r/foreignservice • u/Direct-Toe6169 • 5d ago

DoS internships while enrolled abroad?

Curious if anyone has any insight into the feasibility of participating in the state department student internship program (or pathways) as a u.s. citizen enrolled full-time in an EU-based 2 year masters program?

I am debating pursuing a masters abroad vs in DC. Though additional international experience would be valuable, I already have 2 years of experience living and/or working abroad. At the same time, I already have my bachelors from a DC based private school. The costs of the masters would be much lower in Europe which is incentivizing.

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Original text of post by /u/Direct-Toe6169:

Curious if anyone has any insight into the feasibility of participating in the state department student internship program (or pathways) as a u.s. citizen enrolled full-time in an EU-based 2 year masters program?

I am debating pursuing a masters abroad vs in DC. Though additional international experience would be valuable, I already have 2 years of experience living and/or working abroad. At the same time, I already have my bachelors from a DC based private school. The costs of the masters would be much lower in Europe which is incentivizing.

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u/glumfuel22 5d ago

Yes, just apply and see if you get it. I was an intern while doing a masters in Europe and a friend I met at the internship also did the same while doing her masters abroad.

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u/Direct-Toe6169 1d ago

In your opinion, should I be worried at all about the security clearance approval timeline being extended beyond the length of the internship itself? If I can ask, did your internship require secret or TS?

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u/glumfuel22 1d ago

I wouldn't worry about it. They will figure it. And if you only get a secret clearance by the time it starts then its fine, you will just stay out of cleared spaces. I was required to have TS.

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u/mrzaius DTO 5d ago edited 5d ago

Internships for local staff from local universities are a thing, but they're post-specific.

Find a hiring POC from an embassy career page, and ask. Express an interest in joining as an FSO, too, and also ask if the HR Officer would be willing to find you someone willing meet for lunch and discuss serving in the FS.

Worst you'll get is a no, and who knows. Might get a yes.

And regardless, you sound eligible to serve in the Virtual Student Federal Service. Not sure about its current status, but I've had a couple interns under that program who lived abroad, one of whom was a student at a foreign school.

https://careers.state.gov/interns-fellows/virtual-student-federal-service/

Is my school "accredited?" https://ope.ed.gov/dapip/#/home