Take your passion for food and nutrition across the world.
As a student in the dietetic internship program, you have the option to go on international experiences.
Earn class credit as you go to another country and explore the dietary needs of people in other cultures.
International experiences are voluntary, and you must meet certain conditions.
Review the Dietetic Internship Student Handbook (.pdf) for more information.
If you qualify, you can earn up to 260 practice hours that will count toward your certificate program.
Experiences are available in El Salvador, Spain, Australia and New Zealand. Experiences can range in length from 1-12 weeks.
Work with Education Abroad to create a course plan that includes:
Your course plan must be approved by the internship program director and the Office of Education Abroad.
Per the Board of Governor’s policy, students doing an international academic component must work with Education Abroad to complete all required processes.
If you choose an international experience, you’ll work closely with the Office of Education Abroad to determine the total costs.
After costs have been totaled, you may meet with Financial Aid to develop a financial plan for your trip.
Scholarship opportunities may be available. Education Abroad has a long list of scholarships available, both Missouri State-specific and outside scholarships.
International Studies Abroad (ISA) is an affiliate partner of MSU’s Office of Education Abroad.
ISA will work with you to align your professional and academic goals with an internship.
ISA has strong internship placements for dietetics in Spain, Australia and New Zealand.
Standard internships are 8 or 12 weeks in length (six or nine U.S. credits respectively).
You can customize the length of your internship. Go for only six weeks or be there up to one semester.
All internships function on a full-time basis, as defined by the host country – generally 35 hours per week.
The El Salvador experience happens spring break if there are not travel restrictions.
The one-week El Salvador option costs approximately $3,030. This covers your airfare, accommodations, in-country transportation and meals.
The experience is provided in cooperation with Missouri State’s dietetics program and Convoy of Hope, an international relief agency with feeding programs in El Salvador.
In this experience, you and fellow MSU students visit rural elementary schools to help nutritionists record anthropometric measurements of the children.
Other opportunities in El Salvador include an extension department, nursing home, AIDS orphanage, their version of WIC and more.
Depending on Convoy of Hope’s operations, you may be able to arrange a longer stay.
While Spanish language skills are not required for the one-week rotation, they are needed for a longer placement.
Also, depending on Convoy of Hope’s operations, you may be able to pursue a similar experience in another country.
Please refer to the Dietetic Internship Student Handbook (.pdf) for the requirements needed to work with Convoy of Hope in another country.