Singapore

Contributing locally + globally: Singapore

Gain professional business experience in Asia’s growing apparel sourcing center by participating in an 8-week internship experience in Singapore. Singapore is the second largest apparel and clothing sourcing hub of the Asia-Pacific after Hong Kong and is soon to be the apparel, yarn and fabric sourcing hub of the world according to the Singaporean government. This unique opportunity will provide you with practical experience to enhance your on-campus learning, while immersing you in an international workplace environment. The internship is a hands-on training position that is unpaid.

Drawing on their extensive network of partner organizations, Global Academic Ventures (GAV, formerly Academic Internship Institute of Hong Kong) will place students at a variety of Singapore’s well-known multinational corporations, small and medium-sized businesses, government bodies, nonprofit organizations and community service organizations.

This course is an off-campus supervised and coordinated field study program in the fashion and related industries in Singapore. The primary goal of this course is to enhance student learning through firsthand knowledge of the global apparel business environment in Singapore. 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 3.5 day welcome-to-Singapore orientation program, followed by an 8-week unpaid internship. A full-time, on-site Global Academic Ventures staff member will serve as the students’ contact while in Singapore and assist with any problems or questions that may arise.

Prospective interns must be students majoring or minoring in Apparel Merchandising or 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 Singapore internship program includes shared accommodations, airport pick-up and drop-off in Singapore, 3 breakfasts during orientation, a welcome lunch, and a farewell dinner in Singapore.

No airfare is included in the program fee (approximately $2,500). Students are responsible for all flight arrangements and for arriving at Singapore airports at designated pick-up times.

In addition, participants are responsible for completing the necessary documents for an appropriate visa required to work in Singapore; the cost of the visa is NOT included in the program fee (approximately $6,000). Weekly meal expenses, Indiana University tuition for 3 credit hours, entertainment costs, local travel to/from one’s internship placement, and optional travel excursions are not included in the program fee.

The Singapore program does include the cost of shared hotel style accommodations in Singapore, close to bus, rail, cafes, and shops. Internet is included at the accommodation. 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 or less each way. Optional excursions from Singapore are available on the weekends and may be purchased for an additional fee. Students are responsible for paying for their meals.

Exact dates for the 8 weeks will change each year, usually 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 early spring (date to be announced)

Included in program costs:

Internship placement

Placement in an eight-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 Singapore economy before your internship interview!
Priority interview deadline (varies by year): If you are accepted into the Program and pay your deposit before this deadline, you will have an actual interview with our Singapore Placement Team who will travel to IU campus 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 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 Singapore, close to bus, rail, cafes, and shops. Internet (adequate for completing assignments, but not streaming movies) is included at the accommodation. Examples of accommodations are as follows:
- The YMCA One Orchard Road (1 Orchard Road, Singapore)
- The YWCA Fort Canning Lodge (6 Fort Canning Road, Singapore)

Airport transport

Pick-up and drop-off in Singapore along with a welcome lunch and farewell dinner in Singapore.

Resident director

In-country resident director support (Chai Lyn Tan, Singapore Program Administrator) will be available during the program’s duration.

Visa assistance

Assistance and fee to complete your Singapore visa.

Not included in program costs:

Roundtrip airfare to and from Singapore (approximately $2,500)
Required Indiana University International HTH Student Health Insurance (approximately $70)
Indiana University tuition for 3 credit hours
Food in-country (approximately $125 per week, varies per individual)
Transportation in-city (bus, train, ferry, will vary based on internship location, approximately $35 per week)
Entertainment in-country (approximately $100 per week, varies per individual)
Weekend excursions (varies per individual)

Learn more about GAV