Singapore: Summer Internships
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What You Need to Know
The primary component of this course is a six week internship in Singapore. A summer internship in a country consisting of Chinese, Indians and Malays is one of the best ways to gain an understanding of the Asian markets and mindsets.
For the internship component, you will be placed in a carefully selected commercial, financial, not-for-profit or a governmental organization in Singapore. The sponsoring companies represent a diverse array of multinational and Singapore companies. Every effort will be made to place you in a position that matches your primary career interest, although this cannot be guaranteed. Most placements are in management consulting and finance.
As an intern, you will be responsible for completing real projects typical of those normally assigned to graduates in entry-level positions. The organization, in consultation with the faculty in charge, will assign you to projects that it considers important and can be accomplished within a six week period. It is noteworthy that a few of the past internships have even led to employment for our students.
Being employed in Singapore will help you appreciate the richness of the Asian culture and the efficiency of this tiny nation. While much of Southeast Asia still wallows in poverty and political unrest, Singapore stands apart. It is a land of prosperity surrounded by a sea of inefficiency. The unemployment rate is very low and business is booming.
While enjoying an experience of a life time, you will notice that Singapore is not too different from home either. Living conditions in Singapore are among the best in Asia, with state-of-the-art facilities for education, shopping, sports and recreation. It is a modern city with an excellent public transportation system and an unusually low crime rate. English is widely spoken and is the language of business, administration and technology. People are hardworking, hospitable and friendly.
Another key component of this course is the group’s visit to neighboring countries. The field trip to Malaysia will expose you to a very different economic, political and religious environment and will give you further insight into the Malay world and the challenges it poses to Singapore. You will also travel to Thailand to experience the beauty of its beaches, the hospitality of its people and the richness of its Buddhist heritage. The stark contrast between Singapore and these two nations will help you appreciate the value of good leaders, and hopefully, will inspire to become one.
Take Another Look at the Program
Students must enroll for a total of six (6) credits. To earn these credits, you must register for Experience Credit (BUA 470/670), Independent Study (BUA 490/690) or a combination thereof. Alternatively, with approval from the major advisor, students could also register for courses in their major area (for example, MAR 470/670 or INB 490/690).
Alex Thevaranjan, an associate professor of accounting at Syracuse University will direct the program for the sixth year. He has visited Singapore many times and is fluent in one of Singapores official languages. A local agent will assist him in directing the program. Professor Thevaranjan has published his research in leading journals of Accounting, Economics, Marketing and Operations Management.
For more information about Professor Thevaranjan and the program, students are encouraged to visit his website at http://myweb.whitman.syr.edu/athevara/ or contact him via e-mail at athevara@syr.edu or phone at 315-443-3355.
The program is primarily intended for graduate students who have completed one year and undergraduate students who have completed 2-3 years of a management discipline. Students are expected to have taken courses in economics and all the functional areas of business. Students must be able to speak English very well. More importantly, the program is intended for students who are eager to learn and appreciate the differences that prevail in an international environment.
Students from other disciplines are also encouraged to apply because non-management internships can also be arranged. However, you must first email your resume to the faculty director (athevara@syr.edu) and inquire about your case before sending in your application.
More importantly, this program is for you, if you are eager to learn and appreciate the differences that prevail in an international environment. You should expect and be able to adapt to the challenges such a cross-cultural environment is almost certain to present.
You should verify with the Malaysian and Thailand consulates in the U.S. about the entry requirements to these countries, and if needed, obtain the visas before leaving for Singapore. On the other hand, the program will obtain for you, the necessary training visas to enable your internship.
Students arrange and pay for their own transportation to Singapore. Students should arrive in Singapore on May 26th. They need not arrive early because an orientation to Singapore and the region is already built into the program. Students should plan to return home on July 9th the day the program ends.
Advantage Travel specializes in student fares and can assist with flight arrangements for your summer program. For more information, please contact Sally Curtis at scurtis@advantagecny.com or 1-800-788-1980.
IMPORTANT NOTE: Do not purchase your airline ticket before receiving written notification from us that you can book your flight. You will have to present this notification if we cancel the program at a later date, and you want to be reimbursed for the cost of the ticket.
Students are responsible for accommodations, transportation and meals in Singapore while on this program. Syracuse University can recommend accommodations. Some group meals and travel are included in program fee.
| Arrive in Singapore: | May 25, 2009 |
| Program Begins: | May 25, 2009 |
| Internships begin: | TBA |
| Internships end: | TBA |
| Program ends: | July 8, 2009 |
| Depart Singapore: | July 8, 2009 |
| Application deadline: | February 15, 2009 |
*You must plan on staying 1-2 weeks longer if you internship is longer than six weeks
Applicants must complete the Internship Placement form found online. It is very important that students send a well-polished two-page resume by e-mail to the professor (athevara@syr.edu).
| UNDERGRADUATE (6 credits) | |
|---|---|
| Tuition | TBA |
| Program Fee | TBA |
| Total | TBA |
| GRADUATE (6 credits) | |
| Tuition | TBA |
| Program Fee | TBA |
| Total | TBA |