Undergraduate Internships

Internship forms

University Resources

Texas State > College of Liberal Arts > Center for International Studies > Internships > Graduate and Undergraduate Internships

Graduate and Undergraduate Internships

The Center for International Studies offers its undergraduate and graduate majors the opportunity to complete an internship. The undergraduate international studies internships (IS 4387 and 4687) are open to all majors and minors in international studies who have completed a minimum of 60 semester hours of coursework while maintaining a Texas State GPA of 3.00 or higher. IS 4687 is six credit hour course that requires a minimum of 300 hours of work at the internship site. IS 4387 is a three credit hour course that requires a minimum of 150 hours of work at the internship site. Both courses require a daily internship work log, journal, an organizational research paper (required length is ten pages for IS 4387 and 16 pages for IS 4687; see internship guidelines for formatting instructions), and an evaluation by the internship supervisor. With the exception of those majoring in international studies with a focus in travel and tourism, the internship is not required. However, in most cases, the course can fulfill a requirement within the IS core or focus, allowing students to take advantage of this opportunity without having to take on extra coursework. Enrollment in an internship course requires approval by the international studies academic advisor.

The graduate international studies internship (IS 5387) is open to any student who is currently enrolled at Texas State University–San Marcos in the M.A. in International Studies Program with a minimum Texas State GPA of 3.2 and at least 18 hours of graduate coursework completed by the time the internship begins. This three-hour course requires a minimum of 150 hours at the internship site, one 25-page research paper, and will be counted as one of the five required electives in the degree. Although IS 5387 is not a required course, it is highly recommended.

Internship Forms

To access all forms paperwork regarding internships, please click here. These forms are necessary to obtain course credit for your internship. Please consult your advisor with any questions or concerns regarding the paperwork process.

Internship Opportunities in Texas:

Association of International Development and Exchange-Aide (Austin)

AIDE is a nonprofit organization whose mission is to develop programs and services for people who would bring positive change in their communities in the U.S. and abroad, and to enhance international understanding. They offer a semester long unpaid International Recruitment Coordinator internship. The intern's chief responsibilities are helping students and people volunteer, intern, teach and work abroad. For more information and to learn how to apply contact Vanessa Noel,Associate Director at (512).904.1121. You can also visit their website at: aideabroad.org/

Austin Inter-religious Ministries

AIMM offers a Refugee School that holds ESL classes for legally documented adult refugees. Annually, AAIM serves over 300 refugees of diverse ethnic and religious backgrounds, thus far from 25 different nations. AAIM hires one unpaid intern per semester who help with the Refugee School. The interns work to equip refugees with basic survival English skills as well as provide them with cultural and social information that will assist them in assimilating into their new environment. For more information and to learn how to apply contact Lubna Zeidan, Refugee Program Coordinator at (512) 386-9145 (Ext: 12) or at luz@aaimaustin.org.

Barbados Consulate General (Houston)

The Consulate General in Houston is one of the official representatives of Barbados in the United States. The Barbados Consulate assists and protects citizens of Barbados, facilitates trade and friendship between Barbados and the United States, and assists with bureaucratic issues to citizens of Barbados as well as to Americans traveling to Barbados. For more information and to find out about the application process contact Dr. Louis Browne at (832) 725-5566 or lbrowne@brownetc.com, or you can also visit the website: www.barbadoshouston.com/office-of-the-consulate.html

Caritas (Austin)

Caritas is a nonprofit organization that provides assistance to refugees and asylees with one-on-one acculturation activities. Caritas offers unpaid semester long internships. Interns with Caritas act as Assistant Case Managers and their responsibilities are assisting with casework for family-based petitions, adjustment of status and naturalization applications to be filed with Citizenship and Immigration Services, and assisting the Case Manager in overseeing Violence Against Women Act self-petitions and U visas for victims of violence and trafficking. For more information and to learn how to apply contact Nancy Ellis at (512) 646-1283 or nellis@caritasofaustin.org.

