UMW in France | Internships

UMW in France | Internships

Take advantage of your summer and experience the working environment in Aix-en-Provence, France through IAU College’s Summer Internship Program.  Aimed towards students interested in a high-impact introduction to the business industry in a French context, this program offers professional skill development and focuses on students interested in areas such as:

• Communications
• Education
• Event Planning
• Human Resources
• Law
• Library Science
• Marketing
• Museum Science
• Research
• Accounting
• Theatre
• Tourism
• Web Design
• Translation
• Social Media

Accommodations

Students have the option of staying with a host family or in student residences while in Aix.  Students staying with a host family receive daily breakfast and six dinners per week. Students staying in student residence halls, usually double occupancy, share communal spaces such as a kitchen and common room and are responsible for their own meals and food preparation.  Both options have access to WiFi and linens are provided.

Visit IAU’s Housing website for additional information.

Housing Costs (paid directly to IAU):

• 8-week program: $3,035

Coursework

Students will earn 6 transfer credits for the 8-week internship program.  Placements will depend upon availability, and both the candidate’s statement of intention and academic background will be taken into consideration. Guarantees cannot be made for students to be placed in their preferred professional area as companies have the final say in terms of selection.  There are two internship models:

1. Full-time Internship (6 credits)
2. Part-time Internship (3 credits) + IAU Summer Course (3 credits)

If students opt for one of the following IAU Summer Courses, there are additional fees due with the final balance (paid directly to IAU):

• Marchutz Core Art Program Fee: $405
• Studio Art Course (if not already enrolled in Marchutz Core Art Program): $315
• Wine Studies, Food, or Photography Course: $150

This course can satisfy the Beyond the Classroom or Diverse and Global Perspectives general education requirement by contract with the Faculty Director.

Requirements & Prerequisites

This program is open to students from all majors. Students must maintain a minimum 2.5 GPA in order to participate and have completed at least one year of college before application. There is no French language requirement, however, students with some background in French language study will have more opportunities available to them. As per UMW credit transfer policies, a grade of C or above is required for courses taught abroad to transfer back to UMW.

Students work with the IAU Internship Coordinator to prepare a resume in French to practice interviewing standards and techniques, and to prepare for placement in a French enterprise. Pre-interviews for these positions will be conducted within the first week of the semester. Due to the careful placement process, students are expected to complete their internship without interruption.

Application Process

1. First, register with CIE through the “register now” link on the right-hand side of this page. Please select the “UMW in France, IAU College” option in the registration portal.
2. Students will then need to create a “MyIAU” account and apply to the IAU College internship program. Internship program applications due March 1, 2024.
3. Students should prepare to provide a C.V. (similar to a resume) and a placement request as part of the application process.
4. Students will work directly with IAU staff and participate in a virtual pre-interview before their arrival in France. This interview serves to prepare them for their in-country interview once on-site. Students prepare a cover letter in French for their internship placement.
5. Students arrive in country and finalize preparations for their interview with their internship host.
6. Students complete an interview with the internship organization to confirm placement.

Additional details regarding IAU Application process and details found here.

Payment

For this program, a deposit is due to the Center for International Education (CIE) to cover Faculty Director expenses (students on the internship program are considered part of the summer UMW Faculty-led program and will benefit from the additional excursions arranged for UMW students), and the required Education Abroad Fee. IAU College will invoice students directly based on their program, course, and housing selections. 

See the program fees and payment due dates in the right column. Use the Make a Payment button below to pay your deposit and regular program payment. Use the Special Payment option to pay a special amount (such as additional insurance or payment in a different amount as a result of a scholarship award).

Online payees have the choice of either credit card or eCheck (ACH) payment. ACH transactions will be charged a flat fee of $0.50 per transaction. All credit card payments will incur a 2.85% service fee. For credit card payments, a minimum convenience fee of $3.00 will be applied to transactions over $20.00 and under $106.00.

Payments can also be made in-person via cash or check (made out to “UMW”) at the UMW Cashiers Office located on the second floor of Lee Hall. No fees apply with this payment method.