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EAS Summer Internships in East Asia

Work, live, and learn in China, Taiwan, Korea, and Japan

East Asian Studies offers two opportunities for internships in East Asia

1) EAS-Sponsored Internships: East Asian Studies provides summer internships in East Asia for Washington University undergraduates to work with corporations of all kinds and non-governmental organizations. Students spend six to eight weeks living and working in a major city of East Asia, expanding their language skills through daily interaction with the hosts and learning ever more about the culture through participation in the workforce there.

  • Applicants must be Washington University undergraduate students
  • EAS will provide funding of up to $4,000 to assist with airfare, housing, and living expenses while working at the host organization
  • Applicants must have the necessary language abilities requested by the host organization, usually host organizations request at least second-year Chinese, Japanese, or Korean language skills
  • Internship length is usually 6-8 weeks, with exact dates of internship to be arranged by the student and the host organization
  • Student is responsible for arranging housing, with the assistance of the host organization
  • Internships are non-paying
  • Applicants must submit a completed application form, official WU transcripts, resume, a statement of purpose, and 2 letters of recommendation
  • Deadline is February 19, 2010

To apply to more than one internship:
You may apply to be considered for a maximum of three (3) internship positions (but you may only be selected for one internship award). You must have the necessary qualifications for each position and be sincerely interested in each host organization.

The selection of finalists for each internship position will be based on:

  • The candidate who best qualifies for the position, matching the needs of the host organization
  • How much the internship will further a student’s direction of study or academic/life goals
  • Candidates for whom the experience abroad will be especially meaningful
  • Candidates who have not previously had a similar opportunity, especially with EAS (or VEAP) funding

Your academic record, resume, recommendations, and statement of purpose will inform the selection committee on these criteria. Finalists will have a language evaluation interview, and final decisions are made by mid-March, with the approval of the host organization. Questions? Contact Krystel at eas@artsci.wustl.edu or 314-935-4448 or stop by the East Asian Studies office in McMillan, Room 244.

Download forms: application / recommendation

EAS is currently finalizing internship hosts for 2010.

Cabot China, Shanghai, China: A variety of options such as working with their finance, manufacturing, purchasing or HR departments, with the host placing you in an area that best fits your mutual needs.  Pre-requisites: Elementary or better Chinese required; prefer student with business/finance/marketing background.

China Travel service, Shandong, China: International marketing and advertising, coordinating domestic tours.  Pre-requisites: Elementary or better Chinese required.

Chinese Academy of Agricultural Mechanization Sciences (CAAMS), Beijing, China: International conference planning, PR with foreign customers, and office work.  Pre-requisites: Elementary or better Chinese required; prefer students with background in engineering or international business.

Global HR Management Consulting Co., Ltd, Beijing, China: PR, customer communication, office work, business English documentation.  Pre-requisites: Elementary or better Chinese required.

Hairun Hongxin, Beijing, China: Online support, marketing and sales, PR and office help.  Pre-requisites: Intermediate to advanced Chinese required; prefer student with computer, business, or French background.

Jingcheng Heavy Industry, Beijing, China: Market research, international consulting, sales, import/export documentation. Pre-requisites: Intermediate to advanced Chinese required; prefer student with a background in business, finance, cross-cultural studies or with computer skills.

Johnson and Johnson, Shanghai, China: Work with online information searches, data input, paper filing in both English and Chinese, PR in formal written and oral communication, training of staff, clerical work.  Pre-requisites: Elementary or better Chinese required.

Seastar Shanghai Kaichuang Science Technology Information Co., Ltd., Shanghai, China: Assist with IT tech support, online marketing and research, sales, and system maitenance; help with management of office.  Pre-requisites: Advanced Chinese required; prefer student with computer skills or finance/business background.

Abbott Taiwan, Taipei, Taiwan: For students with majors in engineering, environmental health and safety, general business, IT, pre-med, or science.  Pre-requisites: Intermediate Chinese or better required.

Changeng Medical Foundation, Taipei, Taiwan: For students with majors in pre-med, social work or NGO-related studies.  Pre-requisites: Intermediate Chinese or better.

Howteh Technology, Taipei, Taiwan: For students with majors in business, marketing, or finance.  Pre-requisites: Intermediate Chinese or better.

Juntendo Hospital, Japan: Internship with hospital for 4-week session to work/study alongside 1st-year medical students. Pre-med students with advanced Japanese.

2) EAS-Stipends for Internships in East Asia: The East Asian Studies program offers stipends to outstanding undergraduate students who plan to pursue summer internships in Asia (Japan, South Korea, China, Taiwan, and Hong Kong). The stipend is designed to help students pursue internships that do not provide salary support adequate to cover their living expenses. Internships should be for a minimum of 6 weeks and require 20+ hours of work per week. Award recipients will receive a maximum of up to $4,000 for the internship period. Award payment will be in the form of reimbursement for documented expenses such as airfare, local transportation, meals, and other internship-related expenses. Students may request a travel advance if needed.

Award recipients must agree to submit an internship report and evaluation along with receipts to EAS within 1 month after the completion of their internship. Internships are not available for academic credit.

Applicants must be a full-time Washington University undergraduate student in good standing and have received an offer for (or be in the process of applying for) a summer internship of at least 6 weeks in length with a host organization in Asia.

To apply, applicants must submit an application form that includes a personal statement demonstrating how the internship supports their professional and/or academic interests, a cv, transcripts, documentation from the host organization as proof of the internship, and a statement that demonstrates that the stipend is necessary for their participation in the internship.

Priority will be given to applicants who have already received an internship offer. EAS will consider applications from students who have applied for internships but have not yet confirmed an offer. Students will not receive an award until after the host organization confirms the internship appointment. Furthermore, priority will be given to applicants who are not returning to their home country. Students of all majors may apply, though preference will be given to those with advanced training in an Asian language (Chinese, Japanese or Korean).

It is the responsibility of the student to find the internship, make all travel arrangements, including the purchase of airfare and obtaining of the appropriate visa.

Application deadline is March 5, 2010, though applications submitted after this date may be considered if funding is available.

Download forms: application