Summer Internship +
The Molise Italian Studies Summer Internship + is not a traditional study abroad program. You will gain valuable experience within your field of study and give back to your host community through meaningful participation in the lives of its citizens. The foundation of this exchange is Community-Based Global Learning , including Italian language immersion , host families, Global Intercultural Citizenship education, and, of course, customized internships. Upon completion of the program, you will receive a Difr Intercultural Citizenship microcredential, the Global Competence Certificate, and a transcript from Northern Arizona University detailing your studies and service. Our program is open to gap year students, college students, and unaffiliated lifelong learners. Explore our Summer Internship Program below.
Front-load Intercultural Citizenship concepts and skills vital to a successful summer abroad, then implement your Intercultural Citizenship skills through a homestay and internship placement. Consolidate at home as you work through your reflective workbook.
- Pre-departure support & preparation
- MIS 304 – Global Competency, Health and Identity (*3 credits)
- 4-hour virtual pre-departure workshop
- Intercultural Development Inventory® (IDI®) & debrief
- Global Competence Certificate program
- Being Well Abroad Mental Health program
- CulturaGo culture-specific modules
- Customized 6-week internship placement (*4 credits)
- CEFR level B1 (2 semesters college-level Italian required)
- 24-hour on-site support
- Optional weekend local excursions
- Post-return virtual digital storytelling event
- Free copy of Difr Thrive: A Reflective Workbook
*A total of 7 US credits are available through our school of record, Northern Arizona University.
- You will live with an extensively pre-screened local host family, chosen specifically for you based on your housing preferences.
- Your host family will provide friendly support and a home away from home.
- You will enjoy daily authentic Italian breakfasts and home-cooked family dinners.
- You will benefit from informal & immersive Italian conversation.
“Intercultural competence is the ability to communicate and act appropriately and effectively across cultural differences.”–Tara Harvey , True North Intercultural
As the keystone of our program and designed in partnership with the Intercultural Development Inventory® (IDI®), the AFS Global Competence Certificate, Being Well Abroad‘s Mental Health program, and CulturaGo’s culture-specific modules, MIS 304 – Global Competency, Health and Identity is a first-of-its-kind, research-backed, and fully-facilitated education abroad support program centered around personal development, Global Intercultural Citizenship, and mental health. In small and personal cohorts, and guided by expert and caring instructors who are IDI® Qualified Administrators, GCC Qualified Facilitators, and extensively trained in facilitating intercultural competence, you will learn to bridge the difference, make a difference, and thrive in a globalized world.- You will establish the foundations of Intercultural Citizenship by front-loading concepts and skills vital to a successful summer abroad through our 4-hour pre-departure workshop. As you also progress through the modules of the Global Competence Certificate during the summer, you will develop cultural awareness and adaptability, more effectively engage cross-culturally, begin setting goals for your ongoing personal development, and gain specific insights about Italy & Molise.
“Given the grave global challenges facing humans in the 21st century, learning how to live together becomes an imperative. The growth of violent extremism, the mounting migration and displacement crises, and the rise of divisive political populism have underscored the need of expanding, consolidating, and intensifying dialogue among peoples with different cultural backgrounds and beliefs, contributing thus to counter hate speeches and to foster a culture of peace.” Darla Deardorff , UNESCO Manual for Developing Intercultural Competencies: Story Circles, 2020
- You will gain valuable career experience and give back to the local community through your customized internship placement.
- Your placement will be in a mutually agreed upon town and business according to your course of study.
- You will work 30 hours per week.
- Some of the almost boundless fields of study with internship opportunities include:
- Agriculture
- Apprenticeships in leathercrafting, cobbling, or knifemaking
- Archaeology
- Art, Art History, and/or Restoration
- Business, Marketing, and Advertising
- Communication
- Counseling & Social Services
- Culinary Arts
- Education
- Engineering (almost any specialty, including applied engineering at Agnone’s bell foundry)
- Environmental Conservation
- History
- Hospitality & Tourism
- Italian Studies & Language
- Law
- Library Science
- Medicine (including Homeopathy)
- Music & Music History
- Outdoor Adventures
- Photography
- Religion
- Sociology
- Veterinary & Animal Science
- Writing
- We will welcome you at the airport and provide transportation to Campobasso.
- Through our International Ambassador program, a local student or resident will serve as your guide as you adjust to the culture and environment of Molise, and will be a point of contact throughout your stay.
- Our orientation will introduce you to our program, your host family, your service placement, and Molise.
- Optional cultural, historical, and outdoor excursion opportunities include visits to artisan workshops, food tastings, archaeological sites, and outdoor adventures.
Summer Internship + fees ($4,995) include:
- Program tuition and U.S. academic credit (7 total credits through our school of record, Northern Arizona University)
- MIS 304 – Global Competency, Health and Identity (3 credits)
- Customized internship placement (4 credits)
- Comprehensive study abroad health insurance through CISI
- Accommodation with carefully selected local host family
- Daily breakfast & dinner
- Airport pickup and transportation upon arrival
- Orientation to program, region and placements
- International Ambassador program
- On-site advisors dedicated to providing personal and academic mentoring
- Optional Molise-based tours/experiences
- 24-hour on-site emergency support
- Molise IS Difr Dive microcredential and AFS Global Competence Certificate upon completion
- Transcript detailing your studies and service
- Pre-departure and Re-entry services, including assistance with financial aid, travel documents, insurance and credit transfer, as well as a virtual digital storytelling event
- Molise IS Ambassador Program for alumni
Program fees do not include:
- Cost of round trip airfare
- Fees for passport, visa, permit to stay, etc.
- Personal travel expenses and any additional meals, snacks or drinks
Remember, if you and a friend each enroll in our Summer Internship + program, you BOTH receive $100 off the program fee! Bring more than one friend and receive $100 off the program fee for EACH friend (up to the full program cost)!
Please note, since each program is individually customized and depends in part on exchange rates, costs are subject to change.
Summer 2025 Cohort:
- June 2-July 25, 2025 (On-Site June 8-July 19)
Summer 2026 Cohort:
- June 1-July 24, 2026 (On-Site June 7-July 18)
- Bring a Friend!
- Are you hoping to share your transformational experience with a friend? If you and a friend each enroll in our Summer Internship + program, you BOTH receive $100 off the program fee! Bring more than one friend and receive $100 off the program fee for EACH friend (up to the full program cost)!
- HBCU Study Abroad 4711 Program Discount
Because Molise Italian Studies is an antiracist organization committed to equity, diversity, and inclusion, students at HBCUs receive a discount by enrolling in the program with Study Abroad 4711! For more information and to sign up, please visit the Study Abroad 4711 website.
- Molise Italian Studies also offers discounts to veterans and active military, members of the same family, and MIS alumni. Please inquire during the application process for specific information and eligibility.
Applicants with demonstrated financial need may be eligible for a partial tuition refund through work as an unpaid intern with Molise Italian Studies. If you are interested in such a position, please indicate this on your application.
If you currently receive federal, state, or institutional financial aid, you may be able to use some or all of your aid toward the cost of your program. This includes scholarships, grants and personal loans. You must confirm with your home institution that the financial aid you currently receive is applicable towards your participation with Molise Italian Studies, though a consortium agreement may be required.
Participants planning to use financial aid have two options for payment of program fees:
- Pay in full for the Molise Italian Studies program and reimburse oneself when financial aid is disbursed. These participants follow the regular payment schedule.
- Defer payment of the Molise Italian Studies program fee balance (i.e. the amount that aid will cover) until financial aid is disbursed. Only the amount covered by financial aid may be deferred. Participants wishing to defer payment must complete and return the Molise Italian Studies Financial Aid Verification form and any required home school paperwork by the deadline.
Participants may not defer the confirmation or security deposits. All participants are responsible for paying any program fee amount not covered by financial aid by the regular due dates, and are bound by our cancellation and withdrawal policy.
See the Federal Student Aid site and NAFSA’s Financial Aid for Study Abroad: An Undergraduate Student’s Resource for the best information.
We encourage prospective participants to research and apply for scholarships or other funding sources. The following are some recommendations:
- Adventures in Education (scholarship search)
- Benjamin A. Gilman International Scholarship (U.S. Department of State Program enabling students of limited financial means to study or intern abroad)
- Gilman-McCain Scholarship (U.S. Department of State program for child dependents of active duty service members to study or intern abroad)
- Fastweb (scholarship search)
- Fund for Education Abroad (for promising students with financial need who wish to study abroad)
- Go Abroad (scholarship search)
- Go Overseas Scholarships
- Going Study Abroad Scholarship
- Hostelling International Explore the World Scholarship (for aspiring global travelers who want to give back while they experience another culture)
- International Education Financial Aid (scholarship search)
- National Italian American Foundation (for Italian American students)
- Rainbow Scholarship (for deserving LGBTQ+ students interested in education abroad programs)
- Tillman Foundation Scholarship (for military veterans and spouses)
- UNCF (scholarships for minority group members)
- UNICO Scholarships (for U.S. citizens of Italian descent)
We encourage program alumni to apply to become Molise IS Alumni Ambassadors.
- You will share your experience and promote our program on your home campus.
- You will gain leadership skills, experience, and professional contacts in the field of international education.
- You will participate in study abroad fairs, host events, and contribute to our blog and social media presence.
- Molise IS will provide references and letters of recomomendation.
To enroll, please fill out and submit the online enrollment form below. Then complete and submit (by email or mail) the Enrollment Packet & Official Waiver/Release. Prior to enrollment confirmation, applicants will participate in a short video chat interview with program staff.
See health & safety, travel, and other Summer Internship + policy information here.
Questions? Want to chat? Email at in**@mo******************.com OR call or WhatsApp at 1-888-422-9922.