Asian Studies - Opportunities

Apart from in-country study, there are a number of other work, study and community service opportunities that Asian Studies and Development Studies students and graduates may find interesting complements to their degree study at Murdoch. Check this page for links and details of available schemes. Scholarships and Prizes may also be of interest.

Graduate Traineeships at Foreign Affairs and Trade

The Department of Foreign Affiars and Trade is currently accepting applications for Graduate Trainees from high quality graduates. Graduates need to be highly talented, flexible and resourceful and will be involved in a two- year professional skills program. Trainees will be eligible to apply for postings overseas in the latter part of the training program. For more information and an online application form go to Foreign Affairs and Trade or call (02) 6261 2736.

Japan Exchange and Teaching Programme

The Japan Exchange and Teaching (J.E.T.) programme invites graduates to apply for positions as Coordinators for International Relations (CIR) or Assistant Language Teachers (ALT) in Japan. Graduates of any discipline are welcome to apply, though you must have an interest in Japan, be an Australian citizen, and have excellent written and spoken English. CIRs must also have some proficiency in Japanese language. Applications usually close in December. Further details about the J.E.T. programme are available by phoning the Consulate-General of Japan on 9321 7816.

Council

Council (formerly Council for International Educational Exchange - CIEE) can organise a variety of overseas study and work programs, including teaching English in China and work/travel packages in Japan. See the web site for details, or contact Murdoch International for information on study exchanges through CIEE as part of your degree.

International Internships

The United Nations and related international organisations offer a range of (usually) unpaid internships to graduates from around the world. Some schemes are open to all graduates, while others require participants to be enrolled in postgraduate study. Check the web sites for application procedures and dates.

• UN Headquarters Internship Program
  Two month unpaid internships at UN Headquarters in New York are available to outstanding graduates currently enrolled in a Masters degree program.
• Office of the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights Internship Program
  OHCHR offers 3-6 month unpaid internships which may involve researching human rights issues, drafting reports, attending meetings, fact-finding and field operations.
• International Labour Organisation Internship Scheme
  The ILO offers unpaid internships to students undertaking advanced study in fields such as labour conditions and gender issues.
• United Nations Development Program
  UNDP Offers graduates undertaking further study in fields such as anthropology, international relations and sociology,unpaid internships in UNDP national offices or New York headquarters.
• UN Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organisation Internships
  UNESCO offer unpaid internships of 1-3 months at their Paris headquarters to postgraduate students. (French language required.)
• UN Industrial Development Organisation Internships
  UNIDO offer unpaid internships at their Vienna headquarters.
• World Bank Internships
  The World Bank offers postgraduate students in fields such as development, anthropology and sociology, paid internships in Washington DC over the northern summer (May to September).
• World Health Organisation Internships
  WHO offers postgraduate students unpaid internships of six weeks to 3 months.

United Nations Volunteers

The United Nations Volunteers (UNV) program recruits skilled professionals to work on assignments of varying length in technical, economic and social fields in developing countries. Volunteers are paid a living allowance. Note that volunteers are expected to have several years work experience in their field. Check the web site for further information.

Youth Ambassadors for Development Program

The Youth Ambassadors for Development Program enables skilled young Australians aged 18-30 to work on development assignments in the Asia-Pacific region with support from the Australian Government (through AusAID). Assignments last from 3-12 months. Murdoch is a partner organisation in the program, so is able to nominate potential youth ambassadors and identify possible assignments. Check the web site for further information or call 1800 000 656.

Australian Volunteers International

The Australian Volunteers International program is run by the Overseas Service Bureau, a not-for-profit development agency that aims to build links and increase cooperation between Australians and people living in developing countries. Each year around 500 Australians work for extended periods on projects in Africa, Asia, Latin America and the Pacific. Volunteers come from a wide range of backgrounds, including administration, health, law, agriculture, education, communications, engineering and the social sciences. To find out more, check the web site.

Frontier Conservation Expeditions

Frontier is an international NGO with offices in the UK, Tanzania, Vietnam and Mozambique. They run volunteer-based conservation projects in tropical countries that provide participants who would like a career in a conservation-related field with invaluable experience. Volunteers do not need to have a degree in a relevant area or previous experience, although they do need to undertake fundraising activities to cover their contribution to the expedition cost. Expeditions last from 10 weeks to 6 months and volunteers need to be tough and resourceful. For more information, check the web site or email Frontier.