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Reves Center

Freeman Intern Fellowships in East Asia

What's New: We're excited to announce that 2023 Freeman Fellow Jeffrey Gu '25 has been awarded the prestigious Goldwater Scholarship! Learn more

A generous grant from the Freeman Foundation has made it possible for up to 24 William & Mary undergraduates to conduct unpaid internships in Asia since the summer of 2018. The purpose of this program is to provide students with a range of professional opportunities in structured, real-world settings that will allow them to clarify their career goals, enhance their career preparation, and develop their cultural competencies.

This program is administered by the Reves Center for International Studies, working in partnership with the Program in Asian and Middle Eastern Studies (AMES) and the Program in Asian and Pacific Islander-American Studies (APIA).

 CURRENT FREEMAN INTERNSHIP OPPORTUNITIES

Program Information, Application Process, & Participation Requirements
Scope of Program
  • Each Freeman Fellow is awarded a minimum of $5,000 to help offset a significant portion of their travel and living expenses, although it may not cover all of these costs.
  • The duration of the internship must be a minimum of eight full-time weeks. 
Eligibility
  • The Freeman Intern Fellowship is open to full-time, degree-seeking undergraduates who are in good standing with the university. Graduating students and those planning to transfer to another institution are not eligible to apply. 
  • Students from all academic fields of study are encouraged to apply. 
  • Non-U.S. citizens are eligible to apply; however, based on the requirements of the grant, this funding cannot be used for students returning to their country of origin.  
  • The fellowship cannot be used to fund study abroad programs or self-found internships, nor can it be used to pay third-party study abroad or internship providers. 
  • Students who have previously received a Freeman Intern Fellowship are not eligible to apply for a second award. 
Position Details

As per the conditions of the grant, the Freeman Fellowship supports internships in East Asia, excluding South Asia (e.g., India and Pakistan). Internship hosts include private firms, research institutes, non-profit organizations, and other institutions in Cambodia, Indonesia, Japan, Korea, the Philippines, Taiwan, Thailand, and Vietnam. Internship assignments vary each application season.

Application Requirements and Process
  • Applications for summer 2025 will open in fall 2024.
  • The application consists of:
    • the completed online application form (You will be asked to select and list your five (5) internship preferences) 
    • a resume (2 pages maximum) 
    • unofficial Banner transcript 
    • one recommendation letter 
What to Expect after Application Submission

Applications will be reviewed by a committee of W&M faculty and staff for quality and eligibility. Applicants may be contacted for interviews in mid December or early January. The interview committee will match eligible candidates with the host organizations based on the candidate’s interests, qualifications, etc. Some host organizations may require a separate interview as well as new research proposals from the candidates W&M recommends to them. The applicants must be prepared to be placed in a company or organization that may not be their first choice. 

Program Participation Requirements
  • Participating students are required to participate in pre-internship orientation sessions in the spring semester.
  • Holding valid passports for at least 6 months after your scheduled return to the United States. If you do not have a passport or it needs to be renewed, please do so when you plan to apply for the Freeman Fellowship. The surge of American demand on international travel post pandemic has led to a backlog of U.S. passport applications. It may take as much as four months for a routine passport application. You will need a passport for the visa process in early Spring.
  • All students are responsible for knowing and adhering to the vaccination and visa guidelines of the host country. All students must have CISI Comprehensive medical and evacuation insurance for the duration of their internship.  
  • If recipients choose to end their internship before the scheduled program completion, they are obligated to reimburse the entire fellowship amount.
  • While in Asia, interns are required to blog about their experience throughout the internship. 
  • Program participants must complete an internship experience survey upon their return from the internships. The survey results will be shared with the Reves Center and the Freeman Foundation.
  • Upon return to William & Mary, the student is required to enroll in AMES/APIA 385: East Asia Think Tank) the following fall semester, a three-credit COLL 300 course where students will share their experience with fellow interns and pursue projects that came out of their experiences in East Asia.
  • Recipients will be requested to share their internship stories and experiences during program events, including information sessions, orientation, and university-related gatherings, to help promote the Freeman Intern Fellowship Program.
FAQs: Eligibility & Application
table of faqs about financial issues
Who is eligible to apply for the Freeman Intern Fellowship?

Full-time, degree-seeking undergraduate students at William & Mary who have completed at least one semester and have at least one semester remaining in their undergraduate degree program are eligible to apply. Students who are set to graduate will be enrolled as graduate students at W&M are not eligible to receive grants. Additionally, recipients must maintain good academic and disciplinary standing throughout the entire application and internship process.
Can international students at William & Mary apply for the Freeman Intern Fellowship?

