The FSD Summer Internship Program is an intensive 8-9 week program which expands FSD's integrated internship program model to include additional features such as a grant competition, lectures on local development issues, and group orientation, evaluation, and debriefing sessions.

- Internship: Review FSD's network of Partner Organizations for internship opportunities by country, region, or focus area.

- Family Homestay: Live with a local host family for the duration of your internship. Fully immerse yourself and experience an intense form of cultural exchange. The family provides you with a private room, three complete, typical meals a day, purified water, and weekly laundry service. Most Latin-American and Indian host families are representative of the local upper-middle class, and offer fairly comfortable accommodations with running water, electricity, and in some cases television. East-African home-stays, especially in rural locations, tend to be basic, in some cases without running water or electricity.

- Grant Competition: Each year during the Summer Internship Program, FSD hosts a Grant Competition in each of our partner communities across Latin America, East Africa, and India. Through the Grant Competition, you and your host organization have the opportunity to collaborate to elaborate a grant proposal and receive funding for a sustainable development project which responds to the needs of the community. Read the report on Grants Funded in 2005 to learn more about this exciting opportunity.

- Lectures on Local Development Issues: FSD facilitates four educational sessions on the most prevalent development issues in your host community. Consistent with FSD's commitment to valuing local knowledge and promoting a greater understanding of the local context, lectures will be given by local development professionals and you will discuss current articles on local development issues.

- Group Sessions: The presence of 4-12 other FSD Interns in your host community offers invaluable comradery and support throughout your experience. FSD interns often spend time with one another beyond the group orientation, education, evaluation, and debriefing sessions. Whether it is supporting one another through each phase of culture shock, taking day trips on the weekends, or engaging in discussions about development, you can enjoy and benefit from the company of the individuals this type of experience attracts.

2006 Summer Internship Programs: Dates and Contributions
In 2006 FSD is offering 12 programs in eight countries. Included in the contribution fee of each program is:

• Individual Internship Placement with a mission-based local development organization in your area of interest.
• Full Room and Board
• Group Transportation in-country
• Pre-Departure and Orientation Materials and Resources
• Host Organization Grant (up to $200)
• Opportunity and training to compete for up to $1000 in grant funding.
• Group orientation, midterm, and debriefing sessions
• Four educational discussions of local development topics
• Language Instruction (where applicable)
• Limited travel, medical, and evacuation insurance
• U.S. and In-Country administration and support.

All program contributions are 100% tax-deductible for US residents. For information on how to fundraise, please click here. US residents may want to consult with a tax advisor to understand how your international airfare can be tax-deductible as well.

Countries:

Argentina:
8 weeks: $2750 June 8th - August 5th and
8 weeks: $2750 June 22nd - August 19th

Bolivia:
8 weeks: $2750 June 8th - August 5th and
8 weeks: $2750 June 22nd - August 19th

Ecuador:
8 weeks: $2600 May 25th - July 22nd

India:
9 weeks: $2600 June 11th - August 12th

Kenya:
9 weeks: $2850 June 4th - August 5th (Mombasa) and
9 weeks: $2850 June 18th - August 19th (Kakamega)

Nicaragua:
8 weeks: $2250 May 25th - July 22nd and
8 weeks: $2250 June 8th - August 5th

Peru:
8 weeks: $2600 June 8th - August 5th

Uganda:
9 weeks: $2800 May 28th - July 29th

Please Note:
It is possible to extend your summer program for at least $150 per week. Airfare, visa, and exit tax are not included.

The dates and contributions listed above are close estimates but are subject to change.

Learn more about the structure of our Program Contributions.

Summer Internship Program Logistics:

Thursday or Friday: Arrival. Arrive and meet the FSD Country Director, Program Assistant, and the other FSD Interns at the airport. Travel to a hostel to rest before orientation begins.

Orientation: FSD Staff will orient you to the location, providing you with important tips and local knowledge to support your safety and success. You will get to know the other group members and stay in a hostel during orientation.
For Latin American programs the orientation is two days and one night.
For East Africa programs and the India program, the orientation is one week long and includes four hours of language instruction per day. In Uganda you will learn Lugisu, Kiswahili in Kenya, and Hindi in India.

Sunday: Host Family Integration. On the Sunday following Orientation, the Country Director or Program Assistant will accompany you to the home of your host family where you will meet your host parents, as well as host siblings, pets, grandparents, aunts, uncles, etc.

Week One (of Internship): Project Orientation. On the first Monday following orientation the Country Director and/or Program Assistant will meet with both you and your supervisor to talk about goals, timeline, a work plan for the week, and general ideas for your project. This week will go slowly but is an excellent opportunity to observe the work of the organization and explore the best structure for your contribution.

Week Two: Work Plan Development. During the second week, the Country Director and/or Program Assistant will meet with both you and your supervisor to help draft a work plan for your internship. This is a projection of your activities; you and your supervisor may need to adapt your work plan as the internship progresses. At this time you will also talk about the resources needed for your activities and will develop a preliminary budget up to $200 for the use of your mini-grant. If your project requires additional resources you may decide to participate in the FSD Grant Competition to pursue up to $1000 in additional funding. FSD will facilitate a grant workshop this week and will support interns and host organizations who choose to participate in the Grant Competition to elaborate a Grant Proposal.

