The International InternshipThe Program's Goals and Philosophy
Thank you for your interest in volunteering at CASA! The aim of CASA's International Internship Program (IIP) is for the intern to:
- Make a lasting contribution to CASA's programs, purposes and priorities
- Explore, discover, and gain experience in a profession one may wish to follow
- Gain an international perspective in his/her field of activity
- Discover cultural, psychological and social factors that influence health
- Advance intercultural communication skills
- Increase self-awareness of personal work habits and ability to work with others
- Strengthen existing relationships and open doors to further cooperative efforts
- Reinforce tolerance and cultural understanding while gaining insight into one's own culture
Eligibility for the Program & CASA's Commitment
Students and practicing professionals in the fields of public health, social work, medicine, midwifery, nursing, early child development, education, Latin American studies, public administration, and any individuals interested in gaining insight into international public health issues are welcome to apply to CASA's IIP. We accept applications (see side) on a rolling basis, but ask that you submit your application no later than three months before your desired start date. The application process is competitive, and we accept no more than 5 interns at any one time. Applicants must:
- Be at least 18 years of age
- Speak Spanish at an advanced level-equivalent to approximately 4 years of university-level Spanish. Applicants with less Spanish may be able to work with CASA's Advisor, Nadine Goodman, on fundraising efforts but will be unable to work with program staff.
- Commit to a minimum of 10 weeks, working a minimum of 35 hours per week
- Be responsible, flexible and have a sense of adventure. Much of CASA's work occurs in the field and may involve walking long distances, sitting on dirt floors, etc.
- Cover all expenses, including airfare, local transportation, housing, telephone, fax, e-mail, food, and personal costs. Many past interns have successfully applied for grants or scholarships from universities or private foundations to fund their time here.
- Submit an application and complete an interview to be considered for the program
- Coordinate work activities and projects with the staff while functioning with minimal supervision. Interns must be self-motivated and willing to take initiative and to seek out projects while maintaining a respectful attitude toward existing CASA programs
- Maintain an open, non-judgmental attitude; listen, learn, and experience another culture
- Understand and comply with CASA's rules, principles and operating philosophy
As a host organization, CASA agrees to:
- Make a final decision on your application within one month of its receipt
- Provide you with an orientation manual with information about traveling to and living in San Miguel de Allende
- Assist in your orientation to the agency and introduce you to the staff
- Assist you in developing a schedule that will utilize your skills and background
Internship Activities and Responsibilities
In exchange for the learning and growth opportunities that the IIP experience provides, interns are expected to make a lasting contribution to CASA through at least one specific project, which will be chosen by the intern with help from CASA staff, based on current agency needs. Previous projects have included the creation of new informative health pamphlets, informal evaluations of specific programs, and completion of epidemiological studies using CASA's database.
Interns receive a two-week orientation to all CASA programs, then seek out projects and volunteer within departments consistent with their training and interests. Interns establish a regular schedule based on their learning goals and selected projects, although they must remain flexible and open to change according current agency needs, such as aiding with fundraising, writing newsletters, or providing administrative assistance to Nadine Goodman, CASA Advisor.
The internship program is run almost entirely by the interns themselves. Therefore, new interns must be willing to either coordinate the program or assist in the coordination of the program when the need arises. Duties include reviewing applications, scheduling orientation for new interns, and providing on-going support and guidance for other interns. However, Nadine is available by phone and e-mail to provide some supervision and support.
CASA's Location & Living in Mexico
CASA is located in San Miguel de Allende, a small city in the state of Guanajuato in the central highlands of Mexico. Due to the large American resident population in San Miguel, there are many furnished apartments and American amenities available, and rent here is generally expensive compared to other towns in Mexico. You can expect to pay approximately $400 a month and up for a small furnished apartment with a phone line, though basic efficiency apartments can start at $150. Food and transportation are fairly inexpensive, and a monthly budget of $600 should allow you to live comfortably. San Miguel is a wonderful place to learn about Mexican culture, as there are many celebrations to attend year-round.
Applying for the Program
We are excited about your interest in CASA and look forward to hearing from you soon. In order to begin your application process, you will need to download the application, fill it out, and send it to the current CASA interns by email to be accompanied by 2 recommendations, your résumé (or curriculum vitae), and two essays in Spanish (questions in application document). We will confirm all complete applications upon their receipt and inform you of our decision within a month. Best of luck, and thanks again for your interest.
|
Former CASA Intern, Mandy, with Susana, Paulina, and Irma Salas Words of reflection from Mandy Achterman's Report to IE3, Oregon State's Internship-Scouting Program
"Now that I have been back for a couple of weeks, I have been able to reflect more upon my internship. I have benefited from this experience in so many ways that I would fill up this entire report solely on those experiences, both professional and personal. In terms of professional benefits I have had the experience to work internationally in a culture that is distinctly different from mine. It has allowed me to learn about my strengths and weaknesses in new environments. By applying coursework from my school progr am to my internship, I learned what courses and aspects of my education I needed to focus on upon my return to best suit the set of skills I found were necessary to work within an international non-profit organization.
As for my personal benefits, it is the friendships that I formed that will forever touch me. To think about the amazing people I met continues to make me sad because I miss their company, their laughter, their kindness, and most of all just being around them. I find that through friendships people can grow and learn in ways that we cannot at work or in school. I have become a more open and appreciative person because of the time I spent with Lupe, Monica, Ana, Matilde, and Roberto. Without their love and support my internship could not ha ve had the impact on my life that it has. I can honestly say that through these five people and the many others I met, I learned as much, if not more, about myself as I did about the work I want to do in the future."
|
