International Development Internships

Winter, Spring/Summer, Fall 2010

What Is A Development Internship?

Development Internships are community-based work experiences in a cross-cultural setting. Interns gain academic credit by working with programs that focus on building the capacity of individuals, organizations, and communities to provide sustainable solutions to problems in the areas of health, education, democracy, commerce, and technology. Students will gain hands-on experience with nongovernmental organizations (NGOs). They will learn sound principles of development through practical experience.

Internship Areas

Health—Teach classes and conduct workshops on how to prevent infectious disease, on basic hygiene techniques, and more. Help provide effective health information to communities in the most efficient way possible. Observe and volunteer in a health clinic.

Education—Learn to design learning materials and facilitate learning groups for literacy, ESL, and community-based education. Tutor or teach in a school, orphanage, or street children program.

Microbusiness—Teach and mentor microcredit recipients in basic business skills, such as bookkeeping, accounting, supply chain, and marketing. Help the village banking staff with microloan management and with helping clients.

Evaluation and Research—Work with program managers and BYU faculty researchers to help NGOs identify what works and what doesn’t. Interview local people and work with them to find out what will improve their lives in a health, sustainable way and what will promote development.

Semester        Dates
Winter         January–April 2010
Spring/Summer     May–August 2010
Fall             September–December 2010

Internship Opportunities

• Students are encouraged to review the available internship postings (theworldisourcampus.net) and learn about the various organizations and opportunities in order to express their interests and preferences in the letter of application. Students are strongly recommended to talk to facilitators prior to applying to the program. After their application is completed, they will participate in a strategy session to begin the matching process to place them with an organization.
• This program offers several types of internships including both group and individual experiences. Some group internships are mentored by a faculty member who accompanies them to the field and facilitates their placement with local organizations. In other cases, student groups are trained, placed, and supervised by a partner organization. These programs have a set price.
• Individual interns receive assistance to apply for and be matched with an experienced provider organization and faculty mentor once they are accepted into the program. Depending on the organization and locations, interns may be placed individually or in an area with other individual interns. The price for these programs are variable depending on the geographic location and the resources of the organization.
• Opportunities to gain experience working in the areas listed to the right are available in most of the geographic locations.
  

Prerequisites

• Any major may apply. IAS 220 Introduction to International Development or equivalent is strongly recommended. Certain language capabilities are preferred.
• Latin America internships require Spanish-language fluency of SPAN 205 level or above (and/or facility in Guaraní, Aymará, Quechua, or a Mayan language).
• The Mozambique internship requires Portuguese-language skills.
• The Mali internship requires French-language skills. 
• All other internships are English-speaking.
  

Students have the best chance of being accepted if they:

• Are upperclassmen (junior or senior level)
• Have some experience in microcredit, business, agriculture, health, education, or a related topic
• Have previous international experience, especially in developing countries
• Have been involved in development activities on campus and/or the community
• Plan to pursue a career in development, education, public health, social enterprise, appropriate technology, or medicine.
  

Where Do Students Live? 

• Each internship location will have different housing situations (e.g., NGO office dormitory or house, guest house or small hotel, home stay, etc.)
• Partner NGOs may assist with finding lodging.
  

Preparation for the Internship

• All students who are accepted into the program must register through ISP for a pre-departure, preparation class.
• Meet with internship coordinator, faculty mentor, and representative from the organization (where possible).
• Students interested in research should coordinate with faculty mentor and organization, or consider a Field Study experience.
  

What Funding Sources Are Available?

• BYU scholarships and federal financial aid for tuition costs
• Scholarships and grants from academic departments and colleges
• Scholarships and grants: http://kennedy.byu.edu/student/scholarships
• CESR internship grant: http://marriotschool.byu.edu/selfreliance/grants.cfm
• ORCA grant: http://orca.byu.edu/Students/
• Some internship organizations
• NGO fund-raising programs
• Friends and family
  

Application Process

• Interested students should apply online at http://kennedy.byu.edu/isp/online/app/home.php.
• Application deadline for fall semester is 15 June, for winter semester is 17 October, and for spring/summer is 30 November.
• Submit the supporting documents online (resume, two letters of recommendation, transcript, letter of intent).
• Include the following in your letter of intent: language skills, experience related to your major, international experience, skill experience, country, and the organizations with whom you are interested in working.
• Pay the $25 application fee.
• Once the online application is complete, applicants will interview with ISP and/or the program’s faculty advisor.
• Students will be notified via e-mail if they are accepted into the program.
• ISP cannot guarantee internship placement in the organization of the student’s first choice, but it does guarantee and academic internship if accepted into the program.
• ISP reserves the right to cancel this program, revise its offerings, or make any adjustments to preliminary cost estimates due to conditions beyond its control.
  

How Much Does This Cost?

• Application fee ($25, due with submitting application)
• Placement fee ($100)
• HTH travel insurance ($120 non-refundable and due upon acceptance into the program)
• LDS, undergraduate full tuition (increased cost for graduate and non-LDS students) and financial aid applies
• Airfare ($600–2,500 depending on location)
• Food and lodging ($600–1,300 depending on location)
• Passport and visa ($100–200)
• Vaccinations ($100–200)
• Personal travel ($200–500)
• Transportation within the country ($100–200)
• Additional project fees if required by NGOs
  

Interested Students Should Contact:

Jean Lee, program facilitator
101 HRCB
(801) 422-3686
byuidi@gmail.com

Joan Dixon, international development internship coordinator
360 TNRB
joan_dixon@byu.edu

Malcolm Miguel Botto, program coordinator
204E HRCB
(801) 422-6677

For more information, visit theworldisourcampus.net.

Kennedy Center| International Development Minor