The LEAP practicum is a six-month internship in an international programs office at a U.S. university. It is a valuable experience in that it provides LEAP participants with the opportunity to work full time in a U.S. business environment, speaking English every day, and learn first-hand about the mission and operations of international programming. The host institution also benefits through the productive work of the intern and, sometimes, by developing new links with universities in Japan. Ideally, internship duties will include one or more substantial projects that are of practical value to both the host institution and the LEAP participant. If they wish, LEAP participants may also ask to visit other campus offices to learn about how they operate and interrelate.
Below is the selection of universities, all national leaders in the provision of international programming, which have previously served as practicum host sites for Montana State University:
Practicum internship assignments are made while LEAP participants are at MSU. The process begins with MSU LEAP program staff identifying which universities have offered to serve as host sites, as well as input from LEAPers to identify which universities they are interested in approaching as possible sites. Staff from each of these univerisity sites and LEAP participants are then introduced to each other at an informational meeting, which will be followed by a reception at the annual NAFSA conference. Immediately after the NAFSA conference, each LEAP participant will be asked to identify their top site choices. Finally, OIP LEAP staff members, using the ranking sheets and in conjunction with input from LEAP participants, will make final Practicum placements.
After the practicum assignments have been finalized, the LEAP participants will then be in touch with their host site supervisors to begin planning for their arrival, selecting an arrival date, finding housing, etc.
2011-2012 Practicum Internships and Descriptions - EXAMPLES
(submitted by host site supervisors)
Arcadia University have designed a program that will maximize the academic, professional and personal opportunities of the LEAP participant. He/she will be located primarily in The College of Global Studies, have a work station in and be part of The College. The LEAP participants will be fully engaged in its activities that range from international academic programs to student services in a vast network of institutions and people from Arcadia University to overseas host institutions.
- November: Overview enrollment management, support the International Education Week
- December: Overview Finalcial Aid, Intervoew Villanova University, University of Pennsylvanina and Temple University
- January: Reserch expectation of companies for student inern
- February: Research students' career development
The mission of Office of International Programs at Colorado State University is to help create and foster international activities that support teaching, learning, research and engagement throughout Colorado State University. This mission is accomplished through a broad array of programs and services designed to provide international experiences for all CSU students, scholars, faculty and staff.
The LEAPer will be given a broad exposure to the activities of OIP including:
- International Initiatives
- Study Abroad
- International Student and Scholar Services
- Other areas of campus internationalization throughout CSU
The specific program will be developed in cooperation with the LEAPer in an effort to create a comprehensive plan that meet the interests of the individual along with the needs of OIP. Examples of possible activities include involvement in:
- CSU’s growing efforts with China, including the development of a new Confucius Institute
- A wide range of international programming at CSU
- Marketing and outreach, which may include projects related to the website, social media and alumni outreach
- CSU’s efforts with Japan, including a prominent program that is managed out of the College of Veterinary Medicine and Biomedical Sciences
The LEAPer will also be asked to complete a research project. The theme of the project will be jointly established by the LEAPer and OIP, and will help further our mutual awareness of trends taking place in the field of campus internationalization.
Northeastern University Boston
Northeastern University Center for Student Academic Services (CSAS) is a central place where undergraduate students in the Colleges of Arts, Media and Design, and Social Sciences and Humanities (CSSH) can go with all academic questions. The Center is a good first place to go for any kind of academic concern. We are committed to providing students with the assistance they need, whether it be through advising in our office or by referring them to the appropriate academic departments or University office. Our goal is to help students navigate the University and to support them in attaining academic success.
An important initiative the LEAPer would be involved in would be projects geared towards international student retention and community building. As a unit, CSAS is interested in learning how to increase students services, support, and appeal for international students. A possible outcome of the LEAPers practicum could be a model of student support that can benefit other departments on campus in addition to CSAS. Towards this goal, below is a list of some of the initiatiaves the LEAPer may be involved with depending on their interests and skills.
The LEAPer will be supervised by the Director of International Admissions & Recruitment/Interim Associate Director of CIE who will also serve as the primary mentor. Mandy Hansen has worked in international education for over twelve years and will work closely with the LEAPer to ensure that the internship meets the professional goals and expectations of the intern. The LEAPer will become a valued member of the team and assist with a variety of activities that will provide a comprehensive learning experience about the field of international education.
