<p>Hi guys, first post here. I'm a grade 11 student in an international school in Singapore (I'm from India) and I'm looking to get some work experience under my belt before I apply to university later this year. I've shortlisted Loyola Marymount University (in Los Angeles) and University of Minnesota (in Minneapolis) to do their business programs. </p>
<p>Anyway, it isn't easy for students (especially ones still in high school) to get an internship here in Singapore, and I wanted a taste of what it's like to live by myself. I was wondering if anyone has done discovery internships' LA program and can tell me if its any good. I realize it is a pretty expensive program but considering it includes meals, housing and transport, my perception is that it seems worth it. I may be wrong as I've not read many reviews about it but they seem to be professionals.</p>
<p>Is there any other way I can get an internship in the LA area (bearing in mind I am not an American citizen)? I'd appriciate a quick response on this matter as their application deadline is close.</p>
<p>Thanks!</p>
<p>Until this fall, Discovery Internships went by the name Career Explorations. You may want to check out these other threads on collegeconfidential about the Career Explorations program:</p>
<p><a href=“http://talk.collegeconfidential.com/summer-programs/294897-career-explorations-ce-internships.html[/url]”>http://talk.collegeconfidential.com/summer-programs/294897-career-explorations-ce-internships.html</a></p>
<p><a href=“http://talk.collegeconfidential.com/internships-careers-employment/1017260-career-explorations-internships.html[/url]”>http://talk.collegeconfidential.com/internships-careers-employment/1017260-career-explorations-internships.html</a></p>
<p>We changed the name to Discovery Internships this fall for two reasons: One, we are now partnered with Summer Discovery, one of the most experienced pre-college academic enrichment and foreign language immersion programs for high school students, and we wanted incorporate an element of the Discovery brand into our name. Two, there are several other Career Explorations programs out there (Cornell, Johnson and Wales, etc.) and we didn’t own the trademark on Career Explorations. You can learn more about Discovery Internships, including our history and team, press, and testimonials here:</p>
<p>[HS</a> About Us What is CE](<a href=“http://www.highschoolinternships.com/high-school/about-us/about-us/]HS”>http://www.highschoolinternships.com/high-school/about-us/about-us/)</p>
<p>We would also be happy to put you in touch with references if you would like. </p>
<p>If you want to try to go it alone and find yourself an internship in LA, you will find some tips in this thread:</p>
<p><a href=“http://talk.collegeconfidential.com/internships-careers-employment/1106552-tools-finding-internships-high-school-help-please.html[/url]”>http://talk.collegeconfidential.com/internships-careers-employment/1106552-tools-finding-internships-high-school-help-please.html</a></p>
<p>Good luck. I hope you decide to do our program. Please fell free to contact us with any questions: [Summer</a> Internships for High School Students](<a href=“http://www.highschoolinternships.com/contact-us/]Summer”>http://www.highschoolinternships.com/contact-us/)</p>
<p>I had two students in Barcelona who did summer internships with the organization and loved it! They both spoke well of the organization and other participants. It was a valuable experience. </p>
<p>Hope this helps!!</p>
<p>Programs like these seem to be a ripoff, and the price that they charge seems hard to justify for what you are getting.</p>
<p>The tuition is $6700 for the LA program that you are considering, and the program is only four weeks. First off, that is $1675 per week, just for the privilege of being there and doing a job that people would normally be getting paid to do (or at least be able to do for free). You may say that this is covering your room, board, and activities. But think about it… room and board for an entire year of college is $10,000, and that’s for two 15-week semesters, not four short weeks.</p>
<p>Second, the program is so short that by the time you begin to get even semi-independent in your position, it will be time to leave. Because of this, the people where you are working will either not waste their time to train you very much because they’ll never get any benefit from you being able to use the skills they taught you, or spend the entire time teaching you without you ever getting the opportunity to do any work for yourself.</p>
<p>To me, this program seems to be for pampered kids from families that have money to burn, and I guess if money or realistic work experience are not major concerns, I’m sure the program is enjoyable. But you should first really try to look in your area or try and find opportunities that will at least allow you to work for free (maybe even pay you). I do understand that since you are living abroad, an opportunity like this program may be your best option, and in that case, I would say go for it.</p>