Minghsin University of Science and Technology – Department of Culinary Arts Off-Campus Internship: Frequently Asked Questions (Q&A)

2025/03/20

Minghsin School Foundation – Minghsin University of Science and Technology
Department of Hospitality Management and Culinary Creativity
Off-Campus Internship: Frequently Asked Questions (Q&A)

 

Q1: Why should I participate in an off-campus internship?

A:
Participating in an off-campus internship helps students bridge the gap between theory and practice. It also increases job opportunities after graduation and overall enhances students’ competitiveness in the job market.

 

Q2: Is an off-campus internship the same as a part-time job?

A:

1.An off-campus internship course refers to a structured program designed by the university to develop skills essential for students' future careers and employment. Partner institutions assign professional mentors from the industry to participate in course planning, curriculum design, and practical training guidance.

2.In contrast, a part-time job refers to students working in public or private organizations governed by the Labor Standards Act, with labor conditions—including wages, working hours, rest periods, leave, and compensation for work-related injuries—regulated accordingly. For employers not under the Act, it is advised that they refer to it as a guideline (source: Ministry of Labor website).

 

3.An internship course is an official part of the academic curriculum (a required course in our department). It is professionally structured and guided, and thus fundamentally different from casual part-time work not arranged or overseen by the university.

 

Q3: How are off-campus internship institutions selected?

A:

1.Before launching internship placements, the school first considers the department's core values and educational objectives. It then evaluates potential internship institutions based on their nature and the training content they offer, and develops relevant assessment forms.

2.The evaluation forms are divided into two main parts: (1) general internship overview and (2) detailed assessment of job content. These may include: company name, job duties, skill requirements or specialties, work environment, safety, professional relevance, physical demands, and training plans. For returning partner organizations, the university will reassess them annually based on site visits and feedback from supervising instructors.

 

Q4: Do internship institutions provide wages to students during off-campus internships?

A:

1.Not necessarily — it depends on the policy of the internship institution.
If the internship institution provides compensation (including wages, salaries, or regular allowances and bonuses paid in cash or in kind, whether calculated hourly, daily, monthly, or per task), then a formal employment relationship is established between the student and the organization. In such cases, the Labor Standards Act applies.
However, if no wages are provided, or if the student receives only scholarships or subsidies (as is often the case for international students), there is no employment relationship. Instead, the internship is governed by the university's internship regulations and contracts.

2.Off-campus internships are official university courses and count as required or elective credits toward graduation. These courses emphasize hands-on practical experience.
When selecting internship institutions, the university may take wage offerings into account and can negotiate with institutions to secure wages or scholarships for students.

 

Q5: How is insurance handled for students participating in off-campus internships?

A：While students are enrolled, they are already covered by the university's group accident insurance. To ensure additional safety during off-campus internships, the university also provides extra accident insurance specifically for internship activities.
The cost of this additional insurance is fully covered by the university.

 

Q6: Can internship students enroll in labor insurance (Labor Insurance Program)?

A：

1.If the intern has an employment relationship with the internship institution (i.e., the insured unit) and receives wages, they are eligible for labor insurance. When applying for labor insurance coverage, a written explanation must be provided.

2.If the internship institution is only entrusted by the university to provide training and evaluate student performance—and there is no employment relationship or wage agreement between the intern and the organization—then, according to Articles 6 and 8 of the Labor Insurance Act, the student is not eligible to participate in the labor insurance program.

 

Q7: What should be considered when drafting an internship agreement?

A：

1.When the university (or department) and the internship institution draft an internship agreement, the following must be clearly specified:

• The intern’s job responsibilities

• Whether wages will be provided

• Whether the intern will be covered under labor insurance, national health insurance, labor pension, and accident insurance, as well as who is responsible for the insurance premiums

• The respective rights and obligations of the internship institution, the university, and the intern

2.For overseas internships, the agreement must specify the governing law and the jurisdiction (court) to be applied in case of a breach of contract.

3.As off-campus internships are formal courses designed for hands-on training, if an intermediary agency is involved in signing the agreement, the university must thoroughly review the contractual obligations, and assess the professionalism and quality of the internship content provided.
The school must not delegate all responsibilities to the intermediary agency to prevent any future disputes or problems that the university might be unable to resolve.

 

Q8: How should accommodation and transportation be arranged for internship students?