These experiences will include:
-Shadowing with each of the office units to obtain a comprehensive understanding of the services provided to students in the realm of admissions, SEVIS and immigration advising, academic advising and study abroad advising. Units to shadow include International Admissions & Recruitment, International Student and Scholar Services and Education Abroad.
-Training and assistance with undergraduate application review and admissions processing
-Training and management of student email account
-Assistance with event planning and programming (new student orientation, education abroad orientation, international student convocation, etc.)
-Assistance with study abroad activities (fairs, classroom presentations)
-Assistance with hosting campus visitors
-Assistance with campus presentations (in-person and web-based)
-Assistance with the development of short-term programming proposals
-Attendance at a variety of CIE and University-wide meetings (All Staff meetings, Unit specific meetings, and departmental meetings)
The NYU Office for International Students and Scholars (OISS) serves approximately 7,200 international students and 800 visiting scholars in the university. NYU, Greenwich Village, and New York City are ideal settings for a LEAP Intern. NYC is one of the great global cities of the world, and Greenwich Village is an historic center of cultural life in the city. NYU not only has the 2nd largest population of international students in United States, but also has the largest number of Study Abroad participants in the U.S. With the upcoming merger of NYU with Brooklyn Polytech, it is anticipated that NYU will have the largest population of international students in the U.S. as well. Another exciting venture at NYU is the opening of NYU Abu Dhabi, a "portal campus" of NYU in the United Arab Emirates. OISS is also actively involved in the NYUAD project.
University of California Berkeley
The Berkeley International Office functions to ensure that all visiting international students and scholars have successful academic and personal experiences during their stay at UC-Berkeley. We provide advising on matters related to a wide array of federal regulations, academic procedures, personal adjustment, and career development. We also support a wide array of academic units through visa processing for students, scholars, staff, and faculty.
Responsibilities:
- Assists with the planning, organizing and implementation of orientation sessions for new Spring semester international students.
- Reaches out to campus units and coordinates and implements events that support the educational, cultural and social needs of the students.
- Assists the communications coordinator with the creation of publicity materials.
- Assists with social media communication tools to monitor and communicate with student clients.
- Assists with program design for scholars and for dependents of students and scholars
- Assists with other duties as assigned.
The LEAP intern will be involved in a variety of International Student and Scholar Service (ISSS) programs and office processes, including some aspects of office administration. The programs in which the intern may be involved with are, for example, Small World Coffee Hour (bi-weekly social event), events for International Education Week (November 2011), International Student Orientation Programs for newly arriving students for the Spring 2012 semester, Exchange Program Administration, the Buddy Program for new international undergraduates, Career workshops, programs for First Year students, etc. In addition, he/she can be a member of a discussion group, assist with our recruitment effort and our Ambassador program, as well as help with our Short Term Programs.
The intern will also be immersed in daily ISSS office processes, such as assisting the front desk to become the first contact with the clients and observing international student advising sessions. The intern also will have the opportunity to meet staff in other international education offices around the university, such as the Learning Abroad Center, the Center for the Advanced Research on Language Acquisition (CARLA), the office of the Associate Vice President and Dean for International Education, the China Center, the Confucius Institute, First Year Programs and Welcome Week, and participate in relevant meetings and activities according to their interests. The intern will also have the opportunity to attend meetings of various committees across colleges to learn more about how internationalization is happening on a large metropolitan public university campus, including meeting with our Director of Internationalization of the Campus and Curriculum.
The University of North Carolina at Charlotte
The LEAP intern will engage in a wide variety of activities during his/her time with the Office of International Programs at UNC Charlotte. The LEAPer will have the opportunity to visit all the sub-units of the Office of International Programs including the English Language Training Institute, the Office of Education Abroad and the Office of International Student and Scholar Services, as well as a few other campus offices to meet with the staff and learn about how they operate and interrelate as well as the services they provide for incoming and outgoing students.
The University of Tennessee Knoxville
The Center for International Education (CIE) at the University of Tennessee, Knoxville (UTK), serves as a catalyst at every level for the internationalization of UTK. The CIE is made-up of 4 main service units, the English Language Institute (ELI), the International House (I-House), the Programs Abroad Office (PAO), and the Office of International Student and Scholar Services (OISSS).
