Southeast Asia Studies | Internships

SAIS offers internships in Southeast Asia to first year M.A. candidates in the Southeast Asia Studies program.  Since 1992, 154 SAIS students have spent summers working in Thailand, Vietnam, Cambodia, Laos, Singapore, Indonesia, the Philippines, and Hong Kong engaged in a variety of activities.  From 1992 through 1996, the summer internship program was funded by the Henry Luce Foundation as part of the newly established Southeast Asia Studies Program.  Since 1997, the program has benefited from a generous grant from the Houghton Freeman Foundation, with additional funding from the Starr Foundation for internships in Thailand and Vietnam.

Goals:

The Southeast Asia Studies Program seeks to give students the tools necessary for careers in Southeast Asia.  Internships provide students with the opportunity:

• To apply in the field the theories they study during the academic year;
  
• To gain hands-on experience in a particular professional field and thus gain credentials for post-SAIS employment; 
  
• To experience the rich and varied dimensions of Southeast Asian societies through living and working in a Southeast Asian country – that is, to enjoy life in one of the world’s most fascinating regions.
  

Internships span five areas of activity: 

1. Private sector, including banking, trading and investment houses, energy, information, and communications companies;
2. Journalism with local newspapers or regional magazines;
3. Non-governmental organizations concerned with economic development, human rights, women’s issues, and promotion of civil society;
4. Academic research in the region’s universities or think-tanks; and
5. Sponsored internships by the Department of State, the U.S.-Indonesia Society (USINDO), or international financial institutions such as the Asian Development Bank.

Click here for more information on types of internships.

Procedures:

During the Fall semester, incoming students submit a “letter of intent” outlining their professional objectives and qualifications together with a detailed biographic statement.  SAIS suggests possible choices and assists in working out the details of the internship.  The process of negotiating an internship can take several months or, conversely, a deal may fall into place quite easily.  Each case is different.

Students often have a clear idea of where they wish to work.  If so, they may pursue their objective on their own and arrange internship details directly with their potential host, in conjunction with and final approval by the Southeast Asia Studies Program.  Completing the application for a State Department internship with an American embassy abroad is the responsibility of the student and must be done early in the fall semester

Southeast Asia Studies Program provides a travel stipend to cover round-trip airfare to the region and incidental expenses.  SAIS requests the host organization to identify suitable housing, to provide a firm job description, and to meet and assist the intern upon arrival. Interns are required to write a comprehensive report on their summer activities.

The Southeast Asia Studies Program values ‘self starters’ and encourages initiative and self-reliance in all aspects of the internship program.  Students are advised to draft a strong letter of intent and a well organized curriculum vitae.   Hosts expect a summer intern to “hit the ground running” and to make a genuine contribution to the organization.