Purpose | Sponsors | Eligibility | History | Internship | Language Development | Travel
Exchange Sponsors | Contact Us

Purpose:  This program is unique because it provides Missouri university students a total immersion experience with an internship and home stay abroad over the summer months.  Students can develop their language and business skills while learning in-depth about another country.

The International Business Internship Exchange in Partnership with the State of Missouri provides similar home stay and internship opportunities to students from pre-selected universities in Germany, Ghana, Japan, Mexico and the U.K.

Sponsors:  Webster University, Missouri Corporations, Missouri Department of Economic Development
Two pre-departure orientations are required for American students: One orientation session the first Saturday in March and one orientation session the first Saturday in April.

1. Orientation in host country during first 1or 2 days
2. Internship - Full-time non-paying internship for eight weeks in a business or industry in China, Germany, Ghana, Japan, Mexico, the U.K. or Missouri.
3. Home Stay - Most students live with a family in the host country during the internship.
4. Language Development - Intensive practice in foreign language through internship, home and social activities.
5. Recognition ceremonies at Webster University in St. Louis to recognize corporate sponsors, host families, American, British, Chinese, German, Ghanaian, Japanese, and Mexican students and friends of the Exchange
6. Travel - Optional travel on your own after completion of the internship

History of the Exchange:
The Exchange began in 1980 emphasizing international internships for American and German students.  The program was arranged under the leadership of Francis C. Gamelin, then president of the Higher Education Center of St. Louis; Dr. Joachim Wenner, Oberregierungsrat, Ministry of Arts and Science of Baden-Wurttemberg; and Professor Rudolf Mann, Director, Berufsakademie, Villingen-Schwenningen.
In 1986 the governing Board of the Higher Education Center awarded Webster University the administration of the program.  In 1999 the State of Missouri Department of Economic Development awarded a grant to expand the Exchange. Every summer the International Business Internship Exchange in Partnership with the State of Missouri sends 25 students representing Missouri Universities to China, Germany, Ghana, Japan, Mexico and the United Kingdom and receives an equal number of university students from those countries for an internship and home stay.  Nearly 900 students have participated thus far. The IBIE is consistent with the State of Missouri and Webster University’s commitment to international education and continues to develop the business, intercultural and language skills of students throughout Missouri and the world.

Eligibility: Applicants must be U.S. citizens pursuing an undergraduate degree at any college or university in Missouri.  Students must be in good standing at their institution, have intermediate proficiency in language of the host country, and must have either business experience or relevant coursework.  Graduate students accepted on a space available basis. 

Internship:  Full-time, non-paying internship for eight weeks in a business or business-related office in China, Germany, Ghana, Japan, Mexico or the United Kingdom.  Students who wish to receive college credit for this internship are responsible for making arrangements in advance with their advisor. All arrangements are exclusively between the departmental advisor and the student.

Language Development: Intensive practice in a foreign language through internship, home stay and social activities.

Travel: Optional travel up to three weeks on your own after the internship.

The Webster University International Business Internship Exchange in Partnership with the State of Missouri (IBIE) offers  eight week, full-time, non-paying international internships to selected American citizens attending a Missouri university while pursuing their undergraduate degree full time.  Graduate students are selected on a space available basis. 

EXCHANGE SPONSORS

Webster University
Missouri Department of Economic Development
Missouri Companies

CONTACT US

Wilma Prifti - Director
Phone: 314-968-6912
E-mail: priftiwi@webster.edu

Stephanie Kessler - Coordinator
Phone: 314-968-5979
E-mail: skessler12@webster.edu