What is the VSFS program?
The Virtual Student Foreign Service (VSFS) program is the State Department’s virtual eInternship program for U.S. college and graduate students, which is administered by the Bureau of Information Resource Management’s Office of eDiplomacy. The VSFS harnesses technology and a commitment to global service among young people to facilitate new forms of diplomatic engagement. You can read a bit about the history of the program and find links to Facebook and Twitter pages.
What kind of work can VSFS eInterns do?
VSFS eIntern duties and responsibilities will vary depending on the needs of the federal agency office or U.S. diplomatic post overseas and the types of VSFS projects identified. VSFS projects may involve research, contributing to reports on issues such as human rights, economics, or the environment. Projects may also be more technology oriented such as working on web pages or helping produce electronic journals. Students are expected to dedicate an average of 10 hours per week on VSFS eInternship projects. Past projects included:
eInterns are unpaid and not Federal government employees. They are not entitled to any employee benefits. A VSFS eInternship is an opportunity to build a relationship with U.S. diplomatic posts abroad and federal domestic offices to work on various projects to advance our nation’s diplomatic and developmental goals. eInterns will act as citizen diplomats to engage in our increasingly interconnected world. Because these eInternships are virtual, students can have a flexible virtual work schedule during the academic year, allowing both academic and eInternship goals to be met.
The Virtual Student Foreign Service (VSFS) program is the State Department’s virtual eInternship program for U.S. college and graduate students, which is administered by the Bureau of Information Resource Management’s Office of eDiplomacy. The VSFS harnesses technology and a commitment to global service among young people to facilitate new forms of diplomatic engagement. You can read a bit about the history of the program and find links to Facebook and Twitter pages.
What kind of work can VSFS eInterns do?
VSFS eIntern duties and responsibilities will vary depending on the needs of the federal agency office or U.S. diplomatic post overseas and the types of VSFS projects identified. VSFS projects may involve research, contributing to reports on issues such as human rights, economics, or the environment. Projects may also be more technology oriented such as working on web pages or helping produce electronic journals. Students are expected to dedicate an average of 10 hours per week on VSFS eInternship projects. Past projects included:
- Creating a forum for host country and American students to exchange their ideas, experience, and knowledge about environmental advocacy
- Promoting student programs in the U.S. and civic engagement by using new media
- Identifying and using journalism trends to reach out to students and young journalists
- Expanding a post’s English learning and educational advising
- Creating lesson plans on environmental conservation for schools in remote areas of the country
eInterns are unpaid and not Federal government employees. They are not entitled to any employee benefits. A VSFS eInternship is an opportunity to build a relationship with U.S. diplomatic posts abroad and federal domestic offices to work on various projects to advance our nation’s diplomatic and developmental goals. eInterns will act as citizen diplomats to engage in our increasingly interconnected world. Because these eInternships are virtual, students can have a flexible virtual work schedule during the academic year, allowing both academic and eInternship goals to be met.
