Internships
“An internship is a form of experiential learning that integrates knowledge and theory learned in the classroom with practical application and skills development in a professional setting.” -National Association of Colleges and Employers
Internships are an important part of gaining real-world experience in a field.
Common Characteristics of an Internship
- Three to six months long
- Part or full time
- Paid or unpaid
- On or off campus
- Connection to an educational program with academic credit
- Non-credited experience
For-Credit Internships
A Hope College internship involves:
- An academic course with deep learning in an applied setting for which students receive a grade and academic credit listed on their transcript
- A professor who:
- Oversees the internship
- Makes contact with the onsite supervisor and student
- Assigns and evaluates readings and written assignments
- Meets or communicates with the student regularly to stimulate reflections about vocation and calling
- An applied experience onsite at an outside employer
- Three hours onsite per week over the course of at least one semester or summer, along with time invested in course meetings and writing, for each credit earned
- An experienced on-site supervisor who conducts regular meetings with the student
Contact the academic department directly about earning academic credit for an internship in that specific field. The Boerigter Center is also available to support all students in the internship site search.
Off-Campus Study Programs
Hope College has long recognized the value of offering its students a wide range of off-campus study opportunities, both domestic and international. These are available to qualified students through exchange programs and the college’s membership in a number of consortiums. These include programs run by the Associated College of the Midwest (ACM), IES Abroad, the Council on International Educational Exchange (CIEE), College Year in Athens (CYA), Denver Urban Semester (DUS), the Oregon Extension, the New York Arts Program, the School for International Training (SIT), the Organization of Tropical Studies - Duke University, Creation Care Study Program (CCSP) and The Education Abroad Network (TEAN). Hope students also have the opportunity to directly enroll in a number of overseas institutions which have a partnership with Hope College. Semester and year-long opportunities for off-campus study are available in virtually every part of the globe. Summer programs offer short-term options.
As part of the overall program in global engagement at Hope College, the Fried Center for Global Engagement offers information and assistance to all students interested in off-campus study. Applications and detailed descriptions of the programs outlined below are available from CGE.
Students planning to participate in either domestic or international off-campus study programs should note the following:
- Planning to study in any off-campus program during either semester should begin, if possible, in the student’s freshman year. Enrollment restrictions apply to off-campus study programs during the spring semester but not the fall semester. Students are therefore strongly encouraged to participate in off-campus study during the fall semester. Enrollment restrictions during the spring semester may mean that study in an off-campus program will not be approved for everyone who applies, so fall semester alternatives need to be considered.
- The college annually reviews its policy regarding the types and amounts of institutional financial aid (Hope scholarships and grants) that can be applied to the costs of off-campus study programs. Students should check with the Office of Financial Aid to determine which types of institutional financial aid are transportable to their off-campus study programs.
Official Hope College Off-Campus Programs
Hope College exercises direct or indirect academic and administrative control over these programs. Students who participate in these are screened by the Off-Campus Programs Admissions Committee and they remain enrolled at Hope College. They continue to receive administrative support from the college and are entitled to retain financial aid and to have grades and credit earned recorded on their Hope College transcript. It is the responsibility of students to demonstrate to the Off-Campus Programs Admissions Committee that they have made prior arrangements with the campus administrator and/or the academic department(s) concerned for the awarding of credit. Once the student is off-campus, it is the continuing responsibility of the student to communicate any program changes to the campus administrator and/or academic department(s) who originally approved the awarding of credit.
Non-Official Off-Campus Programs
Students may, of course, enroll in other programs over which Hope College does not exercise administrative or academic control. It is important to note that students enrolling in one of these programs are, in practical terms, withdrawing from the college. This means that they do not need the permission of the Off-Campus Programs Admissions Committee in order to participate. However, they also lose the right to use Hope College financial aid and any credit earned will be treated as transfer credit. Students considering participation in one of these programs should consult their departmental advisor and submit a Transfer Credit Request for each course they intend to take in the non-official program. Upon completion of such a program, students who intend to return to Hope College need to apply for readmission. Students interested in pursuing a non-official program should consult with the Center for Global Engagement and may submit a petition to the International Education Committee to request special approval for the program to be considered “official” on a one-time basis for the individual student. If approved, the program would be treated as an Official Off-Campus Program.
Faculty-Led May, June and July Term Opportunities
Short-term off-campus study programs led by Hope College faculty members are available during the May, June and July Terms. These programs are generally announced toward the beginning of fall semester on Hope College Travel, with registration and program deposits required early in the spring semester. Students should consult with the program leader for further information about these courses.
