97900 International Internship
Warning: The information on this page is indicative. The subject outline for a
particular session, location and mode of offering is the authoritative source
of all information about the subject for that offering. Required texts, recommended texts and references in particular are likely to change. Students will be provided with a subject outline once they enrol in the subject.
Subject handbook information prior to 2018 is available in the Archives.
Credit points: 8 cp
Subject level:
Undergraduate
Result type: Grade and marksAnti-requisite(s): 94680 Entering Professional Life (6cp) AND 94681 Entering Professional Life (8cp) AND 97901 International Internship
Description
This subject provides students with the opportunity to develop their intercultural awareness and professional skills through completion of an intensive internship, practicum or entrepreneurship placement with an international organisation. It is offered in July and Summer sessions, however the specific internships available may vary. Students participate in classes at UTS before their departure and after their return from overseas to support their learning experience.
The international placement in a company, organisation or institution gives students the opportunity to work in interdisciplinary teams on tasks and projects, and learn about the work practices and functions of the organisation. Through the experience of living and working abroad, the subject enhances students' intercultural communication skills and understanding of their own and others' cultures
Subject learning objectives (SLOs)
| a. | communicate more effectively in the local language of the international program and also in English |
|---|---|
| b. | reflect on the behaviours and values in the host and home cultures, thereby enhancing intercultural awareness |
| c. | learn independently |
| d. | engage with the activities of the international program |
Contribution to the development of graduate attributes
As this is a stand-alone subject and not part of a specific degree program, the subject engages with the following Faculty of Arts and Social Sciences Graduate Attributes:
1. Professional Readiness
2. Critical and Creative Inquiry
3. International and Intercultural Engagement
5. Active Citizenship
6. Effective Communication
Teaching and learning strategies
This subject provides an immersive, practical learning experience in an international location. Students learning is also supported by interactive seminar class at UTS before and after the international program. The pre-departure workshops will allow students to work in groups to explore aspects of intercultural learning and to help prepare them for their practical experience in a different society and culture. During the in-country program, students will participate in a program with the host organisation designed to give them practical work and problem-solving experience. Students will also collaboratively and individually reflect on their own and other students’ experiences and learning in workshops after returning to Sydney.
Content (topics)
The subject will include content on notions of culture,intercultural awareness, communication strategies and working in globalised societies.
Assessment
Assessment task 1: Completion of the international internship/practicum program
| Intent: | A mandatory component of this subject is the completion of the international program. This is a mandatory task that does not contribute to subject mark. |
|---|---|
| Type: | Exercises |
| Groupwork: | Individual |
| Weight: | Mandatory task that does not contribute to subject mark |
| Length: | N/A |
Assessment task 2: Intercultural Reflections Report
| Objective(s): | a, b, c and d | ||||||||||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Type: | Report | ||||||||||||||||||||
| Groupwork: | Individual | ||||||||||||||||||||
| Weight: | 50% | ||||||||||||||||||||
| Length: | 2,000 -2,500 words, containing the following to parts:
| ||||||||||||||||||||
| Criteria linkages: |
SLOs: subject learning objectives CILOs: course intended learning outcomes |
Assessment task 3: Presentation
| Objective(s): | a, b and c | ||||||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Type: | Presentation | ||||||||||||||||
| Groupwork: | Individual | ||||||||||||||||
| Weight: | 50% | ||||||||||||||||
| Length: | The presentation must be 3-4 minutes in length. Students will be stopped from speaking after 4 minutes. | ||||||||||||||||
| Criteria linkages: |
SLOs: subject learning objectives CILOs: course intended learning outcomes |
Minimum requirements
Students must actively participate in all activities of the in-country host institution program. Attendance at the pre-departure and presentations seminar is essential in this subject because important information is only available through the essential interchange of ideas with other students and the tutor. An attendance roll will be taken at each seminar.
References
The following list of references provides examples of encounters and journeys in a range of nations and cultures. The list also includes sample references on preparing for internship experiences.
In addition to this list, students will be guided to other sources relevant to the workshops and assessment tasks.
Baldwin, J.R., Faulkner, S.L., Hecht, M.L. and Lindsley, S.L. (eds) (2006) Redefining Culture: Perspectives across the Disciplines, Mahwah, NJ: Lawrence Erlbaum.
Bestor, T. C. 1998 Neighbourhood Tokyo, Documentary Educational Resources, Massachussetts (video documentary, in UTS Library).
Bonvillain, N. (2011) Language, Culture and Communication, 6th edn, Upper Saddle River, NJ: Prentice Hall.
Goodall, H.L. Jr., Goodall, S. and Schiefelbein, J. (2009). Business and Professional Communication in the Global Workplace, Boston: Wadsworth.
Gower, R.K. & Mulvaney, M.A. (2012) Making the Most of Your Internship: A Strategic Approach. Urbana IL: Sagamore.
Guilherme, M. et al. (eds) (2010) The Intercultural Dynamics of Multicultural Working, Bristol: Multilingual Matters.
Hofstede, G. and Hofstede, G.J. 1995 ‘Intercultural Encounters’ in Cultures and Organizations: Software of the Mind, 2nd edition, McGraw-Hill, New York, pp. 319-362.
LeBaron, M. (2003) Bridging Cultural Conflicts: A New Approach for a Changing World, San Francisco, CA: Jossey-Bass.
LeBaron, M. and Pillay, V. (2006) Conflict Across Cultures: A Unique Experience of Bridging Differences, Boston: Nicholas Brealey Publishing
Martin, J.N., Nakayama, T.K. and Flores, L.A. (eds) (2002) Readings in Intercultural Communication: Experiences and Contexts, 2nd edn, Boston: McGraw-Hill.
Neugebauer, J. & Evans-Bain, J. (2009) Making the Most of Your Placement. London: Sage.
Pink S. 2007 ‘Walking with Video’ in Visual Studies, Vol. 22, No. 3, December 2007, (pp. 240-253), http://www.tandfonline.com/doi/abs/10.1080/14725860701657142?journalCode=rvst20#preview (accessed 07 October 2014).
Scott, J. 2006 ‘God, We’re Not Immigrants! A Reflection on Moving and Staying’ in Portal Journal of Multidisciplinary International Studies, vol. 3 no. 1, pp. 1-6. Available online at: http://epress.lib.uts.edu.au/ojs/index.php/portal/article/view/150 (accessed 6 Nov 2014).
Slimbach, Richard, 2005 ‘The Transcultural Journey’, Frontiers. The Interdisciplinary Journal of Study Abroad, vol. XI (August). Available online at: http://www.frontiersjournal.com/documents/RSlimbachFrontiersAug05.pdf (accessed 6 Nov 2014).
Sorrells, K. (2013) Intercultural Communication: Globalization and Social Justice, Thousand Oaks, CA: Sage.