Center for Survivors of Torture (Austin and Dallas)

CST aids specifically in facilitating the psychological and emotional healing process for refugee and immigrant survivors of torture and war trauma by providing them with free culturally appropriate mental health services, advocacy, and community education. CST offers an unpaid semester long internship for students who help directly with clients. For more information or to learn about the application process, contact their offices at (512) 358-4612 for Austin and (214) 827-2314 for Dallas.

City of San Antonio International Relations Office

The City of San Antonio International Affairs Department has helped establish San Antonio's global presence through trade and foreign direct investment. They offer students an unpaid semester long internship position in the field of foreign affairs. Interns help administer and coordinate activities that promote international trade and cultural programs by promoting San Antonio's targeted industries abroad. For more information and to learn how to apply contact Raul Rodriguez at (210) 207-8100 or raul.rodriguez@sanantonio.gov.

Cultural Awareness International (Dallas)

Cultural Awareness International, Inc. is a Dallas based multicultural and multinational consulting firm with over 20 years experience in intercultural training, relocation, and human resources. They offer a semester long unpaid internship. Interns responsibilities include: assisting both the intercultural and relocation departments with project coordination; research on various cities and countries worldwide including culture specifics; and assisting with cross cultural program development. Interested persons should email their resumes to dmontana@culturalawareness.com. You can also call at (214)691-4113 or visit the website at: www.culturalawareness.com/

Dallas Committee on Foreign Relations

The DCFR is a nonpartisan nonprofit organization that provides a forum for leaders from business, government and academia to meet in private discussions with policy-makers, analysts, and diplomats from the United States and around the world, on topics of mutual interest in foreign policy and international affairs. The Committee does not engage in public discussions, believing the most productive discussions are conducted off the record and in private.

The DCFR offers a semester long unpaid internship, and students work closely in international affairs. For more information and to learn how to apply contact Maya Lechowick at (214) 750-1271, dcfr@dallascfr.org or visit the website at: www.dallascfr.org

El Mundo (Austin)

El Mundo is a Spanish newspaper that is based in Austin and is distributed throughout Central Texas. It is weekly newspaper that deals with community issues. The position is open to bilingual students who have an interest in how the Hispanic market works. The intern will scoop community stories and news. It is a semester long and is unpaid, but students will be reimbursed for any incurred expenses such as gas. Interested students should email their resume and a letter of intent to Angela Angulo at angela@elmundonewspaper.com or Jose Gabriel Bruzon at jg@elmundonewspaper.com

GlobalAustin

GlobalAustin is a nonprofit organization that offers a broad array of intercultural services for international students and visitors to Central Texas. They actively promote the idea of Citizen Diplomacy. GlobalAustin is involved in both the private and public sectors, working especially with students, government representatives, and corporations with firm international links. They provide a semester long unpaid internship that works closely with international visitors and the U.S. Department of State. For more information about the internship and to learn how to apply contact Margie Kidd at (512) 215-0140 pr Pamela-Jean Mohamed at (512)-215-0146 or visit their website at www.globalaustin.org. Email questions to globalaustined@aol.com!

Immigration Legal Services Program/ Catholic Charities of Central Austin

The CCCA provides immigration legal services as a way to reunite families and promote self-sufficiency for immigrants through low-free legal assistance in immigration matters before the United States Citizenship and Immigration Services. Interns are unpaid and serve for a semester as Assistant Case Managers. Intern's tasks include aiding U.S. Citizens, Lawful Permanent Residents, and immigrants with family reunification applications for lawful permanent residency, adjustment of status, and naturalization, and special assistance to immigrant survivors of domestic violence and other violent crimes. For more information and to find out how to apply contact their office at (512) 651-6100.

Intelligence and Counter Terrorism Division/ Texas Department of Public Safety (Austin)

The Intelligence and Counterterrorism Division of the Texas Department of Public Safety plays a leading role in combating terrorism and organized crime by utilizing intelligence analysis. Often times, suspected terrorist groups or individuals are not American citizens and travel abroad for terrorist training. The ICT Division works closely with many international organizations to gather valuable intelligence on suspected persons or groups that pose a potential threat to peace and security.

