Directed Research Projects and Internships
Completing an internship or pursuing a research project abroad is a unique opportunity that can enrich a student’s professional and academic experience.
Because experiential learning can help develop and solidify transferable skills, CUPA encourages students to explore these opportunities during their time in Paris. To ensure success in their endeavors, students receive individualized support throughout their internship or research project.
Below you will find more information about the CUPA-EUSA Internship Program and directed research opportunities.
Assemblée Nationale
© Silvia SabinoDirected Research Projects
Our program attracts highly motivated students, many of whom wish to pursue academic projects. Students who wish to carry out scholarly or creative investigation under the guidance of a qualified faculty member or a research mentor may apply to do so at a time of application. CUPA helps these students establish a framework in which to conduct their research and take advantage of the unique research opportunities in Paris: primary sources, rare documents, and world-class libraries.
Eligibility:
- Students must be able to receive academic credit or transfer of credit from their home university for an undergraduate research project carried out while abroad.
- Departmental recommendation as well as the approval of their university’s study abroad office must be obtained.
- They must be in excellent academic standing and their overall GPA must be minimum 3.5 at time of application.
Application process:
- A detailed proposal for their project is submitted along with their application to the program (or shortly thereafter), accompanied by proof of departmental approval from their home university as well as confirmation that successful completion of the project will allow them to receive transfer credit.
- Before CUPA can consider their request, the student must be accepted into the program and the student must formally accept the offer of admission.
- A Paris-based faculty member or academic expert in their field will be asked to review the proposal.
Expected workload and final research paper:
- The student researcher and their director must meet for a minimum of 1 hour/week over 12 weeks, or 2 hours every other week. The student is expected to devote a minimum of 4 hours per week to the research project.
- Drafts are to be submitted by assigned deadlines over the course of the semester. A final research paper is submitted at the end of the semester. Submission of the final project and an oral presentation of the project must be completed by the last day of the semester.
- The final written submission should be between 25 and 40 pages in length.
Credit:
- The Directed Research Project is eligible for 4 semester credits.
- The completed project will count as one of the student’s full load of courses.
- To receive credit, the final grade must be a B- or above.
- The mention “Directed Research Project” followed by the title of the project will be listed on the CUPA transcript along with the research director’s name and final grade.
CUPA-EUSA Internship Program
About the Program
International professional experience is a valuable asset in an increasingly globalized world where cross-cultural adaptability is becoming indispensable. Students wishing to pursue an internship during their time abroad can enroll in the CUPA-EUSA Internship Program. A not-for-profit international education organization, EUSA specializes in academically-directed internships across all industries in Europe, including media, culture, business, communications, health, politics and NGOs.
A local team provides individualized, on-going support throughout the program to ensure an internship experience that fulfills the student’s academic and professional objectives. Thanks to a one-on-one pre-departure consultation, EUSA takes into account each student’s needs and find an ideal placement. Once the internship begins, EUSA helps students navigate their professional practice and cultural immersion thanks to an on-site orientation, a mid-term review and academic internship seminar. This comprehensive approach allows students to reflect on their experience and translate their learning outcomes into greater employability in the future.
Program Details
Part-time Internship (Fall or Spring semester)
- Open to students testing at the B2 level or above who are enrolled in CUPA during the fall or spring semester;
- 8-week, part-time internship (2 days per week) + academic coursework.
- Open only to students whose home schools accept internship credit.
Full-time Internship (Summer)
- Open to students testing at the B2 level or above who are enrolled in CUPA during the spring semester only, including full-year students. The internship takes place the summer following the spring semester.
- 8-week, full-time internship (5 days per week) + academic coursework.
Credits and Fees
- An additional fee applies for all EUSA internships.
- Internships are credit-bearing and open only to students whose home university accepts internship credit.