International Work Experience (IWE)
Location: Various, Europe
Type of Internship: Industry and Research
Paid or Unpaid: Both
Level: Undergraduate, Graduate, Recent Graduates
Faculties: All
Program Overview
International Work Experience (IWE) internships help students achieve personal and professional growth and gain a competitive advantage in the global workforce by:
- Matching students to internship experiences offering rich opportunities for growth in a wide range of fields
- Placing students based on aspirations, skills, program of study and experience
The Education Abroad office works closely with in-country liaison officers who will be able to provide support in a number of areas. These may include:
- Conducting an initial interview with the student
- Resume review
- Contacting potential internship hosts/sourcing the placements
- Facilitating interviews
- Pre-departure preparation for the students (including general country advice and more specific things like differences in workplace etiquette and expectations)
- Housing assistance
- Advice and assistance with visas and work permits
- Risk management monitoring while students are in-country (including any required liaison updates to the Office of Emergency Management and the Risk Management Team in UAI)
- Site visits with both the intern and host
When Can I Go?
Terms Offered: Winter, Fall, Summer
Duration: 2 months - 1 year
Eligibility Requirements
Language: English is required. In some cases, it would be to the applicant's advantage to have some ability in the language of the host country, but this is not required.
See Eligibility
Application Deadlines + Instructions
Deadlines: Recommended 4-5 months minimum prior to intended work term
Instructions:
Step 1: Applicant submits unofficial transcript, resume and a brief letter of intent to HORIZONS. In your letter, please describe the type of internship role/experience you are looking for and suggest 3-5 companies in Europe that are interesting to you.
Step 2: Our staff will screen for basic eligibility and forward documents to in-country liaison.
Step 3: In-country liaison will review documents and invite applicant to virtual conversation to establish expectations (both for the applicant and the liaison).
Step 4: If approved, applicant will be asked to pay program fees ($750).
Step 5: Once program fees are paid, the in-country liaison and student will begin searching for an internship placement.
Fees + Costs
One-time fee of $750. This fee covers the services provided by the in-country liaison as well as program administration at the University of Alberta, and it will be charged once you have preliminary approval from the in-country liaison.
NOTE: The program fees are only refundable in the case that the in-country liaison is unable to find any suitable (as collaboratively defined and agreed to in Step 3 of the application process above) position within 3 months of having paid the fee.
Students are encouraged to apply for funding even if they do not have a confirmed internship to avoid missing important deadlines.
Program Information + Contact
For all questions, email goabroad@ualberta.ca or connect with the International Outbound Internships Coordinator through in-person or virtual advising.
Funding Opportunities
Students receive on average between $1,400-$2,000 in funding.
Over 80% of students who apply get funding.