The ICT Division Intern Program is unpaid and a semester long, although, students are encouraged to stay longer with the division if they desire. Interns learn traditional forms of raw data assimilation and research, synergy with joint inter-agency partnerships and operations, criminal profiling, security programs, and general case support to aid in the work of the ICT Division. For further information please visit the ICT website: www.txdps.state.tx.us/IntelligenceCounterTerrorism/

Interfaith Ministries for Greater Houston

IM is a voluntary resettlement agency that helps to acculturate more than 500 refugees each year. IM provides housing, food, ESL, job placement and training, health assessments and processing. IM offers one unpaid Refugee Services Internship during the summer. The intern assists caseworks and Refugee Services staff with providing services to newly arrived refugees. For more information visit their website at www.imgh.org/careers.

Internship Opportunities in Spain and Latin America

1. Full- or part-time internships (Fall, Spring, or Summer) through one of the many campuses of Monterrey Tec, which are located throughout Mexico. Positions are available in different fields, including business, law, political policy, sustainable development, the fine arts, among many others. Contact person: Mr. Jorge Coronel (jcoronel@itesm.mx)

2. The U.S. Department of State offers summer- or semester-long internships in American Embassies throughout Latin America and in Spain. Financial Aid is available. For additional information, click on “students,” then “programs,” then “student internships” at http://www.careers.state.gov

3. Full- or part-time internships in Madrid, Spain through European Study Abroad. Industry sectors include: business and industry, the arts, heath care, education, marketing services, political policy, and media. www.eusa-edu.com/

International Rescue Committee (Dallas)

The IRC is a global leader in emergency relief, rehabilitation, protection of human rights, post-conflict development, resettlement services and advocacy or those uprooted or affected by violent conflict and oppression. IRC Dallas assists local refugees by helping them rebuild their lives, restore their sense of dignity, and fully participate in their new communities by providing compassionate support, resources, and programs tailored to their unique needs.

The IRC offers a Resettlement Intern position that is unpaid a semester long. Interns work with newly arrived refugees, learn about their cultures, assist casework staff with reception services to clients such as setting up new apartments, assist clients with applications, teach clients how to cash checks and use public transportation, assist clients with medical appointments, grocery shopping ad school, and handle logistics and transportation to their assigned refugees.

The IRC also offers one Immigrant Intern position each semester that is unpaid. Immigrant Interns assist refugees, asylees, and victims of human trafficking with their applications to the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services. For more information or to learn how to apply visit their website: www.theirc.org/careers.

International Trade Center in San Antonio

The ITC is a development and trade organization that provides businesses with technical trade consulting services, market research and training programs. The ITC supplies data and support to Texas companies, helping them enter new market, create more efficient supply chains and become and globally competitive.

The ITC offers an internship in San Antonio for bilingual graduate students with a passion for international trade and a global mindset. They require a two consecutive semester commitment. The intern works with experienced consultants in gathering and analyzing international market research. For more information and to learn how to apply contact Janette Torres at (210) 458-2470 or visit their website: texastrade.org/

Institute of International Education (Houston, New York, and Washington D.C)

IIE is among the world’s largest and most experienced international education and training organizations. This organization is committed to delivering programs and services of excellent quality to a diverse range of participants, sponsors and donors.

"Founded in 1919, the Institute of International Education (IIE) is a private nonprofit leader in the international exchange of people and ideas. In collaboration with governments, foundations and other sponsors, IIE creates programs of study and training for students, educators and professionals from all sectors. These programs include the flagship Fulbright Program and Gilman Scholarships administered for the U.S. Department of State. IIE also conducts policy research, provides resources on international exchange opportunities and offers support to scholars in danger."

If you are interested in interning at the Institute of International Education, please contact the appropriate office below. Please note that internships at IIE are posted as divisions request them. All internships are unpaid. Eligibility for an internship is based on the following criteria:

Currently enrolled in an accredited institution
Receiving credit for the internship, or an internship is a requirement of the academic program.

