Sydney Internship Program

Purdue students with majors in the above listed departments are eligible if they have attained a minimum cumulative GPA of 2.5 out of 4.0, reached at least junior standing (four semesters of study) by the start of the program, and have the prerequisites for the internship course for their major. Students who have switched majors need to have taken some classes from the new major to qualify for participation.

In order to determine eligibility, check with your academic advisor about prerequisites for the following courses: A&D 47800, AGEC 49800, ANTH 39000, AT 43300, BIOL 49500, CGT 31600, CHM 49000, COM 49000, CS 49000, CSR 39800, EAS 41900, ENGL 49000, F&N 35000 (Dietetics), F&N 59000, HDFS 39000, HIST 49900, HK 49000, HSCI 39000, HTM 39000, IT 19100, MET 49900, MFET 49900, MGMT 39000, OLS 49100, POL 40300, PHYS 39000, PSY 49200, SOC 39000, STAT 49000, and THTR 39000.

Successful candidates will demonstrate academic success, maturity, and a desire to experience another culture.

Only Purdue students physically on the West Lafayette campus during the spring semester are eligible to participate in this program.

Internship placements are available in a variety of sites, including small businesses, corporations, art facilities, government agencies, brokerage houses, publishing companies, museums, radio stations, and many others. Internships offer students a learning experience which integrates formal academic preparation and the culture of the work place, furthering the development of professional values, attitudes, and skills.

CAPA, the internship/program coordinator in Sydney, will locate an internship in the student's major and general area of interest usually prior to departure. Placements depend on the major, background, training, interests, and talents of the student, as well as success in securing the internship at the time of the interview (by phone prior to departure or in person after arriving in Sydney) with the potential internship site.

By working approximately 20-24 hours per week, students should easily be able to fit in the total required 140 hours. However students should not plan to have Fridays or weekends free, and commute time, which can be up to an hour each way, does not count towards internship hours.

Students will attend a weekly Internship Focus Session as well as enroll in one three-credit course, taught by Purdue or Australian faculty. Internship hours will be arranged around students' class schedules. Students should note that, just like on campus, there must be a minimum or maximum number of students in a class to be able to enroll in it. While students will be asked during the application process to select one of the courses below, it does not guarantee them a spot in that class. Following admission into the program, courses will be filled on a first come, first served basis.

Students must take one of the two courses listed under Time Block A and should check with their academic advisor as soon as possible regarding the best class for their plan of study:

Courses for Summer 2013

Time Block: A

HTM 39000: Exploring Australian Wine
3 credits
- Instructor: Australian Adjunct Instructor

This introductory course presents an overview of basic winemaking, red and white varieties and styles, fortified and sparkling wine production, Australian viticulture areas, and sensory evaluation of wine. Suitable for the novice, the focus of this course is on appreciating the diversity of Australian wines. A range of wines are tasted and discussed.

By the end of this course the student should have a greater knowledge of wine varieties and styles, a basic technical understanding of winemaking, uniform language for sensory evaluation of wine, awareness of flavours and aromas, and a greater appreciation and ability to express their experience of wine. They will also have an understanding of wine growing in Australia. There are no prerequisites for this course, but students must be 18 years old by the start of the study abroad program. There is an additional class fee of $95 for wine tastings and daytrip to the Hunter Valley.

MGMT 39000: International Business
3 credits
- Instructor: Patrick Johanns

This course examines international business in the era of globalization. It examines the international business environment, including national cultures, government regulations, international institutions, international trade, and international finance. The course explores how that environment affects the decisions of managers and the strategies, structures and activities of firms operating in the global market place. It is our belief that business decisions and activities can only be understood within the context of the international environment within which they operate. Furthermore, effective management of the modern firm depends upon knowledge of the global business environment and the development of related analytical skills. There are no prerequisites for this course.

Time Block: B

Sydney Internship Experience/Internship Focus Session (REQUIRED)
3 credits
- Instructor: evaluated by the student's Departmental Internship Supervisor

In order to receive credit for the internship, students must successfully complete ALL of the tasks listed below.

