Urmil "Tracy" Marshall, coordinator for the Office of Diversity and International Affairs at Fort Valley State University is in total agreement with Inman. "Engaging in international internships has never been more important. In today's global economy most employers are looking for students with international exposure, experience and involvement," said Marshall. "Given current economic conditions and political differences among nations, it has become imperative to keep channels of communication open in the international arena. Studying abroad gives students an opportunity to fully immerse themselves in a new environment, culture and political setting - allowing them to view the world through new eyes. Upon returning, students are more marketable, cultured and globally aware."

International internship experience is useful for students in all majors. Engineering students, for example, can gain a substantial edge if they do an internship abroad, according to Dr. Eric Johnson, professor of electrical and computer engineering at Valparaiso University. "For engineering students, an international internship, especially when the student uses the country's native language, is very beneficial because it gives them a global perspective on both business and engineering," said Johnson. "This is especially important given the current state of the economy because competition for engineering jobs is challenging and students with this experience will be very attractive to engineering companies who continue to try to expand their operations to new markets. Even if their internship is in a country where a company is not or will not be doing business, the cultural knowledge gained will help them succeed in other countries and markets because they know how to work with non-American engineers/managers/public officials."

The experience of living and working in another country isn't only beneficial for American students. It also benefits students from other countries to do internships in the United States, too. Ting He's story, provided by Vickie Oldham, special assistant to the president of Fort Valley State University, is an excellent example:

"Ting He was in Western China searching for graduate school classes in Rehabilitative Counseling and Case Management. She found a program at Fort Valley State University, an historically black university, in Middle Georgia. Ting says few institutions offered the major. Besides getting the degree, she chose an institution in America to improve her mastery of the English language and learn another culture. In today's global marketplace, it's imperative for students to broaden their international experiences because the world is a much smaller place than it was for Ting's contemporaries not many years ago.

"The internet brings the world community much closer together. After a year of campus life in Georgia, Ting's English has dramatically improved. So has her marketability in the U.S. Right now, she plans to return to her hometown in Western China with a master's degree, more skills, rich experiences and equally important, the ability to communicate in ways she never could have had she not come to America. The option of remaining in America to work is open as well. Chinese students see the importance of international study. I agree that it's imperative given the state of the economy."

As companies around the world continue to expand to have a presence beyond their own borders, it becomes increasingly important for college students to have a better understanding of foreign cultures and - if possible - to speak at least one foreign language if they want to stand out from their competition. Participation in an international internship is one way they can gain that competitive edge.