FAQs
Who is eligible to apply for this opportunity?
All currently enrolled undergraduate students of the University of Adelaide who are Australian citizens are eligible to apply. However, some students may need to negotiate with their Faculty office in order to ensure that they are able to receive credit towards their degree for the program. Students will be ineligible to apply for this program if they are not eligible to receive credit towards their program (which may be the case for some more restrictive programs).
I will be completing my undergraduate degree at the end of 2013. Can I participate in this program?
You must be able to count this program towards your Bachelor degree - which means you cannot complete your program in 2013. However, you should note that successful applicants will be notified of their placement by mid-July - which would allow otherwise final-year students to amend their Semester 2 enrolment to make room for the UCWIP program (you may need to drop to part-time).
I am an Honours or postgraduate student. Am I eligible to participate?
For 2014, applications are restricted to undergraduate students only. This may change in future years.
I am currently or will be on exchange/studying abroad before or after the UCWIP program. Am I eligible to participate?
As long as you are able to fulfil the application requirements from your current location, you may still be able to participate in this program. You should ensure that you can still accommodate the required arrival and departure dates for both programs.
I am not currently enrolled at the University of Adelaide, but I have been in the past. Am I eligible to participate?
You must be enrolled at the University of Adelaide for Semester 1 and 2 of 2013 in order to be considered a 'currently enrolled' student. If you will not be enrolling for 2013, you will not be eligible to participate in this program.
What does the program cost?
You will need to support yourself for the duration of the program, covering all living, travel and entertainment costs. The cost will therefore depend on your personal needs, but the Program Director has advised the following: "Air travel, accommodations, commuting, food, visa and so on are estimated to be AUD$8,000+ and an overall budget minimum as AUD$13,000+, assuming an exchange rate of rough parity." You will also incur 6 units' worth of tuition fees (which you can defer to HECS as normal) as you will remain enrolled at the University of Adelaide.
Will there be any financial support available to me?
The University of Adelaide is hoping to be able to offer some kind of travel grant to the successful applicants. The amount is yet to be determined, however it is unlikely that it will cover all or most of the program cost. You should budget appropriately in order to support yourself. Please note that this program is not eligible for OS-HELP loans.
What does the application process involve?
Interested parties need to submit an Expression of Interest by Monday, 29 April 2013. Suitable parties will be invited to an information session that will take place at the University of Adelaide on the morning of Thursday, 2 May. Attendance is strongly recommended and non-attenders may find themselves disadvantaged. A written application will be made available on this website, which will be due on (TBC - probably end of May). Late applications will not be accepted. The University of Adelaide will submit suitable applications to the Program Director in Washington, DC and successful applicants should know of their outcome by mid-July.
The written application will require a completed application form, CV, photograph, essay-style statement of personal interest, examples of written work (for example, assessed academic essays), two academic references, an academic transcript, and compelling statements that support your suitability for your nominated Placement Provider(s), as selected and researched from this list. Full application requirements will be outlined on the application form.
Who will assess my application?
The University of Adelaide will run a preliminary assessment and will submit a ranked recommendation to the Program Director in Washington DC. The final decision regarding the successful applicants is made by the Program Director in association with the Placement Providers. The University of Adelaide will not contribute to the final decision.
When will I know if my application is successful?
We anticipate that you will be notified by mid-July 2013.
Do I need a visa?
You will most likely need a J1 visa. You will not be able to obtain a visa until you have a confirmed place in the program, however it is advisable to investigate visa matters ahead of time. You are responsible for obtaining the correct visa for your internship. You can find more information about visas on the website of the Bureau of Consular Affairs at http://travel.state.gov/visa/, and there is some limited visa information in the primer document.
Will my accommodation be arranged for me?
Yes. Participants share furnished serviced flats in a location convenient to the Capitol. This often involves sharing a room with another participant. You must be able to demonstrate sufficient maturity to live in close quarters with other participants for the duration of the internship. Internship accommodation will be available from late December 2013. Please note that you will be liable for the cost of the accommodation.
Do I need travel insurance?
You will be required to demonstrate that you have adequate travel insurance as a requirement of the program. The University of Adelaide has a travel insurance policy that covers all students and staff travelling on University business, subject to certain restrictions. You can find out more about our corporate policy here. If your plans do not fit within this policy's restrictions, you will need to obtain your own travel insurance.
If your question was not answered here, please email us.
