Hamilton College Academic Year in Spain Internships

 

In January, 1997, a new HCAYS venture was initiated: field internships. The primary purpose of these projects is to allow a student to immerse himself or herself more fully in the cultural and social environment of Madrid. Whether or not for academic credit, every internship must follow particular guidelines and be carried out in an academic context. The following details are to be considered tentative and subject to change.

In general, each internship requires 6-8 hours a week of work, plus a 1 1/2 hour group meeting (and, in some cases, individual interviews) with the Internship Coordinator and selected guest professors or other authorities. Students are required to draw up a prospectus (internship proposal), do supplementary reading, maintain a diary (field notes), and prepare a final report or paper, in addition to mandatory attendance at all meetings and fieldwork sessions. The number of internships permitted may be limited, depending on the activities available, the number of students interested, and the particular topics requested.

Most, if not all, of the internships are drawn from the following tentative list (subject to change). Under exceptional circumstances, a different topic of the student's own choosing may be accepted.
  1. Education:
    • nursery school
    • institutes and private schools
    • public and private universities
    • Caritas (for students with difficulties)
    • English as a Foreign Language

     

  2. Health:
    • hospital work
    • rural medicine
    • HMO work (health insurance)
    • Social Security work

     

  3. Other areas:
    • churches, parishes
    • women's organizations
    • Salvation Army
    • residences for the elderly
    • entertainment
    • courts of justice
    • social work

 

The official course description of an Internship taken for credit is listed with the semester offerings.

Credit systems vary from one academic institution to another. Students are strongly urged to check carefully with their language department or school administration to verify that they will receive full credit upon their return.

Created by: Jennifer Bogdanski
Last Modified: 6/27/97