FAQs
Frequently Asked Questions
SVS Eligibility and Internships
Are the internships paid or unpaid?
Where have previous students worked?
What if I don't find an internship?
Does participating in SVS prevent me from participating in traditional study abroad programs?
How many students are in the SVS cohort?
Life in the Bay Area
What is included in the apartment?
Courses
What are the required courses?
Does my internship count for credit?
FAQ Answers
We are not accepting applications at this time.
Are the internships paid or unpaid?
Most internships are paid and the compensation is determined after negotiation between the employer and the student.
Where have previous students worked?
A list of previous students and employers can be found here.
What if I don't find an internship?
Each student will receive support and guidance for finding a Silicon Valley Semester internship. ND-CA staff will offer a timeline and contacts for each student and, in the event that a student does not find an internship before the SVS begins, the student will be placed in an internship boot camp for the first two weeks of the semester during which she or he applies for positions and meets in person with potential employers.
Does participating in SVS prevent me from participating in traditional study abroad programs?
Participating in the Silicon Valley Semester does not prevent you from going abroad through a Notre Dame International program.
How many students are in the SVS cohort?
Up to 16 students participate in the fall semester program; up to 30 in the spring semester.
The same as a semester on campus. Students will be charged regular ND tuition.
The SVS move-in date typically corresponds with on-campus move-in days.
SVS students will communicate their check-in times with the ND-CA program staff. The apartment complex is staffed by a property manager who works from 9-5 and we prefer this window, but alternative arrangements can be made to meet arriving students outside these business hours.
Beginning in spring 2020, we offer meal stipends for each participant. Stipends should be used for groceries and for occasional dining out. ND-CA staff will offer meals for many co-curricular programs throughout the semester.
SVS students live in apartment style housing affiliated with Menlo College in Menlo Park, CA.
The towns of Menlo Park and Atherton are safe. It is a safe, residential area located near Stanford University and many Silicon Valley attractions.
What is included in the apartment?
1-bedroom (up to 2 students) and 2-bedroom (up to 5 students), furnished apartments; athletic facility access; 12 minute walk to CalTrain; nearby shopping, restaurants, and local attractions; option to stay over the summer; swimming pool; onsite laundry, and more.
Yes, the apartments are spacious and each one will have up to 4 occupants, but most students will share a bedroom with just one other person.
Yes, there is paid onsite laundry.
Yes, many.
What are the required courses?
Notre Dame-California provides a variety of courses for students participating in the SVS. Courses will be offered when an adequate number of students can benefit from any specific offering. Course prerequisite requirements will apply when applicable. Any major may be considered for inclusion and ND-California will work with groups of students to provide additional course beyond the list above to make this possible.
Most students take a 12-credit course load during the Silicon Valley Semester. A student may take 15 credits after consultation with the faculty director.
Does my internship count for credit?
Yes, 3 S/U credits, which includes feedback from your supervisor, self-reporting activities and reports, and an end-of-semester reflection.
Courses are held in the Notre-Dame-California facility in downtown Palo Alto, CA