International Internship and Global Studies

The University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee (UWM) has an exciting new offering: a Bachelor's Degree in Global Studies (Global Studies). This innovative and interdisciplinary degree progr am combines theory and practice, and is designed to serve students and employers across Milwaukee and Wisconsin.

The first track being offered in the spring of 2003 will focus on Global Management.  Here, students will explore globalization’s impact on business and the world economy. Along with taking traditional business administration courses like accounting and marketing, students will master a foreign language. In addition, students will be required to spend a semester studying abroad, and to complete an international internship for academic credit.

The Center for International Education at UWM coordinates international internships both for American students abroad (out-bound), and domestic internships for foreign exchange students in Milwau kee (in-bound). Strong cooperation is necessary between UWM and partner institutions overseas, and between UWM and the business community to facilitate the internship experience. Inter-institutional partnership agreements , such as the 62 active agreements UWM holds, function on the principle of reciprocity. Partner schools find internship placements and provide on-going support for student interns from Milwaukee. UWM international education staff is commi tted to affording the same services and opportunities to exchange students completing internships in the Milwaukee area.

Internship candidates are serious and enthusiastic. The hosting firm can expect interns to contribute in a meaningful way, utilizing skills and knowledge gained in the classroom. International interns possess the following quali fications:

• Bilingual language ability
• Junior or senior undergraduate status
• Competence in business administration: microeconomics, statistics, accounting, and marketing
• Base of knowledge on globalization: global studies, world regions, cultural diversity, and international communication

Participating companies benefit from the internship program in a variety of ways:

• Enhancement of import-export
• Strategic planning for international marketing
• Improvement of international visibility
• Development of a workforce trained for global competence

International internships for academic credit must fulfill set requirements and are arranged through the proper channels in compliance with the UW-System Health and Safety Guidelines. 

Structured work activities: interns are assigned short-term activities that contribute to meaningful long-term projects for the firm

Learning activities: interns meet regularly with faculty advisors to integrate the work activities into an academic context (discussions, written assignments, field observation, and a final report)

• Assignments and evaluation: work supervisors assess the student’s professionalism and work-related progress, and faculty advisors assign grades for written work such as an on-going participant observation, a final report/project, and discussions or seminars  

Internship forms:

• Learning contract guidelines
• Evaluation for faculty advisor
• Evaluation for on-site supervisor

For more information please contact:

Maria Pikuleff, Study Abroad Advisor    Kimberly Mitchell, Study Abroad Ad.
E-mail: mariamp@uwm.edu                E-mail: mitchkim@uwm.edu

Overseas Programs and Partnerships
Center for International Education
University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee
P.O. Box 413, Milwaukee, WI 53201
Tel.: 414-229-5182 / Fax: 414-229-4858