Florence Academic Internship Program
Coordinator: Prof. Lisa Friend
(lfriend@fairfield.it; cell: 339.7539996)
Introduction
Taking part in an internship program can help to develop professional skills for the working world. Doing so in Italy not only hones one's ability to speak a foreign language, but gives the more motivated student a privileged and up-close look into Italian culture and society.
The Academic Internship Program (AIP) at Fairfield University Florence Program offers unique internship opportunities to students who are interested in combining practical experience in a working environment with an individually constructed academic program which carries credits in a variety of disciplines.
Internships at Fairfield's Florence Program are available for three academic credits only (3 credits = 135 hours circa, approximately 10-11 hours on site per week). Hours per credit include the student's time spent meeting with the faculty supervisor, doing research, writing papers and reports, preparing presentations, etc. In most cases a basic knowledge of Italian is helpful, but in some cases not essential.
Frequently Asked Questions
Application Process
An application form may be downloaded from the link below. When possible, it is advisable that students include a resume and transcript with the application form as well. Students must submit the application to Fairfield University Study Abroad Office in Connecticut, as this provides the coordinator and study abroad office with additional information useful for placement purposes.
Download the Application Form 
Completed applications and resumes may be sent to:
Internship Program, Fairfield University Study Abroad Office
The deadline for submitting applications is July 30 for the fall semester and December 20 for the spring semester. However, it is advisable to submit the application sooner to expedite the placement procedures.
Internship Placements
Professor Friend will contact students via e-mail to arrange a first interview with her. The faculty supervisor and student will then arrange a time to meet with the prospective site supervisor.
Important:
Students should check their e-mails regularly for these and other important notifications. It is preferable to provide an alternative e-mail address as well, and a phone number for contact.
The coordinator will do her best to satisfy student requests based on fields of study and academic objectives. However, first choice placements with specific institutions cannot be guaranteed. It is therefore recommended that the student indicate 3 preferences in case the first choice is not available. If no internship other than the first choice is of interest, that should be stated. If a student is interested in doing an internship with an organization or in a field not included on the current host organization list, s/he should talk to Professor Friend.
All internship placements are subject to a two-week trial period. During this time the site supervisor may withdraw from the agreement. Students generally may not withdraw from an internship. It is important that both parties be assured a good match.
Should a student have difficulties at any time during the application or placement process, Professor Friend must be notified immediately.
Who's Who
Internship Program Coordinator
Dr. Lisa Friend coordinates the academic internship program. She handles all application and acceptance procedures, arranges interviews between the student, and site supervisor and oversees all internship placements with host organizations in general. Professor Friend is available to students and faculty as a constant point of reference throughout the internship. She is responsible for meeting with the student on a regular basis to guide and monitor the student's progress, establishing the criteria upon which the student will be graded and assigning a final grade based on the student's overall performance.
Site Supervisor
The site supervisor guides and monitors the student's work at the host organization. S/he defines a project for the student and provides feedback to the faculty supervisor on his/her progress. The site supervisor submits a written evaluation of the student's work at the end of the semester which is factored into the final grade assigned by the internship coordinator.
Stage 1: Getting Started
An internship involves a certain amount of paperwork which must be completed before the project can get underway. Once a student has been selected for an internship and placed with a host organization, s/he will be given a folder containing the paperwork to be completed:
- Internship Profile
- Letter of Agreement
Important:
All paperwork must be completed and handed in before the internship can start.
Internship Profile
The student, Prof. Friend and site supervisor will meet to define the project to be carried out and complete the student's Internship Profile. At this time it is important to discuss time schedules and other obligations which must be strictly adhered to. The Internship Profile (description and definition of project) can be revised at a later time, if all parties are in agreement (in hard copy format only).
Letter of Agreement
The student will complete a Letter of Agreement (acceptance of grading policy and waiver of liability) to demonstrate that s/he has agreed to the terms and conditions of doing an internship at Fairfd. Florence.
Codice Fiscale (tax number)
The student will brought to the state tax office (on a date and time to be decided together in the first meeting in person with the Academic Internship Coordinator), to fill out a form and receive an Italian tax number. Students cannot do the internship without a tax number.
Stage 2: Moving Forward
Meetings with Academic Internship Coodinator
Throughout the semester the student and Internship Coordinator will meet regularly (typically every two weeks) to discuss the intern's progress and other matters. It is the student's responsibility to contact Lisa Friend (via e-mail or phone) to set up appointments and communicate any difficulties s/he may be experiencing with the internship. Prof. Friend will also call the student regularly.
Midterm Report
Halfway through the semester the internship program coordinator will contact the student intern and site supervisor to ask how things are going. Feedback from the student at this time is essential. In any case, students should always feel free to contact the internship coordinator at any stage in the internship to discuss problems or concerns.
Stage 3: Completing the Internship
Assignments and Final Projects
Interns must complete all assigned work by the last day of classes. This includes not only work being carried out on site, but any written journals, papers or reports assigned by Prof. Friend. Failure to submit assignments or final projects will result in an incomplete or failing grade.
Site Supervisor's Evaluation of Student Intern
At the end of the semester, the site supervisor will submit an evaluation of the student's work to the Internship Coordinator. This evaluation will be factored into the student's final grade for the internship.
Student's Evaluation of Internship
The student intern will also be asked to evaluate during the last meeting with the Internship Coordinator his/her internship, the host organization and the internship program in general. This feedback is essential in order to evaluate which internships work well, which could be improved and which, if any, should be discontinued.
Final Grade
The Internship Coordinator will submit a final grade based on: a) the quality of the work carried out on site; b) the degree of maturity and responsibility demonstrated throughout the internship; c) the student's ability to respect time schedules, appointments and deadlines; d) the site supervisor's evaluation of the student's performance and log; and e) the final paper and/or project submitted to the Internship Coordinator at the end of the semester.
Host Organization and Internship Descriptions
For a complete list of Host Organization and Internship Descriptions, click here. |