A：To ensure students' safety during internships, the university should carefully plan accommodation and transportation arrangements in advance. If necessary, the school may request the internship institution to provide dormitories to reduce students’ commuting concerns.

If the internship institution cannot provide accommodation, students will be responsible for making their own housing and transportation arrangements, as well as ensuring their own safety.

 

Q9: How should conflicts between interns and supervisors, colleagues, or customers be handled during the internship?

A：If interpersonal conflicts arise during the internship, the internship supervising teacher should first identify the cause of the conflict and communicate with the personnel at the internship institution.

The teacher should also provide the intern with appropriate guidance and support. If necessary, the university’s Counseling Center may be asked to provide further professional assistance.

 

Q10: How should the situation be handled if an intern performs poorly and the internship institution recommends termination?

A：

1.The university should evaluate the student’s performance and determine whether the assigned duties align with the student’s academic background. If issues persist despite guidance, or if the role does not match the student’s expertise, the school may help transfer the student to another suitable internship site.

2.If a student continues to perform poorly, the university should provide support and consider disciplinary action according to school regulations. In severe cases or if the student is dismissed by the internship provider, the matter should be referred to the department's Internship Committee, and the student may be required to retake the course.

3.The situation should also be handled in accordance with the department's internship guidelines regarding transfer or termination procedures.

 

Q11: How should it be handled if a student leaves the internship due to poor adjustment, personal beliefs, family issues, or health reasons?

A：

1.The reasons behind the student's resignation should be thoroughly understood. The university should provide active counseling and instill correct workplace values. If needed, the student may be reassigned to another internship provider to complete the internship, following the department's guidelines on internship transfer or termination.

2.If the internship is discontinued due to health reasons, the student must present a diagnosis from a regional hospital, which will be reviewed by the internship committee for further decision-making.

 

Q12: What should school instructors pay attention to during internship visits and guidance?

A：

1.During the internship period, the assigned school instructor should visit the student’s internship site at least once per semester to assess the student’s work performance and living conditions. A written record should be made, which includes not only quantitative checklists but also qualitative descriptions.

2.If the student raises any concerns during the visit, the instructor should assist through appropriate internal channels and document the resolution process. If issues stem from the internship organization, such information can be used as a reference for future internship placements or cooperation evaluations.

 

Q13: How should cases of sexual harassment during student internships be handled?

A：Preventive education and clear reporting channels should be provided in advance. In the event of an incident, the matter must be handled jointly by the school, the internship organization, the Sexual Harassment Prevention Committee, and the student, in accordance with relevant laws such as the Gender Equity Education Act, Act of Gender Equality in Employment, and the Sexual Harassment Prevention Act.

 

Q14: Who should students contact if they encounter problems during their internship?

A：The school should establish a communication mechanism for off-campus internships, including designated departmental and school-level contact persons. These contacts should be announced before the start of the internship. Students can reach out to their assigned internship advisor for assistance. Additionally, they may maintain contact with faculty mentors or military instructors from their department, and students with disabilities may consult with the campus Resource Center for Students with Disabilities.

 

Q15: How should accidents occurring during commuting to and from the internship be handled?

A：It is important to strengthen the promotion of traffic safety awareness. It is recommended that internship contracts clearly specify how the internship institution will determine and handle occupational accident recognition and compensation in the event of commuting accidents.

 

Q16: How should work-related accidents during students’ off-campus internships be handled?

A：

1. If the internship is paid, a labor relationship exists between the student and the internship organization. Therefore, any accidents should be handled in accordance with the Labor Standards Act and relevant labor laws, including procedures for occupational injury recognition, compensation, medical treatment, and leave.

2. If the internship is unpaid, the school should clearly outline the handling procedures and responsibilities for any workplace accidents in the internship agreement. This includes establishing the process for identifying occupational injuries and determining compensation responsibilities to protect students’ rights.

3. If students are covered by internship accident insurance, the school should provide the insurance information to both the student and their legal guardian. In the event of an accident, the school’s responsible staff should assist with claim processing in coordination with the insurance company to ensure the student receives proper coverage.

 

Q17: What are the rights and responsibilities of off-campus internship organizations?

A：

1. Provide necessary training related to the duties assigned to the intern.

2. Assist the internship supervisor in understanding the student's internship progress and performance.

3. Support the intern in daily life management and professional guidance during the internship, and assist in evaluating the intern's performance.

