Joining the Global Research & Internship Program
Learn what is required in committing to a GRIP program
Committing to GRIP
Once you are accepted to GRIP, you will be required to sign a Commitment Contract which outlines what is required of you as a GRIP participant and funding recipient. By committing to GRIP, you agree to abide by the program policies and expectations outlined in the Commitment Contract by stated deadlines, including, but not limited to:
- Attending a GRIP pre-departure orientation and completing all pre-departure forms and submissions
- Participating in your internship or research placement for its entire duration (8-12 weeks) and on a full-time basis (up to 40 hours/week)
- Submitting all requested deliverables to Penn Abroad, including program surveys and blog entries
Prior to signing, please carefully review your Commitment Contract for full program expectations and requirements. Accepted students will find their Commitment Contract in their online application in PASSPORT.
Committed GRIP students who do not fulfill all program requirements will be subject to the GRIP Financial Policies and may be required to repay all or a portion of their funding award, non-recoverable costs paid on their behalf, and/or a post-commitment withdrawal fee.
Funding Awards
All students accepted to GRIP receive a funding award from Penn Global. Funding award amounts vary by program and by student. You will find the exact amount of your GRIP funding award amount listed in your GRIP acceptance letter.
Depending on your GRIP placement, your funding award may be disbursed in different ways.
- If your placement has a program fee (all cohort placements and select direct and research placements), the amount of the program fee will be deducted from your total funding award and will be paid directly to the program provider on your behalf. Note that your GRIP acceptance letter will state your program fee amount. The program fee covers all items listed on the Money Matters tab of your placement’s program brochure.
- If your placement has a program fee and your total GRIP funding award amount exceeds the amount of the program fee, the additional funding amount beyond the program fee amount will be paid to you directly via direct deposit or wire transfer through the Penn Marketplace.
- If your placement does not have a program fee, the full amount of your GRIP funding award will be paid to you directly via direct deposit or wire transfer through the Penn Marketplace.
Your GRIP funding award will not be disbursed until you have committed to your GRIP placement and completed all required post-acceptance and commitment materials, including attendance at a mandatory pre-program orientation session.
Please note that GRIP funding awards are taxable. Tax information can be found on the GRIP Funding & Financial Information page.
Preparing to Work Abroad
Professionalism
During the course of your internship or research assistantship abroad, you are expected to behave in a professional and respectful manner and to comply with the behavioral expectations of your employer. Some tenets of professionalism include but are not limited to, arriving to work on time each day, dressing appropriately for the office, responding to your supervisor’s emails in a timely manner, and being open to constructive feedback. You are expected to represent Penn with maturity and to demonstrate cultural sensitivity and a willingness to learn throughout your experience.
As you prepare for your time abroad, you may find it helpful to speak with your employer in advance to set expectations and ensure that you are properly prepared. We also recommend researching your host country, city, and company prior to departure and speaking with past program participants, when available, to help you prepare for your new work environment.
Further professional resources are available through Penn Career Services. We recommend reviewing these resources before, during, and after your internship abroad.
Behavioral Expectations
As a GRIP intern, you will be a representative of the program, the University of Pennsylvania, the United States, and your country of origin at all times during your experience abroad. Please remember that you are a guest in your host country and, as a guest, you are expected to be respectful of cultural norms and to interact with others in a respectful manner. For more information on adapting to a different culture while abroad, please refer to the above module, “Adjusting to Your New Environment Abroad.”
Every country has its own laws and standards of acceptable conduct, including dress, manners, morals, politics, drug use, and behavior. Participating in political activities or using illegal drugs, for example, may subject you to significant civil or criminal penalties. You are responsible for being informed of and abiding by all such laws and standards for each country to or through which you may travel this summer.
As a participant on a Penn-sponsored program and recipient of Penn funds, you are also required to abide by the Penn’s Code of Student Conduct at all times.