Internships, Research, & Volunteer
GLOBAL RESEARCH AND INTERNSHIP PROGRAM (GRIP)
INTERNATIONAL INTERNSHIP, RESEARCH, & VOLUNTEER OPPORTUNITIES
NOTE: Any current NAU student must register for their internship, research, and volunteer program for academic credit or for non-credit with the Center for International Education. This does not apply to NAU alumni. To register, make an appointment with the Education Abroad Advisor of the region you are interested in to discuss your goals and explore which international GRIP opportunity might be right for you!
DISCLAIMER: The NAU Education Abroad office maintains this web site as a service to NAU students for their international fieldwork seeking efforts. Registering a fieldwork experience with the Education Abroad office for both credit and non-credit experiences does not indicate an endorsement or recommendation from NAU or the NAU Center for International Education (“NAU”). It is the applicant’s sole responsibility to ensure that any fieldwork opportunity found with an organization listed on the Education Abroad website or anywhere else meets the applicant’s personal standards of safety, integrity, and quality as well as the user’s academic and professional goals. For more information on how to evaluate fieldwork opportunities, please contact the Education Abroad advisor. NAU provides third party links only in good faith and as a resource to support the career and professional development of students and alumni. NAU is not responsible for the contents of any linked web site, and the accuracy of such web sites is not guaranteed by NAU. By using the NAU web site, the user agrees that NAU has assumed no liability for acts or omissions by third parties or for material supplied by third parties, and the user further agrees to waive any and all claims against NAU based upon the actions of those third parties or based upon NAU maintaining this web site.
CONTENTS
About GRIP | Fieldwork Abroad Start Guide | NAU Career Development | Academic Credit | Financial Aid and Scholarship
Recent GRIP Experiences | Fieldwork Types and Programs | Pre-Approved Fieldwork Opportunities | Funded Fellowships
ABOUT GRIP
The Global Research & Internship Program (GRIP) is an NAU program that assists NAU students to search and secure international internship, research and volunteer opportunities that meet their academic and career goals. GRIP helps to connect students to opportunities abroad that meet their academic and professional goals as well as guidance to find possible funding sources to offset the cost.
Did you know that while 10% of university students study abroad, only 1% of university students complete an international internship or fieldwork experience? Take your resume to the next level, try out an international career, and see your discipline from a new perspective!
FIELDWORK ABROAD START GUIDE
If you are interested in interning, researching, teaching, or volunteering abroad, start with the Fieldwork Abroad Start Guide. Most students find internships three different ways: independently sourced ("do-it-yourself"), a competitive opportunity, or through an internship provider program.NAU CAREER DEVELOPMENT
Be sure to check out all the resources from NAU Career Development! They have a lot of helpful resources for every step in your career journey, from your very first year at NAU to your study abroad experience to how to incorporate your international experience into your resume and future job interviews!
- Search for job/internship postings on Handshake and GoinGlobal, both here in the U.S. and abroad (and even NAU on-campus jobs!)
- Schedule a career advising appointment for career exploration, resume/cover letter, internship and job search strategies, and mock interviews
- Attend a workshop or event to hone your job search skills and learn more about potential employers out there
- Check out the Career Progression Plan to see how you can start developing your career during your whole time at NAU
- Take online lessons in the Career Steps online program to learn important and practical job information at your own pace
Career Development is located in the University Union Room 105 (Building 30B).
ACADEMIC CREDIT:
You may be able to take care of a graduation requirement with your fieldwork! You can fulfill major, minor, Liberal Studies, Diversity, or general elective credits through your internship (pre-approval is required). Credits students typically receive include: Research (485/685); Independent Study (497/697) or Fieldwork Experience/ Internship (408/608) but other courses can also be approved.
f you do not need any academic credit, you can also do have a non-credit experience but you still must register with the Education Abroad office. Getting academic credit does open up scholarship opportunities! Non-credit options are usually not scholarship eligible.
GRIP students gain credit in the following ways:
Enroll in credit through your academic department: Students should speak to their academic advisor about obtaining credit directly from their department for a fieldwork experience abroad. Your department will determine which credit is appropriate and how it will count toward your graduation requirements. A faculty member in your department will supervise and grade your credits.
Enroll in credit through the sponsoring organization and transfer it to NAU: Some opportunities offer academic credit as part of the program fees. You will still need to gain pre-approval through your academic department to transfer these credits and have them count toward your graduation requirements. Pricing for these units may be more or less than NAU tuition depending on the organization, the term you decide to go abroad, and what NAU scholarships or tuition waiver you might have.
FINANCIAL AID AND SCHOLARSHIPS:
Students getting academic credit for fieldwork are eligible for financial aid and Education Abroadscholarships. As with any study abroad experience, be sure to start planning and saving early to secure all necessary funding.
Depending on the term abroad, some NAU scholarships may or may not applied. If getting credit during the fall or spring semester as a full-time student (either a full 12.00-15.00 credit internship or combination of internship and online classes), tuition waivers (Lumberjack, Dean's, President's, Blue, Gold, etc.) may be used. Tuition waivers cannot be used during the summer term.