Yes, international students can apply for the Freeman intern fellowship. However, they are not permitted to use the grant for internships in their country of origin.
Can I still apply if I don't speak an Asian language and/or my major is not related to Asia?

There are no foreign language proficiency requirements to receive a Fellowship. Proficiency in a relevant foreign language may strengthen your application for internships with language preferences (such as the Institute for Peace and Unification Studies in Korea and Taiwan Association for Human Rights). It's worth considering your comfort level in living in a foreign country and not speaking the dominant language. Students from any major can apply for the fellowship, as the program encourages applications from a wide range of academic disciplines. The key is to make a compelling case for why you should intern in Asia.
How many Freeman Intern Fellowships are awarded each year?

The number of fellowships awarded may vary each year. However, the application process is very competitive, and historically, around 15 to 23 fellowships have been awarded annually.
Can I apply again if I were a Freeman Fellow in the past?

No, students may only apply for a Freeman fellowship once. 
Should I get a recommendation from a professor or a former employer?

The decision to seek a recommendation from a professor or a former employer typically depends on the specific requirements and preferences of the internship positions you are applying for. Some positions may prioritize academic references, while others may place a higher value on professional insights. Ultimately, the key factor is to select recommenders who can effectively speak to your skills, maturity, adaptability, self-discipline, teamwork, and other relevant qualities.
What are the selection criteria for the Freeman Intern Fellowship?

The selection criteria for the Freeman Intern Fellowship encompass several factors that the committee considers. These factors include the skills and qualifications needed by the internship organizations, professional and academic goals, as well as a genuine interest in Asia. Applications will be assessed based on the following key elements:

  1. The strength of the applicant's essay and recommendation letter.

  2. How the applicant envisions their participation in the Freeman program contributing to their field of study and future career plans.

  3. A clear demonstration of the applicant's interest and commitment to Asia.
Are there requirements for my internship length?

Yes.  Internships must be at least eight weeks long. 
Can I conduct the Freeman internship along with a study abroad program?

Internships may take place immediately before or after a study abroad program.
FAQs: Financial
table of faqs about the application process
How much money will I be awarded?

The fellowship provides a stipend ranging from $5,000 to $6,500, which is intended to cover the substantial portion of living expenses, travel costs, and other related expenses during the internship. W&M and the Freeman Internship Fellowship require participants to have CISI Comprehensive medical and evacuation insurance. The cost of this insurance will be deducted from the Freeman Award if you do not already have it. It's important to note that the program does not cover all expenses, so Freeman Fellows should be prepared to contribute financially to their experience and budget wisely.
Is my Freeman Fellowship taxed?

Please be aware that this award may be subject to both federal and Virginia state taxes and could affect your tax liability. It is recommended to consult with your tax adviser to understand the possible implications. We are unable to give students any specific tax advice/guidance. However, you can refer to the university's approved statement on the scholarship taxes.
If I have accepted the Freeman Fellowship award but no longer wish to pursue an internship abroad, am I required to refund the money?

Yes, if you do not complete the awarded internship, you must relinquish your title as a Freeman Scholar and return the award in full. You may apply again in a future year.
Can I defer if my plans change?

No, students cannot defer their award. In such cases, you will need to relinquish your title as a Freeman Scholar and return any money you were awarded in full. However, you remain eligible to reapply for the Freeman Intern Fellowship in a future term.
Other Questions

If you have further questions about the program, please contact Dr. Ying Liu, Program Administrator, or Professor Rani Mullen, Faculty Director.  

You can also read comments from previous participants about their experiences in Student Voices.

 

Freeman Internship Organizations 2023-2024

Each listing provides an organization description and details about the available internships. It is highly recommended that students explore internship opportunities in countries with cultures unfamiliar to them. Aligned with the guidelines set by the Freeman Foundation, the main objective of the program is to encourage students to venture beyond their comfort zones and actively engage in cultures different from their own.

Freeman Fellows are responsible for identifying their visa requirements and obtaining one if needed. Once accepted, students should initiate the visa process in collaboration with their host organization promptly upon receiving a placement offer, as application and processing times may differ. Non-US citizens should also seek guidance from the Office of International Students, Scholars & Programs.

Regarding housing, students can certainly seek guidance from their internship organizations; however, it is their sole responsibility to secure their own accommodation.

Cambodia

Indonesia

Japan

Philippines

South Korea

Taiwan

Thailand

Vietnam