Section 3: International Internships and Fellowships
This section aims to provide a brief overview of select corporate, governmental, international organizational and non-governmental internship opportunities available to young Canadians. Sectors/areas covered, eligibility requirements, application details and web links are provided:
- Exploring Corporate Sector Opportunities
- Canadian International Development Agency
- International Youth Internship Program
- International Institute for Sustainable Development
- Young Canadian Leaders for Sustainable Future
- Foreign Affairs Canada
- International Youth Programs
- Young Professionals International
- United Nations Development Program
- Aga Khan Foundation Canada
- Fellowship in International Development Management (IDM Program)
- Fellowship in International Microfinance and Microenterprise (IMM Program)
- World University Service of Canada (WUSC)
- Students Without Borders (SWB)
- Canadian Council for International Cooperation (CCIC)
- Other Websites and Resources
This module should be used as an exploratory guide to international internships and opportunities. You are strongly encouraged to explore other organizations as well as review the most up to date information available at the various organizational and program websites provided.
1. Exploring Corporate Sector Opportunities
Corporations are increasingly working in developing countries around the world. India, China, Vietnam and others are emerging as new centres of entrepreneurship and growth. Many companies are also exploring activities aimed towards meeting more philanthropic aims by continuing to grow their core business in developing countries. A few examples include:
ICICI Bank is working in microfinance and exploring venture capital programs for the poor. Website: www.icicicareers.com
Microsoft Corporation is working to bridge the digital divide by investing in rural computing and education programs around the world. Website: www.microsoft.com
VISA is working on pilot microfinance projects in developing countries by lending money to poor communities. Website: corporate.visa.com
These are just a few examples of corporations working to help solve pressing global problems. Seeking out opportunities with corporations working in new emerging markets and developing countries may provide you with invaluable experience. Those interested in international business, private sector engagement in development, global corporate philanthropy and other sectors including education, health etc. may want to consider approaching entrepreneurs and companies operating overseas for possible summer work, co-op placements or volunteer opportunities.
The following books are a great start about looking at the world from a more global perspective and how the work of business is changing.
- The World is Flat by Thomas Friedman about today’s globalized world and business opportunities available in other parts of the world. www.thomaslfriedman.com
- "The Bottom of The Pyramid: Eradicating Poverty Through Profits” by C.K. Prahalad to learn more about corporate sector engagement in solving global problems. Article: www.changemakers.net
2. Canadian International Development Agency
International Youth Internship Program
OVERVIEW
- Sponsor organizations (i.e. non-governmental organizations, private sector companies and academic institutions active in CIDA-eligible countries) recruit young professionals for overseas assignments, prepares them for departure and provides them with ongoing job-search support and overseas supervision.
- Internships are five to eight months long and include at least five months working outside Canada.
- Participants receive a stipend to help cover their living and travel expenses.
- Start date normally after April 1, but may range from May 1 to October 1.
CURRENT SECTORS
- Civil Society
- Communications
- Education
- Environment
- Finance & Marketing
- Health
- Industry
- Natural Resources
- Social Services
- Water/Sanitation
ELIGIBILITY
- Canadian citizen or permanent resident between the ages of 19 and 30
- Minimum five months free to devote to an internship
- A post-secondary graduate: of a degree or diploma program in a university, college, post-secondary school of technology, post-secondary institute or a CÉGEP (college d'enseignement general et professionnel, Québec);
- Out of school: in your last year of studies and will be completed all degree requirements by the time internship starts
Exception: Law students who have not completed Bar exam are still eligible
- Unemployed or underemployed
- Legally entitled to work in Canada.
- Not eligible if:
- have had a previous paid, career-related, international work experience
- have participated in a Youth Employment Strategy (YES) international internship program in the past
- Priority given to applicants who have not participated in a YES science and technology internship or in an internship within the Career Focus stream of YES
NOTES ON APPLICATION
- Must submit résumés directly to sponsor organization that supports CIDA-approved intern projects.
e.g. AKFC, Canadian Society for International Health, etc.