4. May offer a reasonable number of internship positions and select interns from the students recommended by the school.

5. Provide timely updates to the school regarding the intern's performance; if the student performs poorly, the organization should coordinate with the school or internship supervisor to address the issue.

6. Allow interns to participate in relevant training programs offered by the organization.

7. Ensure that the assigned internship tasks do not jeopardize the intern's health or safety.

8. If the student encounters adaptation issues that cannot be resolved through counseling, the organization may, with the school's approval, transfer the student to another unit for continued internship.

9. Through collaboration with the school in offering off-campus internships, the organization may identify and reserve potential future employees.

 

Q18: What are the responsibilities and obligations of schools in managing student off-campus internships?

A：

• 1. The school or department should establish an off-campus internship management system, liaise with internship organizations to sign internship contracts, and ensure the quality and content of the internship programs.

2. Assist internship organizations in selecting and assigning suitable students.

3. Provide pre-internship training and occupational safety education to students, and hold pre-internship orientation sessions to clearly explain internship regulations and daily routines, ensuring that students understand and follow the rules.

4. Supervise or guide assigned students to ensure compliance with the internship organization's regulations and duties. Also, assist in arranging student accident and group insurance.

5. Collaborate with internship organizations to design relevant training based on the students' professional abilities, and regularly provide guidance or contact the organization to monitor student performance.

6. Support students with life counseling and problem-solving during the internship, and review their internship assignments, reports, and evaluate their overall performance.

 

Q19: What are the rights and obligations of students participating in off-campus internships?

A：

1.Students must complete the required internship hours within the designated period.

2.Students should take responsibility for their assigned tasks, accept guidance humbly, learn diligently, and uphold the reputation of their school.

3.Attendance during the internship should follow the rules set by the internship organization or the school. Leave of absence must be requested in advance and approved by both the internship supervisor and the school advisor. In emergencies, students should inform both the organization and school by phone as soon as possible.

4.Students must submit internship reports regularly as required by the school.

5.Students should maintain contact with their advisor during the internship and update them on their progress.

6. If students encounter unreasonable demands during the internship, they should contact the school immediately for assistance.

7.Students should avoid emotional entanglements with company staff or clients.

8.Students should not spread unverified or negative statements about the company online or on blogs.

9.Students must not disclose any confidential information related to the company's operations.

 

Q20: Should there be an evaluation mechanism after the completion of the internship program?

A：

1.From the school's perspective: The school should assess whether the internship content provided by the organization aligns with the students’ academic specializations and practical skill development. It should also evaluate the level of cooperation between the school and the internship organization, gather students’ feedback on the internship experience, and review students' responses regarding the operation of the internship program by the department or school. These evaluations will help adjust internship arrangements and partner selections in the following academic year. Additionally, the school can conduct quantitative evaluations such as internship satisfaction surveys, analysis of student or intern retention rates by the organization, and employment outcomes after graduation to measure whether the internship program meets its intended goals.

2.From the student’s perspective: Upon completing the internship, students should submit a report or final project summarizing their internship experience. This report must include content relevant to their field of study, enabling them to reflect on the connection between academic knowledge and practical application. After receiving the report, the school should provide feedback specifically on the professional content, emphasizing the distinction between an academic internship and a typical part-time job, and reinforcing the educational value of the experience.

 

Q21: If students are engaged in a full-year or half-year off-campus internship, can they be exempt from paying tuition and miscellaneous fees?

A:

No, students are still required to pay tuition and miscellaneous fees in accordance with each institution’s fee standards. This is because the school remains responsible for planning the internship program, evaluating internship organizations, arranging placements, conducting pre-internship orientations, providing mid-internship guidance, and carrying out post-internship evaluations.

According to the Ministry of Education’s official letter No. 1020140862, dated September 30, 2013:

If students are undertaking a full-semester off-campus internship, they are required to pay the full tuition and 80% of the miscellaneous fees for that semester. As for accommodation, fees are collected only if the student resides in school housing. Other additional charges—such as computer or language lab fees, or internet access fees—should generally not be collected during the internship period unless otherwise specified.

 

Q22: Can students take leave during off-campus internships?

A:

1. Under the premise of complying with the Labor Standards Act, interns may discuss leave arrangements directly with the employer.

2. Students should also follow the leave procedures outlined in their department's internship guidelines and coordinate with the internship organization on how to make up for any missed hours as needed.