For Students Participating in Summer or J-Term Projects Abroad

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Remember that Mount Holyoke does not directly award credit for internships or summer research. You may, however, register for an independent study (295 or 395) in the semester you return, and thereby receive credit for academic work based on your work experience or research abroad. If you wish to do this, find out what the requirements and procedures in your major department are before you confirm your plans.

The offices that support international research or internships each disburse funds differently. Most likely, you will be required to sign a form or contract before they can authorize your check, so be sure to find out what the procedure for your award is, and when you can expect to receive your check. If you will be off campus at the time of disbursal, leave detailed mailing instructions with the appropriate office so that your check will get to you in time. Remember that award money may be taxable; for details, see the “Money Matters” section.

As an intern or researcher abroad, you will be entering into a foreign professional world, where you will represent- and be a part- of much more than just yourself and your individual experience. Non-verbal communication through dress and behavior is an important part of how you represent yourself and the College. You will need to make a conscious effort to learn about your host country’s professional culture, and be aware of what non-verbal message you may be sending. Find out what kind of dress is appropriate for your workplace before you get there, and prepare accordingly. Once you arrive, continue to observe how people interact and address each other at work. Don’t hesitate to ask for feedback from your supervisor.

If you are fortunate enough to find affordable or free housing at the home of an alumna or a local family, be careful to respect them, their culture, their family, and their space. Sharing living space is a very generous gift, and even if you are asked for some kind of contribution in exchange for housing, keep in mind that you are in someone’s private residence, and not in a rented apartment. Find out what is and is not acceptable to them before you arrive, and observe subtleties once you arrive. A Housing Questionnaire is available on-line to help prevent misunderstandings. You can forward this link to your hosts, and request their response from Jale Okay.

Even though you may only have been away for three weeks or three months, the “re-entry shock” that affects many students who go abroad for a semester or year can still be a real issue for you. Returning to the routines and stresses of a college semester after your exciting and dynamic experiences abroad can be very challenging. Look for opportunities to incorporate what you learned abroad into your life on campus, so that you can cultivate your new knowledge. Write about your thoughts and experiences from your perspective as a returned student (if you are interested in publishing them, see the third bullet in the “Returning to Mount Holyoke” section); join a cultural club or language table; look for opportunities to present your experiences in your department, classes, or residence hall; and find people to talk to who are interested and can relate. It can be difficult for even the best of friends to relate to and converse at length about what you went through.

• Depending on which office you arranged your opportunity abroad with, requirements for returning students will vary. Your evaluation of and comments about your experience are most valuable when they are fresh, so please take care of any paperwork as soon as you get back, before the semester takes over.
  • For MHC International Internships
  • All others, consult your supporting office.

If you plan to study abroad after your international internship, make sure you complete your final report before you begin your next program. Memories will soon blur with the next set of experiences. Also, be sure that all visa requirements and paperwork necessary for your travel and enrollment into the study abroad program are arranged and confirmed before you leave the States. It can be much more arduous to get things like that done in a country where you don’t have as much support, or immediate access to the necessary resources.