Interns help run the International Center’s daily operations and help develop and operate the center’s core programs.
Become an intern
An internship at the International Center (IC) will help you develop cross-cultural awareness and practical skills that are personally rewarding and highly valuable in an increasingly global society.
Internships are open to international and domestic students alike. Internships at the International Center are not paid positions. Applicants are reviewed each November (for spring semester) and April (for summer and fall).
An International Center internship provides professional development with experience gained through the internship and through additional professional development training.
Interns gain tangible experience working with and serving a diverse population representing over 100 countries while working on a diverse team representing 4-10 countries.
Internships are a semester-long commitment and interns are expected to dedicate at least 10 hours per week to performing their duties in the International Center.
Contact us if you have questions at ip.intlcenter@wsu.edu or 509-335-4223.
View the Internship Team descriptions below and use the link at the bottom of this page to apply for an internship.
Academic credit may be available; check with your advisor and/or academic department for credit approval. Past interns have used the internships to fulfill requirements for Carson College of Business; Department of Apparel, Merchandising, Design, and Textiles; Murrow College of Communication; Human Development; Psychology; UNIV courses; and more.
Be part of the leadership team
As an International Center intern, you are part of the center’s diverse leadership team.
In your specific internship area, you will help lead and implement critical aspects of the International Center’s mission.
Together with the center’s staff and fellow interns, you will:
- Develop your culturally sensitive professional skills in an international office environment
- Gain experience in marketing, events planning, or program management
- Attend weekly staff and team meetings, contribute ideas and constructive criticism, and provide feedback and expertise on projects
- Engage in outreach and participate in volunteer programs focused on international issues and global citizenship through the International Center and other campus/community entities
- Share general office and customer service duties: answering phones, responding to emails, and collaborating with fellow interns, staff, faculty, student organizations, and community members
The 7 internship teams
Events planning and programming
As an events planning and programming intern, you will lead and participate in the implementation and development of the International Center’s various events and programs.
Events and programming interns may work with student groups and other on- and off-campus organizations on collaborative events.
Duties may include:
- Plan and oversee Coffee Hour, which includes preparation and “day-of” supervision of the program
- Assist staff and students of the International Center, International Students’ Council (ISC), and the Office of International Programs (IP) with programming and events planning, including Campus Friends and Friends and Family activities
- Collaborate with marketing and communication interns to advertise and promote programs and events
Marketing and communications
As a marketing and communications intern, you will oversee and help implement the International Center’s promotional and outreach efforts.
You will also coordinate and manage the Center’s comprehensive marketing plan and collaborate with other interns and International Center staff on various projects, events, and programs.
Duties may include:
- Coordinate, create, and distribute brochures, posters, flyers, resource guides, etc.
- Manage International Center social media
- Incorporate multimedia applications in the Center’s promotions (for instance, using the CUB digital signage system)
- Collaborate with International Center interns and staff to develop and implement customized marketing plans based on targeting needs
Campus Friends
The Campus Friends program matches international and domestic students who are interested in friendship and cultural exchange. Working closely with International Center staff and other interns, you will oversee the operation and development of the program.
Duties may include:
- Coordinate and administer the logistics of matching international students with domestic students
- Maintain correspondence and records of application materials, emails, information requests, etc., for the Campus Friends program
- Coordinate, create, and distribute informational materials (brochures, flyers, resource guides, etc.) with the help of the marketing and communications intern team
- Collaborate with interns and staff to market, advertise, and promote the program on the WSU campus
- Communicate with participants via email and help maintain tracking of hours/record-keeping
- Collaborate with International Center staff to organize and present programming and events (orientation program, appreciation reception, holiday celebrations, etc.)
- Provide ongoing support to the individuals participating in this program
- Evaluate participant experiences periodically
Engage the World
Working closely with International Center staff and other interns, you will oversee the operation and development of the Engage the World program in which international students or students who have studied abroad give customized cultural presentations or seminars to WSU classes, local schools, senior centers, and other local community groups as requested.
Duties may include:
- Coordinate and administer the logistics of matching requested presentations and presenters
- Maintain correspondence and records of application materials, emails, information requests, etc., for the program
- Coordinate, create, and distribute informational materials (brochures, flyers, resource guides, etc.) with the help of the marketing and communications intern team
- Work with presenters to enhance presentation skills and accompany them to presentations
- Evaluate participant experiences periodically and keep data on program success
Friends and Family Program Manager
The Friends and Family program helps international students meet community members and experience U.S. family life. Working closely with International Center staff and other interns, you will help grow participation in this program.
Duties may include:
- Coordinate and administer the logistics of matching international students with community members, including providing an orientation for new families and students
- Maintain correspondence and records of application materials, emails, information requests, etc.
- Coordinate, create, and distribute informational materials to the WSU campus and Pullman community (brochures, flyers, resource guides, etc.) with the help of the marketing and communications intern team
- Collaborate with International Center staff to organize and present programming and events (orientation program, appreciation reception, holiday celebrations, etc.)
- Provide ongoing support to the individuals and families participating in this program
- Evaluate participant experiences for updates and changes as well as feedback
International Dependent Support Manager
Many spouses will not be fluent in English and due to visa restrictions are not able to work. They will often have difficulty communicating with others and completing simple tasks in a new country in a new language. This can lead to spouses feeling lonely and isolated. The International Dependent Support Manager will help create programming for spouses and children of international students.
Duties may include:
- Collaborate with International Center staff to organize and present programming and events for dependents (4-5 times a semester)
- Create 1-2 events each semester targeting international families and collaborating with WSU and community partners
- Facilitate community-building activities with campus partners (Women*s Center, WSU Housing, Center for Civil Engagement, and more)
- Provide or support educational activities to the individuals participating in this program (weekly beginner English tables, friending events, basic acculturation practice)
- Evaluate participant experiences periodically and share with International Center staff and other interns
Multi-media team
As a multi-media intern, you will collect, edit, and create audio and video content in short- and long-form formats to help explore and share the international student experience at WSU. You will also promote the International Center, International Programs, and our various partners.
Duties may include:
- Collaborate and assist IC interns and staff when developing and implementing multi-media plans based on team needs
- Film and edit audio and video projects in short- and long-form content
- Collaborate with other interns to collect principal footage and b-roll at various IC events for projects on the multi-media plan
- Continue to build the visual identity of the International Center and International Programs