This article was modified April 2 to correct a misspelling.The College of Business has created new opportunities for students to fund international internships through a $5,000 grant from the ISU Council on International Programs.

Kevin Hardy, program coordinator for business career services, wrote a proposal to the council requesting funding for international internship scholarships with the support of Howard VanAuken, professor of finance, and Ann Farni, program coordinator for the business undergraduate program.

It was one of 18 proposals selected out of 59 to be funded. The grant was matched by the College of Business.

“Labh [Hira], College of Business dean, told me he’d double it if I got the grant, so when we were selected he handed me a check worth $5,000,” Hardy said.

David Holger, associate provost, said although a number of proposals have matched funds, it’s unusual to get a match that big.

A total of $10,000 in scholarship money will be divided among five students who apply and are selected for international internships.

According to the council, its purpose is to fund individual and group projects led by faculty and staff to enhance the infusion of international perspectives into the learning, discovery and engagement activities of the university.

“We are looking for companies like Cargill who have several international locations to sponsor this program in the future,” Hardy said.

Hardy said he decided to write the proposal after several students expressed interest in international internships, but said they did not know how to get started or how to afford the process.

“Students who take the initiative to step outside their comfort zone and work in a foreign country prove to be more successful employees,” Hardy said.

“But the primary reason more students do not take advantage of international internships is because of the financial limitations of incurring travel and living expenses along with the realization that they will not be paid.”

Hardy’s proposal included letters from faculty and students who support the funding.

Hira said the proposal was well aligned with what the College of Business wanted to do, so the extra money, which came from private funds and donors, shows their commitment to creating a long-running international program.

“To my knowledge, there are not academic institutions that provide this type of support for students,” Hardy said. “ISU could be the first funded international internship program.”

A 2003 survey by the National Association of Colleges and Employers, a national college advisory organization, revealed that experience gained during internships was one of the primary items companies looked for when hiring new employees, according to Hardy’s proposal.

Students interested in applying for one of the five $2,000 scholarships must complete an application by April 15.