Internship in Singapore

Please note: This program is not being offered in Summer 2021
- Gain in-demand global skills and hands-on experience in your field during this 8-week summer program
- Live in the exciting multi-cultural and multi-lingual country of Singapore
- Build your resume and expand your professional network
- Earn KU credit for your internship
- Explore Singapore and/or neighboring countries during weekends
- 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!
- CIEE also offers up to $1,500 in need-based grants for Pell-eligible students.
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 CIEE, an internship and study abroad program provider, to offer high-quality placements in Singapore. The internships, for which you earn academic credit from KU, are unpaid. They are available in a wide-range of fields.
CIEE 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 CIEE placement process here.
Singapore combines an ultramodern skyline with the rich cultures of its past. Look forward to an exhilarating summer at a centuries-old crossroads of international trade and a dynamic gateway to Asia. The world's aspiring “City in a Garden,” Singapore has a wonderland of lush green spaces as well as a prosperous economy that embraces everything from finance and pharmaceuticals to technology and tourism.
A hub of international commerce, Singapore is one of the world’s most globalized economies. This island city-state hosts the Asian headquarters of many multinational corporations across a range of industries. It is an ideal venue for a challenging and rewarding internship program as well as an exciting place to explore - with its remarkable landscape and diverse blends of cultures and cuisines.
English is one of the official languages of Singapore. Others include Malay, Mandarin, Chinese, and Tamil.
Students participate in CIEE's Academic Internship Course 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, BIOL, 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.
Program housing is in student dormitory or apartment-style accommodations. It includes shared (double or triple) rooms, laundry facilities, internet access and convenient access to public transportation.
Meals are not included in the program housing, but students have access to kitchen facilities.
Excursions and Activities
- Join the locals and enjoy some water sports such as sailing, kayaking , water skiing, and scuba diving.
- Take in a symphony, an arts festival, or even an open mic night during your stay in Singapore, a “gateway between the East and West" and a center for performing arts and culture.
- Visit the world famous Singapore Zoo, nestled within the lush Mandai rainforest and home to over 300 species of mammals, birds and reptiles
Professional Development
- Take advantage of resume help and interviewing skills based on local business culture
- Explore the professional working world of Singapore through organizational site visits, industry networking events, and guest lectures
- Participate in workshops that will help you make the most of your internship
Getting Around
Students commute to their internships and most program activities via local public transportation. Introduction to the system is provided during orientation and students are responsible for securing their own public transportation pass. Program housing is convenient to public transportation and all internship locations are accessible.
Rising Sophomore standing and above at time of participation and overall GPA of 2.5. Students must be between the ages of 18 and 25 during the internship program. Students participating in the Singapore Summer Global Internship program must maintain full-time student status while participating in the program, and must have matriculated full-time at home university at least three months prior to application. Students should be prepared to obtain a signed letter from home university confirming student matriculation details.
Learn about the program first-hand through these Freeman projects submitted by past participants: