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Sydney Summer - Internship
$6+ Million in Scholarships & Aid
Academics
While working in Sydney, you'll also enroll in a required 3- or 6-credit academic internship seminar with other IES interns, where you'll gain context for your internship placement by examining cultural issues in the workplace. Topics covered include:
- Understanding workplace culture
- Improving communication
- Strengthening work attitude and aptitude
- Resolving conflicts
- Understanding new cultures
- Navigating issues, challenges, and opportunities so you can succeed on the job in Sydney and when you return home
Courses
This is a list of planned course offerings. A final list of course offerings will be made available to you in your MyIESabroad account.
| Course Name | Term | Language | Credits |
|---|---|---|---|
| IN 395 - Leading Across Cultures: Internship Seminar | Summer | English | 3 |
| IN 395 - Leading Across Cultures: Internship Seminar | Summer | English | 6 |
Field Trips & Events
IES Abroad Sydney organizes a number of field trips as an integral part of its opportunities for cultural immersion in Australia. These trips explore areas of significant regional interest and are led by people who contextualize what you are witnessing and experiencing. Additional costs apply. Possible destinations include:
Featherdale and Blue Mountains
1 day
Hike in the Blue Mountains and enjoy a visit to Featherdale Wildlife Park.
Royal National Park
1 day
Enjoy a visit to the second-oldest national park in the world, full of fascinating plants, birds, and animals. During this day, you will canoe, bushwalk, swim, and photograph awesome sea cliffs. There will also be an opportunity to learn more about Indigenous Cultural Activities.
IES Abroad field trip destinations, activities, and length of stay may vary according to term and availability.
Daily Life
Part of making you feel at home in Sydney is doing our best to help you feel safe and cared for. Whether it is an orientation program that makes you feel prepared, housing that is well-located and comfortable, or the field trips that take you to places off the beaten path—we’re here to support you!
Orientation
Your program begins at home with our virtual orientation to help you prepare for your IES Abroad experience. Orientation continues once you arrive abroad and introduces you to the IES Abroad Sydney staff, your fellow interns, and the city of Sydney. Orientation will also include information sessions on professional and cultural expectations and commuting.
As part of your on-site orientation, IES Abroad organizes a welcome dinner and sightseeing cruise on Sydney Harbour.
Housing
We want to make sure that your greatest challenge is deciding which beach to see first or discovering the best coffee in Sydney—not finding a place to live where you feel comfortable. We do our best to locate housing that is reflective of how the local students are living. Our housing has a community feel which inspires our students to make lifelong friendships while abroad. Our goal is that when you leave Sydney, it will feel like home.
IES Abroad housing in Sydney enables easy access to public transport so you can explore Sydney's famous landmarks and get access to placements all around the city.
Apartments - Live in a two-bedroom apartment in a multi-unit apartment building. You will share your two-bedroom apartment with 3 IES Abroad roommates, sharing one of the two bedrooms with one of those roommates. Meals are not included/provided but there is a kitchen in the apartment in which to prepare meals.
Extracurricular Activities & Cultural Events
Spend your free time getting to know Sydney and its surroundings through IES Internships-planned cultural events and optional field trips to places like the Blue Mountains and The Royal National Park.
June, July and August see Sydney host a number of exciting events including:
- Vivid Sydney – a festival of light, music and ideas! Vivid Light transforms Sydney into a wonderland of 'light art' sculptures, innovative light installations, and grand-scale projections for all to enjoy.
- The Sydney Film Festival - this festival showcases the best in cinema from across Australia and around the world, including features, documentaries, short films, retrospectives, restorations, animation, and more. One of the world's oldest film festivals, Sydney Film Festival reflects the historic development of the Australian film industry.
- Winter Festival – located at St. Mary’s Cathedral, Winter Festival Sydney offers winter activities and entertainment, including a large outdoor ice skating rink.
During your time in Sydney, you’ll likely want to explore what the rest of this vast country has to offer! Whether it be a weekend in Melbourne, a trip to the Great Barrier Reef, or sleeping under the stars in the Outback, the possibilities are endless. The Sydney Center staff are available to help you plan trips further afield, to maximize your Australian experience.
Get to Know Your New City
Visit Barangaroo
Enjoy a meal by the waterfront in this unique inner-city suburb.
Try Sydney Desserts
From lamingtons to Tim Tam slams, there's bound to be a dessert you'll love.
