permission granted by the authorities of a country where you will study or travel that allows you to enter and remain in that country for a specific purpose.  The visa itself is frequently a stamp in your passport, not a separate document. You will need a passport before applying for a visa and the passport plus visa process may take several months, so start early.  It is your responsibility to inquire about visa requirements for all countries you plan to visit while abroad; this includes countries that you plan to visit before or after your study abroad program.  If you are not a U.S. citizen, consult the embassy or consulate of the countries you will visit to learn their document requirements.

For more information about visas visit the web page.

If you will be staying in Europe for longer than 90 days, you will need to contact the consulate(s) of your host country(ies) for advice on visas.

Are there special health issues?

As part of your acceptance you will complete a Student Health/Emergency Treatment Authorization. It is your responsibility to ensure that your routine immunizations are up-to-date; inquire whether there are recommended and/or required immunizations or medications for the country/countries you will visit (including any countries you will visit that are not part of the study abroad program’s itinerary); and review educational issues relevant to your personal health and safety.

For further health information and recommendations visit the "Health Issues" section of the Student Handbook.

How much does it cost?

The program fee for summer 2009 was $4,371 and included the following:

Amounts not included in the program fee for which participants will need to budget include:

Excluding tuition and fees*, these additional costs were estimated at $4,050 for 2009.  Students may request a cost sheet which lists both the program fee and an estimate of additional expenses by contacting the Office of Study Abroad at (517) 353-8920.

*Check Student Accounts for current tuition, fees and taxes. MSU students pay the same amount they would pay to study at MSU; non-MSU students pay the Lifelong Education rate.

Approximately two months before the program’s departure date, students will receive an e-bill from the MSU Student Accounts Office for the study abroad program fee.  Students will also be e-billed for tuition and fees, based on the number of credits taken, once they have enrolled in courses.  (Both amounts may be billed at the same time.)

How can I get help to pay for it?

Financial assistance is available to students who make appropriate arrangements with the Office of Study Abroad (OSA) and MSU’s Office of Financial Aid. 

If you are an MSU student and indicate on your application that you plan to use financial aid to pay for your study abroad experience, OSA will forward an estimated cost sheet to the MSU Office of Financial Aid for processing.  This form will include all anticipated costs associated with the program, including airfare.

If you are a non-MSU student, please request financial aid from your home university.  If your university is unable to award you financial aid, contact the MSU Office of Study Abroad to apply for loans only and you will be provided with instructions on how to proceed.

For further information about financial aid, visit the Web page.

Additionally, MSU students applying to any credit-bearing study abroad program are eligible for OSA scholarships.   Some scholarships are based exclusively on academic performance; others are based on a combination of academic performance and financial need.  Requirements are listed in the scholarship application.  The deadlines to apply for these scholarships are February 1st for spring break programs, March 1st for summer, academic year and fall semester programs, and October 15th for winter break and spring semester programs.  

A generous endowment from the MSU Federal Credit Union, as well as additional resources provided through the Forest Akers Endowment, MSU Alumni Association, the Australia-Pacific Council, Eleanor and Charles Greenleaf Sr., Brigitte and Thomas Huff, the Georges Jules Joyaux Memorial Fund, the Kellogg Foundation, Charles and Marjorie Gliozzo, and contributors to the Overseas Study Endowment provide funding for these OSA scholarships.

For even more MSU scholarship opportunities through individual colleges or external scholarship possibilities (including funding for Multicultural students) visit the web page.

How do I apply?

You can apply online or download an application form.

After being admitted to the program by the appropriate MSU college, applicants will also work with their college representatives to complete the application from the placement agency, European Study Abroad (EUSA).  Completed documents should be submitted to the Office of Study Abroad.
                                                                                                       
Applications must be received in the Office of Study Abroad by February 8th for summer programs.  We strongly recommend that you apply early as this program may fill to capacity prior to this deadline.

Selection of applicants is done on a rolling admission basis - that is, applications are accepted and students are evaluated and considered for admission throughout the academic year.  Please remember that applying early and meeting the minimum eligibility requirements does not guarantee admission.

A $100 application fee is required.  Students will receive an e-bill for the application fee that is applied to the cost of the program and is non-refundable once a student has accepted admission into the program.  Students who have accepted admission may also be billed for a non-refundable and non-transferable $200 deposit, also applied to the cost of the program.

Students who wish to withdraw their application are required to notify the Office of Study Abroad, in writing, that they no longer intend to participate.

Acceptance to all programs is based, minimally, on a faculty review of your transcript and a review of the Judicial Affairs Office records (MSU students) or Dean of Students Reference (non-MSU students).

Details about the admissions process, pre-departure information, what to know while you’re abroad, and information about returning home can be found in the Study Abroad Student Handbook that will be sent to you with your acceptance letter.