Fashion and Design Practice
This UC Davis Summer Abroad Internship program partners with a local internship provider, the Institute for American Universities (IAU), that coordinates personalized internship placements, housing, onsite orientation, cultural activities, and 24/7 emergency support.
After enrolling through UC Davis Study Abroad, participants complete a supplemental application with IAU to begin the placement process.
While IAU provides in-country support and services, UC Davis Study Abroad administers the academic program, and all participants earn UC Davis academic credit.
Internship Placement Process
After you’ve been accepted and enrolled in Fashion and Design Practice Summer Abroad Internship through UC Davis Study Abroad, you will receive instructions from IAU to complete the internship placement process.
As part of your application, you will submit:
- A current résumé
- A professional headshot
- A portfolio showcasing your creative work
- An internship questionnaire outlining your interests, skills, and career goals
- Housing and wellness accommodation forms
- Required program policies and waivers
Your application materials are used to match you with a participating internship host that aligns as closely as possible with your academic background, professional interests, and experience. Because placements depend on host organization needs and availability, specific internship placements cannot be guaranteed. We encourage students to approach the placement process with flexibility, professionalism, and a willingness to learn.
Final internship placements are typically confirmed approximately one month before the program begins.
Italian language proficiency is not required for most internship placements. However, students with Italian language skills may be eligible for additional placement opportunities that require bilingual communication.
The timeline between enrolling in the program and submitting your internship application is short. Shortly after enrollment, you will receive instructions from the Institute for American Universities (IAU) to begin the placement process, and application materials are typically due within 1–2 weeks.
To avoid delays, we recommend preparing your materials before you enroll. This includes updating your résumé, selecting a professional headshot, and organizing a portfolio that showcases your best work. Having these materials ready will allow you to focus on completing your application thoughtfully and give IAU the information they need to begin identifying internship opportunities that align with your interests and experience.
Sample Internship Placements
Students will participate in a professional internship (unpaid) for 25 hours per week, Monday-Thursday, for six weeks. You are matched with an organization based on your skills, experience, career goals, and interests.
The global pandemic has changed the way some career fields approach daily work in Italy. Students may encounter a hybrid workplace where they will adopt schedules similar to their coworkers, such as some days in the office, some days working remotely, and experiences both in person and online.
All enrolled students will be placed in an internship. All internships are unpaid. Students with relevant experience and a GPA over 2.5 may have more placement options or an internship role with greater responsibility than students without experience or a lower GPA
Resume and Cover Letter Resources
We strongly recommend that you meet with an advisor at the UC Davis Career Center or the Career Center on your home campus to have your resume and cover letter reviewed prior to submitting these documents IAU. The ICC provides many online resources, such as resume, cover letter, and letter of recommendation examples.
Transcript Notation
Students participating in UC Davis Study Abroad Internships are eligible to receive Transcript Notation (TN). Transcript notation documents your academically approved internship on your official UC Davis transcript. By having your experience noted, it provides proof of where and when you participated in an internship. This is especially valuable for international internships that may be difficult for a prospective employer or program to contact.
Transcript Notation is a process you’ll start within the first two weeks of your internship placement through Handshake, the tool UC Davis Career Center uses to connect students and employers.