Global Internships: Boston, Massachusetts, USA

Current information is from Summer 2023. Updates for Summer 2024 will be posted in November 2024.

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Summary

Gain first-hand knowledge, connections, and work experience through an academic internship in Boston, Massachusetts. On this program you will:

• Undertake a professional internship in research or entrepreneurship in Boston: a global leader in innovation and entrepreneurship!
• Earn academic credit for your internship via a ten-week online course
• Take an additional online course through UC Berkeley Summer Sessions and make progress towards your degree!

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Program Location

Both dynamic and historic, Boston is a world-class hub of intellectual advancement and entrepreneurship. Home to more than 30 colleges and universities, the Boston area is one of the world’s great academic centers. It is also a hive of innovation and business activity in a range of industry sectors, from finance and technology to healthcare and marketing.

Boston offers a wide variety of cultural activities, from historical sites and museums to theatre, dance, music, and sports. Boston is a beautiful and manageable city, easily explored with its excellent public transportation system – the first in the U.S.!

With all these advantages, Boston is a hub of opportunity – and an ideal venue for a challenging and rewarding internship program.

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Program Details

Dates:

• Boston: June 11 – August 5, 2023
• Online Course: June 5 – August 11, 2023

Dates are subject to change.

Units: 6 units

Language of Instruction: English

Two Required Courses:

• One online course through UC Berkeley Summer Sessions

And your choice of:

• UGBA C155: Leadership - Purpose, Authority, and Empowerment (3 units)

OR

• UGIS W158: Global Citizenship (3 units)

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Housing

• Students will live in townhouse apartments in the Fenway neighborhood of Boston.
• Students will have access to a shared bathroom and communal kitchen to prepare meals.
• Students will be housed with other program participants in shared rooms of two students per room. Please note that there are gender-inclusive rooming options available for this program. If you have clarifying questions, please feel free to reach out to the program staff.

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Eligibility

• Currently enrolled in a degree program or have graduated within the last 12 months
• At least one year of college coursework completed by the start of the program
• 2.0 GPA or higher
• At least 18 years old at the time of application
• International students must have completed one year of full-time study at a college in the United States in the year immediately preceding your internship, be authorized for F-1 Curricular Practical Training or J-1 Academic Training under federal visa regulations, and have a valid visa for the extent of the program.

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Application

• Application opens December 1, 2022
• Space is limited and applications are accepted on a first-come, first-served basis
• Deadline to apply is January 16, 2023

Courses

In addition to your internship, you will be required to take two online courses for a total of 6 Berkeley units. 

Possible Course Combinations

• UGIS C155 + Additional UC Berkeley Summer Sessions Online Course
• UGIS W158 + Additional UC Berkeley Summer Sessions Online Course

Internship Courses

Option 1:

Course: Undergraduate Business C155
Title: Leadership - Purpose, Authority, and Empowerment
Dates: June 5 - August 11, 2023
Instructor: Dan Mulhern, J.D.
Units: 3 units
Prerequisites: None

The purpose of this course is for the students to develop understanding of the theory and practice of leadership in various organizational settings. It is designed to allow students the opportunity to develop leadership skills through experiential exercises, behavioral and self-assessments, case studies, class discussions, and lectures. 

Option 2:

Course: Undergraduate & Interdisciplinary Studies W158 
Title: Global Citizenship
Dates: June 5 - August 11, 2023
Instructor: Jeroen Dewulf, Ph.D.
Units: 3 units
Prerequisites: None

With this course, you will be able to add a new dimension to your internship experience: a reflection on global citizenship. You will be challenged to use your internship experience as an opportunity to critically explore cultural differences, modes of conduct and values. A series of audio-visual lectures, practical exercises, writing assignments, projects, and online group discussions will stimulate you to leave the comfort zone of what you are familiar with and to explore alternative views on right and wrong, good and bad and the beautiful and the ugly. The course will also encourage you to interact with locals and to engage with the city/region/country where you live during your internship. It is our hope that this course will help to increase your consciousness about the challenges of being a global citizen.

Consult with your college/major advisor to see which degree requirements these courses may fulfill.

Summer Sessions Online Courses

Please choose one of the courses offered through the Berkeley Resource Center for Online Education listed here. It is your responsibility to make sure you meet any course-related prerequisites as these are general UC Berkeley courses. Please note, these courses do fill up, so the earlier you apply, the higher the likelihood of you getting your first choice.

Registration

Global Internships staff will enroll you in courses after your acceptance to the program. Please make sure there are no active blocks on your student account that may impact your course enrollment.

Instructors

Dan Mulhern, J.D.

UGBA C155: Leadership: Purpose, Authority, and Empowerment
Email: mulhern@berkeley.edu

Dan Mulhern is a nationally recognized expert in the fields of leadership and organizational culture. Mulhern has worked with a wide range of organizations, from start-ups to Fortune 500, from government to non-profits. He has coached and presented at well-known companies like Ford, Google, and Facebook, but also delights in a strong practice with large nonprofits like Goodwill of Greater Detroit, Americorps, and the Chicago Legal Aid Foundation.

Jeroen Dewulf, Ph.D.

UGIS W158: Global Citizenship
Email: jdewulf@berkeley.edu

Dr. Jeroen Dewulf is an Associate Professor in the Department of German at the University of California Berkeley where he teaches courses in German Studies and Dutch Studies. He is also Queen Beatrix chair as well as Director of Institute of European Studies and Director of Dutch Studies.

Born in Ostend, Belgium, Dr. Dewulf graduated in Dutch and German Philology at the University of Ghent. He holds a Master's degree from the University of Porto and a Ph.D. from the University of Bern. His areas of specialization are European Studies, particularly related to (multi)cultural identity in Belgium and the Netherlands, and Post-Colonial Studies, in particular, Dutch colonial history and literature.

Internship

The Global Internships team works one-on-one with you to find an internship that matches your career goals, interests, and experience level. Internships in Boston are available in a variety of fields but will focus specifically on research and entrepreneurship. Internship placement is guaranteed.

Opportunities can vary year-to-year due to such factors as market trends, time of year, and economic trends. Common industry sectors for internships include, but are not limited to:

Additional Placements Available In:

• Business Services
• Communications and Marketing
• Education and nonprofits
• Tourism and Hospitality
• Academic research

Some challenging internship fields to place in Boston are:

• Finance – alternate placement in small firms in roles including accounting, auditing, financial research and analysis.
• Government - alternate placements in nonprofits or NGOs that work with government-related issues.
• Psychology and Healthcare - alternate placements in research or health-related nonprofits.

Costs

Tuition and Program Fee

The fees to participate in this program are broken down into 1) tuition and 2) program fees, which are applied to your student billing account as follows:

*Program fee includes accommodations. Students have the option to opt out of program housing and find their own accommodations. These students will pay a reduced program fee of $1,895.

Fees are subject to change. All non-Berkeley students must pay an additional Document Management Fee of $65.

Estimated Out-of-Pocket Expenses

In addition to the fees outlined above, Berkeley Study Abroad has estimated amounts for out-of-pocket expenses. These amounts are used to calculate financial aid packages for eligible students. Actual expenses will vary depending on your lifestyle and spending habits.

Financial Aid

Financial aid is available for UC Berkeley students who are enrolled in at least 6 units during the summer.

​​Financial aid estimates for 2023 Berkeley Global Internships programs are now available in the Summer Financial Aid Estimator in your Cal Central account.

Please FIRST obtain your estimate in the Summer Aid Estimator, then write to travelaid@berkeley.edu if you have any questions about the estimate you receive. Your estimate will include a Berkeley Study Abroad Scholarship if you qualify for one based on financial need.

How to locate the Estimator:

1) Log into Cal Central
2) Navigate to the My Finances Tab, and find the "Financial Resources" card
3) Scroll to the bottom of the Financial Resources card and click on Summer Sessions
4) From the Summer Sessions menu, click on Summer Cost and Aid Estimator

Make sure to adjust the number of units in the estimator if your program offers a choice of course selection. If your program only offers one combination or one course for 6 total units units, you do not need to update the units in the estimator.​

All other students should contact the financial aid office at their home institution for more information.

Explanation of Fees

Tuition is based on a per unit cost: 

• The UC undergraduate student rate is $419 per unit
• The visiting student rate for all non-UC participants is $590 per unit

The program fee includes the following items:

• Student housing in shared, apartment-style accommodations, if you choose to stay in program housing
• One-on-one meetings with the internship placement coordinator
• Resume review
• Interview preparation
• Professional development seminars
• Pre-internship orientation
• The initial non-refundable deposit of $400, which will be charged on February 1, 2023, is applied to the program fee

Please note that the list of items included in the program fee is not all-inclusive and is subject to change.

The following items are excluded from the program fee:

• International airfare
• Personal expenses (souvenirs, routine medical expenses, toiletries, etc.)
• Meals (access to kitchen facilities will be provided)
• Course materials (textbooks and readers)
• Additional meals
• Commuting costs for the daily travel to and from your courses
• COVID-19 testing fees for travel-related purposes

Timeline

*All dates are subject to change.

Summary of Recommendations to Student Travelers to Boston

Berkeley Study Abroad is actively monitoring COVID-19 on the ground for all in-country programs. All programs that are running have gone through a screening for COVID-19 safety. That said, the global pandemic is an ever-evolving situation, and programs may need to be postponed (and in some cases, cancelled) in the event of an increased risk of COVID-19. To prepare for this, Berkeley Study Abroad recommends the following:

• Vaccinations and boosters are strongly encouraged and recommended to participate in Berkeley Study Abroad programs. If students have a vaccination exemption, we cannot guarantee that they will be able to travel, re-enter the U.S. upon return, live in program housing, take public transportation, or participate in program activities. You may also be subject to a mandatory quarantine period upon arrival, which would be your financial responsibility. If you are a student with a vaccination exemption and wish to study abroad, we highly recommend you reach out for an advising appointment to discuss if there would be a program that would meet your needs.
• Purchase refundable or changeable airline tickets in case the on-the-ground situation changes
• Research entry and exit requirements and restrictions for all countries you plan on traveling to (including paying attention to any travel prior to your arrival in-country for your program)
• Budget for entry and exit related expenses related to COVID-19 that are not covered by UC travel insurance policy. Details about the student travel insurance policy, and to find out what is covered, click here.
• Regarding vaccination status: All students must comply with the UC Berkeley UHS and UC policy on reporting requirements, proof of vaccination, or exemption. For students with vaccination exemptions, please research entry requirements for the program location. It is each student’s responsibility to plan and budget for necessary quarantines/additional testing, etc.
• Please take the time to familiarize yourself with any and all COVID-19 safety protocols in-country, and take extra precautions to keep yourself and others safe. Especially in these times, it is important to consider how our actions can have an impact on local communities while we travel in study abroad programs.

Additional Links and Resources for Travel to Boston

• CDC COVID-19 Data page
• Boston COVID-19 page
• Consider signing up with the state department here to receive the latest Travel Advisories when they are posted on travel.state.gov.
• Recommendations for Fully Vaccinated Travelers
• Global Vaccination Rates
• FOR STUDENTS TRAVELING WITH A NON-US PASSPORT: IATA Travel map which outlines restrictions for all nationalities.

Traveling Responsibly

On July 15th 2021, the University of California Office of the President announced a system-wide vaccine mandate that will require all students, staff, and faculty be immunized against SARS-CoV-2, the virus that causes COVID-19. Summer 2022 program participants must comply with this mandate prior to their program start date. It is imperative to plan ahead as several COVID-19 vaccines require a 6-week period to achieve effectiveness. All students must comply with the UC Berkeley policy on reporting requirements, proof of vaccination, or exemption.

Please also take note of the COVID-19 related travel entry requirements for the country in which your program is taking place. These entry requirements may vary depending on which national passport you are traveling with. Note that some locations require proof of vaccination for entry, and that any costs associated with quarantining for non-medical related reasons will be the responsibility of the student. Please also pay close consideration to the route you are planning to take to enter the country, as some locations may have additional travel restrictions from places outside the US.

Lastly, while traveling to and living in your program country, we urge you to consider not only your own safety, but also the safety of others. As students representing the UC Berkeley community, especially in these times, it is important to consider how our actions can have an impact on local communities while we travel in Study Abroad programs. Please take the time to familiarize yourself with any and all COVID-19 safety protocols in-country, and take extra precautions to keep yourself and others safe.