Depending on the fieldwork experience, GRIP students can usually use FAFSA Financial Aid including Pell grants, loans, and scholarships. Some conditions apply, so be sure to discuss this with first your Education Abroad Advisor to get the basics, and then with the study abroad financial aid advisor to discuss your specific aid package.
GRIP Scholarship
This scholarship is meant to offset the tuition costs for GRIP students. The amount awarded is based on the number of credits you are enrolled for the term of participation. The award will be automatically applied to your LOUIE account as long as you meet the following criteria:
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Register your internship with CIE through the GRIP application
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Be enrolled in NAU credits through CIE for your fieldwork experience (part of the GRIP application)
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NOT be receiving an NAU tuition waiver during the term of participation (e.g. Merit scholarships such as Lumberjack, Dean's, President's, Blue, Gold, etc. used during fall/spring term; Merit Scholars are eligible for GRIP Scholarship in the summer term if enrolled in NAU credits)
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$100 per credit hour
NAU Hooper Undergraduate Research Award
The intent of the Hooper Undergraduate Research Award (HURA) is to encourage greater participation of undergraduate students from all disciplines in research, scholarly, and creative activities supervised by a faculty mentor. If you would like to submit a research proposal abroad, be sure to let your Education Abroad Advisor know you are applying for the HURA!
RECENT GRIP EXPERIENCES:
Carmen Robles Barron
Fully-funded biomedical nanotechnology training program: BioNanoIngeniería | NAU Sponsored Program
Hermosillo, Mexico
Biomedical Science Major, Spanish Minor
Carmen trained at the Núcleo de Investigación Científica y Desarrollo Tecnológico (NICDET) laboratories during the summer of 2018. She worked on a project testing the biocompatibility of specific materials for safe use in biomedical applications and conducted their own research using these materials in a high-tech and cross-cultural research context.
Nanxue Zhao
Asia Internship Program | Provider Program
Singapore
Accountancy and Information Systems Major
"The most fascinating parts of interning in Singapore was that I got a chance to live like a local. It was a fully emerging experience into the culture. After this experience, I know how capable I am to be on my own. I was proud that I did this, and I think everyone should have study/intern abroad experience at least once in life because you never what's actually out there unless you are there."
Caleb Reynolds
Child Family Health International (CFHI) | Volunteer Program
Cape Town, South Africa
Biology Major, Chemistry Minor (Pre-Med)
“I could not have been more grateful to have completed my abroad volunteer program with CFHI at the Red Cross Memorial Pediatric Hospital in Cape Town, South Africa. I was able to build my knowledge base for clinical practices and sit in during all the meetings, lectures, surgeries and follow any local medical student around during their rotations. Living in a developing country eradicates the focus of consumerism and the individual. You begin to appreciate the human race as one body and find your role in this world.”
Sierra Campbell
The School for Field Studies (SFS) | Research Program
Turks and Caicos
Microbiology Major, Chemistry Minor
"I helped conduct one of the first fish surveys on South Caicos after Hurricane Irma and Maria. It was an incredible and unforgettable experience that was full of adventure. SFS is a great program for field research, and GRIP helped me every step of the way."
Kali Swichtenberg
The Germanic Academic Exchange Service (DAAD) | Provider Program
Bielefeld, Germany
Microbiology and Chemistry Major, Studio Art
“I had the amazing opportunity to research in Bielefeld, Germany for three months through the DAAD RISE program. While I was there, I was able to learn and practice applicable laboratory techniques and be professionally mentored by a PhD student. I was also immersed in the German culture and participated in both day-to-day activities and special summer festivities throughout Germany. I also had the opportunity to travel to the Czech Republic, Belgium, and various German cities. Overall, this experience was highly valuable to me academically, professionally and personally.”
FIELDWORK TYPES AND PROGRAMS
Most students find internships three different ways: independently sourced ("do-it-yourself"), a competitive opportunity, or through an internship provider program.A "do-it-yourself" experience will be similar to searching for an opportunity in the U.S. You should engage your professional network both on- and off-campus for reputable organizations. Your professor, supervisor, professional acquaintances, friends, or family may have a connection to an opportunity. You may also contact the HR department of reputable organizations and inquire if they accept interns. Work with the Career Development office and also check the GoinGlobal county guides to tailor your resume to that particular organization and country, and you might even consider a mock interview with Career Development if they want to interview you. "Cold contacting" organizations that are not well-known or that you have no connection is not recommended for safety concerns. Search this way at your own risk.
A competitive opportunity might be a fully-funded experience in a specific field, but only a certain number of seats (and funding packages) are available, so prepare your application well in advance, taking advantage of relevant resources on campus including your departmental mentors, the University Writing Commons (and bring your other scholarship essays, too!), and the NAU National & International Scholarships and Fellowships office. There are many such opportunities listed with NISF, so be sure to check out the website!