- Do not send resume without having read conditions of employment.
- Do not send resume directly to CIDA.
LINKS
Main site
Internships - 2006-2007
3. International Institute for Sustainable Development
Young Canadian Leaders for a Sustainable Future
OVERVIEW
- The Young Canadian Leaders for a Sustainable Future (YCLSF) program is part of the Young Professionals International Program (YPI) financed and supported by the Department of Foreign Affairs and International Trade (DFAIT) and Canadian International Development Agency (CIDA) through the federal government's Youth Employment Strategy undertaken in the Career Focus Program.
- IISD has provided more than 300 young Canadians with international internships since 1997.
- The program includes a two-week training session in Winnipeg on building sustainable futures, a six- to eight-month international work placement and a one-week career enhancement session in Winnipeg after completing the placement.
- IISD recruited approximately 15 young professionals for the 2005-2006 program.
- Timeline: application due end of April, interviews May/June
CATEGORIES OF POSITIONS
- Business, Economics and Sustainable Development
Placement with international business offices and associations to assist in analyzing new approaches to sustainability that have been developed for the private sector (ISO14000, corporate reporting, etc.), and to collect examples of successful sustainable practices implemented by businesses.
- Capacity Building and Training
- Placements with international or non
- governmental organizations in developed and developing countries to assist in researching, disseminating and training in the areas of sustainable development. This would include developing case studies, organizing workshops, etc.
- Climate Change
Placement with international agencies working on climate change, conducting research and analysis on the Kyoto Protocol, carbon dioxide emissions, the clean development mechanism, etc., either developing modules or working on research papers.
- Natural Resource Management
Placements in developed or developing countries working on issues of environmental security, biodiversity, forestry, ecotourism, etc. Duties could include researching and writing policy papers, accessing the work of others around the world and exchanging information, as well as organizing and developing workshops on specific environmental issues.
- Trade and Sustainable Development
Placement with international trade organizations, researching and writing policy papers, training and assisting staff to maintain Web pages, accessing the work of others around the world and exchanging information, as well as organizing and developing workshops on the specific policy themes in the partner countries.
- Youth and Sustainable Development
Placements in developed or developing countries working on creating awareness that directly targets youth around the world about sustainable development issues. Duties could include designing and implementing capacity building and training programs, expanding youth networks, developing capacity building materials as well as designing training workshops for youth.
ELIGIBILITY
- Canadian citizen or landed immigrant not younger than 19 and not older than 30 years of age
- Hold a recent college or university degree (Graduate-level studies are an asset)
- All studies must be completed before the placement begins.
- Have never participated in an internship funded by the federal government's Youth Employment Strategy (YES) program
- Be unemployed or underemployed.
- Have demonstrated commitment to international interests (international study or volunteer work an asset)
- Be computer and Internet literate, including word processing, e-mail skills and experience in using the World Wide Web for research and information delivery;
- Have excellent oral and written communication skills in English and working knowledge of one or more additional languages is an asset. Some of the placements require fluency in French and Spanish. If a placement is available where the working language is other than English, the intern must demonstrate proficiency in that language
- Hold a current passport
- Be able to live and work in multicultural environments
- Be able to work "virtually" with others through use of information and telecommunications systems
- Be able to use this internship experience as a long-term employment strategy
- Be flexible and adaptable.
- Not eligible if:
- Have extensive paid international work experience
- Have had significant work experience in their field after graduation.
NOTES ON APPLICATION
- Application packages must include a completed a cover letter, current résumé, copy of a recent research paper or writing sample, copy of college or university transcripts and two reference letters. Incomplete applications will not be accepted.
LINKS
Main
site
Available
positions
Application
form
4. Foreign Affairs Canada
International Youth Programs
OVERVIEW
- Working Holiday Programs
Working holiday programs enable you to travel to one of the participating program countries and have the option of engaging in short-term work to supplement your travel expenses. This program is ideal for non-students who want to supplement their travel experiences with some temporary work in the country of choice.
