Abstract

Internships are transitions between academia and professionalism. In architecture and interior design education, knowledge and professional practice are both important for graduates. Research in the fields of architecture and interior design internships is somewhat rare. This research aims at documenting the process of planning an internship for interior design students in Princess Nourah bint Abdulrahman University for women that takes place in architectural firms in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. The research applies the descriptive case study method, data gathering included questionnaires and interviews, the sample included students, academic advisors, and site supervisors. Three groups of students attended the internship where feedback obtained helped in developing the program. The evaluation covered internship documents, sites and supervisors, students’ skills and performance, and academic advising. From this comprehensive review of the program, the results highlighted the effect of time and place considerations. Separating the documents and instructions intended for each party fulfilled the program objectives effectively. Defining the required internship skills adjusted deficiencies of evaluation. The cooperation of internship sites that helped the interns to adapt to the working environments, and facilitated communication with academic advisors. Finally, the crucial responsibility of academic advisors in sensing program weaknesses and linking educational institutions to internship sites views and professional circumstances.