CUAS Teams Up with American Councils in the format of Virtual Internships for International Youth

Svetlana Buko and Bernhard Guetz holding an American Councils Poster

A new collaboration between Carinthia University of Applied Sciences (CUAS) and American Councils www.americancouncils.org - in our commitment to fostering global education and providing enriching opportunities for young people who spent their exchange year abroad.

As a host organization for the Alumni Internship Program, CUAS is set to host two virtual internships from the network of FLEX Alumni and YES Alumni from South East Europe and Senegal.

Two virtual interns will actively engage in digital marketing tasks with a focus on empowering young people about their future educational choices in Europe. This partnership contributes to the broader goals of global education and cultural exchange. This initiative aligns with CUAS dedication to fostering cross-cultural experiences and sharing about educational opportunities in Austria with young people all over the world.

American Council’s portfolio, features over 250 international youth exchange, professional development, and language programs. Their extensive network spans collaborations with more than 1,000 organizations, making them a powerhouse in facilitating meaningful global connections. In our partnership, CUAS reaches out to the globalmni network of these programs.

The Virtual Internship Program connects highly motivated FLEX and YES alumni with host organizations across the globe. As part of the 3-month internship program, interns gain invaluable hands-on experience, undergo professional development training, and receive a stipend covered by the U.S. Department of State Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs (ECA). In return, host organizations, like CUAS, benefit from the contributions of young talented and globally-minded interns.

CUAS School of Management will host two interns (Candidates selected by American Councils) from FLEX/YES program countries. The countries include Albania, Armenia, Azerbaijan, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Bulgaria, Czechia, Estonia, Georgia, Greece, Hungary, Kazakhstan, Kosovo, Kyrgyzstan, Latvia, Lithuania, Moldova, Mongolia, Montenegro, North Macedonia, Poland, Romania, Senegal, Serbia, Slovakia, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan, Ukraine, and Uzbekistan.

CUAS remains committed to creating opportunities for young people across borders and cultivates a global perspective among our local Austrian students.

Here's how the partnership will run during spring period (March-May 2024):

  • Selection and Onboarding: CUAS, in collaboration with American Councils, will select two interns from a diverse and talented pool of FLEX/YES alumni. The selection process will focus on identifying individuals who have demonstrated a keen interest and aptitude in digital marketing and international education.
  • Role and Responsibilities: Once onboarded, these interns will undertake digital marketing tasks with a specific focus on promoting CUAS’s English-taught Bachelor's programs to a global audience. Their activities will include creating engaging content, managing social media campaigns, and leveraging digital platforms to reach potential students across the globe.
  • Training and Support: To ensure the success of the virtual internship, CUAS will provide comprehensive training and continuous support to the interns. This includes professional development sessions to enhance their skills and regular virtual meetings to ensure alignment with the university’s communication strategies.
  • Outcome and Evaluation: The effectiveness of the interns' contributions will be assessed through key performance indicators, such as the reach and engagement of their campaigns and the number of inquiries generated about CUAS's programs.

Hosting virtual interns offers significant benefits for CUAS, particularly in enhancing its international footprint and adopting a tech-focused approach. The efforts of these interns are expected to greatly improve CUAS's international presence, thereby attracting a broader audience and potentially increasing international student applications. These virtual interns, serving as innovative recruiters, will enable CUAS to explore new and creative recruitment strategies in the digital realm. Moreover, the diverse international backgrounds of the interns will add valuable cross-cultural insights to CUAS’s communication strategies, enhancing their global appeal. This initiative also aligns with CUAS's commitment to skill development, preparing students for a future shaped by digital technologies. Ultimately, this collaboration underscores CUAS's dedication to promoting global education and leveraging digital opportunities to connect and empower young people worldwide, thereby fostering a dynamic, globally-connected community and enhancing the educational and professional journeys of its students and alumni.