Internships in Mexico
CGE-Mexico offers part-time internships for academic credit within the context of our semester programs, or full-time internships for one of the following periods of time: 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.
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 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 placement 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.
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.
Internship Examples
In the past, students have interned with educational programs, health care entities, indigenous rights groups, and women's organizations..For example, interns have worked at a private secular school, assisting with the library. The student also had the opportunity to observe board meetings, through which she learned about the busines and philosophical aspects of running a school.
Other students completed an internship with a local organization that conducts education about HIV/AIDs and promotes LGBTQ rights. These interns assisted with educational workshops and event management and were able to contribute articles to the magazine Queernavaca.
Former students have also been able to conduct internships in an international firm that provides consulting in the areas of development finance and corporate social responsibility. These students assisted with projects such as client research and marketing plan development.
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
Those interested in the part-time internships for academic credit must first be accepted to a semester or summer program, and fill out the Internship Application Form.
For questions or more information on CGE-Mexico internships, email Antonio Ortega at ortega@augsburg.edu.