Stroll the Sydney Harbour Bridge
Capture magnificant views of the Opera House and Circular Quay.
Walk from Bondi to Coogee
Prepare for stunning views, beaches, parks, and cliffs on this 6 km (3.37 miles) coastal walk in Sydney's eastern suburbs.
Watch a Show at the Opera House
Treat yourself to one of many spectacular performances at Sydney's most iconic venue.
Program Cost
Consider these prices as a starting point. We encourage you to contact your study abroad office to determine the actual cost to you when factoring in financial aid, scholarships, your home school policies, and other factors.
Scholarships & Aid
Featured Scholarships
Summer Need-Based Financial Aid
Open to students who apply to and attend an IES Abroad or IES Internships summer program.
Criteria reviewed to determine award:
- Level of financial need as determined from information provided on the application. Priority is given to Pell Grant recipients.
- IES Abroad program location.
- IES Abroad membership status of home campus
Hemera Foundation Summer Social Impact Internship Scholarship
The Hemera Foundation Summer Social Impact Internship Scholarship was initiated by the Hemera Foundation, whose mission is to foster basic human goodness in individuals and society. This Scholarship, which will be sustained through a foundation collaborative, aims to inspire students to make a social impact through summer internships within philanthropic or direct service/social service organizations.
Use our budget worksheet to calculate your costs
$6+ Million in Scholarships & Aid
Our Center
While in Sydney, we want to ensure you have every opportunity to immerse yourself in new experiences. That’s why our Center Director in Sydney is committed to providing outstanding academic and student support services. We take care of the details, so you can soak up every moment of your Sydney experience!
Our Staff
Kate Smart
Center Director
Kate Smart has been the Director of the Sydney programs since 2016. Kate has over 20 years of experience in International Education, including senior Study Abroad roles at Macquarie University, the University of Sydney, and University of New South Wales.
Kate has lived and worked in the United States and studied abroad in Thailand and Jamaica. She has a Master of Arts in International Studies from the University of Technology, Sydney, and a Master of Education in International Education from Monash University, and post-graduate qualifications in Psychology. Kate loves sharing her knowledge of the city (and the rest of Australia) with new students, from her favorite beaches to swim at to the best place to grab a great flat white.
IES Abroad Sydney Staff
Sian Viney
Internship and Student Services Coordinator
Sian has been working for IES Abroad since 2017. Sian comes with many years of experience working within universities, including many years working at the University of Sydney and University of New South Wales. Sian is a creative soul and loves giving hints and tips to students as to how to find their Sydney niche.
Health & Safety
With 70 years of experience, we are proud to set the standard for health and safety in study abroad. Our Chicago-based and on-site staff are all highly trained and experienced in the matters of health, safety, and crisis management. We are here for you from predeparture to your return, and are ready to support you—no matter what time zone you’re in.
In response to COVID-19, enhanced safety guidelines will be implemented this year—such as social distancing and personal protective equipment (PPE) in on-site classes, in-country field trips and travel only, and apartment or residence hall housing (no homestays) that ensures proper space should self-quarantining be necessary.
How We Support You
We plan for "what if" so that you don't have to. From international health insurance included in the cost of your program to highly trained local staff who can connect you to English-speaking healthcare providers, we are working around the clock to ensure your health and safety while abroad.
Learn more about the support you can expect to receive on our programs, including:
- International health insurance through CISI in the case you need to see a doctor or mental health professional
- 24/7 emergency support whether you encounter an issue while traveling or in your host city
- Location-specific health and safety information presented at orientation by on-site staff
- TripTracker system allowing you to share independent travel plans in case you need to be contacted swiftly in a crisis
- A mandatory cell phone policy so that you can be contacted locally and receive any emergency updates via call or text
- Crisis drills so that you feel prepared to respond to an emergency should one arise
- And more!
Health & Safety Resources
You safety begins with being accurately informed from the moment you're considering study abroad through to the day you return home.
Take note of ways you can maintain your health and stay safe abroad while reviewing our resources, including:
- IES Abroad MAP for Student Health, Safety & Crisis Management
- Study Abroad Safety Tips for Traveling
- IES Abroad Student Blogs on Safety and Mental Health
- And more!
Latest from Sydney
Contact a Past Student
From budgeting tips to housing insight, IES Abroad Ambassadors volunteer their study abroad and internship experiences and advice.
