About the program

Program delivery is subject to confirmation of Australian Government funding

Gain invaluable international experience

Enhance your knowledge of Korean culture, language and business

Network with business leaders and government officials

Complement your studies with practical on-the-job opportunities

Experience the practical aspects of living and working overseas

The Australia Korea Internship Program (AKIP) is an initiative of the Australia–Korea Foundation (AKF), Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade. The program has been managed by the Research Institute for Asia and the Pacific (RIAP) in conjunction with the Korea-Australia Foundation (KAF) since its inception in 2004. The AKIP aims to facilitate the AKF’s objectives of generating closer Australia-Korea relations and understanding by developing contacts and exchanges between Australians and Koreans.

Now in its fifth year, the program offers exceptional opportunities for outstanding post-graduate and senior undergraduate students who wish to experience a cultural exchange while pursuing a business-related career in the Asia-Pacific Region. Through a seven week internship program, the AKIP will provide students scope to develop their professional and cross-cultural skills through short-term, international on the job experience within the Republic of Korea (ROK). The AKIP will further help students to gain experience in business overseas, and to develop their skills in working independently, as part of a team, or both.

This opportunity serves not only to improve the student’s knowledge of international business and enhance their employment prospects but also to contribute to closer Australia – Korea understanding and relations.

Local and multinational corporations in Korea will host students selected as interns for a period of approximately seven weeks. Interns will be unpaid in relation to their work, but will receive an allowance for living and accommodation expenses. A sufficient amount will be determined by the program’s counterparts in Seoul, the Korea-Australia Foundation, and interns will be notified of this amount prior to their departure for Korea.

Most importantly, the internship program offers a unique and valuable opportunity to experience authentic Korean culture. Through homestay accommodation and internships in Korean national and multinational companies, past interns have experienced traditional family life and observed common Korean business ethics and practices.

Applications are now open to students from all states and territories in Australia who are studying in a postgraduate coursework degree, or in their third and fourth years of an undergraduate degree in relevant fields. These fields are

Download (in PDF) - Program Brochure

• POSCO - the world's third largest steel producer
• Samsung - global leader in electronics with additional subsidiaries in industries including chemical, mechanical, entertainment and finance
• Hyundai Corporation is Korea's leading general trading company that has taken the lead in promoting the export of Korea and Hyundai Group on the basis of solid global business networks
• Alticast Corp. - a pioneer in the field of digital interactive broadcasting services in Korea
• Korea Zinc - domestic market leader in zinc
• Hanaro Telecom - one of South Korea's leading telecommunications companies

• Eugene Sebastian, Initiative to advance students international careers
• Melissa Butcher, Australia's transnational professionals