Work/Study Abroad

Study Abroad and Internships

Students are strongly encouraged to consider the benefits of studying abroad for one semester, an academic year, or a summer through a variety of Skidmore and other programs. The benefits of living in another culture, using a foreign tongue outside the English-speaking countries, and taking coursework in a foreign university setting are considered vital elements of an international education. Students should speak to their International Affairs faculty advisor for more information, visit the collection of study abroad program materials located in the Off-Campus Study & Exchanges in the first floor of Starbuck.

Study in Washington

The Washington Semester Program offers students with a cumulative GPA of 3.0 or higher the opportunity to spend a semester at American University studying in one of the following programs: American politics, economic policy, foreign policy, international business and trade (DC only), justice, journalism, public law, or transforming communities. Each program has three components: a seminar (worth eight semester hours of 300-level course credit), an internship (worth four semester hours of 300-level course credit) and either a research project or an elective course selected from American University's offerings (worth four semester hours of 300-level course credit). Students can use Washington Semester courses to fulfill major and/or minor requirements with the approval of the chair or program director of the appropriate department or program. See Off-Campus Study & Exchanges (Starbuck Center 202, ext. 5355) for further information about specific programs and application materials.

Internships

Interning in an international affairs-oriented professional office at the local, regional, national, or international level is strongly recommended for students in the international affairs program as a very valuable learning experience. Internships offer students the opportunity to apply classroom knowledge in practical terms and take that practical knowledge back into the classroom in order to achieve a more rounded understanding of international issues and problems. Internships also offer students a springboard to careers or further education in international affairs and provide an important pre-professional dimension to their undergraduate study.

Students may intern in the United States or abroad, during the academic year or summer, through existing accredited programs or through independent initiative, and with or without academic credit. Recent Business majors have interned in international advertising and electronics firms and in business and economics research groups. Recent Government majors have interned in congressional and federal offices, embassies, research think tanks, and nongovernmental international organizations.

At the discretion of the IA student's home department, credit toward the minor for internationally-related internships in the United States or abroad may be earned. International Affairs advisors in the six participating departments are available to guide students interested in internships. Students seeking advising/counseling related to internships, should contact Mike Profita, Director, Career Services, or Donna Marino, Associate Director, Career Services (Starbuck Center 1st Floor, ext. 5790). Students interested in earning academic credit for internships should contact the Dean of Studies Office. (ext. 5720).

Cocurricular Activities

Participation in on- and off-campus cocurricular activities enhances the students' international affairs education and offers opportunities to apply knowledge gained in the classroom to real-world international problems and issues. Students are encouraged to work with SGA-sponsored organizations and clubs in conjunction with academic departments and programs to recruit, fund, and host guest speakers who bring to campus needed expertise in specialized areas of international relations. Through, for example, the International Student Union, American-born students are encouraged to develop close ties with Skidmore's own international students, who bring to campus the benefits of their own rich cultures, societies, and nations. Students are also encouraged to join SGA-clubs with an international focus. Students interested in honing their diplomatic negotiation skills and in being introduced to the major problems and issues in international relations are encouraged to participate in Skidmore's Model United Nations (MUN) Club and Model European Union (MEU) Club.In each simulation, Skidmore students are assigned a member country and prepare to represent the official views of that country on the international issues of the day.

The MUN is an international intercollegiate simulation of the United Nations held in New York City each Spring. Skidmore has sent delegations every year for the past several decades. In Spring 2005 Skidmore students represented Haiti. Professor Professor Kate Graney (GO) and Professor Jordana Dym (HI) are the Faculty Advisors for Model UN.

The MEU is an international intercollegiate simulation of the EU held each Spring in New York State and Europe, alternately. Skidmore is a charter member of this simulation and has sent delegations since 1987. In Spring 2005 Skidmore students represented both Italy and the Luxembourg Presidency of the EU. Professor David Wildermuth (FLL) is the Model EU Faculty Advisor. In January 2006 Skidmore students will travel to the EuroSim Conference in Prague.

Post-Graduate Scholarships for Study Abroad

The International Affairs Program encourages students interested in pursuing their education beyond Skidmore to consider applying for scholarships. Students interested in applying for Fulbright grants should contact Professor Matt Hockenos, and visit the Skidmore Fulbright Home Page. Students interested in applying for scholarships to fund graduate work in International Affairs should contact Barbara Opitz, Office of the Dean of Studies (ext. 5720), who has application materials and information for Rhodes, Marshall, Rotary, and other scholarships.