Internship Description

About the Organization:
Students Helping Street Kids International (SHSKI), a non-profit and Oregon-based organization, uses fund raising and educational activities to connects US students from kindergarten through university level with individual street children abroad and enables them to witness the children's progress throughout their education. Funds raised are used in the form of educational scholarships allowing needy children in developing countries to attend school in their own countries. The program fosters cross-cultural exchange, social awareness, partnering with local businesses, and community service.

Local Activities:
In Recife, SHSKI provides children at risk with scholarships and general support from interns and volunteers working through the Brazilian non-profit Movimiento Pró-Criança (MPC). This organization provides students and families access to community centers and pre-professional arts and music studios. MPC also provides basic educational access to the students in litrerature, English, computer science and vocational classes. In addition, the students are offered psychological and medical attention, and caring adult attention and mentoring.

Job Description:
 SHSKI interns work primarily as English teachers within MPC, helping to develop teaching methods and materials that will engage the students. As interns' language skills improve, there are opportunities to enrich these lessons with geography, international relations and politics, health , math, computer science, arts, etc.

Interns will normally be assigned to work at three different centers. The smaller center at Recife Antigo has some 64 students. Typically, the intern will work with a class of some 20 adolescents between the ages of 14-15, and focus on basic English. The intern may also have an adult course focusing on grammar and advanced converation, for which there is a workbook and audio CD. At the larger center at Coelhos, there are 720 children ages 7-16. Interns there will also typically work with a class of about 20 students with ages between 10 and 13 years. At the third Center-Piedade- there are 370 children.

Depending on interns' skills, experience and language ability, they generally teach 4-5 classes per week, each class being one and a half hours. Preparation generally requires more time since tailored materials are scarce. Supplemental involvement with the children at the centers is encouraged. Interns with more advanced ESL training and experience and language skills can expect more hours.

There are some materials but students may not have had an opportunity to regularly follow an established curriculum. Intern needs to be able to create an approach adapted to the varying needs and backgrounds of the students., as well as be flexible to respond to shifting needs within the MPC.

Additional Information:
www.helpthekids.org
Read a previous intern's final report and another one

Start Date:
Beginning of any academic term

Duration:
3 or 6 months (6 months is preferred)

Number of Positions:
2

Intern Qualifications

Academic Background:
ESL, Education, English, Linguistics, and related majors

Skills/Experience:
Some teaching experience required. Preference given to applicants with ESL training/experience. Note that, upon arrival, interns will receive two one-day ESL workshops from the American-Brazilian Association in Recife..

Language Requirement:
No prior Portuguese is required but is desireable.Three or more years of university level Spanish or Italian, are highly prefered to facilitate learning Portuguese and to manage daily living activities. All interns are encouraged to take 2-4 weeks of intensive language training, including a home stay, in Brazil just prior to starting the intenrship work. We will help you arrange that.

Other Requirements:
Interns need to be open minded, flexible, willing to make adjustments to live with a host family, and willing to work in difficult conditions. They need to feel confident that they can adjust not only to a new language and living situation, but to sometimes chaotic and stressful situations in the classroom, and to conditions within MPC that sometimes reflect poor communications, weak scheduling and resource shortages. Interns must also be prepared to deal with poverty and crime affecting the city. How to get by safely and to not have items stolen is part of the orientation interns receive by the program coordinator upon arrival. It should be said that, despite these issues and realities, interns tend to thrive and operate safely during their stay.

Internship Costs

Program Fees:
The program fee includes tuition, internship site development and placement, pre-departure orientation, international health insurance, internship monitoring and follow-up.
Click here for application information, including the program fee, for your school.
Note: The program fee does not include airfare, housing, living expenses or any other estimated costs noted below.


Note:
Any financial or in-kind support provided by the host organization is explicitly indicated.

Compensation:
None. Lunches and bus passes are provided by MPC.

Accommodation:
Homestays can be arranged that provide safe and suitable room and board with a selected and oriented family. The cost is $300+ per month, depending on the exchange rate. The resident IE3 program representative will help make these arrangements and provide orientation, introductions, and back-up support as needed.

International Travel:
$1000-$1200 RT airfare

Cost of Living:
Intern will need $400-$500 per month, depending on housing arrangements and personal spending preferences. The initial intensive language training and related home stay, including 2 meals per day, will be in the neighborhood of $400 per week.

Budget Note:
Applicants should use these estimates for preliminary budgeting purposes.
IE3 will issue an official budget after acceptance by the host organization.

Application Information

Academic Credit:
Up to 12 credits available as per arrangement with supervising department.

Application Materials:
IE3 is a program of the Oregon University System.
Students from participating partner universities are also eligible to apply.
Click here for application information and select your school from the list.

Created/Revised: 3/09/06