Internships in languages

Internships are experiential educational opportunities that allow you to apply your knowledge and skills beyond the classroom. They can give you real-world experience, help prepare you for the job search and enhance your résumé.

You might use your foreign language skills, work with people from other countries, or enhance your writing, communication, teacher or team member abilities. Internships may be paid or unpaid, depending on the organization you apply to intern with. You can complete an internship abroad, or you can also earn experience right here in Detroit.

Speak to our undergraduate advisor, Chris Clark, or faculty in your major area about registering for a for-credit course that will allow you to complete an internship as part of your degree program in Classical & Modern Languages, Literatures and Cultures (CMLLC).

Examples of places you can apply to be an intern

Freedom House Detroit

Freedom House is a temporary home for survivors of persecution from around the world seeking asylum in the United States and Canada. According to their website, their mission is to uphold a principle inscribed on the base of the Statue of Liberty: to provide safety for those "yearning to breathe free."

Global Ties Detroit

Global Ties Detroit is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization that hosts international exchange programs on behalf of the U.S. Department of State, the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID), and other governmental organizations, universities, and think tanks that promote global exchange and citizen diplomacy.

Michigan-China Innovation Center

The Michigan-China Innovation Center is a nonprofit organization building business ties and enhancing cooperation between Michigan and China. Founded in 2016 with a grant from the State of Michigan, they work in Michigan and in China to attract Chinese investment to Michigan, market Michigan in China, build relationships with individuals, businesses, business groups, and governmental units in China, and organize a wide variety of collaborations between Michigan and Chinese partners.

SITE Program

The SITE (Study Intercultural Training Experience) Program is an internship opportunity for English-speaking teaching assistants in schools in Lombardy, Italy. It is an opportunity for students or recent graduates from U.S. Universities who wish to understand the Italian language and culture better while assisting local teachers and getting professional training on teaching methods. Wayne State University has one spot each year for an Italian student to participate in the SITE program.

True Spanish Experience (TSE)

The TSE offers a variety of internship opportunities for students in Spain. Their programs emphasize offering students a global immersion experience in Spain, specifically in the cities of Cuenca and A Coruña, which are their global training campuses.

Zaman International: Hope for Humanity

Zaman International applies a needs-based, community-driven approach to all programming to help households meet their basic needs and break the cycle of poverty. They have "basic needs" programs, "training programs," and "signature programs," all designed to meet the needs of their clients.