The vast majority of full-time programs offered at the ITHQ include compulsory internships placements. Find out about the main types of internships included in our programs and their remuneration, the requirements for an international internship, the costs involved, the financial aid available and much more.

Internships at the ITHQ

Internships in vocational and technical programs

Internships in university programs

International internships

Remuneration

Accommodation and food

Internship fees and scholarships

Role of the Internship Department

Internships in vocational and technical programs

Nearly all professional (DVS–AVS) and technical programs (DCS) at the ITHQ include a mandatory internship. A unique opportunity to gain professional experience, apply your skills, and ease your transition into the job market!

Types of internships offered

The two main types of internships included in ITHQ’s professional and technical programs are summer or winter internships and end-of-program internships.

Summer or winter internships

Summer or winter internships are designed to help students gain professional experience in the workplace.
They usually take place during the summer, but can also be held in winter, depending on the program.
They can take place in Québec, elsewhere in Canada or internationally (depending on the program and under certain conditions).
They are paid or rewarded, depending on their location.
They are not assessed by an instructor, but by the person supervising the work placement. The student must also complete an evaluation form at the end of their internship.

End-of-program internships

Also known as workplace integration internships at the vocational level, such placements enable students to put into practice all the knowledge and skills acquired during their training.
They usually take place in Québec, during the last session of the program.
They are not paid as they are regarded as a course.
They are assessed by an instructor as well as by the person supervising the work placement.

To learn more about the internship requirements for the professional or technical program that interests you, visit the Practical Experience section on the program page.

Internships in university programs

The ITHQ offers 2 bachelor’s programs:

Applied Bachelor in Hospitality and Hotel Management (BAGAH), an exclusive program offered by the ITHQ.
Bachelor in Tourism and Hospitality Management (BGTH), a program offered jointly with ESG UQAM.

Both programs include industry internships:

In the BAGAH program, internships are mandatory.
In the BGTH program, the requirement to complete one or more internships depends on the chosen concentration and academic track.

Applied Bachelor in Hospitality and Hotel Management program (BAGAH) internships

The program includes 2 compulsory internship placements, one of which is abroad.
The internships take place during the summer months.
They are paid or rewarded, depending on their location.
They allow you to accumulate credits.
They are assessed by an instructor as well as by the person supervising the work placement.

Bachelor in Tourism and Hotel Management (BGTH) internships

As in the BAGAH program, BGTH internships are paid or rewarded, depending on their location. They are also assessed and allow students to earn academic credits.

However, unlike the BAGAH program, the requirement to complete one or more internships depends on the student’s chosen concentration and academic track.

Thus, for the 3 concentrations leading to a B.A.A. (Tourism Management, Tourism Destination and Organization Management and Hotel and Restaurant Management):

The regular or DCS-BAC tracks include a credited compulsory terminal activity. This activity may take the form of an internship, a research project, or a business start-up project.
However, if you choose the co-op track, you will have to complete 3 mandatory internship placements.

For the Cultural, Heritage and Indigenous Tourism Management concentration leading to a B.Mgmt.:

Students are required to complete a mandatory internship in a professional setting.

To learn more about the internship requirements for the bachelor’s program that interests you, visit the Practical Experience section on the program page.

International internships

Some programs include a compulsory international internship, while for others this is optional.

When optional, the possibility of undertaking an international internship depends on several factors:

The student profile
Age (only persons aged 18 or over may undertake an international internship)
Financial capacity
Visa requirements
The suitability of the internship project with respect to the skills to be acquired in the program

If a student wishes to carry out an optional international internship, they must submit the project to the Internship Department. The latter will evaluate the project and confirm whether or not it can be carried out.

Remuneration of internships

Internship remuneration varies according to the type and location of internship.

The end-of-program internships in vocational and technical programs are never paid, as they are considered a course.
As for other internships, their remuneration depends on the laws in force in the province or country where the internship is carried out:
- In Québec and Canada, internships are compulsorily paid.
- In France, internships of more than 2 months are compulsorily rewarded. So, even if they don’t have official employee status, trainees receive financial compensation of around 600 € per month.
- In other countries, internships are rarely paid, although they may be rewarded or with room and board.

Accommodation and food

Employers located outside the Greater Montréal area are strongly encouraged to offer free or low-cost accommodation to their trainees.
Internationally, it is not uncommon for employers to provide accommodation and meals in exchange for work. This is known as an internship with room and board.
Employer-provided accommodation is often shared or dormitory-style.

Internship fees and scholarships

Internships in Canada or abroad entail certain costs for the student, such as the following:

Transportation (plane tickets, train tickets, etc.)
Passport or visa, if required
Travel and liability insurance

Support scholarships offered by various organizations, including the Fondation de l’ITHQ, can help cover some of these costs.

To estimate internship-related costs for your program of study, consult the Program fee calculator.

Role of the Internship Department

It is the student’s responsibility to find a suitable work placement.

To assist them in this task, they will have access to internship offers pre-approved by the Internship department, exclusively available to ITHQ students. They will also be able to participate in networking activities organized by the Internship Department, where they will meet employers looking for trainees.

Throughout the process, students will also receive support from a technician from the Internship Department, who will be assigned to them. This is the type of support that will be offered: