Freeman Foundation SLU Asia Internship Program
Mission of the Freeman Foundation and Purpose of the Internship
Established in 1994 by the estate of Mansfield Freeman (1895-1992), a distinguished philanthropist, scholar, and insurance executive, the mission of the Freeman Foundation is "to strengthen the bonds of friendship between this country and those of the Far East; to develop a greater appreciation of [East Asian] cultures in this country and a better understanding of American institutions in and purposes on the part of the peoples of East Asia, and to stimulate an exchange of ideas in economic and cultural fields which will help create mutual understanding” between the United States and Eastern Asia. Freeman grantees will advance this mission by gaining real-world work experience in East and Southeast Asia.
For almost 20 years, grant funding from the Freeman Foundation has played a critical role in enhancing St. Lawrence students’ interest Asian countries. The Freeman Foundation-SLU Internship to Maximize Potential and Achievement in Asia (IMPAA) Program will significantly expand opportunities for St. Lawrence students to immerse themselves in living and working in Asia where they will be able to gain an authentic understanding of, and appreciation for, diverse cultures and societies in Asia.
With the generous support from the Freeman Foundation, each year up to eight St. Lawrence University Students will be selected to do an 8-week internship in Asia. Funding from the Foundation and SLU allows the CIIS to cover the internship placement, international health insurance, and housing, and give students an additional stipend to cover round-trip flight tickets, visa application, and food.
Eligibility
-
Preference is given to U.S. citizens. International students are eligible.
-
Applicants with limited exposure to Asia in general or the country of internship are encouraged to apply.
-
There are no Asian language proficiency requirements to receive the grant.
-
Must be enrolled at St. Lawrence University as a degree-seeking undergraduate student in good academic standing; applicants cannot be in their last year of school. Students graduating in December 2025 are eligible to apply. Students planning to transfer to another institution are not eligible to apply.
-
Students who are selected for the internship program must agree to fulfill post-participation service projects, which may include activities such as public presentations about their experience with the campus community, etc.
-
The Freeman Foundation has the final say over selection standards and candidate selections.
Program Participation Requirements Include
-
Program Assessment Surveys: Program participants are required to fill out the internship evaluation form after returning from the internships. The survey result will be shared with the CIIS office and the Freeman Foundation. This includes explanation about their internship experiences.
-
Instagram Posts: Required to submit a photo and 100 words about their experience three times during the internship: beginning (first week), middle (fifth week) and end (eighth week).
-
Program Presentation: Students present their Asia internship stories and experiences in events such as Family Weekend, International Education Week.
-
Recipients will be asked to volunteer at the program events such as the Off-Campus Study Fair, Information Sessions, classroom visits and more to promote the Freeman Foundation SLU Asia Internship Program.
-
Participants who terminate their internships before the program end date are required to pay back the full amount of the grant.
Process
Pre-Decision Stage:
-
Schedule meetings or attend an information session with the Associate Director of Asia and Pacific Programs, Dr. Yanqiu Zheng (strongly encouraged).
-
Complete the application for the Freeman Foundation SLU Asia Internship Program via Studio Abroad.
-
The finalists will be interviewed in early December.
Post-Decision Stage:
-
Sign Student Acknowledgment and Assumption of Risks & Release and Indemnity Agreement for Asia Internship Participation, and complete all required materials on Studio Abroad.
-
Participate in the preparatory activities organized by the internship provider (see the following section for details).
-
Participate in the SLU pre-departure orientation.
-
Prepare for departure.
Apply to the Freeman ASIA Internship
For Partner-Supported Internship Placements (Summer 2025)
Program Partner: NextStep
Program Location for Summer 2025: Bangkok, Thailand; Ho Chi Min City, Vietnam
Program Dates: May 30-July 26 (Two months, 8 weeks)
Apply through Studio Abroad.
We encourage students to join our information session to learn about the program for future participation.
The Freeman Foundation has the final say on selection standards and candidate selections.
Internship Placement
There is a matching process that takes place with the applicants based on interests, qualifications, etc. Applicants will go through an interview process with NextStep and the potential placement organization. NextStep will make every effort in making a placement, but the applicants must be prepared to be placed in an organization that may not be their first choice. As placement depends on many fluid factors, patience, flexibility, and willingness to try and learn from next things are important.
