INTERNSHIPS IN ROME

The Waterhouse Family Institute for the Study of Communication and Society sponsors unique internship opportunities at the Vatican or United Nations.

The Vatican internships are ideal for students interested in public relations, journalism and media production. Students assist Vatican-related offices with social media outreach and other tasks—seeing firsthand how people from vastly different backgrounds and cultures are united by words that capture shared beliefs. We offer internship placements at the Safeguarding Institute of the Pontifical Gregorian University and Rome Reports, an international print, online and broadcast journalism media company that covers the Pope and Vatican for an international audience. Having Spanish language proficiency is a plus for working at Rome Reports. The Safeguarding Institute, which exists under the auspices of the Vatican’s Dicastery for Culture and Education, “advances scientific research on human dignity and the care of vulnerable persons.” We also, depending on availability, have internship opportunities at the Vatican’s Dicastery for Communication for students in Public Relations and at Catholic News Service for students in Journalism. Contact the WFI to find out more about these opportunities and to start your application!

WFI Internship at the United Nations’ International Fund for Agricultural Development (IFAD), gives students in rhetoric and in organizational communication the opportunity to participate in international advocacy intended to end rural poverty, by investing in rural people. Our WFI Interns at the UN have written speeches for IFAD officials, contributed to research projects and special events, blogged UN events around Italy, worked on internal IFAD communication projects, and have engaged in social media advocacy to assist in realizing IFAD's mission.

Eligibility

Students must be Communication majors who will have junior status by the time they go to Rome and a minimum 3.0 GPA. Students are required to complete at least one, and preferably two courses in their area of interest (Public Relations, Journalism, Media Production, Organizational Communication, or Rhetorical Studies) prior to their semester in Rome. Experience with Italian is not required; however, it is a plus.

Apply

Interested students should apply at wfi.submittable.com. In addition to the application, you may also be expected to interview with the faculty member who advises your chosen internship. Selection for the program is quite competitive since there are a limited number of slots available each semester.

CONTACT US

WHAT OUR STUDENTS SAY

LAUREN SUM '21 CLAS

Thanks to the Waterhouse Family Institute, I had the opportunity to work at the United Nation's International Fund for Agricultural Development (IFAD) while studying abroad in Rome. Serving as a Communication Intern, I was fully immersed in a multicultural office, where I was able to learn about communicating across cultural differences in the workplace. I was grateful to work on topics I was passionate about—creating content to share the stories of the many women and youth impacted by IFAD’s work.

LIAM MCINTYRE '20 CLAS

As an intern for Catholic News Service, I enjoyed very close access to Vatican events. My fellow correspondents were great mentors, personally and professionally. Their support and friendship meant so much to me as a student abroad. Though I went into the internship with little journalism experience, I finished with multiple published articles and the confidence to pursue stories that matter.

MARIA-ANGELEENA OROPEZ '21 CLAS

The greatest experience I had during my time at Villanova was the WFI Rome Internship program where I got to work at the Vatican. During my time at the Vatican, I got to do fulfilling work like creating proposals for the Pope's Instagram account while learning what it is like to connect with a global audience. The internship was invaluable to my professional experience and an opportunity I will always cherish.

LIAM MCCAFFERY '20 CLAS

While working at the International Fund for Agricultural Development in Rome, I had the incredible opportunity to work on an international team of strategic communicators, to listen to Pope Francis speak and interview social entrepreneurs from around the world at the annual Governing Council, and to help coordinate a panel at an international journalism conference in Perugia, Italy. My experiences at IFAD have absolutely informed my growth both as a communicator and a professional.