Internships

Internship Course: INTS 3939

The INTS program offers students a high-impact internship course, INTS 3939, that builds professional capabilities. INTS students are strongly encouraged to complete at least one internship during their studies. INTS majors and minors may use up to six internship credits toward International Studies graduation requirements. Internships may be conducted in the United States or abroad, and they may be paid or unpaid. The process for undertaking an internship begins before or immediately after the start of each semester and is as follows: 

1. If you are a U.S. citizen, or an eligible international student, contact the Experiential Learning Center (ELC) INTS Internship Advisor and participate in an Internlink training session. If you are an international student seeking a paid internship, please first contact International Student and Scholar Services for a Work Clinic Information Session to determine your eligibility.

If you are seeking an international internship, also contact the Office of Global Education. Consider one of CU Denver’s Internship Programs Abroad. 

2. If you are looking for a U.S.-based internship, search Internlink for INTS-related internship opportunities. Be sure to search under "International" as a keyword. If students would like to approach a specific organization for their internship, the ELC can assist with that as well. 

3. Once you have selected/developed an internship through the ELC, you must gain approval from the INTS Director or Assistant Director. 

4. Once you have received approval and are assigned a faculty mentor (usually the INTS program Director), you may register for INTS 3939 (1 to 3 credits). This course is cross-listed with COMM 3939 and provides INTS students strong professional development skills and personal portfolio materials. To earn INTS internship credit, students must take INTS 3939 (not another internship course from a contributing department).

For further information regarding internships, students should contact the ELC or visit their website at http://www.ucdenver.edu/life/services/ExperientialLearning. Students should plan ahead and attempt to make all arrangements for their internship during the previous semester. The ELC holds workshops for students interested in finding internships.

Previous INTS Program Internship Partners (partial list)

  • AfricAid
  • African Community Center
  • Biotronik
  • Bridge Linguatec Inc
  • Car2go N.A. LLC
  • City and County of Denver
  • City of Lakewood Municipal Court
  • Colorado Refugee Services Program
  • Colorado State Capitol
  • Denver Rescue Mission / Lutheran Family Services
  • Ecologic Institute Berlin
  • Expert Council of German Foundations of International Migration
  • Five Fridges Farm
  • Foundation for Cultural Exchange
  • Global Alternative Energy Solutions
  • Grabel
  • Hope Connects International
  • Japan America Society of Colorado
  • New Era Colorado
  • Office of Governor
  • Rage Unlimited
  • Spatial Energy
  • The Nature Conservancy
  • World Denver - Denver World Affairs Council
  • World Trade Center Denver
  • Youth for Understanding USA

What Students Say:

"Internships through the University of Colorado Denver have offered incomparable work experiences while pursuing my bachelor’s degree. I was fortunate enough to work with the International Studies program and the Career Center to develop an internship with an organization I had previously only volunteered for: The World School. The Department of Global Education and International Studies program supported another vital internship experience to build upon my first one, and that was in the Study Abroad Program in Berlin. Between these two amazing opportunities, I was able to travel and work in Haiti on multiple occasions and live in Berlin for a semester while working at a gGmbH, similar to a nonprofit in the United States. Both experiences taught me more inside the workplace, as well as outside of it, than I could have anticipated. Internships abroad help students realize how intricate the systems and relationships around this globe are. The World School is a Non-profit organization formed for students by students in order to create a sustainable future via equal educational opportunities for all. It is an organization maintained by a network of individuals passionate about education. Throughout the internship, I developed and maintained communication with the partner organizations in Haiti and with the schools I was going to be traveling to after that semester. Both internship opportunities taught me about project management within an NGO. Without these opportunities, I would not have been able to see the intricate administrative processes within the industry that I plan to work in. The World School taught me what a true NGO is supposed to be dedicated to finances. Similarly, working in Berlin, at Nokta Rehabilitation, within a gGmbH, I saw how NGOs are supposed to function harmoniously with the country's government it is registered with. A gGmbH is a type of company that functions similarly to a non-profit with limited liability. Nokta Rehabilitation was established to support the influx of refugees that need assistance integrating into German society. Functioning as a gGmbH allows it to receive funding from the government in order to support the communities within Germany’s society. Seeing the way that these two non-profits treated the communities of people it worked with showed me what type of non-profit I dream to work in and how I am capable of making that happen. NGOs are able to function on a range of levels, but it ultimately depends upon the country and government it is performing in. Thanks to particular aspects within the University, I was able to succeed at following my passion. For any student that is interested in studying abroad or pursuing a career post-graduation, the International Studies program has truly been the most helpful guide. The Department of Global Education is also a strong resource supportive of similar endeavors. Regardless, whatever degree a student is pursuing, an internship is invaluable, especially abroad."

- Stephen Jefferson, BA ('20)