Program Support:
Sample Bangkok housing incl. Wi-Fi, electric & water, Ho Chi Minh City comparably
· Cultural & Professional Development activities per week or month
· Airport Pickup
· NEXTSTEP Program Onboarding
· Welcome Pack (Incl. Local Sim & US$100 Transportation Pass)
· 24/7 In-Country Support
· Health & Travel Insurance
· Pre-departure Advising incl. Student Handbook, Immigration Visa Assistance
· NEXTSTEP Professional Development & Personal Branding Guide
· First day Company Induction
· Employer Skills Evaluation & Recommendation
· Certificate of Completion
Sample Bangkok Positions:
7 Raven Studios
Ampverse
Aquabaan
Asia data destruction (ADD)
BioCreations Asia
Breachunt
Bumrungrad International Hospital
Corecell Technology
Decathlon (Thailand)
Demarest Clinic co., Ltd
Demetex Solution
Dentaly
STPI Co Ltd / Eridan
Fairplay Studios
FOREO
G Round
Galaxy Kids
Genepeutic Bio Co., Ltd
Hypertrade Consulting Company Limited
In Game by Memore
Mahanakorn Partners
Medical Departures
MetaMap (Mati)
Moringa Project
Nanuq
PACE
PromptNow
Ring Zero Game Studio
SomtamLabs
Vishuo Biomedical
WYZ Auto
XERXIA
YGGRAZIL
Bangkok Hospital
Happy Grocer
Igloo Studios
Lim and Partner
Mercy Center HDF
Mirror Foundation
Rapid Asia
Sellorate
CSBC Law
Mimo
Smart Legal Solutions
Midas PR
Sample Ho Chi Minh City Positions:
Tenzing Pacific Service
*Actual placements may vary depending on student qualifications, availability, etc.
Additional Funding
Each student will receive up to $3,000 toward the cost of a round-trip flight, visa application and food during their internship.
Students with unmet needs are eligible to apply for additional university funding such as Tanner Fellowship, academic departmental funding, and the Internship Fellowship by the Center for Career Excellence. Funding is not guaranteed.
Application Deadline
Deadline: December 6th, 2024
Apply to the Freeman ASIA Internship
Point of Contact
Interested students may direct questions to: Dr. Yanqiu Zheng, Associate Director of Asia and Pacific Programs.
*This internship program is not a semester-length program, so it does not count as a back-to-back program. Students who plan to study abroad prior to or after this internship program should indicate that in their application and leave enough time for visa processing.
Earning Academic Credit
Students participating in the NextStep internship placements have the opportunity to earn a quarter unit credit for their Asia Internship through the ND 230 internship course. Students pursuing internship placements outside of NexStep MUST do the ND 230 internship course. For details, please contact Geoffrey Falen (gfalen@stlawu.edu).
Freeman Foundation Asia Internship Program Cost & Budget Structure
Internship onsite cost (Fee already paid for)
- Internship placement
- Onsite housing
- Onsite utility
- International medical insurance
- Safety and logistical support
------------------------
Onsite cost/budget (Bangkok, Thailand as an example, Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam comparable):
1. Average round trip flight cost from the U.S. - If book 3 months in advance, approximately $1300 - 1700 depending on the airport.
2. Visa application - e-visa generally under $100 for those traveling with a U.S. passport, other nationalities might vary.
3. Cost of weekday daily commute to work - approximately 2-4 US dollars per day on average depending on the distance of work from the housing. 40 days=$120. A $100 commute pass is offered by NexStep.
4. Meals a day (3) depend on if they use food apps and eat international cuisine - 3-5 per meal on average but can be as much as 10 USD (10-30 USD per day). Suggest budging $15 per meal, that is $15X40= $600.
5. Cell phone plan - NexStep provides a sim with coverage of approximately 20 GB per month 5g/unlimited 258 mbps for two months. The phone plan is all dependent on usage but runs about 1-2 baht per minute for calls and 2-3 baht per message for local calls. Budget $60 for two months of a phone voice plan.
Program participants receive up to $3,000 to help cover some of the cost above.
SLU students' past internship experiences in Asia
· China Everbright Bank intern Charlie Taggart
· Beijing Normal University intern Hanane Lahnaoui
· Asset Management Association of China intern William Glover