Internships in Mexico

CGE- Mexico offers part-time internships for academic credit (4 semester hours) within the context of one of our semester programs or full-time internships for one of the following periods of time: a J-term, summer, semester, or year. Full-time internships can be completed for academic credit or not, depending upon the needs of the applicants, and are open to gap year students, recent college graduates, and graduate students, as well as undergraduate students. Individuals interested in both the part time and full-time internships must go through an application process in order to be considered for a placement.

All placements are made with agencies that have expressed a need for and interest in receiving a student. In addition to meeting the professional and personal needs of the students, internships are designed to foster a reciprocal relationship between with the student, the organization and CGE as an institution. We strive to maintain socially responsible internships where both the student’s and organization’s needs are met. Because of this, student applications will be assessed on a case-by-case basis. Decisions regarding whether or not the application will be accepted or rejected will depend upon the student’s Spanish level, her/his compatibility with a particular internship site, and the organization’s interest, needs, and capacity to accept an intern at that particular time.

By completing internships in Mexico, students will not only gain valuable experience working in a Mexican organization but will also learn about cultural issues, organizational analysis and personal and professional development through class discussions and/or one-on-one supervision with CGE professors. Internships are available in the following fields:

Business/Marketing – both large companies & small-medium businesses
Children/Youth
Environment
Education/Teaching
Human Rights
Health Care
Religion/Youth Ministry/Youth & Family Ministry
Reproductive Rights/Sexual Education
Social Work – with children, the elderly, at risk populations, etc.
Tourism
Women’s Empowerment

Part-Time Internships for Academic Credit

The part-time internship for academic credit is a rigorous academic course for students who are already registered for a CGE-Mexico semester or summer program. It involves not only a minimum of 100 hours of work experience and/or participant observation in a Mexican organization but also participation in a fieldwork seminar. See Internship 399 course syllabus for a complete information. Application deadline is June 1 for the fall semester and December 15 for the spring semester.

Full-Time Internships

The full-time internship experience involves 35-40 hours a week of work experience and participant observation in a local placement in or around Cuernavaca. Applicants should be prepared to complete work that meets the needs of the local organizations as well as engage in reflection and analyze on the work they are doing, the role and function of the organization, and the culture at large. Interns will be expected to regularly meet with a CGE instructor/supervisor to discuss relevant issues at their site, as well as their personal and professional development. In addition, students will be encouraged to keep an on-going record of their experience through journals or other methods. Space permitting, full-time interns will also have the opportunity to participate in CGE-sponsored events and excursions that are scheduled during their time in Mexico.

Options for Full-time Internships

Application Process

Those interested in the full-time internships (year, semester, J-terms or summer) for academic credit must fill out the Full-Time Internship Application. This applications should be returned to Stephanie Barnes at stbarnes27@hotmail.com. A $250.00 deposit will be required upon acceptance. (See form for complete instructions and how to make payment of the deposit.)

Those interested in the part-time internships for academic credit must fill out the Internship Application Form for HIS/INS/POL/SPA/WST 399 and return it via email to Stephanie Barnes at stbarnes27@hotmail.com. See form for complete instructions.

For questions or more information on CGE-Mexico internships, email Stephanie Barnes at stbarnes27@hotmail.com.

What past internship supervisors have said about working with CGE interns

"It was a great experience for me. (The intern) helped with many things, really more than I expected him to. Not only am I happy with what he did at the organization but really with his spirit of collaboration. Even when I thought things were fine, (the intern) went beyond my expectations and gave a lot of himself."
– internship supervisor of an environmental NGO

"It is marvelous to know that there are schools that are interested in institutional collaboration, but it is even greater to know that there are women, independent of their nationalities, who continue to build bridges in order to make the world better."
– internship supervisor of an NGO working on sexual and reproductive rights.