Application Guide for International Internships uOttawa

Are you a student at the University of Ottawa who is looking to intern abroad? Have you heard about the International Internships uOttawa program that helps students like yourself access high-profile companies within and outside Canada? If this information is news to you, then it’s a good thing you’re here.

This article covers the international internship program at the University of Ottawa, Canada. It provides information from the sponsors on the eligibility requirements, the costs involved, and how to apply for the internship.

About the University of Ottawa

uOttawa, or the University of Ottawa, is a public university in Ottawa, Canada’s capital city. It was established in 1848 and had an incredible history with the people of Canada. uOttawa is one of the most prominent bilingual universities in the world, having many programs in English and French.

As a tertiary institution, uOttawa also offers programs at various levels of education, including undergraduate, master’s, diploma, and Ph.D. The university has several programs of study, including programs in Health, Social Sciences, Medical Sciences, Engineering, Management, Common Law, etc., at both undergraduate and graduate levels. It is also a top-rated destination for international students, with international students making up 25% of its population.

About International Internships uOttawa

International Internships, uOttawa, is a 12-week-long internship program by the Faculty of Social Sciences, University of Ottawa. It is an unpaid program in partnership with Canadian NGOs and up to 20 countries where qualified undergraduate or master’s degree students can go abroad to gain practical insight into their course of study. This internship usually accounts for six (6) credit units in your curriculum. It could also be three (3) or nine (9) units depending on your program or level of study. You can, however, add extra units by taking one or two intensive courses immediately after the training.

Additionally, the internship can be virtual or on-site/fieldwork for the 12-week duration. Application costs naturally differ based on which type of internship you apply for. The faculty and its NGO partners usually shoulder some of these costs for the students involved.

Eligibility Criteria for International Internships uOttawa

Already mentioned in this article is the fact that the International Internships uOttawa is a program by the Faculty of Social Sciences. Hence, you have to be a student in the faculty; a registered full-time student at the undergraduate or master’s level, to qualify for the internship. In addition, the training you intend to undertake must meet an academic requirement for your program of study.

However, there are various other criteria you have to meet to qualify for the internship. Some of these criteria differ based on the level of study (that is, undergraduate or master’s), and we will cover both of them below;

Undergraduate Requirements

To qualify to apply for the International Internships uOttawa program, an undergraduate must;

complete at least 54 units in your study program
have a minimum 6.0 CGPA (Cumulative Grade Point Average)
demonstrate written and spoken proficiency in English, French, or Spanish Language, depending on the internship’s location
pay a non-refundable fee as applies to the internship
not have any previous internships at that academic level
in some instances, be a Canadian citizen or permanent resident.
be available to work for at least 12 weeks

Graduate Requirements

The requirements for International Internships uOttawa graduate level internship are similar to the undergraduate requirements. However, a few key differences still exist. To apply for the International Internships uOttawa, a graduate student must;

obtain permission from their research supervisor and the M.A. supervisor of the academic unit (before even applying)
demonstrate written and spoken proficiency in English Language, French, or Spanish, depending on the internship’s location.
pay a non-refundable fee as applies to the internship
and not have any previous internships in that academic level

Application Procedure for International Internships uOttawa

A few steps come between your decision to apply for International Internships uOttawa. These steps could prove to be complicated without proper guidance. Hence, we will break them down properly in this section. Follow these steps carefully;

The first step is adequate counsel: you must meet with the International Field Placement Coordinator at least once. In this meeting, you will discuss your options with them to understand which of the Internship Opportunities you qualify most for and which suits your program of study the best.
Once you have confirmed the necessary details, send in your application by filling in the application form before the deadline. You should receive a confirmation email afterward. This email will serve as proof that you applied before the deadline.
Next, you will write a letter of interest and craft a resume for at most two positions of interest. The resume and the letter of interest must be in the language of the country you are applying to. Therefore, you may need a translator to work on your documents.
After getting the resume and letter of interest, you will write an internship email containing both documents and send them to [email protected]
If your application is flourishing and you are accepted, you must attend the mandatory training program. This training is usually around 30 hours, constituting a section by the Faculty of Social Sciences and another by the Canadian NGOs. The pre-internship training covers topics like ethical issues in international cooperation, international development relating to your host country, mission, and projects of the Canadian NGO partners, etc. This training occurs the semester before the internship as the university sees fit.

International Internship Application Costs

The amount of money you will spend on your internship depends on several factors, including the kind of internship. Naturally, virtual internships cost less than field internships.

Virtual internship candidates need to do the following:

Internet Access for the period of the internship
A Computer
Tuition fees
$1300 fee (which should naturally be $3500, but the faculty shoulders most of the cost)

On the other hand, field internship candidates’ expenses could be the following:

Tuition fees
Visa
A medical certificate, police records, etc.
$3700 price (should be $10000, but the faculty handles most of the cost)

Frequently Asked Questions

#1. How long is the International Internship uOttawa?

The University of Ottawa’s international internship is a 12-week-long program. Sometimes, it can last as long as 13 weeks, but only that long.

#2. Does the internship count in terms of the credit load at uOttawa?

Yes, it does. The international internship uOttawa accounts for six (6) credit units at the undergraduate level and three (3) at the master’s level. However, you could get even more credits by signing up for internship courses immediately at the end of the program.

#3. When can I start applying for the International Internship uOttawa?

Applications for the international internship uOttawa begin at each academic session’s start. That is the semester before your internship semester.

#4. What is an international internship?

An international internship is an opportunity overseas that grants students or recent graduates the opportunity to work in the field as part of their academic requirements, career development, etc.

#5. Is International Internship uOttawa paid or unpaid?

The International Internship program at the University of Ottawa is an unpaid internship.

Conclusion

Are you in the Faculty of Social Sciences, University of Ottawa? Do you fit all the criteria already listed in this article? Are you interested in taking your internship abroad? It would help if you considered taking the first step of the application procedure to see what lies in store for you. Good luck.