Week Three: Mini Grant Disbursement and Grant Competition. The Country Director will disburse the mini-grant funds to your supervisor to be used towards your internship activities. For those who wish to participate in the Grant Competition, you will meet with the Country Director and Program Assistant early in the week to review drafts of your Grant Proposal, and will submit the final draft of the Grant Proposal to FSD for review and consideration on Thursday afternoon.

Week Four: Grant Competition and Mid-Term Retreat. FSD will announce the results of the Grant Competition early in the fourth week, providing feedback to all participants. Grant funds will be disbursed later in the week. After the fourth week, the group will take a weekend trip to rest, reflect, and evaluate your experience thus far.

Weeks Five through Seven: Internship Continues. The Country Director and/or Program Assistant will visit you, your host family, and your host organization on a bi-weekly basis for the remainder of the program. You will focus on supporting the daily operations of your host organization and moving forward on your main projects and activities.

Final Week: Reporting and Evaluation. This last week is a time for wrapping up your activities at your internship and transferring responsibility for your activities, if necessary. It is also a time for meeting with all of your new friends, colleagues, and acquaintances to say good-bye. You will compile documentation of your activities and complete a final written report on your internship and contribution. You will meet with the Country Director, Program Assistant, and the rest of the group to reflect upon and evaluate your experience prior to a good-bye celebration.

Final Day: Departure. Depart for your home-country with a new perspective and many wonderful memories. The FSD Country Director and Program Assistant will arrange for your transportation to the airport for your departure.

Summer Internship Program Application Deadlines and Timeline:

Deadlines

• Early Application ($25 Application Fee): February 1st, 2006
• Regular Application ($40 Application Fee): Feb. 1 - March 1, 2006
• Rush Application ($55 Application Fee): March 1- April 28, 2006

Applications will be accepted after April 28th if space permits. Please contact us if you would like to apply and it's after April 28th.

Applications: Please go to the Application Page and download the Summer Application that coincides with the correct country.

Timeline:

Application Approval: Upon receipt of your application package, we will email you a welcome letter and receipt of confirmation within 1 week. The following week, you will receive an email from FSD tentatively confirming or declining your placement with a particular host organization in your chosen country. If accepted, you will have 1-2 weeks (depending how late your application is being processed) to confirm your enrollment.

Along with your enrollment confirmation, you are required to submit a $200 non-refundable deposit to secure your intern position. FSD will then contact you within 1-2 weeks to conduct a telephone interview that addresses your:

1) Motives for working abroad
2) Ability to adapt to foreign conditions
3) Language skills
4) Question about the program

At the end of your interview, FSD will conclude whether you are fit for the program and whether you need additional language training (when applicable). If your application is declined, you will receive a full refund of your deposit. If accepted, you'll be emailed a final confirmation from your Country Director within 1-2 weeks.

You will also receive a Pre-Departure Information Packet - to support your logistical, physical, mental, and emotional preparation for the program. From this point forward, you will be in contact with both the San Francisco Headquarters as well as the International Staff.

Contribution Payment: April 1st. The full Program Fee is due on April 1st, unless otherwise agreed upon between FSD and a Funding Institution. Participants that apply after April 1st will be assigned a payment date after a placement has been secured. For those individuals who intend to fundraise to fund their participation, all contributions from family and friends towards your Program Fees are tax deductible.

Flights and Vaccinations: April. FSD will advise you of the preferred group flight for arrival and departure. It is then your responsibility to make travel arrangements to arrive on (or around the same time as) the group flight. You are responsible for advising FSD of your travel details and for confirming that you have received all necessary vaccinations and taken the appropriate medical preparations.

Host Family Information and Insurance: 2-3 Weeks Prior to Arrival. FSD will send you information about your host family, as well as your electronic proof of insurance card. In some cases FSD may provide you with contact information for your host organization, to facilitate pre-arrival e-mail discussions of your work plan and preparation.

Pre-Arrival Check In: One Week Prior to Arrival. We recommend that you contact the San Francisco office to confirm flight information and to address any of your last-minute questions or concerns.

Next Steps:

1. Get Excited: Search for internship opportunities by country, region, or focus area.

2. Learn More: Talk to past FSD Interns. Contact FSD for the names and contact information of past participants who live in your area, or who worked with the organization you are interested in.

3. Do Your Research: Research funding and opportunities for academic credit. Assess the resources available to support your participation in the FSD Internship Program. Contact the Office of Career Services, Financial Aid Office, Academic Departments, and research programs at your University to find out about fellowships or scholarships you could use towards your participation. Ask FSD about funding opportunities at your University. If you are not currently a student, visit the Foundation Center in your area to research Fellowships and Grants for individuals. If you plan to fundraise among family and friends, start early, and check out FSD's resource packet.

4. Apply: Go to the application page and download the Summer Internship Program Application.