For further information visit the IIE website: http://www.iie.org/en/Careers

Lone Star Chapter/ The Sierra Club (Austin)

The Sierra Club is the oldest and largest grassroots environmental organization in the United States. The Lone Star Chapter is particularly involved in international issues such as preventing the building of border walls because they are environmentally and economically disruptive to natural wildlife areas. They offer a semester long unpaid internship. For more information and to learn how to apply contact their office at (512) 447-1729 or email a resume to lonestar.chapter@sierraclub.org. You can also visit the website at: www.texas.sierraclub.org/contact.asp

Mexican Consulate General (Houston)

The Consulate General in Austin is one of the official representatives of Mexico in the United States. The Mexican Consulate assists and protects citizens of Mexico, facilitates trade and friendship between Mexico and the United States, and assists with bureaucratic issues to Mexican citizens as well as to Americans traveling to Mexico. The Mexican Consulate General in Austin offers an unpaid semester long internship. For more information or to find out how to apply please call at (512) 478-2866 (Ext: 100), or visit their website: www.sre.gob.mx/austin/

National Hispanic Institute (Maxwell, Texas)

The National Hispanic Institute offers the John F. Lopez, Jr. Research and Management Internship for university students who want to learn more about leadership in the Latino community. The interns focus on the Latino communities in the United States, Panama, Mexico, the Dominican Republic, Argentina, and Puerto Rico.

The internship is a ten-week summer program at their headquarters in Maxwell, Texas. Interns become directly involved in program management as well as collaborating in large scale research endeavors that seek to explore the organizational readiness of the Latino community through much of Latin America. For more information about the internship and to learn how to apply contact the Advancement Office at the National Hispanic Institute (512) 357-6137 (Ext: 206) or email Zach Gonzales at zgonzalez@nhimail.com.

Office of the Governor of Texas

The Office of the Governor of Texas offers both unpaid and paid semester long internship positions. Interns with the Office of the Governor work on a wide range of Texas-Mexico border issues. For more information visit their website: governor.state.tx.us/employment/fellowships/.

Rainforest Partnership (Austin)

Rainforest Partnership is an international non-profit organization committed to protecting tropical rainforests. We partner with communities in South America to develop sustainable economic alternatives to deforestation, making it more valuable for them to keep their forests standing. Rainforest Partnership is a five-year old organization based in Austin, Texas currently working in Ecuador and Peru. For more information and to learn how to apply contact Jesyca Barde, volunteer coordinator, at (512) 420-0101 or jesyca@rainforestpartnership.org. You can also visit the webiste: www.rainforestpartnership.org

Refugee Services of Texas, Inc. (Austin and Dallas)

RST is a nonprofit organization that helps serve newly arrived refugees and asylees, and provides education and training around issues of human trafficking. RST works with the U.S. Department of State to provide clients with case management, job training, cultural orientation, and mental health counseling, if needed, and links them to resources for other basic needs.

RST's offices in Austin and Dallas offer unpaid internships each semester. Internship duties include one-on-one client interaction, assistance with cultural orientation, job development, and community integration, as well as administrative support in running a nonprofit social organization. For more information or to learn more about the application process in Austin, contact Kelly Jones (512) 472-9472 or kellyjones.vst@gmail.com. Students who are interested in an internship in Dallas should send and email with a letter of interest and a resume to rst-compliance@sbcglobal.net (Attn: Cindy Herrman) or contact their office at (214) 821-4422. Please feel free to visit the website: www.refugeeservicesoftexas.org/

STRATFOR (Austin)

STRATFOR is a global intelligence company that offers its clients and the public strategic intelligence, tactical intelligence, custom intelligence, written and multimedia analysis, corporate security analysis, and geopolitics. They use intelligence and analysis based on geopolitics to develop explanations of world events.

