Internships
INTERNING IN PRAGUEIn today's competitive market, having an international internship on your resume is an excellent way to attract future employment interviews and opportunities. An international experience with a company really sets you apart from the mainstream.
TO APPLY: Go to the application page on the website and complete the online form and submit it electronically. It is the same form for both interns and participants applying for the academic program. At this time, you will also submit your $100 deposit. You must also send your resume, with some strong references, to us at esac@goesac.com. We will then submit your resume to different firms here in Prague to get you approved. This can take between about two and three weeks. We have a number of very well established sites with law firms, health clubs, consulting firms, hotels, not-for-profits and others.
BASIC INFORMATION: All internships are based in Prague, are conducted in English and run from 4-8 weeks. You would begin when the program starts on July 8, 2010 after participating in our orientation day, mainly so you can meet all the others who will be studying and doing internships. (If you wish to extend your internship for longer than four weeks, you may do so. You will have to make housing accommodations.)
Examples of Internships:
Law Firms and Legal Work
General Management
Accounting
Marketing
Economics
Research and Publication
Banking and Finance
Human Resources
Hotel and Travel
Not-For-Profit Organizations
... and more (just ask us!)
For more general information about the program, prices, dates, application, you can visit the ESAC homepage. Just remember that instead of taking classes during the day, you will be at your internship site.
It is important to note that every summer ESAC has a large number of students who wish to conduct internships and spaces are limited so it is quite competitive. However, if you apply early then it should not be a problem to secure you a spot with your first choice of organization. Some applicants wait until April and then it is very difficult to get them their first choice of locations.
The ESAC program accepts between 15-35 students every summer, some are taking the courses while others, like you, are doing internships with a variety of different companies around the city. As an intern, you get to participate in all aspects of the program except classes, since you are working. What is great is that after you finish up at the office, you have a bunch of friends waiting for you to go out and explore Prague in the evenings. If you look at the website, you can see a list of everything that is included in the program including accommodation, cultural events, metro pass, weekend excursions, etc. You are included in all of these as well as we give you back cash for the meal plan since you are not on campus. But we can work with your site to get you the weekend off for Germany - they are quite flexible.
INTERNSHIP WITHOUT STUDY ABROAD PROGRAM (PLACEMENT ONLY)
If you do not want to participate in Study Abroad Summer Program and still want the internship you can contact us without filling out the online application. There is a placement fee of $800 payable on internship confirmation. This internship placement is available from September through May. All we need is your updated Resume/CV and once you are placed we will connect you with your Internship site manager.
Frequently asked questions about Internships:
1. Do you have references of people who have used ESAC in the past for internships? Would I be able to contact any of them?
YES! You can contact Daniel:
“I think this is the best opportunity that anybody has ever given me, thank you! Right now I am sitting here in my luxurious hotel room over looking Warsaw. I have learned more in two days here talking to the GM at Holmes Place and others than I have for four years in school. They are full of innovative ideas and I can see why this company is so successful. I can't thank you enough for giving me this internship opportunity and I am definitely starting to get some direction of what I want to do after school.” -- Daniel Hilby, Rock Island, Illinois dhilby8@gmail.com
2. What kind of companies would I be interning for?--international or domestic firms in Prague?
It depends on your area of interest. We have a number of well established relationships with law firms, consulting firms, management consulting agencies, hotels and non for profits. Once we know your area of interest, we submit your resume and arrange a placement. Some are Czech firms but most of them are international companies. Once I have your resume, we could start looking at the best option for you. Every summer we place several interns with Holmes Place, Deloitte and the Liberal Institute and the participants love those internships.
3. The website is based mostly on study abroad, is there a section for just internships that I may not be seeing?
We usually work directly with the interns because we only accept a few each summer (between 6-8). There is some basic info on the site for interns. The only difference in the website information for the regular ESAC programming is that while you are at your internship site, the other students in the program are in class. But you participate in everything else as they do, including all the evening events and travel weekends.
4. Since I am not taking classes, is tuition deducted from the cost of the program? What is the cost?
The cost of the internship program is $300 less than the students cost because you will not be on campus, therefore you do not need the meal plan or the course materials. However, you are participating in every other aspect of the program (metro pass, accommodation, cultural events, orientation, trips). The only thing you would not be using is the meal on campus so that portion is deducted. The tuition costs are allocated toward your internship placement fee. The cost for the internship program is $3390.
5. Will I still get to go to all the businesses (such as Microsoft and Ernst & Young) even though I am not in classes?
Sure, you can tell the intern site Director in advance what days and times you would like free so that you can attend the site visits. However, most interns find they would rather stay at work because the internship sites provide quite rewarding work. However, I would get you the full schedule in advance. You would also want to take off for Berlin and the Amazing Race Day.
6. Will I have any free time to do what I want, for example, go visit relatives in Germany?
You bet, there is one free weekend and you can always arrange time off directly with your site director. The internship Directors are usually very flexible. During the week, there are optional events to attend but in general, you can do what you like in your evenings. All external trips you wish to arrange you must do so on your own through local agencies.
7. How much more is it to stay longer and do a longer internship?
There will be no additional cost for staying longer. However, you will have to extend your metro pass and you will need to secure housing accommodations. In some cases, we can extend your room rate in the residence hall. The cost of the extension in the res hall is quite reasonable and usually you can stay in your same room. However, most students go to Craig’s List and locate a short term rental in a flat. The program officially ends on August 4, 2010 so at that point, the ESAC events are over. But we are still here to support you if you need anything.
8. Is there a language requirement?
Nope, all in English.
9. I know you said to apply early, but what is the deadline?
The deadline on the website is February 15, 2010. However, I would strongly advise that if you are serious about one of the internship slots, you try to make your decision by January 1, 2010. This summer we will place a limited number of interns because there are only so many openings during summer. The sooner the better.
10. Are there any scholarship opportunities?
ESAC does not have scholarships but you can look at the ESAC website for additional resources on funding. Some are pretty good.
11. Do I pay the $3,390 in one large sum?
Yes, you will pay the full amount once you are placed. First you apply and pay your $100 deposit. When you apply, send us your resume and a few letters of recommendation or references. Once we place you, then you can pay the remaining balance. You can pay by check, wire transfer or use PayPal, either way is fine. If you wish to attend Berlin it is an additional $600 and if you plan to join the week long travel extension, the additional cost for that trip is $1250.
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