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France: Paris Summer Internship - Internships

Internship Overview

EUSA Intern at the Alliance Française

The program consists of a three-credit internship experience, accompanied by reflective coursework activities. Internship opportunities spanning a wide variety of industry sectors in Paris are available to AU students. EUSA makes appropriate internship placements based on the skills, interests and professional goals of the student and the project needs of the sponsoring internship organization. Students work full-time, Monday through Friday, 35 hours per week at the Internship placement.

Internship components include:

• Individual placement interview between EUSA staff and each accepted student, to take place on the American University campus prior to the student's departure to Paris
• Group orientation on-site in Paris
• Placement of student in a professional practice internship
• Mid-term review between each student and a member of the internship team to assess quality and progress achieved at the internship
• Student and supervisor written evaluations

Internship Placement Process

The EUSA staff interview all participating students on the American University campus before the start of the program. During the placement interview, each student's goals and expectations are discussed and advice is given on resume preparation.

The EUSA staff will work closely with each student prior to the start of the program to identify the best possible placement opportunity. EUSA will provide job descriptions, previous students' evaluations and web-site addresses of potential sponsors to enable students to research, prepare and to obtain American University faculty approval for appropriate credit for the internship placement.

Confirmation interviews/ Placement follow-up

Students will take part in their confirmation interviews with their internship sponsor shortly after arriving in Paris. EUSA staff will provide coaching in interview techniques and French business etiquette. In the event of an unsatisfactory interview, a new placement will be made available for the student.

Advising/Office hours

While students are participating in their internships, EUSA staff will be available for after-work consultations, either by appointment or by regular office hours, to discuss any problems or concerns arising from the workplace experience and advise students on how to deal with these issues. Members of the internship team will also visit many of the students at work during the course of the program.

Mid-term reviews

Each student will have a mandatory mid-term review with a member of the internship team to assess progress achieved at the workplace.

Final evaluations

Each sponsor will evaluate individual student performance during the period of the placement and, during the final days of the internship, the EUSA internship team will obtain these written evaluations from each internship sponsor and provide copies to the appropriate American University faculty member to be considered for part of the academic assessment.