London Internship Program 

Applications are available from this website.  Adobe Acrobat Reader is required to view and print the application.

Click on the link below to print out the application. Fill out the first four pages and return to International Programs. You will need to give pages five and six to a professor to fill out, who will then return those pages directly to us. You will need to fill out the top of page seven (Dean's Statement) and take it to the Dean of Student Affairs. They will fill it out and return it directly to International Programs. PLEASE DO NOT PRINT DOUBLE-SIDED PAGES.  Print each page on a separate sheet of paper.

London Internship Program Application

Click here for application information

Dr. Sherry Fischer of the International Business Department visited the interns in London during the Spring 2003 Semester.  Click here to view pictures.

The Rollins Internship Program in London offers students the unique opportunity to work and study in one of the world’s most exciting and cosmopolitan capitals for either Fall or Spring Semester. Positions are available in art and design, education, film, finance, government, health care, journalism, law, marketing, museums, radio and social services, just to name a few areas. London is a very large city, and there are many other possible internship placements that can be arranged.

Students work for fourteen weeks, and generally have the responsibilities of an entry-level position. An internship provides a chance for students to experience the "real world" in their chosen field, with all the advantages of living in London. Students intern four days per week, and take a course at an institution of higher education in London one day per week. Students can choose among Queen Mary Westfield College, Birkbeck College, City University, the University of North London and Regents College. Courses are available in a wide range of fields, and most course needs can be met.

London is one of the great cities of the world - rich in history, but on the cutting edge of modern business and the arts, repository of British culture but also strongly multicultural. You will have the opportunity to experience the excitement and diversity of its many resources and treasures - whether historical, architectural, political, cultural or intellectual - during your internship. Some aspects of life in London you will experience simply by living and working there; others will be discovered through excursions arranged by the program; yet others will depend on your own initiative in exploring this great city which will be your home for four months.

 CALENDAR

ACADEMIC PROGRAM
Students receive a total of fifteen to sixteen semester hours credit: eight semester hours credit (ungraded) for the internship, four semester hours (graded) for the writing of a daily academic journal, attendance at required meetings and seminars and the submission of a final paper on the internship experience, and three to four semester hours (graded) for the academic course. The academic course will be considered transfer credit, and will be included on your transcript after the final grade is received.

THE INTERNSHIP
Students who participate in the program must be responsible, culturally sensitive, willing to work hard, and able to work independently. Placements are generally the equivalent of an entry level position, and students should expect that it will take a few weeks for the internship to develop, to show that they are capable, trustworthy, and dependable. Students who successfully complete mundane, routine tasks well are generally given more challenging work because they have proven that they have the ability to follow through on tasks assigned, and can be trusted to work independently.

Students should think carefully about their reasons for wanting to work in London for semester. An internship can provide valuable work experience, and in some cases, open up new career paths. London is a large, exciting international city, but in no way should an internship be considered a holiday for credit. Students generally commute thirty minutes to an hour to their placements each way, work a minimum of seven hours per day for four days per week, and on the whole take away from the experience what they put into it. Employers will expect students to treat the position seriously and to behave in a professional manner. With the right attitude, however, the internship will be a fantastic, rewarding experience.

Dress requirements will vary between internships, and students should conform to the dress code of the establishment for which they are working. Generally, students should expect to assume a degree of formality. Don’t interpret this to mean that a great many outfits will be needed; British people generally make do with very few. Students may do the same: bring a few things to wear and wear them often.

THE COURSE

Selecting the Academic Course

Fall: Students will enroll in a course at Birkbeck College, City University or Queen Mary.

Spring: Students will enroll in a course at Birkbeck College or City University.

Students will be asked to state a course preference, based on course requirements that must be completed. General education requirements, major and minor requirements may be fulfilled with prior permission from Student Records and your department chairperson.  It is easiest to schedule classes at Birkbeck College, as they meet only once a week. Students will receive guidance from International Programs in selecting a suitable course.  Please read the following regarding each of the available colleges:

Birkbeck College (http://www.bbk.ac.uk/lsp/welcome.htm), part of the University of London, encourages British students to enroll while pursuing full time occupations. Birkbeck is located in the Bloomsbury area of central London, easily accessible by the underground. Classes at Birkbeck will be composed mainly of students from the U.S. All classes receive four credits and meet once a week.  

Course descriptions are available in the Resource Room in International Programs or from the Birkbeck website at http://www.bbk.ac.uk/lsp/courses.htm.

City University (http://www.city.ac.uk) is located in the heart of London, on the edge of the financial district. Classes at City will be composed mainly of students from the UK. Consult their web page (http://www.city.ac.uk/international/course.htm) for available courses. Classes receive 3 credits, and meet from once to three times a week.

Queen Mary College (http://www.qmw.ac.uk) is one of the four largest colleges of the University of London. It is located at Mile End, two miles east of the City of London. Classes at QM will be composed mainly of students from the U.K. There are course catalogues available in the Resource Room, or you may consult their web site at (http://www.qmw.ac.uk/~codir/ThisYear/contents.html).  Classes receive three credits and meet from once to twice a week.

LONDON STAFF
The staff of the Rollins Internship Program are all long-time residents of London. Elizabeth Watkins is the Program Director, and her assistant is Anita Morgan. They communicate with the interns on a regular basis, and are available to assist students when necessary. Ian Watkins is the Director of Acorn Accommodations, which provides housing for the students in London. He and his staff are also available to assist students.

ORIENTATION
There is an extensive orientation program, which will introduce students to the London staff, the internship duties and responsibilities, the academic course and getting around in London. During the orientation period, everyone will have an interview with their internship supervisor. At the interview, students should discuss the requirements for placement, as well as the expected attire. 

HOUSING
Students live in centrally located, fully-furnished, comfortable flats (apartments) in groups of three to six students. Students should expect to share a bedroom with at least one student, possibly from another college or university. This offers students the opportunity to get to know new people and to enhance social possibilities. A weekly food stipend is provided, and students generally share cooking responsibilities. An underground/bus travel pass is provided to all students for their commute to the internship site.

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