Internship

Course Description

Objectives

The Internship carried out by the students of Geography directly aims at:

(a) the practical application of the theoretical scientific knowledge acquired from the successful completion of the study program, 

(b) the familiarization with potential workplaces related to the physical, human and applied geography, 

(c.1) the incubation of specific skills of the Geography science, and, 

(c.2.) the development of necessary professional skills and abilities, which contribute to the transition from studies to professional life with the specialty of the Geographer.

After completing the "Internship" course, undergraduate students are familiar with:

- the range of potential career options presented to them for the future,

- administrative procedures concerning work applications in general, and in particular with respect to the respective Host Organization,

- working methods and behaviors in an environment where Higher Education qualifications are applied,

- the observance of rules and instructions in an extra-academic environment,

- learning to perform activities in a defined context under the guidance of an experienced worker,

- the use of new equipment,

- new types of specializations and cutting-edge subjects of human, physical and applied Geography.

Moreover, the students, upon completion of the course:

- understand the importance of theoretical knowledge,

- already possess "tested" and perhaps supplemented theoretical knowledge,

- possess enriched knowledge based on specific needs and new knowledge in basic cognitive areas of the science of Geography,

- develop management and problem-solving skills, intergenerational cooperation, fostering initiative development,

- acquire professional conscience.

Content

The internship of the students of the Geography Department is carried out exclusively in person, namely at the working spaces of the potential Host Organizations of the Internship. The list of the Host Organizations is notified at the beginning of the academic year and includes: public services, legal entities under public law, local and regional public authorities, legal entities under private law and enterprises, including those of the Social and Solidarity Economy (NGO), independent authorities, International organizations, under the supervision of a Faculty member or a member of the Laboratory Teaching Staff. 

The Internship includes a series of educational procedures with clear objectives and predetermined assessment strategies in order for the students to acquire work experience and skills in the subjects of physical, human or applied Geography, to practice the profession under supervision and to familiarize themselves with their future duties. The subject of the student intern's work is determined by the work supervisor at the Host Organization in collaboration with the academic supervisor.

Assessment

At the end of the Internship at the Host Organization, the intern/student is required to (a) collect specific administrative documents, (b) fill in some him/herself, according to clear instructions, and (c) deliver them, respectively, at the Internship Secretariat of the Department and the Internship Office of the University, within a reasonable time after the end of the Internship period (such as the Certificate of internship completion etc, see below).

The final grade of the course results from the consideration made by the academic supervisor of:

• the internship activity report, by the intern student.

• the student intern's performance report, by the work supervisor addressed to the academic supervisor. This report includes a proposed mark resulting from specific criteria on a numeric evaluation scale, the same for all the Host Organizations and announced from the presentation of course “internship”, at the start of the semester.

• any additional information resulting from the debriefing meeting between the academic supervisor and the student/intern.