Based at IIE's Washington, DC office, the Professional Exchange Programs Division (PEP) hosts between 4–8 interns each semester. PEP contracts with the U.S. Department of State and other government and private sponsors to design and implement the International Visitor Program and other projects. With a staff of about 20 people, PEP implements programs for approximately 500 international participants each year. These participants come from all regions of the world. They have been identified as leaders and decision-makers in fields ranging from the arts to the environment, from education to journalism, from human rights to new information technologies, and more. Most are identified and invited by U.S. embassy personnel overseas to participate in the International Visitor Leadership Program, which is a short-term (2–4 week) observational study-tour of the United States that is custom-tailored to the visitors' professional and personal interests. Whether organized for an individual visitor or an entire group, each program is designed by IIE program teams to provide a high quality professional experience, exposure to the diversity of U.S. geography, society and culture, as well as opportunities to exchange ideas and promote linkages with U.S. counterparts. The program also enhances international understanding of U.S. society, people, and values. Each program is a composite of professional meetings, site visits, cultural activities, and hospitality with American citizens.
Internship Opportunities
PEP staff are committed to providing a substantive, high-quality professional and educational experience for all interns, which exposes them broadly to the field of international education and contributes to their overall career development. We have designed the internship to further our educational mission and in particular to encourage a broad range of students to better understand the aims of international public diplomacy and people-to-people exchange. We hope to interest interns in careers in public service, academia, and non-profit management, as well as international educational exchange. This internship is also designed to add unique educational value in practical terms that will help differentiate IIE/PEP interns from other applicants for positions in government service, NGO, graduate and professional school and business markets.
Interns are assigned to work with particular program teams based on their designated areas of interest and expertise.
Examples of the variety of opportunities offered to interns at IIE/PEP:
Academic/Career Development
- Meetings with PEP Director and IIE Vice-President for Exchanges — Roundtables to discuss IIE/PEP mission, operations, and organizational management and to help formulate plans for further educational and professional career development.
- Brownbag Lunch Discussions — with representatives from a variety of IIE-Washington divisions to learn more broadly about IIE's activities and programs and to learn about various career paths in the exchange and training field.
- Attending Career Roundtable — networking sessions co-sponsored by IIE and other international education organizations.
- Required Intern Presentation — to be conducted for PEP staff and to be designed by each intern in consultation with her/his direct supervisor. Presentations should be done on a topic of interest to the intern and deemed useful to broaden knowledge within the PEP division. When appropriate, projects may be designed to coincide with an academic/internship paper already being conducted by the intern.
Exposure to the Field of International Education Exchange
- Meetings with representatives of organizations involved broadly in the international exchange field, for example, the Alliance for International Educational and Cultural Exchange, NAFSA: Association for International Educators, U.S. Department of State, and others.
- Attending and reporting to staff about hearings on Capitol Hill that have direct impact on the funding and policy regarding the U.S. Department of State, public diplomacy, and international exchanges.
Experience with the International Visitor Leadership Program
- Assignment as part of a team to help coordinate custom-tailored programs for international visitors.
- Observing the interaction among the various partners and players in the International Visitor Leadership Program (including Department of State, IIE, NCIV, escort-interpreters, DC speakers, local sponsors, and others) and how effective communication contributes to the overall success of the programs.
- Researching (often via the Internet) program topics and resources nationwide that match the professional and cultural interests of international visitors; identifying organizations throughout the United States that would be relevant to include in a specific visitor's program; writing organizational profiles; and conducting broad research on current trends and controversies within a particular programmatic field to enhance the basic program designed by the IIE program team.
- Accompanying International Visitors to some of their Washington, DC appointments to see how the program works "in action" and to obtain unique exposure to the field.
- Assisting with facilitation of program openings and other meetings with visitors held at IIE offices.
- Preparing biographical data and background information on the international visitors to use when arranging appointments on their behalf.
- Special meetings for interns with State Department officials and program officers involved in the implementation of the International Visitor Program.
- Special meetings with representatives of the National Council for International Visitors (NCIV) to learn about their role in coordinating visitor programs in local communities around the United States.
Opportunities to Explore the Resources of Washington, DC
- Accompanying international visitors on one of the weekly "Federalism Tours" led by an IIE consultant. These tours of Washington's major sites emphasize the U.S. government political process and the decentralized nature of our federal system and show how the physical layout of Washington reflects the philosophical ideals of the U.S. democratic system.
- In addition to accompanying visitors to appointments, interns will be encouraged to take advantage of all Washington and its environs has to offer by visiting the national museums and monuments, and participating in the many free lectures and cultural events taking place throughout the city during the time of their internship.
- Interns are involved in arranging professional appointments for international visitors with numerous DC organizations. As such, they will learn about many new resources, which may prove to be of interest to them in their own career search.
Orientation and Training
All interns receive orientation and training to expose them to the operations, technical and computer systems of IIE, the International Visitor Program, and the work styles and expectations of their program team. A component of the orientation will involve intercultural communication training.
Intern Qualifications
- Background and interest in international relations, intercultural communication, government and politics, language and regional studies, international education, or business
- Written and oral fluency in English is required; foreign language skills preferred
- Ability to perform under minimal supervision
- Ability to understand and respect deadlines and meeting time protocols
- Excellent attention to detail
- Ability to communicate effectively with individuals from other cultures
- Maturity and flexibility
- Strong writing skills and oral communication skills
- Efficient word processing and computer skills
Start Dates/Minimum Hours Required
Interns are accepted year-round on a rolling admissions basis. Start dates are flexible. Interns are required to commit to a minimum of 15–20 hours per week for a minimum of 10 weeks during the academic year and 35-hours per week for a minimum of 8 weeks during the summer. Longer internships are encouraged to maximize the benefit both to the student and to IIE.
Transportation Subsidy
A modest transportation subsidy is provided at the end of the semester to all interns. The subsidy is designed to help offset transportation costs in travelling to and from the office. The amount is prorated based on the commitment level of time devoted to the internship and ranges from $200 to $600.
Application Process
Complete applications will include the following materials:
- a cover letter stating your interest and abilities;
- resume;
- short writing sample (for example, a personal statement or 3–5 pages of a paper);
- unofficial school transcript;
- two letters of recommendation (preferably one from a past employer).
Send or fax completed applications to:
Ms. Rebecca Heller
PGE Internship Coordinator
Professional and Global Exchange Programs Division
Institute of International Education
1400 K Street, NW, Suite 650
Washington, DC 20005
Tel: (202) 326-7756
Fax: (202) 326-7696
Email: rheller@iie.org
Deadlines
For Fall Semester: August 20; Spring: December 5; Summer: April 15
Selection Process
IIE is committed to promoting diversity among its staff and interns. Men, minorities, and people with disabilities are encouraged to apply. Foreign students who are participating in an academic program with a qualified institution will be considered. Written and oral English fluency is required. Applications are reviewed by the internship coordinator. Final candidates will be called for a brief telephone interview (approx. 20 minutes) with a PEP staff member.
Notification
Following the telephone interview, if a candidate is accepted, then s/he will be contacted via telephone or email and an offer will be made. Once the candidate accepts the internship offer, a letter will be sent via mail or email to the intern confirming the agreement and providing logistical details about the internship and start date. All applicants who receive a phone interview will be notified of acceptance. Intern candidates whose written applications are not accepted will not be notified.
