Hong Kong

During summer 2016, ten IU students held internships in Hong Kong:

• Four were placed with Burberry
• Three were placed with Fossil
• Two were placed with Carter’s
• One was placed with Phillips Van Heusen.

Interns worked in a variety of positions such as promotions, data analysis, marketing, sourcing, and planning.

This course is an off-campus supervised and coordinated field study program in fashion and related industries in Hong Kong. The primary goal of this course is to enhance student learning through firsthand knowledge of the global apparel business environment in Hong Kong. Through it, students will be able to broaden their understanding of the international fashion business environment and apply their knowledge within a field experience setting. Instructors will provide one-on-one guidance through initial meetings on campus in Bloomington and via e-mail, Skype, and Canvas while students are abroad.

Students will work at their internship site during regular business hours Monday–Friday, leaving weekends free. This International Internship Program features a two-day welcome-to-Hong Kong orientation program, followed by an 8-week unpaid internship. A full-time, on-site Academic Internship Institute of Hong Kong staff member will serve as the students contact while in Hong Kong and assist with any problems or questions that may arise. Preference will be given to students majoring in Apparel Merchandising and Fashion Design with a demonstrated interest in pursuing a career in the fashion industry after graduation and a GPA of 2.75 or higher. The Hong Kong internship program includes shared accommodations, airport pick-up and drop-off in Hong Kong, welcome lunch and farewell dinner in Hong Kong. No airfare is included in the program fee. Students are responsible for all flight arrangements and for arriving at Hong Kong airports at designated pick-up times.

In addition, participants are responsible completing the necessary documents for an appropriate training visa required to work in Hong Kong; the cost of the visa is included in the program fee of approximately $6,000.00. Weekly meal expenses, entertainment costs, local travel to/from one’s internship placement, and optional travel excursions are not included in the program fee.

The Hong Kong program includes shared accommodation in small apartments with a mini-fridge. From their accommodation, students will be able to take public transportation to their internship placements. Depending on the intern site, transportation could take an hour each way. Optional excursions from Hong Kong are available on the weekends and may be purchased for an additional fee. Students are responsible for paying for their meals.

Internships will run for 8 weeks from mid-June to early August.

Program cost:

• US $6,000.00 (approximately) per student:
  • US $1,000.00 Non-refundable deposit with 10 days of acceptance into the program
  • US $5,000.00 (approximate) non-refundable final program fee payable in spring semester (date to be announced)

Included in program costs:

Internship placement

• Placement in an 8-week (5 days per week during company’s normal office hours) unpaid internship with a company, organization, or government agency relevant to your academic interest in apparel merchandising or fashion design. Students are guaranteed an internship placement in the industry, however, placements will vary based on:
  • Students’ previous work and leadership experiences, as reflected in their resume
  • Quantity of core courses and specialization courses completed
  • Interview confirming internship expectations, intellectual curiosity, personal maturity, and flexibility necessary for a successful work experience abroad
• Resume must be submitted as a PDF with your Program Application and will be shared with potential internship hosts who make the final decision to hire a particular student. Your resume is the starting point for your internship placement so make sure it is up-to-date and accurately reflects your competence in the best possible way.
• Internship interview: Every effort will be made to provide you the optimal internship experience. It will be very important for you to concisely describe to the Placement Team the kind of internship experience you seek. Be very realistic about your expectations to be placed in certain kinds of internship positions if you have little or no direct work experience. Be sure to research the Hong Kong and Chinese economy before your internship interview!
• Priority interview deadline (to be announced): If you are accepted into the program and pay your deposit before the deadline, you will have an actual interview with our Hong Kong Placement Team. They will travel to IU’s campus several times during the fall semester to interview you and discuss your internship plan. Be sure to apply early to secure an optimal interview time. If you apply after that time, you may be required to interview via Skype or by phone.
• Internship placements are coordinated by the GAV Placement Team who carefully match students’ skillsets with internship position descriptions. The Placement Team shares students’ resumes with various companies and organizations that match the students’ requests and the company or organization decides who they will hire. The placement process will be finalized when the company or organization completes necessary documentation with the Placement Team.

Accommodations

• Shared hotel-style accommodations in Hong Kong, close to bus, rail, cafes, and shops. Internet is included at the accommodations. Examples of accommodations are as follows:
  • YWCA Garden View—1 Macdonnell Rd, Hong Kong
  • Bishop Lei International House—4 Robinson Rd, Hong Kong (just 2–3 blocks from the YWCA Garden View)
  • Le Meridien Cyberport—Cyberport 1, 100 Cyberport Rd, Hong Kong

Airport transport

• Pick-up and drop-off in Hong Kong along with a welcome lunch and farewell dinner in Hong Kong.

Resident director

• In-country resident director support will be available during the program’s duration.

Visa assistance

• Assistance and fee to complete your Hong Kong work authorization visa.

Not included in program costs:

• Roundtrip airfare to and from Hong Kong (approximately $2,000)
• Required Indiana University International HTH Student Health Insurance (approximately $70)
• Food in-country (approximately $100 per week, varies per individual)
• Transportation in-city (bus, train, ferry, will vary based on internship location, approximately $25 per week)
• Entertainment in-country (approximately $100 per week, varies per individual)
• Weekend excursions (varies per individual)

Learn more about GAV