Internship or fieldwork providers are organizations that assist with the placement process, from setting up interviews to arranging accommodation and 24/7 support and even hosting events and excursions. For these services, providers charge a "program fee." There are many providers out there, some reputable and some not! Before paying any application or program fee, meet with your Education Abroad Advisor to ensure it is a reputable program. Programs listed below are ones that NAU students have previously participated in and returned with success stories and are well-known as reputable programs in the field of international education.
Please note that it is the student's responsibility to ensure that an opportunity found with an organization listed on the GRIP Opportunity page or anywhere else meets the student's personal standards of safety and quality as well as their academic and professional goals. The opportunities listed are meant to be a resource for further research.
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Internship Abroad
Research Abroad
Teaching English Abroad
Funded Programs
Language Classes Offered
PRE-APPROVED FIELD WORK OPPORTUNITIES:
NAU Sponsored Programs:
NAU Hospitality on Easter Island, Chile: Student interns will complete a full-time workload at Explora Hotel, contributing to the hotel’s various areas of operation, as well as sustainability initiatives. Free days and vacations during the internship period will allow students to explore the wonderful culture and landscape of the island—much of which is designated as a National Park.
NAU Anthropology Internship on Easter Island, Chile - Terevaka Archaeological Outreach: Interns will take part in all aspects of the intensive program, from project design to project publications. In many cases, TAO staff and interns will work long, hard days. Interns will be expected to serve as role models, teachers, and friends for local high school students. Interns will also help to guide local students in fieldwork, archival research at the Padre Sebastián Englert Anthropological Museum, and computer work for organizing data. Interns will also serve as chaperones for the 15-20 local high school students that camp out on the hotel property for a two-week span.
Government Sponsored Programs:
Boren Awards: Boren Awards provide funding for U.S. undergraduate and graduate students to study less commonly taught languages in world regions critical to U.S interests and underrepresented in study abroad: Africa, Asia, Central and Eastern Europe, Eurasia, Latin America, and the Middle east.
DoDDS: The Department of Defense Dependents Schools (DoDDS) is a special opportunity for teacher candidates within the College of Education at a school are operated by the Department of Defense Education Activity (DoDEA). A lengthier application process is in place along with additional requirements to be considered an applicant to one of these international student teaching programs. Please check with your advisor or Marilee.Eveleth@nau.edu for more details.
Fulbright Commission: The Fulbright UK Summer Institute offers Fulbright Awards and Summer Institutes for US students, academics and professionals interested in studying, researching or teaching at higher education institutions in the UK. Spend 3-4 weeks in he UK next summer, all expenses paid for!
U.S. Department of State Internships: Programs provide students with opportunities to explore Federal careers while being paid for the work performed.
If you are interested in internships with other United Nations funds and programs listed, please apply with them directly through the links below.
Research Programs:
The School for Field Studies: SFS creates transformative study abroad experiences through field-based learning and research. Our educational programs explore the human and ecological.
SIT: School for International Training: SIT offers 4- to 6-week, for-credit internships abroad in approximately 30 locations in Africa, Asia, Australia, Europe, Latin America, and the Middle East and has broad networks in nonprofit, private, and government sectors. SIT offers internships for topics in climate/ environment, development/economy/inequality, global health. media/arts/social change, migration/identity/resilience/, and peace/human rights/social movements.
Wildlands Studies: Wildlands Studies has offered exciting and challenging opportunities. Our field studies programs put you in the field. Hike across mountain meadows, ford streams and camp in the forest. Swim in warm ocean waters and examine coral reefs and sea life.
EuroScholars: EuroScholars is a unique research abroad program for highly talented undergraduate students from U.S. and Canadian institutions looking for an international research experience. EuroScholars offers research projects at 5 internationally renowned European Research Universities in almost any discipline.
Provider Programs:
Asia Internship: Work with a wide variety of companies and organizations to best suit our participants’ needs based on career interests and academic/professional backgrounds.
CRCC Asia: CRCC Asia offers young professionals the opportunity to boost their global employability and truly stand out in the most competitive job markets with dynamic internships abroad in some of the world's most progressive organisations
Global Experiences: Join our community of over 8,000 global alumni by taking the first step towards an unforgettable international internship.
The Intern Group offers scholarships to ambitious and global-minded individuals who live our organization's values: teamwork, global leadership, continuous learning and people focus. can be combined with the discount your students already receive for being from a partner university.
- Full-Ride Global Leadership Grant to Bangkok
- $2500 USD Global Leadership Grant to Madrid
- $2500 USD Global Leadership Grant to Shanghai
- $2500 USD Global Leadership Grant to Colombia
The Education Abroad Network (TEAN): Broaden your horizons, expand your education and create long lasting memories through meaningful work and study abroad opportunities. Ask Holly Wheeler about the $1000 scholarship for any TEAN program.
VOLUNTEER PROGRAMS:
FUNDED FELLOWSHIPS
English Language Fellow (EL Fellow): Through the English Language Fellow (EL Fellow) Program, highly qualified U.S. educators in the field of Teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages (TESOL) or Teaching English as a Foreign Language (TEFL) participate in 10-month-long fellowships at academic institutions throughout the world.