Internships Abroad

Centre students are welcome to participate in internships abroad, and most students choose to do so during CentreTerm or the summer. In addition to the Yucatan and Rio programs listed below, internships are available in a number of countries. See your career counselor for more information.

Centre-in-the-Yucatan Internships

During CentreTerm each January, students participating in the Merida internship program live in homestays and complete carefully selected internships with Merida firms or organizations. Intermediate Spanish is necessary.

In recent years, students have interned with the following organizations:

• Fundación Haciendas Mayas de Yucatán

• Dirección de Cultura, Ayuntamiento de Mérida
• Escuela Montessori Lancaster
• Escuela Primaria Manuel Cepeda Peraza
• Hospital de ISSSTE (Instituto de Seguridad y Servicios Sociales de los Trabajadores del Estado)
• Hospital Psiquíatrico
• Centro Comunitario, Ayuntamiento de Mérida
• Fundación Plan Estratégico de Mérida
• Museo de Antropología
• Parque Ecológico Aak

To learn more, contact Mindy Wilson in Career Services or Leigh Cocanougher in the Center for Global Citizenship.

Rio Internship Program

Centre has recently started exploring possible internships in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, for students to complete during CentreTerm and/or the summer.

With the recent addition of the Latin American Studies minor at Centre, there has been increased interest in one of the major Latin American countries, Brazil, on campus. In addition to local interest, Brazil has been in the spotlight as one of the BRIC (Brazil, Russia, India, China) countries in a stage of newly advanced economic development. Brazil will also be the host of the World Cup in 2014 and the next summer Olympics in 2016, focusing the spotlight on itself, and in particular, on Rio even more. Additionally, the U.S. State Department has recently expanded its Fulbright opportunities in Brazil in recognition of this up-and-coming Latin American powerhouse, and in fact, Brazil exceeds all other Latin American countries in Fulbright teaching assistantship positions.

Students who travel to Brazil for internships will be required to apply for a tourist visa. More information can be found here.

Rio Internship Opportunities

• Art/Art History: Casa Daros holds the largest collection of Latin American Art in Latin America. Art and Art History students are invited to apply for an internship at their newly built 12,000-ft2 facility to assist in community outreach, education, and possibly working with artists in residence. They could also arrange for a remote internship during the semester before the student plans on traveling to Rio to do research on a topic of Latin American art that interests them or would work in the schedule of exhibits at the museum. The student would then be able to travel to Rio to put the research into practice. English and Spanish preferred. Available summer 2013, possible availability in future summers as well as CentreTerm (2014 and beyond)
• Biology: Projecto Coral Vivo works in conservation education and research on the coral reef system of Brazil. There is an opportunity for up to two students to work with a biologist who works off the coast of Brazil near Salvador on a reef project. Students can live at the research station. There may be expanded opportunities with other biologists with the project. No language requirements. Possible availability summer and CentreTerm depending on when the biologist is at the research station
• Economics/Financial Economics/Business: Rio Negocios, a group that recruits US and European companies to locate to Rio, would be willing to place up to two students interested in business in Rio businesses. Placements would depend on student interests. No language requirements. Available CentreTerm 2013 and possibly summers
• Education: Our Lady of Mercy, Rio, an American school with a population comprised of mostly Brazilians would like two students to conduct an SAT prep/college prep course for four weeks (July) each summer. Students would be provided an apartment on the school's campus for use. No language requirements. Available July 2013
• Film Studies: Globale Rio, an international film festival, would work with students interested in film. Students can assist with the organization of the festival itself as well as possibly work with a graduate film student at the local university. No language requirements, but Spanish could be useful. Possible availability CentreTerm and summer 2013
• Government/International Relations: Rio Negocios, a group that recruits and US and European companies to work in Rio, would be willing to place up to two students interested in government and/or international relations in the Mayor's office and possibly other government institutions. Placements would depend on student interests. No language requirements. Summer and CentreTerm availability

How to Apply

Interested students should speak with their career counselors. A resume, a statement of interest and a faculty recommendation will be required and should be submitted to Mindy Wilson. If interested for CentreTerm 2013, students should submit their applications as soon as possible. Students interested in summer positions should submit their applications by February 15.

Students should be independent, adventurous and willing to work. This internship is an ideal option for students who have already studied abroad as Rio is a large, vibrant city, and the internship will require someone comfortable with foreign cultures and practices.

Funding opportunities for international internships

There are several on-campus funding opportunities available for students who complete internships abroad. All programs are competitive, so students should have their proposals reviewed by a career counselor before submitting it. More information about these programs and requirements can be found on the Career Services website.

Centre Internship Plus. Eligibility: The applicant must be currently enrolled at Centre College and must be a junior or senior at the time the internship is being completed (i.e., a student is not eligible for funding the summer after graduation). Students may apply for funding for summer or CentreTerm internships. For high-quality internships. Award: Up to $2000 (summer) or $750 (CentreTerm) Deadline: November 16 (CentreTerm); April 12 (summer)

Parents' Committee Internship Fund. Eligibility: The applicant must be currently enrolled at Centre College and must be a junior or senior at the time the internship is being completed (i.e., a student is not eligible for funding the summer after graduation). For the highest-quality internships that may also require a higher level of funding. Award: Up to $4000 (summer) Deadline: April 12

Cargill Education Fellowship. Eligibility: The applicant must be currently enrolled at Centre College at the time the internship is being completed (i.e., a student is not eligible for funding the summer after graduation). For summer, all first years, sophomores, and juniors planning to complete an education-related internship, project or research project are encouraged to apply. For CentreTerm, all juniors and seniors planning to complete an education-related for-credit internship are encouraged to apply. Award: Up to $5000 (summer) or $2000 (CentreTerm) Deadline: November 16 (CentreTerm); April 1 (summer)