Prospectus

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MIRD Internship

Course
2019-2020

Admission requirements

MSc International Relations and Diplomacy students.

Description

Each student in the MSc International Relations and Diplomacy (MIRD) programme will conduct an internship in an organization such as an international governmental or non-governmental organization, a think tank or another institute working in the domain of international relations, international organisation or diplomacy. The internship will largely be conducted during the fourth block of the first year of the MIRD programme; the minimum requirement is 10 weeks (full time).

Course objectives

The internship aims to familiarize students with the work of an international organisation, think tank, governmental, non-governmental or other organisation that is conducting activities in the domain of international relations or diplomacy.

The internship is an opportunity for the students to apply their academic knowledge in practice, learn how to operate in a professional environment, and the practical challenges faced by the organization. This knowledge and practical experiences strengthen the basis for their further academic work, and their understanding of the job market.

The students get an opportunity to build their professional networks, learn more about possible career paths, skills required to get into the job market, test drive possible jobs and explore different career options.

The Hague is a particularly fascinating area for students to be placed in such an organisation, due to the dense network of institutions operating in the ‘International City of Peace and Justice’. However, students are also welcome to search for internships in other locations, including Geneva, Brussels or New York.

Timetable

Two information sessions will be organized for the students during the semester.

Mode of instruction

Students actively engage with the work of an organization by conducting an internship. For the practical part of the MIRD internship, the following documents have to be drawn up:

  • internship agreement between the student, University and the receiving organization

  • internship plan between the student and the University

  • internship report

  • assessment form by the internship supervisor.

The MIRD internship coordinator will offer group and individual preparatory sessions on available openings, scholarships, setting up applications and CVs, provide tailor-made advice on finding the right opening, and offer individual guidance throughout the internship. The students get an opportunity to present their experiences to their fellow students after completing the internships.

Course Load

10 EC

Assessment method

The internship (10ECTs) is graded as pass/fail, based on an assessment of the internship organisation supervisor (pass/fail) and your internship report (pass/fail).

The following documents need to be submitted:

  • assessment form: written by the internship supervisor of the internship organisation.

  • internship report: This report, approximately 1500 words in length.

The internship report consists of the following elements:

  • description of the internship, i.e. the type and aims of the organisation worked for, the various activities the internship entailed, and the relevance of these activities for the work of the organisation at large;

  • reflection on the internship in light of the academic study of international relations and diplomacy.

Details for submitting papers (deadlines) are posted on Blackboard.

Blackboard

Relevant information on the MIRD internship is available on the Blackboard internship course site, including internship vacancies and procedures.

Reading list

N/A

Registration

Use Blackboard to register for every course. The programme will register the students in Usis.

Contact

Ms. R. Drange, Internship Coordinator r.drange@fgga.leidenuniv.nl
Contact hours: Fridays 09:00-17:30 on appointment.

Remarks

Based on this internship, the students will also write an internship research paper, which will be graded (5 EC).