Participating in an internship abroad is a great way for students to increase their understanding of international issues, as well as develop valuable intercultural communication skills and gain practical experience about the ways business, government, and community organizations function in a different culture.

The SU Istanbul internship program is designed to provide students with an opportunity to gain comparative insights into the North American and Turkish work environments. The type of work an intern does varies according to the nature of the host organization, the student’s academic objectives, and the student’s qualifications. Turkish language is not a requirement for an internship placement, however, the nature of the work may be more limited for those with little or no Turkish language.

Internships are offered to undergraduate and graduate students for academic credit. Part-time internships for 1 to 3 credits may be arranged for qualified students whose schedules allow them to commit at least 12 hours per week to their internship placements. Students can readily organize their course schedules in order to dedicate a day and a half to internship or community engagement placements.

For graduate students in SU’s international relations program (MAIR candidates), there is also a graduate internship program, offered in the fall semester only in collaboration with Syracuse University’s Maxwell School.

For students interested in a non-academic intercultural experience working or volunteering within a local organization, SU Istanbul also offers community engagement opportunities.

Internship application documents will be submitted through the online application system .

Placements in Istanbul

Placements in Istanbul for both internships (for credit) and community engagement opportunities (non-credit), include NGOs dedicated to Turkish culture and heritage, refugees and human rights, women’s issues, and environmental issues, as well as local businesses (IT-Computing company, English online city-guide, and other small business opportunities). Possible organizations include the Turkish Cultural Foundation (TCF), the Foundation for the Promotion and Protection of the Environment and Cultural Heritage (CEKUL), International Student Exchange programs, and opportunities within Bahcesehir University’s international affairs office, public communications office, International Leadership and Research Center and American Studies Center.

Students should have either relevant coursework and/or prior work experience in the requested internship field. Some placements may require Turkish language proficiency.