- Young Workers' Exchange Programs
These programs allow Canadian participants to gain professional work experience through overseas training. Participants have the opportunity to acquire new skills while gaining a better appreciation of the culture and values of their host country. Consider this program if you are a non-student whose primary goal is to gain work experience in a foreign culture.
- SWAP Working Holiday
This is a program of the Canadian Federations of Students administered through Travel CUTS/Voyages Campus. Through this program, Canadian students and youth can enjoy an overseas working holiday in a range of countries and have assistance in conducting job and accommodation searches from SWAP's partner organizations abroad. Over 3000 young Canadians participate in SWAP annually. A few of SWAP's destination countries are limited to students only so please read the eligibility criteria carefully.
- Co-op Education Programs
This initiative provides students with an opportunity to gain valuable experience related to their current academic field of study, and helps prepare them for a successful transition from school to the working world. If you qualify for a co-op education program at one of this program's participating schools, this is the work-abroad program for you.
- Programs available in:
- South Africa
- Australia
- Japan
- Malaysia
- New Zealand
- Republic of Korea
- Singapore
- Europe
- Mexico
- USA
ELIGIBILITY
- Canadians aged 18 to 30 years
- Although FAC provides the framework under which participants can obtain legal work opportunities in foreign countries, participants must be able to:
- Choose the country
- Land a job in that country
- Apply for a visa
- Arrange transportation
- Find a place to stay
- Cover day-to-day expenses
Young Professionals International (YPI)
OVERVIEW
- Provide young people with a first, career-related international work experience through 6 to 12 month placements abroad.
- To provide unemployed or under-employed youth who are out-of-school and who have a postsecondary degree or diploma with a first, paid, career-related international work experience
- YPI is delivered in partnership with private sector and non-governmental organizations who act as Implementing Organizations.
- Participants are selected by the Canadian Implementing Organizations and are matched with an overseas host business or organization.
- Participants are paid a stipend to help them cover their expenses.
ELIGIBILITY
- Citizens or permanent residents of Canada, up to and including 30 years of age.
- Youth who have completed a postsecondary degree or diploma.
- Un-employed or under-employed.
- Out-of-school (i.e. not enrolled in an educational program).
- Youth with a genuine interest in permanently entering the work force and launching an internationally-focussed career.
- Youth who would be participating for the first time in a placement through the Career Focus Program of the Youth Employment Strategy (YES).
- Youth for whom this would be the first, paid, career-related international work experience.
LINKS
Foreign Affairs Canada main site
International Youth Programs
Foreign Affairs Projects
International Trade Projects
Other Department of Foreign Affairs Youth opportunities
5. United Nations Development Program
OVERVIEW
- The Internship Programme offers a small group of outstanding graduate-level students the opportunity to acquire direct exposure to UNDP's work. It is designed to complement development-oriented studies with practical experience in various aspects of multilateral technical cooperation, but also complements other international studies, including law.
ELIGIBILITY
- Enrollment in a graduate-level degree programme in a development related field such as economics, international relations, anthropology, sociology, public or business administration, or environmental studies.
- Only those students who will return to their studies upon completion of their internship assignments are eligible.
- Demonstrated interest in the field of development
- Language skills: written and spoken proficiency in at least two of the three working languages used by UNDP: English, French and Spanish. Fluency in Arabic, Portuguese, Russian or Eastern European language is an asset.
- An interest in global mobility; adaptability to varied physical and other environments; a desire to work with and gain the confidence and respect of people with different language, national and cultural backgrounds.
- Respect for the principles of the United Nations Charter and the UNDP Statement of Purpose.
LINKS
Main site
UN Millennium Project
Internships and Opportunities
6. Aga Khan Foundation Canada
Fellowship in International Development Management (IDM Program)
OVERVIEW
- 9-month Fellowship in International Development Management offers specialized development management training in Canada and overseas work experience with non-governmental organizations in Africa and Asia.
