Career Work, Internship or Volunteer Abroad Programs

American Friends Service Committee

The AFSC is a Quaker organization which includes people of various faiths who are committed to social justice, peace, and humanitarian service. AFSC's international programs have fed and cared for civilian victims of war and repression without regard to their politics. In 1947, the AFSC and British Friends Service Council received the Nobel Peace Prize for their "silent help from the nameless to the nameless...." Today, AFSC conducts social and technical assistance projects designed to enable people to develop their own power and resources.

American-Scandanavian Foundation

The foundation arranges paid short-term and long-term training positions with private industry in fields such as chemistry, computer science, forestry, horticulture, and engineering throughout Norden (Denmark, Finland, Iceland, Norway and Sweden). Most positions are 8-12 weeks during the summer but some positions last up to 6 months. No language requirement; English is the working language. There is an application fee of $50; participants are paid and earn enough to cover living and personal expenses during the placement (wages are typically $7-$12/hr). The foundation will also process work permits for individuals who find their own positions in any field in Scandinavia. Application deadline is January 1.

BUNAC Work in Britain, Australia, and New Zealand

The British Universities North America Club (BUNAC) allows participants to experience short-term work in Britain (England, Scotland, or Wales) for up to 6 months any time of the year; New Zealand for up to 12 months; and Australia for up to 4 months. Participants find their own jobs and may work in any field. Although most find work in the service industry (retail, restaurants, pubs, etc.), about 15% of participants arrange career-related positions. There is a fee ($225 for Britain, $450 for New Zealand, $475 Australia) for the issuance of the work permit and support services. The program is open to U.S. citizens who are full-time students or graduating seniors, provided they begin the program within 6 months after graduation. Application deadline is rolling; the number of spaces in Australia and New Zealand is limited.

CDS International

CDS offers paid work opportunities in Germany, Switzerland, Singapore, Argentina, & Turkey ranging from 2-18 months for undergraduate and graduate students, recent graduates, and young professionals in business, science, engineering and technical fields - some programs offer options for liberal arts students as well. Options include a combination study/paid internship year-long program, paid internships for the summer and during the year (6 months maximum), and work permit programs for participants who find their own placements. Depending on program, CDS provides services including job placement, housing, orientation, language training, and on-site support. U.S. citizenship required for all programs; programs in Germany also require at least two years college-level study of German or the equivalent (no language requirement for Singapore). Applicants pay an administrative fee ($200-$700 depending on the program) and in most cases are responsible for their own airfare. Application deadlines vary.

Center for World Indigenous Studies

The CWIS internship program provides individuals interested in Fourth World Studies, an opportunity to work with a diverse group of world leaders, scholars and activists who live in the four corners of the world. Areas of application may include international relations, policy formulation and economic development, health, spirituality and traditional medicine, environmental issues including resource management and biodiversity. Interns are asked to commit to a minimum of at least six months of participation in their positions.

IAESTE: International Association for the Exchange of Students for Technical Experience

IAESTE is an international network that coordinates on-the-job training for students in the fields of Engineering, Computer Science, Mathematics, the Natural and Physical Sciences, Architecture and Agricultural Science. Since 1950, IAESTE United States has linked thousands of America's brightest students with progressive employers in over 70 member countries. IAESTE United States is aimed at building global skills in tomorrow's technical leaders.

IICD: Institute for International Cooperation and Development

IICD offers volunteer solidarity work and travel programs to countries in Africa and Latin America. Program length is from 6 to 18 months, depending on location, and includes pre-departure training and language study as well as follow-up after completion of the overseas component. Participants pay a program fee of $3500-$4500, depending on the program. Application deadlines are rolling.

Interexchange

Provides 2 month - 1 year placements in Europe. Programs include internships in London and Dublin; English teaching in Eastern Europe; farm work in Scandinavia and Switzerland; resort work in Germany and Switzerland, and other placements in Europe. Participants pay a placement fee of $200 - $1000 depending on the program, and receive salaries sufficient to cover living and personal expenses. Application deadlines vary.

Internships International

II offers internships in Chile, France, Germany, Hungary, Ireland, Italy, Mexico, Spain and the United Kingdom. The placements are professional, full-time, non-paying positions and are open to recent college graduates and current graduate students in all fields. There are often opportunities to also secure a part-time paying job.

The Lisle Fellowship

The Lisle Fellowship offers short-term experiences around the world that focus on cooperative, democratic leadership and participation. The programs seek to exemplify multicultural/multiracial decision-making, planning and administration. Applications deadline is April 1.

Nambu Foundation

The Nambu Foundation provides paid summer internships with companies in Japan for U.S. undergraduate and graduate students. Programs are open to students in any major but conversational Japanese is required, fluency recommended. Interns receive a monthly salary, roundtrip airfare, and free housing in Japan. Application deadline is in late January for the following summer.

Peace Corps

This internationally known two-year program is designed to meet the challenges of contributing much needed skills to the struggle for self-sufficiency in developing nations. Civil, mechanical, mining, environmental, and metallurgical engineers, along with architects, urban planners, and individuals with a variety of academic backgrounds, are in demand to train people to develop water, sanitation, and transportation systems, as well as to teach, assist in small business development, and construct roads, hospitals, and municipal buildings. Accepted volunteers receive room, board, airfare, intensive training before departure and after arrival, and a resettlement allowance after completion of the program. Application deadline is rolling.

Princeton-In-Asia

PIA offers internships for college graduates, usually teaching English and/or other areas (including engineering, chemistry, business), or in various other internship positions (fields have included development work, engineering, and business), for one or two years in Hong Kong, Japan, China, Thailand, Indonesia, Singapore, Vietnam, Malaysia, Korea, Laos, and Kazakhstan. There is a placement fee of $300.00 after acceptance. Interns receive salaries; other benefits vary according to location and may include free housing and/or roundtrip airfare. Application deadline is December 1.

United Nations Volunteers

UN Volunteers serve in developing countries as volunteer specialists and field workers. Currently, four fifths of all UNVs are themselves citizens of developing countries; one fifth come from the industrialised world. They work in technical, economic and social fields, under three main headings: in technical co-operation with skills-short governments; with community-based initiatives for self-reliance; and in humanitarian relief and rehabilitation. They are professionals who work on a peer basis. The UNV programme maintains a roster covering 115 professional categories. Application deadlines are rolling.

US Department of State

The DOS hires both unpaid and paid interns for a variety of programs in the US and abroad. Some positions available at US Foreign Service postings abroad. Requires US citizenship and at least junior standing. Application deadlines are March 1 for fall, July 1 for spring, and November 1 for summer.

Visions in Action

VIA offers opportunities for six to twelve months in Africa and Mexico. Some countries require fluency in French or Spanish. Instruction is given in the local languages. Volunteers can work in areas such as agriculture, children, communications, education, environmental and natural resources, fine arts, food/nutrition, family planning, health, housing, human rights, journalism, law, mental disabilities, physical disabilities, natural science, refugees/relief, small business, social sciences, women and youth. Volunteers receive a small monthly stipend and VIA will help with fundraising ideas to cover the costs of the program. Application deadline is April 15 for Kenya and South Africa, June 1 for Uganda, July 1 for Burkina Faso and the Dominican Republic, and October 1 for South Africa and Zimbabwe. For more information, e-mail:visions@igc.apc.org