FAQ
NORTH AMERICAN SUMMER INTERNSHIPS
AGE REQUIREMENTS
- Can I apply if I am still in high school?
- I never graduated from a college or university. Am I eligible?
- I am over 25 years and no longer attending a college or university. Will I be considered?
- I am in graduate school/was recently awarded a graduate degree. May I still apply?
The internships are primarily directed at current college/university students and recent graduates. As a result, applications from high school students as well as older candidates will not be considered. Applicants who are still in graduate school or recently were awarded a graduate degree (within the past year) may apply.
APPLICATION MATERIALS
- If I have documents that I cannot scan and upload online, can I still send them to your office?
You may send your application in one complete packet utilizing any delivery service you like.
Mailing Address:
Our World-Underwater Scholarship Society®
PO Box 4428, Chicago, IL 60680
phone: (630) 969-6690
fax: (630) 969-6690
*Overnight services (Fed-Ex, UPS) can be mailed to:
Our World-Underwater Scholarship Society®
Att: Roberta Flanders
2446 A. Brunswick Circle, Woodridge, IL 60517
*make sure to mark the package "No Signature Required, Leave at Door".
CITIZENSHIP
- I am a permanent resident of the US. Can I apply for an internship?
- I am a citizen of another country but am studying in the United States. Can I apply for an internship?
- I am a citizen of another country but can obtain the proper immigration status in the United States to be able to complete an educational internship. Can I apply?
All internship applicants must have, or obtain, valid legal status to be considered. US Citizens and permanent residents are eligible to apply, as well as other applicants who can demonstrate the ability to legally stay in the United States for the length of the internship. In the event that the applicant is NOT a US citizen or permanent resident, it is the applicant’s responsibility to prove in writing that he or she has—or can obtain—valid legal status.
EDUCATION
- My university will not release my transcripts to me, so I can’t include them with the other materials in my application packet. Can my school submit transcripts directly to you?
Yes. While we prefer your application be submitted complete, we understand if this is against your school’s policy. In this case, your transcript may be submitted separately.
- Are transcripts required from all institutions an applicant has attended or just the primary institution?
Yes, we require all of your official transcripts. We do require that these arrive in a sealed envelope stamped with a signature or school stamp. Transcripts printed from the Internet are not acceptable nor are copies of the official ones. You may upload an unofficial copy on the online application form, but you are still required to mail your official transcript.
- I am in graduate school, but I do not yet have a graduate degree. May I still apply?
Yes
- I was awarded a graduate degree within the past year. May I still apply?
Yes
FINAL SELECTION
- When will I hear if I am being considered as a finalist?
Selection by the internship review committee occurs in February, with a goal of notifying finalists by March 1
- When do the internships begin?
The internship program is typically completed during the summer months (late May through August). In certain cases the dates for an internship (ex. “Sport Diver” internship) are fixed. For other internships, the specific start/end dates are determined through communication between the intern and the sponsor.
INSURANCE
- I do not currently have health insurance. Do I need it for the internship?
Yes, you need to prove evidence of health insurance to be considered for an internship.
- How do I get health insurance?
There are many ways to research plans. If you Google “health insurance” you'll see several sites which provide free quotes. You can also call an independent broker and they can tell you about plans they offer. With the new laws, you may be able to stay on your parents' plan if they have one. BlueCross/Blue Shield and Humana are examples of providers that offer fairly good plans that are reasonably priced for young people.
- Do I need dive insurance? For internships where scuba diving is involved, dive insurance is required. This insurance can be obtained through organizations such as Divers Alert Network (www.dan.org).
- Do I need car insurance?
Use of a personal vehicle, while not a requirement, is highly valuable. Evidence of proper insurance is required if a personal vehicle is to be used during the internship.
LETTERS OF RECOMMENDATION:
- What is the best method of submitting my letters of recommendation?
Our World-Underwater Scholarship Society® can only accept recommendation letters directly from the referees. As a result, please include the name and contact information of any referees as part of your online application. Those referees will then receive emails directly from Our World-Underwater Scholarship Society® requesting letters of recommendation. If preferred, the referee can also send his/her's recommendation letter directly to the appropriate regional office.
- I would appreciate definition/clarification of what kind of recommendation letter you would like for the “personal contact.”
This is really up to you. You could ask a community member from your home town, an employer, a coworker, or anyone who knows you well (preferably someone other than a family member). A recommender may be someone who could add a different perspective to your background or who would be a good reference but doesn't necessarily fit within the confines of the other recommendation categories.
- To whom should the letters of recommendation be addressed?
Many people will read your application, so our recommendation would be: "Dear Internship Selection Committee Members" or something comparable.
APPLICATION FEE
- If I would prefer to not pay the application fee online via paypal, can I submit the application fee in the form of a check? If so, to whom should I make it out? Is there any other type of payment allowed?
Please make the checks out to Our World-Underwater Scholarship Society® or OWUSS. Please make sure the funds are made out for US currency (for the North American scholarship). If you live somewhere other than the US and you are applying for the NA scholarship, you may use PayPal or send cash at your own risk.
FAQ
EUROPEAN YOUNG PHOTOGRAPHER INTERNSHIP
- How do I find out more details on this internship?
Visit the Antibes International Underwater Film Festival website for eligibility and application requirements
- When is this internship awarded?
The Antibes International Underwater Film Festival is typically held in October of each year.