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Internships

The Academic Internship Program offers students the chance to gain professional experience in Italian businesses, cultural institutions, or NGOs, while following a course in class to earn academic credit towards an undergraduate degree. Internships focus on developing soft skills and cross-cultural competencies valuable for future careers.

Internships are offered for academic credit only. One internship credit corresponds to 45 contact hours with the placement, not including breaks, commutes, or class time. The final grade reflects both the quality of the work carried out on-site, the degree of professionalism and reliability demonstrated throughout the internship as well as the completion of course-related assignments during the semester.

To successfully complete an internship, all forms, assignments, and progress reports must be submitted to the Internship Liaison by the specified deadlines. 

Olimpia Bozza

Olimpia Bozza

Internships & Engagement Liaison
Contact Information

Olimpia Bozza coordinates the Internship and I-Engage programs, organizing volunteers and community outreach. She oversees the course fees and budget planning for the experiential learning components of courses, as well as acquisitions for studio arts courses, and creates content for social media.

Testimonials from Student Interns

“Working in a bilingual setting challenged and expanded my communication skills. Culturally, I was surprised by how collaborative and relational the workplace felt. I expected a more rigid or formal dynamic but instead found open dialogue and flexibility. The experience gave me a more personal look at how work-life balance and professional relationships differ across countries and taught me to embrace a more human-centered approach to work.”

“I am extremely grateful for this opportunity, and I truly appreciate how the program’s flexibility and personal approach allowed me to have such a meaningful and transformative experience.”

“This was something I fully committed to, and in return, I got so much out of it. I’m grateful for the chance to learn, grow, and build something that felt uniquely mine.”

“Although there were challenges at the beginning of the semester—particularly in adjusting to the rhythm and communication style of the workplace—those initial difficulties ultimately became valuable learning opportunities. I felt supported throughout the process and was given the space to grow as I navigated those early adjustments.”

“This experience not only sharpened my skills in copywriting, design, and marketing strategy—it also helped me become more culturally aware, open-minded, and confident in my ability to thrive in global professional environments.”

“Working in a different country is such a unique experience and gives you a well-rounded and worldly perspective on whatever field you’re interested in.”

“One of the most rewarding aspects of this internship was the creative freedom I was given. My supervisor allowed me to take the lead on projects, and seeing her genuinely impressed by my work was incredibly fulfilling. It made me feel valued and gave me confidence in my abilities.”

“I would absolutely recommend enrolling in an internship while studying abroad. I was initially hesitant, worried it would take up too much time, but it turned out to be very manageable. I was still able to enjoy my time in Florence, travel, and keep up with my schoolwork. The internship added to my experience abroad rather than taking away from it.”

    • Sign up for the 1 credit BPS course.
    • Complete an Internship Request Form via TDS.
    • Complete an online interview with the prospective host organization site supervisor (to be arranged through the Syracuse Florence internship Liaison). 
    • If you are chosen for the internship, you will receive the following paperwork: 

        • Acceptance letter which includes the name and contact information of your faculty supervisor and host supervisor.  

            • The faculty supervisor Is a member of the Syracuse Florence faculty who will lead the course and will act as your academic sponsor. You will also have regular contact with our Internship Liaison.

            • The host supervisor is an employee or owner of the host institution and is responsible for training the intern and overseeing their work for the duration of the internship.  

            • Acceptance letters are sent close to the time of arrival. 

        • Progetto Formativo (required by Italian law) which must be completed, signed, and submitted before the internship can begin.

          • Corso sulla Sicurezza sul Lavoro (Workplace Safety Training). This is a mandatory 4h online training, which is non-refundable if you decide not to proceed with the internship. You will receive a link and code to access the training portal and complete this module before you arrive in Italy.

        • On the first day of the internship, finalize your schedule with the host supervisor and agree on the tasks to be carried out. 
        • It is essential that you arrive on time throughout the semester and adhere to the agreed upon schedule. All hours must be completed within the established timeframe.  
        • In the case of illness or other circumstances beyond your control, inform the Internship Liaison AND site supervisor immediately (before your scheduled time of arrival) and arrange with your supervisor to make up the missed hours as soon as possible. 
        • Carefully follow all instructions from your site supervisor and internship Liaison. 
        • Maintain regular contact in person with your faculty supervisor during class time, as well as regular check-ins with the Internship Liaison.
        • Submit all reports, work logs, and assignments within the specified deadlines, as per course syllabus.

                Summary

                Semester DivisionAssignmentsOngoing Assignments
                Pre-arrivalAdd course to your scheduleCheck email regularly
                Provide application documentation and prepare for placement interview
                Placement interview
                Drafting internship schedule
                Workplace safety training
                Before the Internship BeginsSubmit Progetto Formativo
                During the InternshipFinalize internship schedulePeriodic updates to Faculty Supervisor (in class)
                Check Blackboard regularly   Periodic updates to Internship Liaison
                During the internship you will be expected to attend class, complete regular assignments and reports on Blackboard and complete 45h per credit in the workplace.
                End of InternshipInternship paperwork (Log of Hours and Evaluation by Placement)
                Departure