Global Research & Internship Program Application Process

All non-graduating, full-time, degree-seeking undergraduate or master’s level students at the University of Pennsylvania are eligible to apply to the GRIP program. 

GRIP applicants should be self-motivated, adaptable, and open-minded, with a willingness to engage and immerse themselves in a cross-cultural, professional experience. International students are not permitted to intern in their home country through the GRIP program. 

Individual GRIP placements may also have additional eligibility requirements. Full details by program are available on the “Internship Details & Eligibility” tab of each program brochure in PASSPORT.

Please note that students who have previously withdrawn after committing to the GRIP program will not be considered for future cycles.

Understanding how individual opportunities vary and how they connect with your professional, academic, and personal goals will lead to a stronger application and a more fulfilling experience abroad.  

Understanding Placement Structures

• Direct Internship Placements: You apply to work with a specific employer. These placements are typically considered more independent in nature as you may be the only Penn intern working with that employer and are often required to secure your own housing. The final number of interns accepted will be based on the quality of applications received. 

• Cohort Internship Placements: You apply for acceptance into the overall program, which is based on an industry and location. Each cohort varies in size from 5-15 Penn students. After committing to the program, Penn’s on-the-ground partners will facilitate interviews between the strongest candidates and potential employers and will match you to a placement.

• Research Placements: You apply to and conduct research on a specific project under a faculty PI affiliated with an institution abroad. Multiple Penn students will be accepted to each placement.

Reviewing Placement Information

• Search and explore GRIP placements in PASSPORT by placement structure (cohort, direct, and research), industry, or location.

• Review full placement details by reviewing the “Internship Details & Eligibility” tab of each program brochure to determine if the placement meets your professional, academic, and personal goals. 

• Consider key information in the program tabs such as “Visa and Housing” and “Money Matters:” 

  • Will the internship or research placement challenge me to learn and grow through its structure, location, and responsibilities?

  • Does the program offer housing or will I need to secure my own accommodations?

  • What types of funding am I eligible for?

Getting Connected 

Take advantage of the opportunity to learn more and ask questions as you choose a placement and prepare your application.

• Upcoming GRIP Information Sessions

• Penn Abroad Ambassadors

• Drop-In Hours

• On-Demand Information Session

Application Steps

1. Choose your placement considering your professional, academic, and personal goals by reviewing program and placement information in detail. Attending an information session or reviewing the on-demand information session will also help prepare you to choose a placement and apply. Please note that one GRIP application per student is permitted each cycle.

2. Open your application within PASSPORT.

3. Complete all requirements listed in the brochure and online application, which include submitting a resume, cover letter or personal statement, and any supplemental materials requested by the employer by the GRIP deadline on January 16, 2023. The GRIP Tips workshop hosted by Career Services, which can now be found online is a great resource to help you prepare your application.

4. Applicants may be contacted by the GRIP employer or partner for interviews. Interviews will take place between January and February. Not all employers conduct interviews.

Creating a Strong Application

• Read through the program brochure in full and don’t forget the tabs! The more you know about the opportunity you are applying to, the better prepared you will be to apply and create strong application materials including cover letters or personal statements. Prepare your application materials specifically for that role and avoid being too general.

• Review posts from previous participants on the Penn Abroad blog. You can learn a lot about the company’s culture and the program location through the experiences of your classmates. Feel free to reach out to an Ambassador to ask more questions - they are always happy to talk to other students about their time abroad!

• Follow application instructions carefully. Some opportunities have strict eligibility requirements (e.g. only sophomores and juniors can apply), while others have specific application instructions (e.g. combine your resume and cover letter a single PDF). Employers look for students who have strong attention to detail and follow instructions closely, and your application is a perfect opportunity to make a good first impression.

• Consider academic, professional, and extracurricular activities in your personal statement or cover letter. Aside from past work experience, think about what classes, clubs and organizations, or other leadership roles might relate to the internship or research placement. What skills have you developed during your time here at Penn or in high school (problem-solving, time management, communication, etc.)? What strengths would you bring to the organization? What areas do you hope to develop as part of the internship experience?

• Utilize the resources offered by Career Services by making an appointment with an advisor or attending drop-in hours to have your application materials reviewed. They also offer guidance for preparing for interviews.

• Don’t wait until the last minute to complete your application. GRIP receives hundreds of applications every year, and it is easy to tell who spent time on their application and who rushed to complete it in the last hour. Starting early also leaves time to have friends, family, and mentors review your materials and provide feedback.