"I feel like I have developed more universal professional skills" - the Think Pacific virtual internship

"Not only was it good for actual experience in my field, but I feel like I have developed a lot more universal professional skills, like my time management, planning and confidence"

The School of Health have now had over 10 students go through the Think Pacific virtual internship scheme, who have been supported by having half of their fee paid and being offered the opportunity to apply all their learning on a real project, with mentorship support.

We previously shared stories about the experience our 2020 interns.

What is the virtual Internship with Think Pacific?

Our partner, Think Pacific, provided hands-on project work in Fiji until the pandemic then switched to ‘virtual’ internships. These are fixed term short projects for the government ministry, NGOs or businesses in Fiji. Students still undertake real work to a brief these organisations provide but undertake it remotely and with mentor support from Think Pacific staff too.

All you need to undertake one is a PC, Internet connection, phone and a bit of courage!

How do students apply for opportunities like this?

They apply direct to Think Pacific – we have an arrangement with them where students from LBU get a £100 discount on the fees and the Psychological Therapies & Mental Health subject team then covers 50% of those costs so the final price to the student is £195.

What are the benefits of internships like this to students?

We have had a dozen students undertake this work in the last 18 months and they have all spoken about how useful they have found it – whether it's taking responsibility for a piece of real work, developing a wider cultural understanding of mental wellbeing or simply having the pride in seeing something through from a challenging brief to a completed project.