IN550 Internship in an International Education Organization

I. Catalog Description and Credit Hours of Course:

Intensive professional internship experience requiring superior demonstration of culturally appropriate intercultural education competencies in an organizational setting. (3)

II.  Prerequisite(s):  EL274, UI347, IN510, IN520 or graduate standing.

III. Purposes or objectives of the course:

 A. The intern will demonstrate intercultural education competencies as required by the international education organization.

B. The intern will develop and implement culturally appropriate and effective intercultural programs as directed by the organization.

C. The intern will demonstrate use of international and comparative education theory in the discharge of duties for the organization.

D. The intern will demonstrate effective utilization of the knowledge of one's own culture and that of others.

E. The intern will demonstrate competency in the use of information technology as necessary to work effectively in the organization.

IV. Expectations of the students:  

The intern will complete all course assignments and readings, and consistently demonstrate culturally appropriate behavior and a thorough knowledge of international education theory and practice.  In addition to regular assignments, graduate students will also complete an additional research paper related to the organizational assignment.  

V.  Course outline:                                                                                              

Week 1   After an initial orientation to the organization's goals and programs, begin responsibility for first assignment,  preferably one that can be developed fully by the end of the 6 weeks; begin keeping journal of reflections about assignment.

Week 2   Continue development of the first assignment; work with others in the organization to fully understand all aspects of the organizations' programs, its linkages with other organizations, government, etc.

Week 3   Continue development of assignment; develop a portfolio about the organization

Week 4   Continue development of assignment; interview the head of the organization

Week 5   Continue development of assignment; interview people affected by the organization (either as recipients or as contributors) to understand the role of the organization in the community/country/world.

Week 6   If assignment is finished, implement program; if still in development, write a detailed description of how the program would be implemented once completed.

                                                                                                                                               120 hours

VI.  Textbook(s) and/or other required materials or equipment:

Notebooks for journal entries, interviews, project assignments, journal reflections, portfolio development.

VII: Basis for student evaluation:

Quality and consistency in demonstrating intercultural education competencies in the work environment.  Satisfactory completion of course assignments, readings, project assignments, portfolio, interviews, and reflections.  Graduate students will also be evaluated on the depth of critical analysis, synthesis, evaluation, and development of the project assignment and all other assignments.

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 KNOWLEDGE BASE

IN550 - INTERNSHIP IN AN INTERNATIONAL ORGANIZATION

Axtell, R.E. (1991). The do's and taboos of body language around the world.  New York : John Wiley.

Barber, E.G., Altbach, P.G., Myers, R.G. (1982). Foreign students in a comparative perspective. Chicago : University of Chicago Press.

Batchelder, D., Warner, E.G. (1977). Beyond experience: The experiential approach to cross-cultural education. Brattleboro , VT : The Experiment in International Living.

Dresser, N. (1996). Multicultural manners: New rules of etiquette for a changing society. New York : John Wiley.

Hofstede, G. (1984). Culture's consequences: International differences in work-related values. Beverly Hills, CA: Sage Publications.

Institute for International Education. (1997). Towards transnational competence: Rethinking international education. New York : Institute of International Education.

Kohls, L.R. (1981). Developing intercultural awareness. Washington , DC : The Society for Intercultural Education.

Pusch, M.D. (Ed.) (1979). Multicultural education: A cross-cultural training approach. Yarmouth , Maine : Intercultural Press.

Reid, J.M. (1988). Building the professional dimension of educational exchange.  Yarmouth , Maine : Intercultural Press.

Samovar, L.A. , Porter, R.E. (1988). Intercultural communication: A reader. Belmont , CA : Wadsworth Publishing.

Stewart, E.C. (1971). American cultural patterns: A cross-cultural perspective. Pittsburgh , PA : The Regional Council for International Education.

Examples of
International Education Organizations
Currently Seeking Interns

American Friends Service Committee: social justice, peace, and humanitarian service; community development projects  

CARE: relief and development projects

Carter Center Internship Program, Atlanta : contemporary international issues.

Center of Concern : research, public education, and advocacy in social justice issues.

Diversity 2000 Fellowship Program: diversity issues relating to policy and services with respect to immigrants, refugees, asylees, and newcomers to the US .

Global Service Corps: community-based education projects

International Child Art Foundation: international children's art exhibitions

International Institute of Education: non-profit; administers training and exchange programs to over 10,000 participants from over 100 countries yearly

International Research and Exchanges Board: international education and training; arranges scholarly exchanges, programs, grants, policy forums, and conferences with Central and Eastern European countries and the New Independent States of the former Soviet Union .

International Rescue Committee: development projects; women's education

Institute for Democratic Strategies: development of sustainable democratic institutions in developing countries.

National Muslim Refugee Women Project: refugee women's reproductive health care, leadership, development, cultural orientation, female circumcision, and education.

Overseas Development Network: non-profit, non-governmental, student-based organization working for global justice through sustainable community development

Union of Councils for Soviet Jews: Human rights non-profit organization

US Committee for Refugees: refugee issues and education

Vision in Action: development projects in the following sectors - human rights, democratization, education, refugees, journalism, health environment, community development, social work, micro-enterprise, and research.

World Wildlife Fund: development and implementation of a national environmental education program "Windows on the Wild"