Internship Request Letter
Dear Sir/Madam:
We write to ask if your organization might offer an international exchange student at Richland College an unpaid internship for the 2009 spring semester. These students are here as part of a project sponsored by the Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs (ECA) of the U.S. Department of State. They come to Richland College for technical training and cultural exchanges so that they are better able to serve their countries upon their return. Our goal is to train these young people to improve their technical skills, workplace communication, and understanding of the American workplace and to return home with fond memories.
Requirements of the Internship
An internship is a supervised work or service experience in which a student makes a contribution to the organization, has specific learning goals and reflects actively on what she or he is learning throughout the experience. Some organizations have developed very formal internship programs while others seek assistance for a particular scheduled project.
Internships vary in duration, but for this program we expect the students to work for 5 hours per week for 12 weeks. They are not allowed to accept payment, but we do ask for you to help make their internship a truly educational experience. These internships are part of an academic course and evaluated by the faculty. Richland College’s international exchange students are interested in many types of internship opportunities.
What can my organization benefit from sponsoring an intern?
Our students develop people and problem-solving and have academic skills that may be applied to many business settings and organizational opportunities. Students with varied experiences and knowledge offer fresh perspectives, skills, energy and creative ideas to an organization. Internships can be an opportunity to develop potential new employees and to create good public relations within the community.
What is required to support an internship?
- Determine the activities and responsibilities that will be mutually rewarding to the intern and the organization.
- Identify an intern supervisor who is committed to providing the orientation, mentoring, expertise and feedback for the intern.
- Complete the internship request form including; description, dates, application process, and submit it to the International Education Office via e-mail.
- Review the resumes submitted by the students, interview, and make the offer to the intern selected.
- Communicate with the intern throughout the internship, support the learning goals, complete the evaluation forms and return them to the International Education Office.
Thank you for your taking the time to learn about Richland College’s International Exchange Student Internship Program. We will call you to ask if it is possible to set up a meeting at your convenience to talk about the potential internship possibilities
Regards,
Noeli Piccoli Biggs
International Programs & Partnerships Coordinator
noelibiggs@dcccd.edu
Phone: 972.860.5101
Fax: 972.238.6166