The Sydney Summer Internship Program offers students the opportunity to combine professional experience with academic coursework. Offered in summer term, students enroll in courses at the Sydney Center that explore Australia’s political systems, contemporary culture, cinema, and place in the modern world. Students also receive the opportunity to participate in Sydney’s local work life through an internship that earns academic credit. During their time in Sydney, students live in single bedrooms in fully furnished suites at the BU Sydney Center.
BU Abroad: A Sydney Perspective
BU Abroad: A Sydney Perspective
Requirements & Considerations
- Some courses carry prerequisites
- Non-US citizens must contact BU Study Abroad prior to submitting an application, and are strongly encouraged to apply early in order to allow sufficient time to secure a visa. Obtaining visas may not be possible for applications received after the March 1 deadline.
- Admissions requirements for all programs
Curriculum
Elective Courses
Students enroll in one of the following courses. Note: Syllabi are for course approval and reference only. Students will receive up-to-date syllabi when their courses begin.
- CAS EC 464 The Pacific Rim: Economic and Political Orders (4)
- This course fulfills a single unit in each of the following BU Hub areas:
- Critical Thinking
- The course focuses on the origins and dynamics of the ‘miracle’ Asia/Pacific economic growth, emphasising its impact on Australia. This region was the crucible for a global shift in political, economic and strategic power from the ‘developed’ western economies to Asia/Pacific.
- Syllabus
- This course fulfills a single unit in each of the following BU Hub areas:
- CAS IR 339 Australia and the Politics of Regional Security in Asia-Pacific (4)Effective Spring '21
- This course fulfills a single unit in each of the following BU Hub areas:
- Global Citizenship and Intercultural Literacy
- This course examines the new era of regional security in the Asia-Pacific region to understand the public policy implications for Australia and the United States. Students will be able to identify and understand how the region could evolve.
- Syllabus
- This course fulfills a single unit in each of the following BU Hub areas:
- Questrom MK 467 International Marketing Management (4)
- Prerequisite: Questrom MK 323 Marketing Management.
- Develops a critical appreciation of both the opportunities and challenges associated with the increasing globalization of markets. Students learn about the key environmental forces shaping the needs and preferences of the global consumer and the impact of foreign, political, and economic factors on the marketing mix.
- Syllabus
Internship Courses
Students enroll in a four-credit internship placement. Course numbers depend on the field of specialization in which the students complete their internships. Placements are contingent upon the student's past experiences, professional interests, and relevant academic history, as well as the availability of opportunities in any given semester; flexibility is essential.
- CAS AH 505 Internship in Arts/Arts Administration
- CAS EC 497 Internship in Business/Economics
- CAS PO 401 Internship in Politics
- CAS PO 405/IR 455 Internship in International Organizations
- CAS PS 495 Internship in Health and Human Services
- COM CM 471 Internship in Advertising/Marketing/Public Relations
- COM JO 411 Internship in Journalism
- COM JO 413 Internship in Broadcast Journalism
- SAR HS 405 Health Sciences Practicum
- SAR HS 410 Field Placement in Human Physiology
- SHA HF 390 Field Placement in Hospitality Administration
- Internship Components
- This course fulfills a single unit in each of the following BU Hub area:
- Individual in Community
- The internship itself (evaluated by the workplace supervisor)
- Academic strand of the internship, including multiple written assignments and participation in internship classes
- Internship advisor's evaluation
- Syllabus
- This course fulfills a single unit in each of the following BU Hub area:
Internship Areas
- Advertising/Marketing/Public Relations
- Work in marketing, social media, design, brand engagement and experience, advertising, and public relations agencies. Past internship placements have included Edelman, Haystac dentsu, Weber Shandwick, M&C Saatchi, The Hallway, Wunderman Thompson, L&A Social Media, and Banter.
- Arts/Arts Administration
- Work in book publishing, museums, theaters, galleries, and art events. Past internship placements have included Murdoch Books, Sydney Theatre Company, 107 Projects, and Australian Theatre for Young People.
- Business/Economics
- Work in general business, marketing, limited accounting and finance departments of Australian corporations, with entrepreneurs and government agencies. Past internships have included but are not limited to North Sydney Innovation Network, RSM Australia, MC Capital, and CoreLogic Australia. Placements vary by semester and are subject to availability, no specific organization can be guaranteed.
- Health/Human Services
- Work in therapy, education programs, social service departments, NGOs, or community care centers. We have limited psychology placements and no hospital placements. Past internships have included Lucas Gardens School, Me & My Wellness, Five Dock Physio, and Sports, Spinal & Rehab Solutions. Placements vary by semester and are subject to availability, no specific organization can be guaranteed. We encourage you to chat with your Program Manager if you have very specific interests within the Health track.
- Hospitality Administration
- Work in the hospitality industry in such fields as hotel or restaurant management. Past internship placements have included Intercontinental Hotels Group (IHG), Flave, Livelo, and Accor Hotels.
- International Organizations/NGO's
- Work in social activist organizations, environmental organizations, human rights organizations, and associated government departments. Past internships have included ActionAid Australia, WWF – Australia, Fred Hollows Foundation, Dreams2Live4, and Climate Action Network Australia.
- Journalism
- Work in writing, copy editing, research, design, and production for magazines, newspapers, or publishing houses. Past internship placements have included News Corp Australia, Luxury Travel Magazine, Concrete Playground, and Murdoch Books.
- Politics/Pre-Law
- Work with members of State and Federal Parliament and their staff. Study the history and practice of law in Australia and participate in the daily life of a Sydney law firm or commercial legal department. Past internships have included International Commission of Jurists and various Sydney solicitors.
The above are examples of past internship placements only. While BU Study Abroad guarantees an internship to program participants, specific placements may not always be available. Likewise, internships may be available in academic areas not listed.
Housing & Student Services
- Students have single, furnished rooms, in 3–4 person suites with a shared kitchen, 1.5 bathrooms, and common area with a television. They are provided with bedding, a bath towel, and wash cloth. There is a microwave in the kitchen which can also be used to bake. There is a mall a short walk away where students can purchase kitchen supplies, home goods, and groceries.
- Board is not included/no stipend
- No dining hall availability
- Library and classrooms in the same building for students to use
- 24 hr. security, a roof deck for students to hang out, a fully-stocked library with computers, classrooms in the same building
Program Dates
- Summer Term: Late May to late July
Application Deadlines
- Summer Term: March 1
This program is rolling admissions; applications are reviewed once all application materials are received, prior to all deadlines. It is the student’s responsibility to ensure that all required materials are received by the BU Study Abroad office. Students are encouraged to apply as early as possible as some programs and internship tracks have limited space and may fill up before the deadline. Submitting a complete application prior to the application deadline, does not guarantee acceptance. Students will be emailed an admissions decision within three weeks of a completed application.
Information for BU Students Awaiting an Admissions Decision and exceptions to the standard admission calendar for all students can be found here.
Cost & Financial Considerations
- Summer 2022 Tuition & Fees: $9,400
Cost includes tuition, housing, field trips, overseas medical insurance, and emergency evacuation coverage. - Estimated program budget, including cost of living expenses for Summer 2022
- Grants and Scholarships available
