A new School of Languages, Literatures, and Cultures course will support Mizzou students as they navigate global internships without leaving the country. 

Daniel Sipe, an associate professor of French studies, created the SLLC 4940 Global Internship course to enhance international experiences in the United States. Students will enroll in the course the same semester as their placements at language immersion schools, non-profit organizations such as City of Refuge and Centro Latino, and businesses with international clients, or multinational corporations located in the states. 

The course will include asynchronous assignments and cover topics such as developing career readiness competencies, working in a multicultural environment, and writing a CV or resume for the global workplace.

Sipe will check in with his class via flexible Zoom sessions and work closely with supervisors to frame experiences, ensuring his students get the most from their placements as they gain essential career readiness skills.

“The internship is a vital bridge between university training and professional life,” said Sipe, who notes that students with international experience or second-language skills typically see higher starting salaries than peers who don’t possess these skills.

"Students with internship experiences are building narratives that impress potential employers,” continued Sipe. “By showing how they effectively apply bilingual and multicultural skills to solve real-world problems, they take the first step towards building professional networks and launching global careers.”