Freeman Foundation SLU Asia Internship Program
Mission of the Freeman Foundation and Purpose of the Internship
Established in 1994 by the estate of Mansfield Freeman (1895-1992), a distinguished philanthropist, scholar, and insurance executive, the mission of the Freeman Foundation is "to strengthen the bonds of friendship between this country and those of the Far East; to develop a greater appreciation of [East Asian] cultures in this country and a better understanding of American institutions in and purposes on the part of the peoples of East Asia, and to stimulate an exchange of ideas in economic and cultural fields which will help create mutual understanding” between the United States and Eastern Asia. Freeman grantees will advance this mission by gaining real-world work experience in East and Southeast Asia.
For almost 20 years, grant funding from the Freeman Foundation has played a critical role in enhancing St. Lawrence students’ interest Asian countries. The Freeman Foundation-SLU Internship to Maximize Potential and Achievement in Asia (IMPAA) Program will significantly expand opportunities for St. Lawrence students to immerse themselves in living and working in Asia where they will be able to gain an authentic understanding of, and appreciation for, diverse cultures and societies in Asia.
With the generous support from the Freeman Foundation, up to ten St. Lawrence University Students will be selected to do an 8-week internship in Asia in summer 2026. Funding from the Foundation and SLU allows the CIIS to cover the internship placement, international health insurance, and housing, and give students an additional stipend to cover round-trip flight tickets, visa application, and food.
This internship is a unique blend of professional experience and intercultural learning. To increase your opportunity for this competitive internship and also make the most out of your time onsite, have an open mind about what you could do in terms of skills rather than majors, and reflect on how and why the specific Asian locations matter.
Eligibility
- Preference is given to U.S. citizens. International students are eligible.
- Applicants with limited exposure to Asia in general or the country of internship are encouraged to apply, but they need to reflect on the specific location in their application.
- There are no Asian language proficiency requirements to receive the grant. The language at the internship site is English.
- Must be enrolled at St. Lawrence University as a degree-seeking undergraduate student in good academic standing. Students graduating in August 2026 or later are eligible to apply. Students planning to transfer to another institution are not eligible.
- Students who are selected for the internship program must agree to fulfill post-participation service projects, which may include activities such as public presentations about their experience with the campus community, etc.
- The Freeman Foundation has the final say over selection standards and candidate selections.
Program Participation Requirements Include
- Program Assessment Surveys: Program participants are required to fill out the internship evaluation form after returning from the internships. The survey result will be shared with the CIIS office and the Freeman Foundation. This includes explanation about their internship experiences.
- Instagram Posts: Required to submit a photo and 100 words about their experience three times during the internship: beginning (first week), middle (fifth week) and end (eighth week).
Program Presentation: Students present their Asia internship stories and experiences in events such as Family Weekend, International Education Week.
- Recipients will be asked to volunteer at the program events such as the Off-Campus Study Fair, Information Sessions, classroom visits and more to promote the Freeman Foundation SLU Asia Internship Program.
- Participants who terminate their internships before the program end date are required to pay back the full amount of the grant.
Process
Pre-Decision Stage (fall semester):
- Schedule meetings or attend an information session with the Associate Director of Asia and Pacific Programs, Dr. Yanqiu Zheng (strongly encouraged).
- Complete the application for the Freeman Foundation SLU Asia Internship Program via Studio Abroad.
Select applicants are invited for a preliminary interview with the SLU selection committee after the application deadline.
Selected students to move forward in the process are announced by the CIIS by the end of the semester. No internship secured yet.
Post-Decision Stage (spring semester):
- Sign Student Acknowledgment and Assumption of Risks & Release and Indemnity Agreement for Asia Internship Participation, and complete all required materials on Studio Abroad.
- Work with by the internship provider in Asia to secure an internship (see the following section for details).
- Participate in the SLU pre-departure orientation.
- Prepare for departure.
