The MSC L.T. Jordan Institute
for International Awareness

Details of the Internship and Living Abroad Programs

Purpose

The purpose of the MSC L.T. Jordan Institute for International Awareness Internship and Living Abroad Programs (ILAP) is to provide an opportunity for Texas A&M University students to actively participate in another culture by living and working in a foreign country.

 Program Description
 Funding and Costs
 Eligibility Requirements
 Application and Selection Process
 History of the ILAPs

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Program Description

The MSC L.T. Jordan Institute Internship and Living Abroad Programs (ILAP) shall arrange for the following:

1. Cross-cultural orientation to customs, society, and government of the host country during the spring semester of each year, prior to participants' departure.
2. Living accommodations with a host family who will provide two meals daily, five days a week, and three meals daily on weekends.
3. Five to six week non-paying internships related to academic studies or career goals as available. 
4. Mandatory cultural orientation to customs, society, and government of the host city during the spring semester of each year, prior to participants' departure.
5. Frequent contact with a Texas A&M University staff member or in-country coordinator while in the host country.
6. Group activities and sight-seeing during the first week upon arrival.
7. At least two mandatory weekend excursions with the other participants.
8. Air transportation to and from the host country.
9. Group ground transfers (to and from the airport) within host country.
10. After the end of this summer program, participants will be encouraged to present their cultural and professional experiences and perceptions to their classmates and other TAMU students during the fall semester at faculty-led lectures or on-campus seminars.

Whenever possible, ILAP dates allow participants to attend summer classes.  The ILAPs in the Dominican Republic, England, and Spain are concurrent with the 1st TAMU summer school session and begin in mid May.  The ILAPs in China and Singapore are concurrent with the 2nd TAMU summer school session.

Students may choose to extend their experience to 14 weeks or longer in order to recieve study abroad or course credit; however, students must make all arrangments for this independently of the Jordan Institute.

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Funding and Costs

Proceeds of the Leland T. and Jessie W. Jordan Endowment for the MSC L.T. Jordan Institute for International Awareness partially funds the program.  This funding does not cover the total cost of the round-trip airfare, housing, or meals.  For the summer of 2008, students will be responsible for paying approximately:

• $3,400 for China,
• $2,400 for the Dominican Republic,
• $3,590 for England,
• $3,400 for Singapore, or
• $3,400 for Spain.

Incidental expenses not covered by the fee may include, but are not limited to:

1. all personal needs;
2. any required travel documents and/or preventative medical care needed prior to departure;
3. photographic equipment, film, and processing;
4. other food and snacks as desired;
5. personal shopping and gifts presented to the host families;
6. and pleasure travel not scheduled in the group trip.

Students may apply for an interest-free loan from the MSC Overseas Loan Fund.  Interviews for these loans are scheduled on a monthly basis.

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Eligibility Requirements

1. Applicants must be currently enrolled in Texas A&M University (College Station) as undergraduate or graduate students who will have at least one semester of additional enrollment at Texas A&M University after the trip.  Students graduating prior to program's departure are ineligible to participate.
2. Undergraduate students and professional school students must have a GPA of 2.25, while graduate students must have a GPA of 3.0.
3. Applicants must be U.S. citizens or Permanent Residents.  (It is our belief that an individual from another country is acquiring an international experience by studying in the U.S.A.).
4. Preference is given to students with little or no international travel or living abroad experience but with a demonstrated interest in international affairs.
5. Students applying for the MSC L.T. Jordan Internship and Living Abroad Programs shall satisfactorily have completed at least two semester courses of the language of the host country at the college level or two years at the high school level, or must demonstrate ability in the host country's language in another manner.  Basic conversational ability is required.  (Not applicable to students applying for ILAPs in English speaking countries).
6. Valid passport is required of all students prior to departure.
7. Students must have demonstrated ability to function effectively in a cross-cultural environment and to uphold the image of Texas A&M University as a world-class university.
8. The MSC L.T. Jordan Institute reserves the right to deny acceptance to applicants who have been convicted of any felony or other crimes.
9. Upon selection as a participant, student must complete a contract and release form which includes all rules, regulations and requirements.

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Application and Selection Process

1. Interested students submit applications and recommendation forms.
2. Applications will be screened by the ILAP Selection Committee to narrow the candidates for the interview process.  Applicants will be interviewed by the following officials of the MSC L.T. Jordan Institute for International Awareness:
1. Jordan Institute staff director or designee
2. Jordan Institute student chairperson or designee
3. Jordan Institute graduate assistant
4. The director of the Internship and Living Abroad Program (student)
5. Other individuals as deemed appropriate by the student committee
3. Applicants shall be notified of the interview outcome by mail, as well as by telephone, within five working days after the final interview.

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ILAP History

This program has a history of changing students' lives.  In 1982 and 1983 the first groups of students from Texas A&M University participated in the Dominican Republic Living Abroad Program which was sponsored by the Memorial Student Center.  Unfortunately, the program was set aside due to a lack of resources.  After the establishment of the MSC L. T. Jordan Institute for International Awareness in 1986, the program was reactivated and once again began sending students to the Dominican Republic in the summer of 1990.  The program was later expanded in 1991 to include and ILAP in Germany and in 1993 to include England.

After the summer of 1999, the ILAP in Germany ended because too few German-speaking students applied.  Even with an occasional setback, the ILAP continually expands each year to include more countries:

• 2001 - ILAP ILAP Asia is created to replace ILAP Germany.
• 2002 - ILAP Asia has its name changed to ILAP Singapore.
• 2003 - ILAP Australia created.
• 2004 - ILAP Spain created.
• 2005 - ILAP China created.  ILAP Australia suspended due to unforseen changes in employment laws by the Australian government.
• If you wish to help programs like these continue, please help support our programs financially.

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