During the fall semester, Samuel a BA (Hons) International Relations student, completed an academic internship with the University’s International Programs team as an IP Assistant. This internship allowed him to gain academic credit while developing valuable skills in international engagement, student support, and cross-cultural communication directly linking classroom learning to real-world experience within a global education environment. Today, he’s sharing his journey with you and how the academic internship helped him expand and explore his knowledge.
“Hi all, my name’s Sam, last semester I spent time as an intern with the Richmond International Programmes team! It was a brilliant experience, my first time working in an office environment and it was very valuable for my future.
I was involved in many varied tasks. Some tasks were research based, writing reports about Richmond for our prospective partner universities, gathering information for the department on global partners, visiting classrooms to speak about study abroad, as well as planning events to engage with current exchange students such as recording interviews for promotional content, and planning events. I had many varied tasks that I worked on, and I was given increasing levels of responsibility that made me feel like I was helping out the team well.
I picked up a couple of valuable skills, I got familiar with excel, a program that I will certainly need in the future. I also got better at planning and coordinating events, reaching out, researching and finding the best deals for those I work with, as well as creating engagement with those I visited in classrooms.
The skills I learned will most definitely help me in the job hunt after graduation, this internship was my first office job, and it helped me realise what tasks and responsibilities will be expected of me by employers. Creating reports for clients, creating presentations to present to colleagues as well as proficiency in Microsoft excel is a must in the modern work environment, and I have got a base in these skills now that I hope to bring into my next position working at a university during my master’s degree.
I would definitely recommend interning at Richmond, you are in a familiar environment, working with friendly faces that you may or may not have spent time interacting with already, I cannot stress the importance of getting practical experience while studying for your bachelors, if you are offered an internship by Richmond, definitely consider taking, it is a good way to earn some level 6 credits!”
Richmond’s Internships
Our Academic Internship program runs 3 times a year – Spring, Summer and Fall – You’re encouraged to apply to the academic program once you meet the internship criteria. Visit the internship guidelines via our dedicated internship page.
