The University of the South is honored to collaborate with the Freeman Foundation to provide up to twelve students with full-time summer internships in East and Southeast Asia. 

Application Dates: Apply Now Here! Due November 15th at 11:59 pm.

Info Sessions: Oct. 2nd, 6:30 pm | Come hear from previous recipients and ask questions! 

If you are unable to join us on Oct. 2nd you can watch a video from last year's info session found here. The first half is general information and application tips, followed by a panel of previous Freeman recipients. Even though this was from last year, most of the information is still helpful and up to date. 

Who: Current freshmen, sophomores, and juniors who will return to campus after completing their internship. Students of any major are welcome. Applicants should be genuinely interested in exploring East and Southeast Asian culture and gaining professional experience in one of the world’s most dynamic regions.

Award: Up to $9500 each for a maximum of 12 students

Duration of Fellowship: Minimum of 8 weeks / 35 to 40 hrs per week

Contact: Marcus Murphy in the Office of Global Citizenship 

What: Students have the opportunity to receive financial support for an internship in one of the following locations: Bhutan, Cambodia, Indonesia, Japan, Laos, Malaysia, Mongolia, Nepal, Philippines, Singapore, South Korea, Taiwan, Thailand, and Vietnam. From whale watching in Indonesia to banking in Singapore, the opportunities are endless. This opportunity is made available to students thanks to a generous grant from the Freeman Foundation and then the support of internships through Sewanee alumni donors. 

Why: Sewanee considers internships a valuable and integral part of a field of study an important way to gain insight into a career field, obtain valuable professional experience, and develop new skills. Internships in Asia offer valuable opportunities for personal and professional growth in an area of the world that is reshaping global commerce.


TO APPLY:

Application is now open in VIA HERE (if you have not yet used VIA, you can login using your Banner/email account HERE

Questions? Contact Marcus Murphy in the Office of Global Citizenship

Internship Search, Preparation, and Post-Internship Expectations 

Presentation Requirement: Upon returning to Sewanee, Freeman Foundation award recipients must present their internship experience at a minimum of two fall events. In addition to a live presentation, students may choose to share a culminating project such as a digital story, poster presentation, or podcast. Participants will also be encouraged to take part in the study away fair, internship fairs, and other promotional opportunities on campus.

Internship Search: Students are encouraged to begin researching and networking to identify possible internships on their own. Marcus Murphy (mtmurphy@sewanee.edu) is available to meet with students to explore interests and options, and Career Readiness offers extensive resources [link].

Before Applying: You are not required to have secured an internship by the application deadline. However, your application will be stronger if you demonstrate genuine effort—such as networking, connecting with organizations, and exploring opportunities—that shows your commitment to interning in your chosen field and location. Do not pay deposits or hire third-party providers before you are officially awarded a Sewanee Freeman Fellowship. Sewanee cannot reimburse or recover funds if you spend money prior to funding decisions.

Eligibility Note: Non-U.S. citizens are eligible to apply; however, internships must take place in a country outside your country of origin.

If Selected: Students who are awarded a fellowship but have not secured an internship on their own will have the option to work with a third-party provider to be placed in an internship.

JILLIAN THURSTON, C’26

Seoul, Korea

Marketing Intern, Skin & Lab

Jillian Thurston was looking for new experiences when she chose to pursue an international internship in Seoul, South Korea. But she didn’t expect that those experiences would include posing in front of a camera with bright lights and twenty pairs of eyes on her as she modeled for a global cosmetics brand.

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