International Resident Assistant (“IRA”) in Mexico (Fellow), Fellowship Job Description for 2026-2027
Summary of Job Description: The purpose of this one-year stipended fellowship is to help foster a healthy living/learning environment for semester students and participants in short-term educational seminars and to assist with the operation and promotion of CGEE-educational programs in Mexico. The primary responsibilities of the fellow are to assist study abroad students (mostly coming from the U.S.A.) with medical and emotional issues and to help them develop intercultural and global competencies, as well as to assist in the operation of all educational programs. The IRA will also be expected to help produce social media content that can help promote these programs.
Length and dates of this stipend fellowship position: *August 15, 2026 – August 20, 2027 (*The starting and ending dates are slightly flexible.)
Stipend & Other Benefits
This is a one-year academic fellowship that provides:
- a monthly stipend of US $700
- room, board, health insurance in Mexico (approximate value of US $1,000/month),
- airfare to and from the United States,
- educational opportunities, including setting your learning goals related to intercultural and international education and receiving support in accomplishing those goals.
- 10 days of vacation (to be taken after the semester ends in December), plus Mexican federal holidays.
Given that this is a fellowship intended to benefit a recent college graduate who is seeking hands-on experience working in international education, these benefits are appropriate within the Mexican context, when you consider the benefits of room, board, health insurance and travel in addition to the monthly monetary stipend.
Application Deadline: March 15, 2026
International Resident Assistant (“IRA”) Responsibilities
Full job description and qualifications can be found here.
Brief description of duties is below, we encourage you to read the full description and qualifications if you are interested in applying.
Resident Assistant (R.A.) Responsibilities
- Live-In Support & Health Coordination: Reside at “Casa Augsburg” to serve as the primary on-call first responder, managing emergency assistance, medical appointments, insurance claims, and the semester-long on-call schedule to ensure student safety.
- Housing Operations & Logistics: Oversee the complete arrival and living experience, including coordinating flight pickups, managing roommate assignments and dietary needs, preparing the facility, and leading housing and safety orientations.
- Community Building & Engagement: Foster a positive living-learning environment by conducting individual student check-ins, maintaining communication channels, and organizing community meetings, social events, and cultural excursions.
Connect Students to the Broader Community
- Help plan and facilitate orientation activities to help students get to know Cuernavaca.
- Inform students of social, cultural, political, & other events in Cuernavaca and the surrounding area. It is recommended that the International Resident Assistant organize a bulletin board with updated information about opportunities to go to events and get involved in the local community.
Assist with Diversity and Intercultural/Global Education and Community-Building
- Assist the faculty with the design, facilitation, and debriefing of some classes that focus on intercultural and global competencies.
- Co-coordinate the intercultural exchange with IHouse students as an integral part of the program.
- Plan and facilitate or co-facilitate group activities &/or meetings with the students to help build trust among the students and to address issues of concern to the group. These issues usually include concerns about racism, classism, sexism, heterosexism, ableism, religious discrimination, etc.)
- Spend time with students and other program participants to support them as they process their intercultural learning experience.
- Help students find appropriate ways to manage conflicts that emerge within the group. This may mean organizing and/or facilitating or arranging a session on conflict management and helping mediate when necessary.
Academic Program Responsibilities
- Assist all professors with educational materials and classroom and guest speaker/excursion set-up related to their classes, and communicate with them regarding the weekly gmail calendars.
- Coordinate the rental and sale of books that students need for their courses.
- Communicate regularly with the adjunct and/or visiting professors about their classes, guest speakers, and excursions, and provide logistical support to them. Assist instructors and program coordinators in planning, set-up, operation, and evaluation of the semester programs.
- Oversee the ongoing confirmation, updating, printing, and distribution of weekly program calendars with students, staff, host families, and any others who need them.
- Provide interpreting support from Spanish to English (and vice versa) in very informal, small group settings as needed. (Training and support provided for those interested in learning this skill.)
Administrative Responsibilities
- Coordinate and follow-up with the insurance company regarding claims for students and our program.
