Global Development Internship 2010
|
What do interns do? | How does it work? | How do I apply? | Where can I go? Think Impact seeks college students to participate in its annual Global Development Internship (GDI) program Kenya, South Africa, and Sierra Leone during the summer of 2010. The GDI provides college students the opportunity to gain on-the-ground development experience and leadership training to develop sustainable business models for development projects in rural villages in Africa. Global Development Interns are essential to identify and implement Think Impact’s health and education projects. Interns begin by spending time with local community members, learning from them and about their way of life through homestays, capacity inventories, and monitoring and evaluation of past projects. Interns spend the last two weeks mobilizing a new committee to leverage social innovation and local community resources to alleviate poverty. Pre-trip preparation includes conference calls to provide interns an introduction to Think Impact’s philosophy and the opportunity to discuss questions. Once in-country, GDIs will spend time completing an in-country orientation in a major city. After the group arrives in the rural area, GDIs will live together in homestays the majority of time. Participants spend one week in training with team leaders and the internship director and the following weeks completing the responsibilities described below. Read the Kenya Training Manual or the South Africa Training Manual for more information on what interns do. |
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) |
|
 |
||
 |
||
|
1. Capacity Inventory In order to immerse GDIs into the community and expose interns to the complexities of local health and education issues, GDIs conduct capacity inventories. GDIs work with Think Impact’s local partners to conduct informal focus groups to learn the unique histories of local people. The inventory is an opportunity for GDIs to become acquainted with the nuances of a rural community and access to key community leaders who have the knowledge to answer GDIs’ questions on community history, politics, and relationships. By the end of the inventory, interns begin to form meaningful relationships with community leaders. 2. Monitoring and Evaluation Think Impact believes that an honest and thorough appraisal of the projects is essential for gaining insight into effective strategies for sustainable development projects. GDIs are responsible for conducting comprehensive monitoring and evaluation of past projects. Interns work in partners to complete monitoring and evaluation of projects. If a project is falling into disrepair or suffers from corrupt management practices, it ceases to be sustainable and requires additional community intervention. Interns will work to facilitate this intervention during their last few weeks in their host community. 3. Committees and Projects GDIs are eligible to apply for Think Impact’s Fellowship, an expenses-paid opportunity to return to their host community to facilitate a new health or education initiative. GDIs spend their last weeks in-country mobilizing local community members to develop a new project or expand on an existing one. GDIs facilitate asset mapping and goal setting exercises with local committees in order to leverage local resources and assets towards alleviating poverty. GDIs are encouraged to develop deep relationships with community members and identify practical solutions that involve community collaboration. GDIs spend time meeting with community members to develop goals, objectives, and network with quality contacts. Think Impact’s in-country training itinerary includes details on conducting appropriate research and building necessary relationships to mobilize local committees. For more information on Think Impact’s Global Development Fellowship click here. 1. Submit online application (available here) 2. Interview with Think Impact staff 3. Confirm acceptance with $500 deposit 4. Receive pre-departure training materials 5. Fundraise to pay balance of internship tuition 6. Intern in Africa! Other Details: Tentative dates: Training in Washington, DC: May 30, 2010 - June 2, 2010 In-Country Internship: June 2, 2010 - August 11, 2010 Tuition Includes: International airfare from Washington, DC, in-country transport, accommodation, meals and drinking water in rural communities, training program and materials, experienced staff, 24 hour emergency access To apply please submit an online application by filling out an online form available here. Early selection applications are due January 31st, 2010 and regular selection applications are due February 27, 2010. Eligibility Requirements Student must have been enrolled at an accredited American College/University within the past 2 years. Student has studied at a U.S. college/university for a minimum of 1 year. Juniors and older are preferred. Graduate students are welcome to apply. Student must have a US passport or student visa. Student must have a residence in the US at the time of application. Think Impact at this time is unable to cover internship costs and we do not offer any scholarships. Applicants must be willing to cover expenses through personal funds, university scholarships, or outside fundraising. Selection Process EARLY SELECTION applicants (submitted on or before January 31, 2010) 1. Selection committee reviews applicants on an ongoing basis 2. Applicants selected for interviews from February 1-15 3. Selection notification sent via email no later than February 20 4. Deposit to confirm attendance due March 5 REGULAR SELECTION applicants (submitted on or before February 27, 2010) 1. Selection committee reviews applicants on an ongoing basis 2. Applicants selected for interviews from March 7-15 3. Selection notification sent via email no later than March 20 4. Deposit to confirm attendance due April 5 Kenya - Kayafungo, Kenya Details (2010) Kayafungo is home to over 40,000 Kenyans who identify themselves as members of the Giriama tribe. Located just 52 km from Mombasa, these communities lack access to water and sanitation. In Kenya, you will have the opportunity engage with the people of Kayafungo to learn from local community members what can be done about the water crisis. Applications for 2010 are available here. Early selection apps are due January 31, 2010. Regular selection apps are due February 27, 2010. South Africa - Manyeleti, South Africa Details (2010) Join Think Impact in Manyeleti, a group of rural villages home to Shangaan people and neighbors to Kruger National Park. During your internship you will work in one of three communities with a group of 5-6 students to learn about community assets and challenge yourself to understand the complex challenges of improving health and education in rural South Africa.Applications for 2010 are available here. Early selection apps are due January 31, 2010. Regular selection apps are due February 27, 2010 |
||
.jpg)