- The IDM Program began in 1987. Since then, more than 150 university graduates have had the opportunity to study and work in environments that have enabled them to pursue leadership positions in their chosen fields. The program, designed as a stepping stone for careers in international development, has proven attractive to young Canadians from a wide variety of disciplines - including law, engineering, journalism, education, nursing, and business administration - wishing to embark on global careers
- The IDM Program consists of a four-week management seminar in Ottawa, followed by an eight-month work placement with a non-governmental organization in Asia or Africa. The Management Seminar provides practical training in development management, emphasizing an analytical approach and strategic thinking and planning. Practical skills such as financial management, resource development and results-based project management are also introduced. In Asia and Africa, participants will be placed with organizations working in different aspects of development, such as health, education, natural resource management and microenterprise development.
Fellowship in International Microfinance and Microenterprise (IMM Program)
OVERVIEW
- 9-month Fellowship in International Microfinance and Microenterprise offers specialized microfinance and microenterprise training in Canada and overseas work experience with a non-governmental organization involved in small savings and loans programs among individuals and communities.
- Started in 2000 as a way to develop skills and promote learning for outstanding young Canadians who have a desire and an aptitude to work in a global environment. This program builds upon the highly successful and well-established Fellowship in International Development Management, which AKFC developed for young Canadians committed to sustainable human development through non-governmental organizations.
- The IMM Program provides young professionals with an intensive four week training program in Canada, followed by an eight-month placement with a South Asian organization involved in the microfinance / microenterprise sector.
- The Ottawa-based training component of IMM provides participants with a thorough grounding in the latest microfinance and microenterprise concepts, approaches and techniques. During their eight-month placement, participants are expected to gain practical experience while contributing to a defined area of their host organization's work. Participants also engage in an area of learning that advances their understanding of the sector, while also being of value to the work of their host organization. Upon return to Canada, participants are expected to add value to the support that Canadian organizations and institutions provide to their partners in Canada and the developing world.
ELIGIBILITY (for both IDM and IMM programs)
- Canadian citizens or landed immigrants
- Youth aged 18-29 years old
- Hold, at minimum, an Honours Bachelor's degree or professional designation (Master's degree preferred).
LINKS
Main site
Internships
IDM
Program
IMM Program
YPM Program
Volunteer opportunities
7. World University Service of Canada (WUSC)
Students Without Borders (SWB)
OVERVIEW
- WUSC's new and exciting overseas service learning program now offered on Canadian campuses
- Students Without Borders lets students choose their own adventure, traveling to Asia, South America or Africa to work in a developing country and apply theoretical concepts to real work environments. It also offers them the option of earning academic credits.
- SWB assists post-secondary institutions in providing new international learning opportunities for students where they can contribute to outstanding development projects
- WUSC is targeting SWB at a new generation of Canadian students who have a global consciousness and want to tackle inequality head on
- For a fee SWB offers placements with one of WUSC's secure, long-standing, local partners in a developing country.
- Students choose from three placement types:
- International Community Service Learning (CSL)
Students can earn credits towards their degree or diploma
- Co-op
Students can do their co-op placement overseas or in Canada (applies to those enrolled in a co-op program)
- Internship
Students gain hands on experience in challenging work environments
- The first participants leave throughout May and June, to work in Malawi, Burkina Faso, Botswana or Peru
- In fall 2006, there are up to 30 placements available for students in the same countries as well as Vietnam, Niger and Ghana
ELIGIBILITY
- Students attending WUSC-member institutions are given priority
- 20 students from the following post-secondary institutions made up the initial SWB Summer 2006 group: Alberta, Capilano, Carleton, Concordia, Dalhousie, Guelph, McGill, Menno Simons, Ryerson, Toronto, Trent, Sheridan, and York
LINKS
WUSC site
SWB site
Awards and Bursaries
Email:
8. Canadian Council for International Cooperation (CCIC)
Website: www.ccic.ca
List of Participating NGO’s:
- Action Canada for Population and Development
- Adventist Development & Relief Agency Canada
- African Medical and Research Foundation Canada (AMREF)
- Aga Khan Foundation Canada
- Alberta Council for Global Cooperation
- Alternatives
- Association québécoise des organisms de coopération internationale (AQOCI)
- Atlantic Council for International Cooperation
- British Columbia Council for International Cooperation
- Canada World Youth
- CAW Social Justice Fund
- Canadian Catholic Organization for Development and Peace
- Canadian Co-operative Association
-
- Canadian Crossroads International
- Canadian Executive Service Organization
- Canadian Feed The Children
- Canadian Foodgrains Bank Association Inc.