Prior to departure:
-- attend the mandatory advising session in February as well as the pre-departure orientation in March or April
-- compile a resume, cover letter, and internship questionnaire according to the instructions and standards discussed at February's mandatory advising session
-- be interviewed via telephone by the potential internship site in Sydney (students who are not placed in an internship prior to departure will be interviewed in person in Sydney)
-- based on the internship site and expected duties, develop a list of goals and objectives

While in Sydney:
-- attend a one-hour-per-week Internship Focus Session designed to increase awareness and understanding of the culture, people, and work environment in which they are training
-- keep a daily journal to reflect on and analyze internship experiences
-- intern/work 140 hours (approximately 20-24 hours per week)

Upon return to the USA:
-- write an Internship Analysis Paper that includes 1.) a description of the internship work setting, the purpose and structure of the host organization, and the student’s responsibilities; 2.) a description of one or more experiences which relate the student’s academic program; 3.) a review and evaluation of the student’s learning objectives; and 4.) a discussion of how the internship experience relates to concepts or theories learned in academic courses at Purdue and what was learned from the internship

Interns will also be evaluated by the on-site internship supervisor toward the end of the internship. Evaluations will be mailed to Purdue by CAPA when completed.

NOTE: Some academic departments may have additional academic requirements for their students. The internship experience will be awarded a letter grade or grade of pass/no pass, depending on the department’s policies. It is the student’s responsibility to discuss these details and requirements with his/her academic advisor and/or departmental internship supervisor!

The program fee includes a half-day guided tour of Sydney and a full-day guided tour to the Blue Mountains and Featherdale Wildlife Park.

Any student who chooses not to participate in the excursions will not receive any refund of the program fee. Additional inexpensive and subsidized excursions and cultural events will be available at the student's expense.

The Meriton Apartments in Waterloo are a 5-star serviced apartment complex in the Moore Park/Waterloo precinct of Sydney. Waterloo is about a 10 minute bus ride to Sydney CBD and around 30 to 45 minutes from the CAPA Center in North Sydney. 

Four students will live in a two-bedroom, two-bathroom fully furnished and equipped apartment. Each apartment has a TV, CD, and DVD player, laundry room, hair dryer, and much more. Students will also have access to Meriton's gym, pools, and sauna.

The program costs are estimates. They are useful for planning purposes, but are subject to change due to currency exchange rate fluctuation and inflation. Students should regard these figures as approximate amounts. Compared to West Lafayette, Sydney is an expensive city and extensive travel on weekends will increase students' costs.

The program fee includes tuition & fees for six credits, housing, internship placement, excursions, and a pass for local transportation.

Students enrolled in the Australian Wine course will pay an additional $95 fee due to the additional daytrip and wine tastings.

Costs for this program are estimated and subject to change. The cost figures listed below are for: Summer 2013

Purdue University financial aid may be applied to the costs of studying abroad. Students interested in receiving financial aid should

• direct financial aid inquiries to the Division of Financial Aid on the West Lafayette campus; 
• consult website Study Abroad Financial Aid Process;
• complete and submit the FAFSA by the appropriate deadline.

NOTE:  Recipients of certain tuition remission and scholarship programs should pay careful attention to the regulations for using those benefits for study abroad.  Ask your financial aid advisor about any limitations.

Click here for a list of scholarships and grants available to assist with the costs of studying overseas.

For full consideration, students must submit all supporting documents by the application deadline.  Popular programs fill quickly, often before the deadline.  To insure a place in a program, apply early.

As soon as a student submits an on-line application, a My Study Abroad account is created. Applicants should consult this page often to check on the status of the application.

The preliminary application includes: the online study abroad application, a transcript, essay, two recommendations (one academic recommendation on the form that you can download from your MyStudyAbroad page and one work-related recommendation on company letterhead from any current or previous job or internship supervisor), and a copy of your passport or proof of passport application.

The preliminary application must be submitted to Programs for Study Abroad by February 1, 2013.**We will begin reviewing completed applications in early January; the program could potentially fill up before the deadline. It is imperative, however, that the preliminary application is complete by the deadline at the very latest!**

Once students are conditionally accepted into the program, they must attend one of the two mandatory advising sessions on February 6th from 6:00 until 8:00 in KRAN G016 or on February 7th from 3:30 until 5:30 in WTHR 320. Students must remain present for the entire session.

During the advising session students will receive further instructions on completing the rest of the internship application, including resume, cover letter, and other additional paperwork. 

Upon full acceptance into the program, students are expected to pay a non-refundable confirmation deposit to ensure their participation in the program and course choice.

Click below to search for Purdue students who have participated in this program and are willing to be contacted.  If you get no results, you can use the search form to find people who studied in the country you are interested in.

The websites listed below contain information about this program. The accuracy of information at external sites cannot be guaranteed.

• Search Google(tm)*
• Department of State Consular Information
  (You must find Australia in list)
• CDC Travel Information (You must find Australia in list)