STRATFOR offers a semester long Global Affairs/Intelligence Analysis internship in Austin. Interns work directly with analysts to support the production of analyses published on their website, and also contribute to intelligence gathering efforts. During their internship program, interns divide their time between two Areas of Responsibility, which include Eurasia, East Asia, Latin America, Middle East/South America, Sub Saharan Africa, Military and Terrorism/Security. The internship is unpaid, but travel and cost-of-living stipends are available. For more information and to learn how to apply visit their website: www.stratfor.com/careers.

Texas Commission on Environmental Quality (Austin)

The TCEQ strives to protect human and natural resources consistent with sustainable economic development in Texas. One main focus of the TCEQ is environmental quality along the U.S.-Mexican Border, especially with respect to water rights. They offer a semester long international internship for students attending a Texas university full-time. The intern works for the Border Affairs Manager. For more information and to learn how to apply contact Juanita Baldwin at juanita.baldwin@tceq.texas.gov or visit their website: www.tceq.state.tx.us/admin_folder/employ/internship/index.html.

Texas Department of Agriculture (Austin)

The TDA has the important position of advocating for policies at the federal, state, and local level that are beneficial to the $106 billion agriculture sector, which comprises 10 percent of the Texas economy. The TDA aids with consumer protection, economic development, healthy living, and controls production agriculture.

The TDA offers both paid and unpaid intern positions throughout the year. Interns must be currently enrolled in a college or university and have completed at least 15 hours in courses that pertain to the internship program of interest. The TDA offers an internship in International Marketing that pays $8-$9 an hour, paying more for bilingual students. For more information or to find out about the application process contact Amy Ellis at (512) 463-5197.

Texas Secretary Of State (Austin)

While the Secretary of State mostly focuses on domestic issues, one of the functions is to serve as the Governor's liaison for Texas Border and Mexican Affairs. The Texas Secretary of State offers an internship program that gives students the opportunity to experience state government first hand. Students work at the Capitol and those with an interest in international studies work closely on Texas-Mexico border issues. For more information and to learn how to apply visit their website: www.sos.state.tx.us/about/jobs/index.shtml

Univision (Austin)

Univision is the largest Spanish-language television network in the United States. The internship position is unpaid and is a semester long. It is available to bilingual students that want to work with international communications and journalism. The intern's primary focus is researching Latin American stories and news. Interested persons should email their resume and a letter of intent to imartinez@univision.net.

U.S Export Assistance Center/ U.S Department of Commerce (San Antonio, Austin, Houston)

The U.S. Export Assistance Centers aid American businesses, with the help of the government, plan their international sales strategies in order for local businesses to succeed in the global marketplace. American exporters are advised on international sales and marketing, international finance, international logistics, and license and trade regulations. The U.S. Export Assistance Center offers unpaid semester long internships in San Antonio, Austin and Houston. The majority of the internship consists of assisting with international related market research and updating databases. Information on internships in either Austin, San Antonio or Houston can be found through their website: www.export.gov.

World Affairs Council of San Antonio

World Affairs Council of Greater Dallas/ Fort Worth

The World Affairs Council is presently the largest nonprofit organization in America that is dedicated to engaging as many citizens as possible in international affairs and seeks to involve them in an exchange of ideas, knowledge and understanding of global issues. The World Affairs Council of Greater Dallas/Fort Worth offers nine unpaid semester long internships each semester: International Visitor Program Internship; International Education Program Internship; Membership Internship; Protocol Internship; Marketing and Communications Internship; New Media Internship; Programs Internship; Web Development Internship; and the Video Production Internship. All of the internships give students an opportunity to work with international issues. For more information and to learn how to apply visit their website: www.dfwworld.org/Page.aspx?pid=285.

Misc Opportunities

Current Internship Positions:

1) NY/ Web Content Internship & 2) IIE Europe Internship

New York: HR-NY@iie.org

Washington, DC: HR-DC@iie.org

CIES, Washington, DC: CIES-HR@iie.org

Houston: HRhouston@iie.org

College of Liberal Arts

Center for International Studies