Belmont East: NYC

A hallmark of the Belmont East program, internships for academic credit are required.

You may work up to full-time hours with your internship while attending academic classes at night or online. There is also a possibility to have two internships (both still must be for credit).

It is ultimately your responsibility to secure the internship. However, there are many resources on campus to assist with that process including:

• Internship coordinator for your college
• Belmont's Office of Career and Professional Development.
  • Handshake
• Belmont East alumni

Belmont East students have interned with companies like:

Are You Eligible to Apply?

In order to be eligible for study in Belmont East, applicants must meet the following criteria:

• Complete at least 64 credit hours and be of junior standing by the start of the program.
• Carry a minimum of a 2.5 cumulative institutional grade point average at time of application and start of the program.
• Be in good academic and financial standing from the time of application through completion of the program.
  • Students on academic probation cannot participate in Belmont USA, even if the probation occurs after acceptance to the program.
• Approved Resume on Handshake prior to application deadline
• Attend an Information Session prior to the application deadline
• Intern for credit while studying at Belmont East
  • All prerequisite work for internship eligibility, based on your major, must be completed by the time of program start. You must have taken or be enrolled in any prerequisite work at time of application.
• Show significant progression towards Well Core completion as follows (based on the year and semester that you will be studying away):
  • 1^st semester junior: 40% complete
  • 2^nd semester junior: 60% complete
  • 1^st semester senior: 80% complete
  • 2^nd semester senior: 100% complete
• Well Core credits will be checked by the Belmont USA coordinator on or around the application deadline.

Note: Students who become ineligible after acceptance for any of the above reasons MUST pay the program fee balance.

**Because of visa requirements, international students may not be able to participate in Belmont East.

Deadlines

Selection Process

• Students meeting the above eligibility requirements will be extended an invitation to interview.
• During the brief interview with the selection committee, students will be evaluated on the following:
  • Thoughtful preparation (courses, Well Core, preliminary internship searches, etc.)
  • Articulate responses
  • Professionalism
  • Overall attitude
• The following criteria are considered during the overall selection process:
  • Academic performance
  • Professional Experience
  • Internship experience
  • Progress towards degree requirements
  • Maturity
  • Overall preparedness
• Students who are not selected for participation, may be put on a wait list. If an accepted student declines admission, a student from the wait list is notified and offered the opportunity.

Note: Students with prior East-West participation may be deferred to allow a student who has not yet had the opportunity to participate in the program

APPLY NOW

Housing

You will be housed in a double or triple room with other Belmont students at St. George Towers in the beautiful neighborhood of Brooklyn Heights, Brooklyn, NY. You can expect this space to be similar to a dorm room with an ensuite bathroom, desk, closet space, and a kitchenette. The rooms and bathrooms are furnished, so you will need to bring XL twin sheets, blankets, towels, lamps, iron, hangers, cooking utensils, etc. You'll have access to a shared large kitchen, study lounge, media/game room, 24-hour fitness center, and laundry rooms. For more information and photos, click the link above.

Transportation

You will use the NYC Public Transportation System. Living at the St. George Towers, you will be right above the Clark St. station, which connects you to the 2 and 3 lines, and High St. Brooklyn Bridge station is just 0.2 miles away, with access to the A and C lines. Both stations are just one stop away from Manhattan. (You are prohibited from bringing a car.) Past students have suggested using the app 'City Mapper' as a NYC transit resource.

Alayna Wilburn
Theatre Major - Performance Track

"I plan to pursue acting and theatre in NYC after graduation, so spending this past fall in New York City was a crucial part of both my academic and life plans. It gave me a glimpse of post-grad life while still having the support of Belmont.

The most valuable skill I gained during my time in NYC was learning how to network effectively. Before my semester away, I was hesitant to reach out to people, fearing they wouldn’t want to talk to me or that they might think I was only looking to benefit from the interaction. However, Belmont East provided countless opportunities to connect with Belmont alumni and other industry professionals through the Entertainment and Culture of NYC class. They were incredibly kind and eager to share their insights into the industry.

Belmont East was undoubtedly the best semester of my Belmont career. I am deeply grateful for the opportunities, experiences, and connections I was able to make. I can't wait to return to New York City as soon as I graduate."

Natalie Kasper
Songwriting, Music Business, Film Acting

"With a passion for songwriting, particularly for musical theatre, spending a semester in NYC gave me invaluable experiences that helped me determine whether living in the city post-grad would be the right fit for me. Throughout the semester, I was challenged both personally and professionally. Thanks to the strong foundation Belmont provided, I became more determined to pursue my career passions and less afraid of failure when trying new things. I took full advantage of open mic nights, which naturally led to meeting many people who shared similar aspirations. Belmont East was a truly unique experience, one I am incredibly grateful for and will carry with me for the rest of my life."

Evie Eikhoff
Journalism, Media and Entertainment Industries

"Belmont East feels like pure magic wrapped into a semester. It’s hard not to romanticize life as a coming-of-age movie when your morning coffee run includes walking past Manhattan’s skyline over the water, taking the train to Grand Central for your internship, and passing countless dogs in sweaters and shoes along the way.

As cliché as it is, the possibilities in this city truly feel endless. There are so many people to meet, coffee shops to try, experiences to learn from, and infinite opportunities for growth.

Belmont East taught me to navigate the balance between stepping out of my comfort zone socially and embracing the independence of solo adventures. The constant support from the Belmont USA staff, my peers, and local alumni has been invaluable to both my professional and personal growth this semester. This program was everything it promised itself to be – irreplaceable experiential learning in the heart of the city."

Ali Rapps
Interior Design

"Attending Belmont USA was a significant milestone in both my personal and professional growth. I grew up in a small town of just 6,000 people, where I never imagined I could live in a major city. Stepping out of my comfort zone and immersing myself in the vibrant energy of New York City was essential.

I wanted to embrace everything the city had to offer, so my mantra became, “say yes to everything.” Every Saturday, my roommates and I would leave our dorm at 9 a.m. and not return until 5 p.m., exploring a new part of the city each week and saying yes to any idea one of us had.

Thanks to Belmont East, I now feel confident that I can thrive in any city, no matter how unfamiliar or challenging it may seem. I’ve built a strong belief in my ability to adapt to new environments and collaborate with new people. This experience has taught me invaluable lessons about myself and shown me that I am capable of achieving anything I set my mind to."

Julia Baddour
Music, Musical Theatre emphasis / Communication Studies

"Living in NYC had been my dream since I was six years old, so participating in Belmont East was truly a dream come true. The Entertainment & Culture of NYC class connected me with Belmont alumni and industry professionals who helped me clarify my vision for the future.

I also wanted to gain real-life experience in balancing my personal, professional and auditioning life. While in NYC, I attended five in-person auditions and submitted seven video auditions. The combination of my daily experiences, the constant connections with others who shared my passion, my internship at a talent agency, and the auditions I took part in, all solidified that NYC is where I’m meant to be.

I look forward to returning to NYC to continue pursuing my career, a journey that Belmont East has truly helped set in motion."