I decided to participate in a Direct Exchange study abroad program in Lyon, France, for my sophomore year of my Undergrad. Before my experience abroad I knew I wanted to incorporate French into my career, though I didn’t particularly feel destined to become teacher. I take joy in helping others, but my interest wasn’t sparked by the idea of working in a classroom, grade-based setting.

My program and the relationship I developed with my director enlightened me to the possibility of helping other students with studying abroad and integrating into a new culture. I found a eight-month-long internship for 2010-11 through my university (Oregon State University) that was based at the Catholic University of Lyon. The internship was in the international relations office and the French language institute, working with incoming and outgoing students. I applied online and I was not only accepted but I was awarded a full scholarship for the internship.

Click here to see a bio about me on the scholarship recipients page of IE3 Global.

Internship Description:(to view on the IE3 website, click here)

The intern will be responsible for the following activities at the International Relations Office and at the French Language Institute at the Catholic University of Lyon:

•Receive international students and provide orientation

•Develop and maintain relationships with the colleges and departments at the university with an international focus; particularly with the offices of student development

•Coordinate events and activities to facilitate international student integration at the university

•Filing, translation and other office work as needed

Candidates must have a mastery of the French language equivalent to 4th or 5th year university French (Le Diplôme d’études en langue française (DELF) B2+/ Diplôme approfondi de langue française (DALF) C1). His/ her ability to multitask effectively in a demanding office environment is important to be able to adapt efficiently to the waves of work responsibilities at the Institute.

Highlights from my internship year:

As included in the description of intern responsibilities, much of my work as an intern included translating and filing documents, welcoming international students, providing and interpreting orientations, surveying language tests, communicating with partner schools, and organizing and marketing events for international students on campus. Some events that I planned and advertized were:

*French Cultural Movie Nights

*International Potlucks

*Themed Quiz Nights in local bars (such as Christmas, Valentine’s Day, Saint Patrick’s Day)

*Ski/Snowboarding Day-trips

*Museum Visits

 

I also assisted on a trip with international business students on a tour of several castles in the Loire Valley. It was a four day trip including seven castles and two different lodging locations.

I very much valued my time as an intern at the Catholic University of Lyon. I was able to gain knowledge of International Education and solidify my decision to pursue a career in the field. My various tasks gave me diverse experiences in administrative work, translation, event planning, and travel organization. As a project for my scholarship, I was requested to create a guide for future interns. The guide is about fifty pages long and contains information on banking, transport, housing, where to travel, and tips on professionalism for future interns in France. I also wrote a specific section to assist those accepted for the internship at the Catholic University of Lyon.

Click here to see my Final Internship Report.