- Perform regular administrative tasks such as checking e-mail, filing, running errands, maintaining computer databases, shelving books in the library, managing WhatsApp groups, and assisting with other projects.
- Help the Office Manager & Homestay Coordinator & others to organize activities with host families & others, as asked.
- Manage finances needed for student activities and file a monthly finance report by the last working day of each month.
- Coordinate and pay guest speakers, drivers, meals, and entrance fees, as needed.
- Attend staff meetings.
- Edit and update the IRA training manual for future IRAs and help prepare and facilitate their orientation.
Marketing Responsibilities
- Assist with recruiting students and short-term customized program participants by taking & submitting digital photos with short captions explaining them to help document each of the major components of the program, such as guest speakers and excursions, rural seminars and the seminar in Mexico City, homestays (both rural and urban), travel to other areas of Mexico, etc.
- Assist with the creation and maintenance of social media posts in coordination with the Minneapolis and other Mexico faculty/staff members, including TikTok, Facebook, and Instagram.
Qualifications/Requirements
- Demonstrated commitment to the mission and goals of Augsburg CGEE, including our educational philosophy and our commitment to intercultural and global education, social justice and anti-oppression work.
- Experience in international and multicultural settings, as well as deep knowledge of intercultural issues and group dynamics.
- Experience and/or knowledge of at least one of the program areas we address, such as globalization, migration, language and culture, religion, the environment, education, and/or social work. BSW graduates are encouraged to apply.
- Ability to multitask.
- Strong knowledge of both Spanish and English. Strong speaking ability of both English and Spanish is necessary. Fluency is preferred, along with experience with at least basic interpreting from Spanish-English and vice versa.
- Initiative, flexibility, leadership, and strong intercultural and interpersonal communication skills.
- Experience with taking photos and social media is preferred.
- Resident advisor experience or equivalent community-based living experience is preferred.
- Basic computer and organizational skills, as well as attention to detail.
- Experience in group facilitation, particularly of intercultural and/or diversity issues, preferred.
- Experience living in both the United States and Mexico is preferred.
- Preference given to alumni of Augsburg CGEE semester programs or similar study abroad programs in Latin America.
Application Instructions
Applicants should complete this google form and MUST submit the following documents:
- Resume
- A Cover Letter
- Three Professional References*
*When listing reference information, please use professional references (including one past or present supervisor).
Submit applications by March 15, 2026: Complete this google form where you will answer a few brief questions, and upload your resume, cover letter, and professional references. If you have any issues accessing or uploading your documents, please email globaled@augsburg.edu. Be sure to write “(Name) IRA Mexico Fellow Position” in the subject heading of your email.
Augsburg University is an Affirmative Action/Equal Opportunity Employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, creed, religion, gender, age, national origin, familial status, disability, veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, marital status or public assistance status.
More About Us
About Augsburg University: Augsburg University offers more than 50 undergraduate majors and nine graduate degrees to more than 3,500 students of diverse backgrounds. The trademark of an Augsburg education is its emphasis on direct, personal experience. Guided by the faith and values of the Lutheran church, Augsburg educates students to be informed citizens, thoughtful stewards, critical thinkers, and responsible leaders.
About Augsburg CGEE: Founded in 1982, the mission of the Center for Global Education and Experience (CGEE) at Augsburg University is to “provide cross-cultural educational opportunities in order to foster critical analysis of local and global conditions so that personal and systemic change occurs, leading to a more just and sustainable world.” The Cuernavaca, Mexico site offers three semester-long study abroad programs:
- Communication and Media Studies: Migration and Social Change in Mexico (Fall)
- Liberal Arts, Migration and Social Change (Fall and Spring)
- Social Work in a Latin American Context (Spring)
In addition, we offer four 3-week summer sessions focusing on Spanish language and social change, as well as a summer program for pre-med and other health care students. We also facilitate numerous short-term programs (1-2 weeks) throughout the year. See www.augsburg.edu/global/ for more information about program and course offerings.