The Eberly College of Arts and Sciences, West Virginia University, has developed an internship with the West Virginia European Trade Office (WVETO) in Munich, Germany.

“My main goal is to get as many of our best students as possible out of the country to broaden their work and educational experience,”says Katherine Aaslestad, assistant professor of history, who coordinated the effort.

She sent her first intern to Germany last year for the summer. Alan Fleming, a German history student, became the experimental prototype for program. He worked with Thomas Darcy, director of the WVETO , and former director Kenneth Pierce in promoting West Virginia as a business location for the European community.

“My duties during the internship were wide ranging and varied, and I was involved in all parts of the offices responsibilities,”Fleming said.”I was introduced to the mission of the office and learned about many of the programs that foster West Virginias economic development.”

This summers intern, Karen Radermacher, just finished her international experience, which included various marketing research assignments, a marketing trip to the Paris Air Show in Le Bourge, France, and company visits in Spain. Radermacher, a double major in German and biology, played a fundamental role in preparing for the sales calls directed at various European aerospace companies that expect to expand their businesses in the United States.

In preparing for business meetings, Radermacher compiled market data, prepared promotional materials, and assisted in the follow-up communication with the companies. Her marketing research project focused on gathering data and statistics on WVU programs and graduates, because many European manufacturing companies base relocation decisions largely on the availability of a well-educated workforce.

“The internship program at the WVETO is a very challenging program, which requires a substantial awareness and background in business theory and practices, a high level of maturity, responsibility, a drive to succeed in todays global business environment, knowledge of at least one foreign language, and good interpersonal communication skills,”Darcy said.

“Were very pleased to offer this international internship to an Eberly College student each year. This program, combined with a newly established internship with the British Parliament and our study abroad programs in France, Germany, and Spain provide our students with a growing number of opportunities for significant international experiences,”said Eberly College Dean M. Duane Nellis.