Swansea students to gain global experienceDr. Thanga Prabu, a Swansea University Alumni who helped set up the internship and Ramya Mohanraj a Computer Science student, the first intern sent to India in 2009

Swansea University has successfully launched its study and work abroad programmes for 2011. The programmes include an increasing number of opportunities on work placement schemes, which aim to give successful candidates opportunities to work abroad.

Under the current plans students will be able to build up a portfolio of transferable, cross-cultural skills which are increasingly being demanded from graduate employers. 

Amongst the projects already proving successful, the International Development Office has secured eleven internship placements with multi-national companies in India over the summer.  This is the third year these internships are being offered and has grown from just one placement with GE Healthcare, Bangalore in 2009.  These opportunities are in addition to those already available through the Erasmus scheme.

The internships will be with, GE Hyderabad in Computer Science, Thomson Reuters, Mumbai in Business and Finance; 3M Bangalore inLaw; and Private Equity, Gurgaon in Finance and Journalism.

Sian Impey, Head of Internationalisation from the International Development Office said: “The programme builds further on the success of the 2010 programme, which saw five Swansea University students spend three months working on a range of projects within the companies. 

“Our aim is to continue with the development of the internships with the hope of expanding in India and other countries in 2012.

Abhishek Karal, who is studying in his final year  MEng in Computing in the College of Science at Swansea, carried out his internship last summer at The John F. Welch Technology Centre (JFWTC) in India. The site is GE’s largest integrated multi disciplinary research and development centre and is the first to be located outside the USA.

Commenting on his experience, Abhishek explained: “The three month internship in GE was my first real experience working in a corporate world and I took a lot from the experience.

"Understandably, the internship challenged me in many ways, but I was always able to turn to my manager and colleagues for input and support when needed. I strongly believe the experience will further enhance my career prospects.”

Adam Dziamarski, a student of BSc Economics  in the School of Business and Economics at Swansea University, spent the previous summer on a work placement with Clesse Industries in France on an Erasmus funded summer internship, which is another longstanding successful venture of the International Development Office.

Adam said: “The experience of working in France was extremely important to me both personally and academically. I learnt a variety of skills which are often equally as important as ability - simple things like office conduct and communicating effectively. I was also able to brush up on my Microsoft Excel skills which will come in very handy when I start my career.

“On a personal level, I made some great friends and got a real taste for French culture. It was definitely one of the best summers ever!”

For more information about the summer internships see www.swansea.ac.uk/internationalisation