Institutional Global Partnerships
Hope College has a number of institutional global partnerships with universities and colleges around the world. These partnerships allow for reciprocal student, faculty and staff exchanges and enhance the overall mission of the College. Hope students have access to these exchange programs through the Center for Global Engagement which also plays host to students from these institutions studying at Hope College. The following is a listing of the institutional global partnerships at Hope College:
- Ferris University, Japan
- LCC International University, Lithuania
- Liverpool Hope University, United Kingdom
- Meiji Gakuin University, Japan
- Autonomous University of Puebla, Mexico
- Autonomous University of Querétaro, Mexico
- Technos College, Japan
- Union Christian College, India
- Hanze University, the Netherlands
On-Campus Study Opportunities
Opportunities for Talented Students
Students who come to Hope with exceptional academic backgrounds and/or exceptional high school academic performance may wish to consult with their advisors about ways in which their academic potential may be developed to the fullest extent. Credit by examination via AP, CLEP, or departmental exams or waivers of general education courses or introductory-level courses can be gained in order to avoid repetitive learning and in order to insure placement at the proper course level in fields where they may have advanced standing. Further, research and independent study, both at the underclass and upperclass level, may be pursued to fully develop a student’s interest in a particular topic.
Across campus, students from all years are able to apply for summer research opportunities. These unique paid experiences, often supported by foundation research grants, allow students to partner with faculty to explore questions in their field of research.
The Phelps Scholars Program
The Phelps Scholars Program (PSP) is a living/learning program available to first-year Hope students. PSP combines residential life, academic engagement, and social activities that prepares students to be leaders in an increasingly global society. Phelps Scholars make a one-year commitment to live in community with others from a broad range of cultural backgrounds, and they explore together the issues of diversity that shape our world. Designed to facilitate an enjoyable transition to the college, it also provides the foundation for four productive years as members of our student body. Phelps Scholars aspire to Hope’s high standards of academic excellence; participate fully in the life of the college community; and develop skills, attitudes and values that prepare them for lives of leadership and service in a culturally diverse and global society.
Phelps Scholars accomplish this by:
- Living together in the same residence hall where they actively develop meaningful relationships with students, faculty and staff who represent a rich mix of cultural backgrounds.
- Taking the designated First Year Seminar course in the fall that focuses on identity development, empathy, and agency and then taking either IDS 200 - Encounter with Cultures or AES 210 - Introduction to American Ethnic Studies in the spring.
- Participating in workshops, group discussions and special events that focus on the practical aspects of living, learning, and working in a diverse community.
- Meeting guest speakers, taking culturally related trips and engaging with the campus in conversations on diversity and social issues.
Non-Traditional Programs
TRiO Upward Bound Program
TRiO Upward Bound is an educational program designed to assist 85 high school students from the Allegan-Ottawa Counties area. To be admitted, students must meet the low-income or first-generation criterion established by the Federal Government and have the potential - even though their grades may not reflect it - to undertake a college education. The main purpose of the program is to assist these students to successfully pursue a post-secondary education.
This year-round program consists of two phases:
- Residential Summer Session
An intensive six-week academic session which includes students who have completed grades eight-11. Emphasizes the mastery of basic and advanced skills in mathematics, English, foreign language and science. The above courses are complemented by electives in physical education, dance, drama, arts and crafts, and photography. High school credit is recommended. Approximately 85 students are admitted to this program.
- Academic Year Session
During the school year, students in grades 9-12 attend afternoon tutorials twice a week, two hours each afternoon, for help in their current academic classes. Friday sessions are held every month to foster the cultural and social development of the students along with their career education; speakers, and group communication skills workshops are among the activities featured at these sessions. College testing and placement assistance (admission to college and financial aid) are provided to all the 11th- and 12th-grade students and their parents. Cultural activities and college visits are also part of the program.
Eligible students may participate at no cost; the Upward Bound Program is funded by the United States Department of Education, Hope College, United Way and other local private sources.
CASA - Children’s After School Achievement
CASA is a community program of Hope College that addresses the educational needs of 145 at-risk elementary school students annually. Since 1987, the program has worked with thousands of children who have been referred by Holland area school personnel for year-round sessions. During the summer, certified teachers and assistants lead small group classes for six weeks. The focus is academic and cultural enrichment, as well as site visits and service projects. During the school year, each student is assigned a personal tutor who works one-on-one with the child on homework, reading and math, as well as enrichment activities.
Hope College students mainly serve as volunteer tutors for the academic year program. Their consistent three-hour per week commitment is a large reason why CASA is successful. The tutors provide role modeling, academic support and mentoring. In exchange, they receive valuable volunteer experience, multicultural and diversity understanding, and community involvement. They also can use CASA for field placement and/or community service credit in a number of Hope College classes. As well, Hope students can interact with CASA on research projects, class assignments, internships and service projects for various student organizations.
For additional information, please contact CASA.
Pre-Professional Programs
To help students develop their program at Hope College, faculty members with special interests and knowledge serve as vocational advisors. Students are encouraged to consult these advisors and to visit the Boerigter Center for Calling and Career, which contains extensive information about careers and other vocational information. Requirements for entrance into professional schools vary so widely that students interested in specialized fields should consult professional school catalogs early in their college careers.
Pre-Professional Program Advisors
Health Professions, Emily Baker and Terri Cregg
Law, David Ryden
Library and Information Sciences, Todd Wiebe
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