Freeman Foundation SLU Asia Internship Program
Mission of the Freeman Foundation and Purpose of the Program
Established in 1994 by the estate of Mansfield Freeman (1895-1992), a distinguished philanthropist, scholar, and insurance executive who started his career in China in the 1920s, the Freeman Foundation has been a steadfast supporter for mutual understanding between the United States and Asia. For almost 20 years, grant funding from the Freeman Foundation has played a critical role in enhancing St. Lawrence students’ knowledge of Asia in and out of the classroom.
Grantees of the Freeman Foundation-SLU Internship to Maximize Potential and Achievement in Asia (IMPAA) Program will advance the Foundation's mission through professional and cultural immersion in different parts of Asia. Through an eight-week summer program, they get a taste of working and living in Asia, where they will be able to gain a grounded understanding of, and appreciation for, diverse cultures and societies in Asia. Because of the program's unique blend of professional experience and intercultural learning, it is a lot more than a summer internship. It is also about self-discovery: who you are and what you could do. To increase your chance for this competitive opportunity and also make the most out of your time onsite, have an open mind about what you could learn in and out of work and in terms of skills rather than majors, and reflect on how and why the specific Asian locations matter to you. On the other hand, just (re)apply because that is how you grow as a young professional.
Summer 2027 Program Highlights (details in following sections)
- Eight-week professional and cultural immersion guided by a partner organization onsite
- Duration: early June to late July/early August TBD
- Choice of locations: Bangkok, Thailand or Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam
- Centered on full-time (minimum 35 hours per week) work experience: English as the language in the office
- Stipend up to $3,000 to help cover international travel to and from the program and daily meals: housing, program fees, and insurance already covered
- No prior knowledge of Asia required: reflection of the relevance of the Asian locations important in the application
- Studio Abroad application deadline: December 6, 2026, all applicants asked whether interested in a 2027 summer course if not selected for the program
- Decision: around two weeks after application deadline
- Commitment deadline: very beginning of spring 2027
- Chance to earn 0.25 SLU unit for an internship course in fall 2027
Apply to the Freeman ASIA Internship
Eligibility
- Citizenship: preference given to U.S. citizens, international students eligible to apply
- Academic standing: enrolled as a degree-seeking SLU undergraduate student in good academic standing and graduating no earlier than in August 2027, students planning to transfer to another institution not eligible
- Prerequisite: no prior knowledge of Asia required
- Freeman Foundation has the final say over selection standards and candidate selections
- Volunteer withdrawal after the commitment deadline: financial liability to pay back any expenses on your behalf, including but not limited to program fee and stipend
Additional Program Participation Requirements
- Surveys: fill out the evaluation forms from CIIS and partner organization, results to be shared with Freeman Foundation
- Promotional photos and videos: share with CIIS photos and videos that document personal and professional experience and promote the program, strongly encouraged to post to social media platforms such as Instagram and LinkedIn
On-campus events: further promote the program through events such as Off-Campus Study Fair (early October), information sessions (varies), classroom visits (varies), and International Education Week (mid-November)
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 by December 6, 2026.
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 identify, apply and interview for, and 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 2027)
Program Partner: NextStep
Program Location for Summer 2027: Bangkok, Thailand; Ho Chi Min City, Vietnam
Program Dates: TBD, usually early June to late July (8 weeks)
Apply through Studio Abroad.
We encourage students to join our information session to learn about the program for future participation.
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 put in their best effort for the process and 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 essential. Also, do not forget that learning does not just take place at the internship and that self-discovery is an invaluable goal of the program, especially when subsidized.
Program Support:
Sample Bangkok housing incl. Wi-Fi, electric & water, Ho Chi Minh City comparable
· Pre-departure advising incl. student handbook, visa guide
· Airport pickup
· Program onboarding
· First day company induction
· Cultural & professional development activities
· Welcome pack
· 24/7 in-country support
· Health & travel insurance
· 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)
Infocus Mekong Research
*Actual placements may vary depending on student qualifications, availability, etc.
Additional Funding
Each student will receive up to $3,000 to help cover the additional cost 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 6, 2026
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 in the fall semester after the internship through the ND 230 internship course. For details, please contact Anne Warren 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
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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 (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)
The stipend your receive is NOT intended to subsidize your independent travel before, during, or after the program.
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