Apply to the Freeman ASIA Internship
For Partner-Supported Internship Placements (Summer 2026)
Program Partner: NextStep
Program Location for Summer 2026: Bangkok, Thailand; Ho Chi Min City, Vietnam
Program Dates: June 5-Aug 1 (8 weeks)
Apply through Studio Abroad.
We encourage students to join our information session to learn about the program for future participation.
The Freeman Foundation has the final say on selection standards and candidate selections.
Internship Placement
There is a matching process based on interests, qualifications, availability, etc. Selected students by the end of the fall semester will spend a significant chunk of time in the spring semester working with NextStep, which will collect the students' basic information and facilitate the interview with potential internship hosts. NextStep will make every effort in making a placement, but the applicants must be prepared to be placed in an organization that may not be their first choice. As placement depends on many factors, patience, flexibility, and willingness to try and learn from new things are important.
Program Support:
Sample Bangkok housing incl. Wi-Fi, electric & water, Ho Chi Minh City comparably
· Cultural & Professional Development activities per week or month
· Airport Pickup
· NextStep Program Onboarding
· Welcome Pack (Incl. Local Sim & US$100 Transportation Pass)
· 24/7 In-Country Support
· Health & Travel Insurance
· Pre-departure Advising incl. Student Handbook, Immigration Visa Assistance
· NextStep Professional Development & Personal Branding Guide
· First day Company Induction
· Employer Skills Evaluation & Recommendation
· Certificate of Completion
Recent Bangkok Positions:
Aquabaan
EMPACTE Consulting
Galaxy Kids
MyElla Desserts
Mahanakorn Partners (law firm)
Asia Pacific Alliance for Sexual and Reproductive Health and Rights
Recent Ho Chi Minh City Positions:
Tenzing Pacific Service
SILA Urban Living (hotel)
*Actual placements may vary depending on student qualifications, availability, etc.
Additional Funding
Each student will receive up to $3,000 toward the cost of a round-trip flight, visa application and food during their internship.
Students with unmet needs are eligible to apply for additional university funding such as Tanner Fellowship, academic departmental funding, and the Internship Fellowship by the Center for Career Excellence. Funding is not guaranteed.
Application Deadline
Deadline: December 6th, 2025
Apply to the Freeman ASIA Internship
Point of Contact
Interested students may direct questions to: Dr. Yanqiu Zheng, Associate Director of Asia and Pacific Programs.
*This internship program is not a semester-length program, so it does not count as a back-to-back program. Students who plan to study abroad prior to or after this internship program should indicate that in their application and leave enough time for visa processing.
Earning Academic Credit
Students participating in the NextStep internship placements have the opportunity to earn a quarter unit credit for their Asia Internship through the ND 230 internship course. For details, please contact Michelle Gould (mgould@stlawu.edu) at the Center for Career Excellence.
Freeman Foundation Asia Internship Program Cost
Internship cost already covered
- Internship placement
- Onsite housing
- Onsite utility
- International medical insurance
- Safety and logistical support
------------------------
Out-of-Pocket Cost (Bangkok, Thailand as an example, Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam comparable):
Program participants receive up to $3,000 to help cover some of the following cost.
1. Average round trip flight cost from the US: more affordable tickets approximately $1800-2000 depending on the airport
2. Visa application: e-visa generally under $100 for those traveling with a U.S. passport, other nationalities might vary
3. Cost of weekday daily commute to work: around $3 per day public transportation * 40 work days = $120 ($100 commute pass offered by NexStep, rideshare extra)
4. Meals: suggesting $12 per day * 60 days in total = $720 (treat extra)
5. Cell phone plan: NextStep providing sim card with decent data plan, suggesting $60 for two months of a voice plan (cannot always rely on data or WiFi)
6. Independent travel: discretionary spending
SLU students' past internship experiences in Asia
· China Everbright Bank intern Charlie Taggart
· Beijing Normal University intern Hanane Lahnaoui
· Asset Management Association of China intern William Glover