Foreign Language Internship Program (FLIP)
Discover the FLIP Side. Discover you.
The Foreign Language Internship Program (FLIP) is a cohort-style professional language experience spanning two semesters: the spring term (pre-departure course) and the summer term (industry-based internship placement). This work culminates in an unforgettable summer experience in which interns travel abroad and work with real companies using their language skills.
Most undergraduate students only have three summers to spend as university students, and we know that generates a lot of pressure to cram in all the experiences you want to have. The FLIP program offers a one-of-a-kind solution to maximize your summer: No more choosing between study abroad or a professional internship; you can do both!
Program Design
The unfortunate truth is that language study is chronically undervalued in the United States. Our team was inspired by peer institutions that were able to offer international internships to encourage students to keep up with their language skills but also acknowledge the need for professional development during their undergraduate experience. When we designed our program, however, we inverted the structure. Instead of offering a pre-set list of internships that may not include opportunities for every student's area of study, we first build our cohort of students and then work with them to find or create their ideal internship.
The Purpose of This New Program Is To:
- create career-centered and funded work experiences for Notre Dame students who are Foreign Language majors (or minors in the foreign languages that do not offer a major).
- remove barriers in pursuing international opportunities by using a funding structure from donors and grants that facilitates ND students and families to participate in this low- to no-cost program.
- facilitate direct contact with internship sites abroad so students can start building their career networks on an international level.
- prepare students for life after ND by working with them in a small cohort-style learning community to build career readiness skills and expand their future opportunities.
"As far as I know, no other universities offer a program like this. Even though it's a lot of work, building FLIP this way is worth the effort. I love seeing students evolve from feeling uncertain and insecure in their language and professional skills to feeling confident and capable when they return to campus after finishing their internships."
Students Who Participate in the Program Will:
- receive a funded internship that allows them to travel abroad to be immersed in their target language.
- increase their marketability in a competitive work force by developing unique skills, including intercultural communication, problem-solving, professional relationship building, resilience, and other practical skills that cannot be directly taught in the theory-based classroom.
- build an international network of contacts in their chosen field.
- develop interpersonal skills in addition to the technical skills necessary to compete in a global market.
- learn to communicate effectively in a professional setting across diverse cultures.
Our Process
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August to October: Language faculty nominate their best and brightest students who they think are ready to take the next big step in professionalizing their language study.
- If you are nominated by a faculty member, you will receive an automated email inviting you to fill out the application for FLIP before the Nov. 1 deadline.
- You can ask a faculty member to nominate you; simply send them our nomination form.
- November: CSLC leadership invites applicants for a short interview and announces acceptance to the program before Thanksgiving Break.
- December: Students must accept or decline their offer before the end of the fall semester.
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Spring Semester: Interns work with CSLC leadership team through the CSLC 47000: FLIP Pre-Departure course (1 cr., S/U).
- Summer: Travel abroad and have the internship experience you've been dreaming of!