Answering to the growing demand for international work experience, leading international education exchange organisation CIEE last month merged with the US-based Academic Internship Council (AIC) in a bid to expand internship programming globally.
The partnership will bring together 60 CIEE study centres worldwide and AIC’s global internship network to create what the organisations say is “the most comprehensive portfolio of internships in the field” both in programming scope and geographic locations.
“The worldwide recession has meant that it has rarely been tougher for graduates to get a start in their chosen field of work”
“The worldwide recession has meant that it has rarely been tougher for graduates to get a start in their chosen field of work,” said Tony Johnson president of AIC.
“ ‘Employability’ has become an important part of experiential education, and we want to see this international experience become the stepping stone to their careers.”
For AIC, Johnson said the merger with CIEE will allow the organisation to grow in new markets with discussions already underway for potential new sites in Australia, Asia, Africa and South America.
With over 30 years’ experience in the sector and having placed more than 30,000 students in international internships, Johnson is confident the demand for work placements is only set to rise.
“Employers want work experience and international experience from their recruits, graduates who can bring more than a good Grade Point Average to their organisation,” he said.
“Students understand that, which is why study abroad and work experience are so high on the academic agenda.”
Founded in 1947 to promote peaceful coexistence among nations after World War II, CIEE annually helps more than 5,500 international students participate in US-based internship opportunities through the US State Department’s Exchange Visitor Program
CIEE also organises academic internship opportunities in 21 international cities for US students.
Since launching in 2011, AIC has established collaborations with 30 US and international universities, organising academic internship opportunities for students in Canada, India, Hong Kong, Singapore, and the USA.
