How do I get started?

Step 1: Develop your proposed idea

• We advise you to begin your planning as soon as possible. Depending on your proposal, you may also need IRB approval and/or a work permit. Take some time to reflect on your academic and/or professional interests and goals.
• Ask yourself: What questions or issues would you like to spend a summer exploring? Are you interested in tech start-ups; conflict resolution and activism; rural development online journalism; or global health. 

Step 2:  Find a host organization

• Develop a list of potential organizations. This requires research and may necessitate narrowing down your interests.
• Ask yourself: Where you might pursue this interest? Is there a particular part of the world in which you would like to spend the summer? What organizations are working in this field? Who is doing particularly interesting work in your area of interest? 

Step 3: Vet organizations

• Based on their reputation, consider how capable they appear to host an international volunteer, how interested you are in their location, and how well their mission and activities line up with your goals and interests. There may be Princeton faculty who can help with this vetting. The Streicker team can also assist and provide guidance to assess the viability of a host organization.

Additional vetting criteria to consider:

• Are there any prohibitive travel restrictions to the host organization’s location, or is the organization located in a country where there is a travel warning from the US State Department?

Note: Princeton University does not fund or sponsor undergraduate student travel to countries where the United States has issued travel restrictions. Students who have a compelling educational reason to travel to countries under a State Department travel warning can submit a request for an individual travel exemption, and should make an appointment with an IIP adviser as soon as possible. Students must review the guidelines on the Global Safety and Security site for their location before choosing a site for application. 

• Has the organization hosted interns before? Hosting interns require management experience and time on the part of any organization. It is a good idea to have a sense of how much experience they have providing the mentorship and support required of a typical internship or project. If it is possible, try to contact someone who has interned with the organization before to learn about their experience.
• Do you have sufficient command of the language that is commonly spoken at the host organization? Make sure you would be able to communicate effectively with coworkers and/or clients/beneficiaries.
• Is there a fee for participating in the internship? Students seeking to work at host organizations that charge fees to host interns will generally not be considered for the Streicker Fellowship. 
• Does IIP or another Princeton University-sponsored program place students at the organization? Generally speaking, students seeking to work at host organizations who host interns from other Princeton-sponsored internships or funding sources will not be considered for the Streicker Fellowship. 
• Are there any ethical concerns about working with the host organization? Learn about the organization’s background, their track record, how they are perceived in the local community and by experts in your area of interest to ensure they operate in an ethical manner.
• Can I use a private internship placement provider to plan my internship? No. Internships that are organized through a private internship placement provider based in the US will not be considered for Streicker International Fellowship Program funding.

Step 4: Other things to consider

• Another approach to designing your own internship is to tap into social networks you have at your disposal. Princeton faculty and alumni are generally very open to meeting with undergraduates to discuss their interests and help connect them to individuals or organizations they know.
• Before approaching faculty or alumni, be sure to have put some thought into what types of issues you are interested in exploring and/or on what geographic area you would like to focus.

Regardless of how you find a potential host organization, it is important to properly vet it using the criteria described above.

To make an initial connection with a host organization, if possible, try to establish a personal connection with someone who works at the host organization through a professor, alumni or other personal contact.

Most students will not have such a personal connection at the host organization where they are interested in working. Making that initial connection will require tact, persistence, nerve, and a bit of luck.

E-mail Communication

• The easiest approach is to send an initial e-mail to introduce yourself. Most websites have some sort of “contact us” link but it is always better to send it to an actual person (even if you do not know them personally). 
•  In your initial e-mail, state your interest in the organization and why your interests match the needs and/or mission of the organization. You should request contact information for someone who can answer your questions related to internship possibilities. Indicate the timeframe in which you would like to do the internship (remember, to be considered for Streicker funding, internships or projects must be eight weeks) and the fact you are seeking funding so that there would be no cost to the organization. Be sure to attach an updated resume. (Visit the Center for Career Development website for help with resumes and cover letters.) 
• Do not be surprised or overly disappointed if you do not receive a reply right away. If you do not hear anything, give it a week or two and then send a polite follow-up e-mail. Unless it is explicitly stated otherwise on the organization’s website, you might also try calling to follow up on your initial e-mail.
• Make sure to save any correspondence you have with the host organization. When you apply for Streicker funding, you will be required to submit a document compiling your correspondence with the host organization.

Follow-Up

• Even if the host organization shows interest, you may have to follow up regularly to remain on their radar. Remember to be polite and avoid being too overbearing.
• Should you find after e-mailing and calling an organization that they are unresponsive or uninterested, you might try targeting a different organization.
• If an organization is serious about hosting you, the chances are at some point you will be interviewed. If you interview for a position, be sure to send a thank-you note or e-mail within 48 hours of the interview.

Accepting an Offer

• If you are offered an internship, make sure to define in as much detail as possible what you will be doing. What are the organization’s expectations of you? What are your expectations? Make sure these align.
• If and when the host organization agrees to host you, you must obtain an offer letter. The letter should be printed on the organization's letterhead and signed by the most appropriate organizational authority.

Visa

• You are responsible for conducting research and ensuring that you are eligible for travel for the duration for the Streicker Fellowship. Often times host organizations or the country regulations will stipulate a specific type of visa for your internship. Applying and receiving a valid visa can take up to several weeks. You will need to make sure you apply on time to ensure that your travel and internship dates are not jeopardized. The Streicker team can assist or guide you through the process, but the student will need to prioritize the visa application. The Streicker program will cover the cost of visa up to and no more than $200. 

Housing

• Reach out to IIP students or previous Streicker fellows to learn about housing and how to identify safe neighborhoods. Read evaluations from past Streicker fellows and IIP interns.  Ask for recommendations from your co-workers.

Meals

• Research the food scene and its prices to understand how much food costs and what you can expect to pay. Use meals as a way to meet as many people as possible in the community. Don't eat by yourself!

Other Accommodations

• Research and make sure the location, whether it’s the city, local transportation or general cultural norms will be able to accommodate your religious, gender or ethnic identity and dietary restrictions. Check with UHS and ODS to ensure that you will be able to accommodate your needs while traveling abroad. Make sure to share with the Streicker team in advance so you can also receive the resources and guidance before you consider a location.