HOW TO APPLY
Have you ever wondered how to make your application stand out from the rest? We outline that in an easy to follow step-by-step format.
CHECK WITH YOUR SCHOOL
The first step for all students is to determine whether your university requires you to apply through the study abroad office on campus before submitting an application to EPA Internships in Europe. Discuss the program with your advisor and get approval from the relevant department at your home institution to enroll in the program. Check all the facts about credit, and make sure you clearly understand your school’s procedures.
CV/RESUME
We recommend using the EPA_CV__Template. Europeans normally refer to a résumé as a CV. The CV will be a major criterion for both selection and placement in the Internship Program. Please try to keep the CV to one, single-spaced document that includes:
- Academic and practical experience that directly relates to the type of internship that you are interested in.
- Relevant courses you have completed, are currently enrolled in, or plan to take before you go abroad.
- Computer programs you use comfortably.
- Previous international travel, work, or study experience.
Please remember to include all relevant experience, not just paid experience.
Students applying for internships in Germany should submit the CV using the Lebenslauf format.
Students applying to Spain must also include a CV in Spanish.
COVER LETTER
Please review the EPA_CL_Guide_2020. In a one-page cover letter directed toward the internship supervisor, describe why you are interested in an international internship. Please detail your related skills and work experience, and remember to include related coursework and volunteer experience as well.
Students applying for an internship in Germany or Spain must also include a cover letter in the country’s language.
RECOMMENDATIONS
Two recommendation letters are required. One must be from a professor who has instructed you in a class relevant to the internship. The second can be from another professor or from a supervisor. Here is a request letter that can be sent to your recommenders: EPA Recommendation Request.
OFFICIAL TRANSCRIPTS
Students should have a minimum 3.0 overall GPA. Submit one transcript for each college or university that you have attended. Please request that it be emailed to lisafrauens@epa-internships.org, or posted to EPA Internships in Europe, UR/Dewey Hall 2-161, 500 Joseph C. Wilson Blvd., Rochester, NY 14627.
LANGUAGE SKILLS
Students who are applying for an internship in a language other than their native language will be interviewed in that language to assess their communication skills and proficiency.
Students applying to internships in Germany and Spain need to submit a C.V. and Cover Letter in that language as well as a Foreign_Lang_Eval from a language professor.
PASSPORT
You definitely need a valid passport to study abroad and in most cases a visa. You can submit your application if you are still awaiting the return of your passport, but you need to allow enough time to obtain the proper visa. We highly recommend that all students begin this process as soon as possible. For more information read the Passport/Visa Information.
DEADLINES
EPA applications are received on a rolling admissions basis. All US universities and colleges have their own deadlines that need to be followed. We encourage you to apply early. This will allow more time for EPA to find you a great internship placement!
FALL | SPRING | SUMMER |
March 1 | October 1 | February 1 |