Frequently Asked Questions
Q. I am an international student. Am I still eligible to apply for the Internship?
A. Unfortunately no, the program is a Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade funded program established to promote bilateral relations between Australian citizens and the Korean community.
Q. I am in the final year of my undergraduate/postgraduate degree. Am I still eligible to apply?
A. Yes. As long as you are enrolled in a relevant undergraduate/postgraduate degree at the time that your application is lodged, you are eligible to apply for the internship. As with all applicants, you must also be able to commit to the official program dates.
Q. Do I need to understand or speak Korean in order to be eligible to apply for the Internship?
A. No. It is not a requirement to speak or understand Korean in order to be eligible to apply for the Internship. So far, none of the previous interns have experienced any significant difficulties with the language difference as English is widely taught in schools and sometimes used in the business environment. Interns will conduct their business in an English speaking environment. However, successful applicants would benefit from learning some basic Korean terms and phrases prior to their departure.
Q. What are the benefits of participating in the Internship?
A. Successful participants will:
- Gain invaluable experience of working in a foreign environment
- Develop cultural and professional skills critical is you are interested in an international career
- Enhance your knowledge of Korean culture, language and business
- Interact and network with business leaders and government officials
- Experience the practical and challenging aspects of international business
Q. How much does it cost?
A. The internship is free. However, all interns are responsible for the cost of their own return travel between Sydney and the ROK and for their personal travel insurance.
Interns will be unpaid in relation to their work, but an allowance will be provided for living and accommodation expenses.
Q. How do I apply?
A. To apply follow the steps listed in the how to apply section.
Make sure you follow the checklist and fill the in application form from the same website. Send all documents to the address at the end of the application by Monday 4 August 2008.
Q. Who can apply for the Internship?
A. To be successful:
- Applicants must be an Australian citizen (permanent residency is not sufficient);
- Applicants must be currently enrolled in either a postgraduate coursework degree, or in the 3rd/4th year of an undergraduate degree at an accredited Australian higher education institution;
- Applicants must come from one of the following faculties/departments: economics, commerce, finance, accounting, business, marketing, information and communications technology and international trade. The selection panel will judge the appropriateness of each applicant’s degree to the program;
- The selection panel will judge each applicant according to how they can contribute to the program, their suitability to the companies available, and their personal and academic qualities;
- Cultural awareness and understanding, as well as a specific interest in Korea, are desirable.
Q. What documents do I need to prepare to apply?
A. Successful applications require the following documents:
- Completed application form
Curriculum vitae
Two letters of reference (including one academic reference) and contact details of referees
Copy of current Australian Passport – signed by yourself and certified by a Justice of the Peace (JP)
Copy of current Student Identification Card – signed by yourself and certified by a JP
JP-certified copy of most recent university academic transcript.
Q. What is a personal reference?
A. Your personal referee should refer to how long they have known you and in what capacity. They may wish to refer to your potential, skills, abilities and strengths and accomplishments. But most importantly they should refer to your character, reliability and level of commitment.
Q. What is an academic reference?
A. Your academic referee should be a teacher or professor who has taught you in the last two years. They should refer to your capacity to meet assignment deadlines, the quality of work submitted, your level of participation in class discussions, how you work with others and independently, and your motivation and self-discipline
Q. Who can certify my documents?
A. Copies or your Australian passport and other documents required in support of your application must be signed by a Justice of the Peace.
Q. What is a Justice of the Peace (JP) and where can I find one?
A. Informational about JPs around Australia can be found on the Australian Government's JP Website.
Q. How do I find accommodation during my Internship?
A. RIAP will assist in arranging homestay accommodation with a Korean family.
Q. Do I get paid for my Internship?
A. Interns will be unpaid in relation to their work, but an allowance will be provided to contribute to living and accommodation expenses.
Q. How much does homestay accommodation cost?
A. Homestay situations and experiences will vary for each intern. Regular financial contributions will usually depend on the size of the home and family. Therefore some hosts may expect students to make financial contributions (i.e. those with children and larger families), while others may not (i.e. single hosts). However, contributions are often inexpensive in comparison to rental fees, and are easily supplemented by the general living allowance provided to all interns.
