Internship in Vietnam
- Gain in-demand global skills and hands-on experience in your field during this 8-week summer program
- Build your resume and expand your professional network
- Internships are conducted in English so there is no language requirement
- Earn KU credit for your internship
- Explore Vietnam during weekends
- Learn about the placement process here and view sample placements here.
- A significant number of $2,500-$5,000 scholarships are available to participants in this program. Visit Freeman East Asia Internship Scholarships to learn more!
Participation in an international internship allows students to experience the benefits of studying abroad while also gaining real-world professional work experience. Only a small percentage of students study abroad – and even fewer intern abroad - so participation in an internship overseas can give you the professional advantage you need to succeed by giving you in demand global skills.
The University of Kansas (KU) has partnered with ISA, an internship and study abroad program provider, to offer high-quality placements in Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam. The internships, for which you earn academic credit from KU, are unpaid. They are available in a wide-range of fields including architecture and urban planning; business and marketing; education; engineering; environmental and sustainability studies; health; hospitality, events and tourism; information technology and computer science; psychology and social work; research; sciences and math. Other fields are available on a more limited basis so if your field is not listed, please contact ISA directly to discuss your interests
ISA strives to place students in internships that directly relate to their course of study, thus ensuring the quality and academic relevance. Placements are based on student skills, interests, and professional goals as well as the project needs and work cycles of internship sponsors. The companies and organizations selected as internship sites are carefully monitored by site visits and student assessment.
Read about the ISA placement process here and view sample placements here.
Ho Chi Minh City's personality is found in its unique dichotomy, as it is the perfect blend of traditional and modern. The city boasts everything from fine dining to street food, upscale hotels to inexpensive guesthouses, and premium shopping centers to the cheapest of markets. Ornate pagodas and temples can often be seen right around the corner from large, modern skyscrapers. The streets are bustling, the people are friendly, and the coffee is strong. Between its rich culture, economic importance, and deep history, interning in Ho Chi Minh City is sure to give you an educational and eye-opening experience abroad that will leave a lasting impact.
Internships in Ho Chi Minh City will provide invaluable international career building experience, and introduce students to Vietnamese culture and society. In addition to interning, students will take ISA's Global Internship Course, allowing them to gain knowledge and skills specific to their internship site and articulate the diverse set of skills they have acquired from their international internship experience.
In addition to interning, students will take ISA’s Global Internship Course, which is taught in an online learning environment alongside the 8-week, full-time internship. Participation in the integrated academic seminar is mandatory for all participants. It is designed to prepare students for leadership in a globally interdependent and culturally diverse workforce. Credit has been pre-approved to transfer to KU in the following ways and will post to each student’s KU transcript after the conclusion of the program.
Please Note: Some academic departments offer departmental internship credit not listed below so students are encouraged to check with their department about credit options. Past students have received internship credit through ACCT, ADS, EVRN, FMS, HNRS, HSES, SPLH, etc.
- LA&S 490 – Internship Exploration (5 credits) Open to students of any major and level.Fulfills KU Core Goal 6.1 Integration and Creativity.
- GIST 495 – Global Internship (3 credits) Open to students of any major and level.
- BUS 300 – Topics in Business: Internship (3 credits) Open to Business/Pre-Business majors who have taken ACCT 200 and completed at least 30 hours of college-level credit prior to the start of the program.
- JOUR 507 - Practicum in Journalism (3 credits) Open to journalism majors who have completed either JOUR 415 or JOUR 560 (or Jour 435) with a grade of 2.0+, and at least eleven hours of journalism with a GPA of 2.5+, both overall and in journalism.
- PSYC 483 – Undergraduate Internship Psychology (3 credits) Open to psychology majors and minors.
Intern accommodation will be a comfortable and model apartment in the center of the city. Interns typically have their own rooms in an apartment shared with other interns/international students. The apartment includes a living area, bathroom and equipped kitchen. Intern will receive an apartment description prior to their departure to Ho Chi Minh.
Bridging Cultures Program:
Upon arrival in Ho Chi Minh City, you will participate in the Bridging Cultures Program (BCP), a multi-day, in-country orientation that blends adventure, lecture, and culture into an exciting and informative introduction to Vietnam. Each Bridging Cultures Program is designed to:
- Inform participants of the cultural and professional experience that lies ahead.
- Guide each participant through a goal-setting activity to encourage them to reflect on their expectations for their experience abroad.
- Introduce participants to the local culture, in and out of the workplace.
- Prepare participants for health and safety issues in their host country.
- Provide participants an opportunity to socialize with other ISA participants.
Interns will have a welcome meal together as a group, be given a city tour, and shown how to navigate the public transport system for their daily commute.
Professional Development & Cultural Activities
In order to maximize cultural immersion, ISA develops unique professional development and cultural activities. These activities invite students to experience the local color of their host city, while learning about the history and culture of their new surroundings, as well as various aspects of the business culture of their host country. Cultural activities may include museum visits, attending sporting events, dance classes, cooking lessons, art and cultural festivals, etc. Cultural activities vary by site. Professional development events could may include company visits, teambuilding exercises, personal branding workshops, or guest speakers.
ISA Internships are available to current students who are 18 years of age or older, have a minimum cumulative GPA of 2.5, and are proficient in English. Internships can also be arranged in Vietnamese for students who are proficient.
Step 1: Complete KU application by February 15th. Below is a list of the required documents and questionnaires.
a. Statement of Purpose Essay
b. GPA Requirement Questionnaire
c. Un-official Transcript or Advising Report
d. One recommendation - academic and/or professional
e. Authorization to Release Student Information
f. ISA Academic Plan & Approval Form
g. Student Conduct Verification
h. Financial Aid Questionnaire
i. Passport Information Required Reading
j. ISA Application Instructions Required Reading
Step 2: Complete ISA's Vietnam internship application by Feb. 15th. See the ISA Application Instructions in the Required Readings section of your Jayhawks Abroad account for details.