- Canadian Friends Service Committee
- Canadian Hunger Foundation / Partners in Rural Development
- Canadian Labour Congress
- Canadian Lutheran World Relief
- Canadian Nurses Association
- Canadian Physicians for Aid and Relief
- Canadian Public Health Association
- Canadian Red Cross
- Canadian Society for International Health
- Cardinal Léger et ses Oeuvres
- CARE Canada
- Centre canadien d’études et de coopération internationale
- Centre for International Studies
- Christian Children’s Fund of Canada
- Christian Reformed World Relief Committee
- Co Development Canada
- Coady International Institute
- Collaboration santé internationale
- Communication, Energy and Paperworks Union of Canada Humanity Fund
- Cooper Institute
- Council of Canadians with Disabilities
- CUSOM
- Developing Countries Farm Radio Network
- ETC Group
- Foster Parents Plan
- Foundation for International Training
- Fraternité Vietnam Inc.
- Frontiers Foundation Inc.
- Horizons of Friendship
- Inter Pares
- International Council on Social Welfare - Canada
- International Development and Relief Foundation
- Jamaican Self-Help Organization
- Manitoba Council for International Cooperation
- Marquis Project (The)
- MATCH International Centre
- Médecins sans frontières / Doctors Without Borders Canada
- Mennonite Central Committee (Canada) - Ottawa
- MiningWatch Canada
- Near East Cultural and Educational Foundation of Canada
- ONE SKY
- Ontario Council for International Co-operation
- OXFAM Canada
- OXFAM-Québec
- Pacific Peoples’ Partership Peacefund Canada
- Philippine Development Assistance Program (PDAP) Inc.
- Physicians for Global Survival
- Planned Parenthood Federation of Canada
- Presbyterian World Service and Development
- Primate’s World Relief and Development Fund
- Project Ploughshares
- Results Canada
- The Salvation Army
- Saskatchewan Council for International Cooperation
- Save the Children-Canada
- Scarboro Missions
- Société de coopération pour le développement international (SOCODEVI)
- Société de partage (SOPAR)
- The Society of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists of Canada
- South Asia Partnership - Canada
- Steelworkers Humanity Fund
- Terre Sans Frontières
- TransFair Canada
- UNICEF Canada
- United Church of Canada
- United Nations Association in Canada
- USC Canada
- Voluntary Service Overseas Canada
- World Federalists Movement - Canada
- World Literacy of Canada
- World University Service of Canada (WUSC)
- World Vision Canada
- YMCA Canada
9. Other Websites and Resources
- Your local University Career centre
- Centre for Intercultural Learning
- Internship search / Job alert sites in int'l development
www.idealist.org
www.reliefweb.int
nutrition.tufts.edu
- CampusAccess.com
This site provides information on various internships and volunteer opportunities such as business and trade internships, medical internships and related volunteer work, technology internships, Canadian Government internships, United Nations internships, humanitarian and developmental volunteer work, and environmental internships.
World Bank
USAID (United States)
Fogarty International Center National Institutes of Health U.S. Department of Health and Human Services
The Fogarty International Center, the international component of the NIH, addresses global health challenges through innovative and collaborative research and training programs and supports and advances the NIH mission through international partnerships.
American Public Health Association
- unpaid internships in its International Health section for students and graduates interested in international public health issues
- primarily in association with the World Federation of Public Health Associations (WFPHA) which is an international, nongovernmental organization composed of multidisciplinary public health societies from 60 countries around the world
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