Q. When is the deadline for all applications?
A. The application deadline is Monday 4th August 2008.
Q. How long is the Internship?
A. Successful applicants will be placed within a multinational Korean corporation for a period of seven (7) weeks. Interns will be required to commit to full time work while in ROK. The specific working hours are to be agreed with the host company prior to commencement of the internship placement.
Q. Can I organize my placement by myself?
A. Interns must not attempt to facilitate work-placement arrangements within ROK. This is the sole responsibility of RIAP.
Q. Can I choose a company I would like to work for?
A. Placements will be arranged by RIAP. All Interns will be allocated to the most suitable company. Interns will not be given a choice of companies.
Q. What kind of company will interns be working for?
A. Interns will either be placed in a local or multinational Korean company. Former participating companies have included POSCO, Samsung, Hyundai Corporation, Hyundai Heavy Industries, Alticast, and Hanaro Telecom.
Q. Will I be assigned tasks or to a department specifically related to my degree?
A. Not necessarily. However, this should be considered as an opportunity to expand your knowledge and learn new skills.
Q. Are there any other countries available, apart from Korea?
A. No. The Internship is the initiative of Australia- Korea foundation and specifically aims to provide students with cultural and business experience in Korea.
Q. Where my Internship will take place?
A. Interns will be placed in local and multinational firms in South Korea. Host companies will vary but may include industries such as banking and finance, information & communications technology, international trade and resources.
Q. What do I do during my Internship?
A. A representative of the host company will complete a Duty Statement outlining the objectives of the internship. This will include a list of the intern's main tasks and any further work obligations that can be readily identified and reviewed periodically throughout the work period.
Q. Can I receive academic credit for my Internship?
A. Students who wish to obtain academic credit for this internship program are responsible for making their own arrangements in advance with their university. All arrangements are to be kept exclusively between the student's university and the student.
Q. Will I receive any certificate upon completion of my Internship?
A. Yes. All participants will receive a Certificate of Participation (non-accredited). A letter of reference from the Host Company and the University of Sydney can be obtained on request to the relevant organisation.
Q. What should be included in the reference letter?
A. You are required to provide two reference letters, one academic and one personal. The academic references should demonstrate the students capacity in their course work and the personal reference to should demonstrate your skills and achievements.
Q. Who organizes the Internship?
A. The Australia Korea Internship program is an Australian Government initiative funded by the Australia Korea Foundation and managed by the University of Sydney's Research Institute for Asia and the Pacific.
Q. During the internship I am required to commit to full time work, will I have enough work that would challenge and keep me busy?
The AKIP is not only about having challenging work to do on a daily basis. From past experience some interns were given significant research and review work. Others assisted in the international liaison aspects of the company's business. While some spent considerable time undertaking a mix of tasks, including learning the processes of the company and networking with Korean colleagues. The primary motivation of the program is to provide students through practical means, an insight and invaluable experience into how a foreign firm operates internationally. All our interns have benefited both personally and professionally from such an opportunity.
Q. What are interns expected to wear during their internship placements?
A. Korean business practices are generally more formal in comparison to Australia. Therefore, regardless of your allocated host company you will be expected to wear corporate attire (i.e. suits for both men and women).
Q. What should I do if I encounter problems during my internship?
A. You should report any issues or unfortunate incidents to the Korea-Australia Foundation (KAF) representative, as well as RIAP as soon as the problem occurs. The KAF and RIAP will take appropriate measures to address the matter upon being notified by the intern.
Q. What should interns do to prepare for the internship?
A. Prior to the internship successful interns should undertake independent research about Korean culture, traditions and customs, local weather, Korea business practices and ethics, local currency and conversion rates, and learn a few basic Korean words and phrases. You must also arrange appropriate travel and health insurance, and obtain the correct Korean visa. Upon being notified of host companies and homestay hosts, interns should do some research about the company, and make contact with homestay hosts to discuss general living arrangements and expectations.