Companies, government offices, arts organizations, and nonprofits across the globe welcome NYU students who seek internships while studying away within NYU’s network of 16 global study sites. Interning while away offers students traditional benefits—a chance to test-drive an industry, broaden career prospects, and boost self-confidence—and the opportunity to develop a more global mindset and gain fluency to conduct business in another language. Additionally, many of NYU’s global sites offer an experiential learning option, allowing students to earn academic credit for their internship.

“Students who participate in an internship while studying away have the opportunity to connect with the local community in deep and meaningful ways while enhancing their global career development,” says Janet Alperstein, assistant vice president of the NYU Office of Global Programs. “We support students by preparing them for their experience before the global internship, then help them craft a career narrative to ensure they can market themselves to future employers.”

Meet five NYU students who gained global professional experience by completing an internship while studying away.

Gaining Music Industry Experience at NYU Los Angeles

Sean Kelly, recording artist and Steinhardt Class of 2024 graduate in Music Business, has always been interested in the arts. He knew NYU Los Angeles was the right place to augment his academic work with professional experience, and he was thrilled when Atlantic Records hired him as a sales and streaming intern. Sean worked with various departments to ensure projects were ready for release and tracked streaming performance across channels. “Sitting in on meetings gave me the behind-the-scenes scoop on how different departments function,” he says. “Communication and flexibility are huge skills to have in the music industry that I developed on the job.” The internship reinforced Sean’s love for the music industry, but it also taught him about new positions and departments he didn’t know existed. “I definitely have new aspirations because of my deeper understanding of how labels operate,” he says. “I left Los Angeles with new career prospects and goals as well as completely new passions and interests.”

Engaging in Human Rights Activism at NYU Berlin

Lizzy Smith, a Global Liberal Studies Class of 2024 student, studied away for a full academic year at NYU Berlin as a junior. She interned with Humanity in Action, an international nonprofit focused on educating and connecting young leaders interested in human and minority rights issues. Lizzy worked under the program director to develop and recruit for the organization’s Berlin Fellowship. “My internship was one of my most memorable experiences in Berlin,” she says. “I learned so much in my three months there, including how to use German in the workplace, collaborate with a highly motivated team, coordinate with international offices abroad, and interview young activists about their social justice action plans.”

 

Making a Community-Based Impact at NYU Tulsa

Moorea Swango, a junior double-majoring in Global Liberal Studies and Public Policy, spent last summer in Tulsa interning with the Oklahoma Center for Community and Justice. The nonprofit organizationequips youth with the knowledge and skills to overcome bias, bigotry, and oppression. “This was my first ever internship, so NYU Tulsa’s intern-centered approach and support made me feel all the more comfortable and valued,” says Moorea. “I felt backed by the NYU Tulsa advisers and grew close to the small cohort of NYU students. It was nice to work on a more personal scale, but still feel as though you are making a big impact in the community!”

Exploring International Marketing and English Education at NYU Prague

Steinhardt Class of 2024 graduate Angie Liu majored in Applied Psychology and studied at NYU Prague as a junior. She completed two internships in Prague, one as a marketing data analyst with a food market company and another as an English teacher at a local high school. At the school she led English classes for beginner students, assisted in lesson planning for more advanced students, and facilitated cultural exchange by introducing students to various aspects of English-speaking cultures. “It was interesting seeing people my younger sister’s age who were growing up in a completely different world,” says Angie. “I liked sharing our perceptions about each other’s countries and learning about cultural differences we never even considered.”

Becoming Fluent in Business French at NYU Paris

Global Liberal Studies graduate Risa Kanai has a passion for world languages. While studying away at NYU Paris, she wanted to find an internship that would allow her to strengthen her French language skills. When Jugetsudo Paris, a Japanese tea boutique, offered her a position, she knew she had found the right opportunity. “My internship at Jugetsudo Paris taught me how to develop fluency in business French,” says Risa. “It was the most immersive experience I’ve ever had. It pushed me out of my comfort zone and helped me develop the skills to navigate through a multicultural environment.”

Written by Olivia Richter