During the summer term, students in the M.A. in Political Science graduate program have to undertake an intensive research project or do a full-time internship.
The internship provides students with the practical professional and international experience necessary to compete in today's global labor market.
Listed below are examples of internships that past students have completed. This is not a definitive list, and no placement is guaranteed. Moreover, each year, internship opportunities evolve based on students' various talents, language skills, and career interests, on the needs of particular organizations, and on the availability of alumni to host EUPS interns within their offices. Placements are made directly, when possible, or based on an application process and interviews with the academic coordinator and/or providers if these so request, or in case there are more applicants than posts available.
NGO
ItaliaHello
Florence, Italy
ItaliaHello is an online platform that provides critical information to asylum seekers in Italy. For students, this internship is an excellent opportunity to apply the academic subjects they have learned in class to the real world, providing them in turn with more practical knowledge about specific national policies. In the past, JMU students have updated website content, attended outreach meetings, and provided updated and in-depth research for potential immigrants on several European countries like Germany, Spain, France, and Denmark, illustrating their labor markets, health care systems, family policy, and immigration policies. Visit Website
OXFAM
Florence, Italy
Oxfam is an international organization working with partners and local communities in more than 90 countries, to find practical, innovative ways for people to lift themselves out of poverty and thrive. Interns with Oxfam Italia in Florence work on fundraising and awareness-raising projects. They organize presentations and local fundraising events. They familiarize themselves with the inner workings of a leading international NGO. Visit Website
Robert F. Kennedy Human Rights Italia
Florence, Italy
Founded in 1968, the Robert F. Kennedy Human Rights is a non-profit organization created by Mr. Kennedy's closest friends and family to realize his dream of a more just and peaceful world. Today, this living memorial is one of the foremost international human rights organizations. In 2011, the Center moved one of its international locations to Florence, enabling a partnership with JMU. Interns have helped the Center through research in the field of human rights, education, and democracy and have assisted with the organization of conferences, exhibitions, and events. Visit Website
UNESCO
Florence, Italy
This United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization’s Florence Chapter (a local branch of the specialized agency of the United Nations) seeks to preserve European artistic heritage and to promote cultural exchange among young people worldwide. Students conduct independent, guided research with the support of local stakeholders on heritage-related topics, contribute to conferences and fundraising events, and help out with social media and communication. Visit Website
Government
Europe Direct
City of Florence Administration
This European Commission funded office promotes communication between EU institutions and the Florentine public. Students help with community outreach, organization of conferences, book presentations, EU-related events, and projects. In addition, they contribute to prepare and carry out the bi-annual Festival d'Europa and yearly Europe Day celebrations that take place in Florence in May, in coincidence with the EUI's State of the Union Conference. Visit Website
Human Rights Violators and War Crimes Center, Department of Homeland Security, Washington D.C.
Remote internship with the U.S. Government
The Human Rights Violators and War Crimes Center (HRVWCC) is the only United States government entity focused completely on investigating global atrocities and the perpetrators of human rights violations and war crimes. Initiated by the Department of Homeland Security’s (DHS) Homeland Security Investigations (HSI), in 2008, the HRVWCC leverages the knowledge and expertise of a select group of special agents, attorneys, intelligence analysts, criminal research specialists, and historians who are charged with preventing the United States from becoming a safe haven to individuals who engage in the commission of war crimes, genocide, torture, and other forms of serious human rights abuses from conflicts around the globe. The Center also brings together other DHS components and federal partners, who work collaboratively alongside HSI to pursue human rights violators and war crimes investigations and prosecutions. Through a collaboration between JMU EUPS and the HRVWCC, graduate students conduct research on human rights violations in various regions of the world. Visit Website
U.S. Consulate General Florence, Department of State, Washington D.C.
Mostly Remote internship with the U.S. Government
Past students have been selected for an 80% remote internship at the U.S. government's Department of State seat in Florence with the task of putting together and translating daily local and national press reviews, helping to organize external events (such as Memorial Day) and receptions, translating legal documents and composing briefs for local staff and officials on local issues of interest. This is an opportunity for students interested in pursuing a diplomatic career path post-Masters. Please note, students must be able to pass an initial Italian language test to demonstrate fluency in Italian. Visit Website
Academic
European University Institute (EUI)
San Domenico di Fiesole, Florence
The EUI is the most important EU-related research institution in Europe. The exclusive relationship with the EUI allows interns to work as researchers attached to current political science projects or in the EUI’s administration, where they carry out tasks that can vary from the creation and updating of mailing lists and webpages to the communication of EUI initiatives, the support in the management of websites and the organization of academic events. Visit Website
Law Department, University of Prishtina, Kosovo
EUPS students can apply for internships with the University of Prishtina, the capital city of Kosovo. Specific placement details are determined every year based on the competences of applicant students and their policy interests, and the research projects to be supported within the Department of Law of the University of Prishtina. At the beginning of each summer term, after receiving their project charge from the Kosovo partner, interns will travel to Prishtina for approximately eight days. While there, they will be introduced to relevant organizations and government bodies on the ground and conduct interviews/meetings with stakeholders. They will return to Florence and, working remotely, prepare their analytical products over the rest of the summer semester. At the end of the summer semester, students will deliver their final analytical products to audiences in Florence, Harrisonburg, and Prishtina. Visit Website
Max Weber Programme For Postdoctoral Studies
San Domenico di Fiesole, Florence
Europe’s largest postdoctoral program in the social sciences and humanities, the Max Weber Programme For Postdoctoral Studies is funded by the European Commission and hosted by the European University Institute (see above). Interns conduct research, draft reports, and help with the organization of lectures, conferences and press-related materials. There is also ample opportunity to attend stimulating academic events and network with renowned scholars. Visit Website
Robert Schuman Centre for Advanced Studies
San Domenico di Fiesole, Florence
Founded in 1992 and hosted by the European Union Institute (see above), the Robert Schuman Centre hosts research programs, research projects, and a range of working groups and ad hoc initiatives. Its research agenda is continuously evolving. Interns work as research assistants to academics currently working at the center. The availability of this internship depends on the existence of a research project. Basic or advanced statistics may be required. Visit Website
Media and Communication
Guelfi Firenze - American Football, Florence Team
Florence, Italy
Founded in 2000, Florence's American Football team offers interns the chance to develop their communication, outreach, and marketing skills. Internship activities include the creation of plans of action for increasing attendance at home games of Guelfi Firenze through partnerships with hotels, hostels, and tour operators in Florence, performing research on sponsorships by American companies for the Guelfi Firenze team, and reaching out to U.S. based football teams and universities to promote exchanges of coaches and players and develop transatlantic cooperation opportunities.
The Florentine
Florence, Italy
This is the most widely read English-language magazine in Florence. Students investigate and write articles, document events, and gather interviews and news about EU-relevant themes that also have a local focus. They learn how to upload the paper for the online version and specialize in journalistic writing and editing. Visit Website
Trento Economics Festival - Press Office
Trento, Italy
Every year the city of Trento hosts an international Economics Festival. Renowned scholars, Nobel prize winners, politicians, and business leaders, regularly participate in the festival, while dozens of parallel sessions and events contribute to making this quaint northern city the hub of global economics for a weekend. Two EUPS students can travel to Trento annually to support the work of the Festival's press office. They learn how to write press releases, interview speakers, and manage social media among other duties. While all the material produced by interns is in English, Italian language proficiency is required. Visit Website
Legal
SBF Consulting
Florence, Italy
SBF is an established international accounting and consulting firm that operates in Florence. The firm has partnerships all over the world and specializes in various areas of national and international legal advice and actions. At SBF Consulting, students conduct legal research on various topics of International Law and produce summary reports. They also help draft and review a wide range of legal documents for staff attorneys and accountants. Interns work on translating various legal documents, contracts, and EU balance sheets from Italian to English. Visit Website
Studio Legale Capecchi
Florence, Italy
Studio Legale Capecchi is an international law firm located in Florence that handles different types of cases, from family law to criminal law. Interning for the head attorney gives students the opportunity to practice and learn several transferable skills. Interns become familiar with using WordPress to help update the firm’s website, and contribute to the firm’s social media including Twitter, Facebook, and LinkedIn. This is a great way to learn about marketing through social media and its importance for a law firm. Interns also help with preparing public presentations for lectures and conferences, and are required to edit and revise legal articles and documents, especially those translated from Italian to English, to ensure that they are understandable to an English speaking audience. Visit Website
