Institute of International Education
Mexico City, Mexico
Mexico-015

Internship Description

About the Organization:
The Institute of International Education, the largest U.S. higher educational exchange agency, designs and administers almost 300 international exchange, training, and technical assistance programs on behalf of the U.S. and foreign governments, corporations, foundations, universities and international organizations. The Institute also facilitates exchange through IIE's headquarters are located in New York. IIE also has regional offices in Chicago, Denver, Houston and San Francisco and Washington, D.C.; and international offices in Bangkok, Budapest, Jakarta, Mexico City, and Vietnam, statistical and policy research, reference books and information services offered through U.S. and overseas educational advising centers.

The IIE-Office for Latin America is the educational advising center for the U.S. Embassy in Mexico City, answering more than 40,000 requests for information per year on study in the United States. IIE also serves as the base for the Regional Educational Advising Coordinator for educational counseling centers in Mexico, Central America and Caribbean. IIE-Mexico hosts the largest of three computer-based testing centers in Mexico, which administer exams such as the Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL), the GRE and GMAT, among others. IIE also works with a number of foundations to administers various scholarship programs such as a graduate fellowship program sponsored by the Ford Foundations. IIE maintains close ties with the U.S. Embassy and Mexican and U.S. academic institutions and government agencies related to education.

Local Activities:
Mexico City is a large metropolis of over 20 million inhabitants. It is the business, financial and cultural center of Mexico.

The IIE center is located inside the Benjamin Franklin Library of the US Trade Center, a U.S. government building. Security paperwork is required prior to the start of the internship. The building is located in the relatively safe Colonia Juarez and is very secure. Interns work a full-time schedule 8:30-5:30 M-F, with official Mexican and US holidays off.

Job Description:

The office seeks candidates for the internship program in two separate administrative offices within IIE/Latin America: the Scholarship Division and the Educational Advising Division.

Scholarship Division
IIE administers scholarship programs funded by the Ford, Goldman Sachs, and General Electric foundations in Mexico and Brazil. Intern responsibilities include assistance in promotional activities, communication with universities and with Mexican students, response to requests for information, and management of on-line applications and Access databases. In addition, interns are involved in program development initiatives that include research, proposal writing and budget preparation. This program is open to students from U.S. universities who have either recently graduated (with an undergraduate degree), or are enrolled in a graduate program. No specific field of study is required.

Educational Advising Division
IIE/Latin America works closely with the U.S. Department of State, Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs and with other offices of the US Embassy in Mexico, in administering the largest U.S. State Department-supported EducationUSA center in Latin America, promoting U.S. higher education by offering comprehensive and objective guidance to qualified individuals on how best to access educational opportunities in the United States. Intern responsibilities include advising the general public on U.S. education, conducting presentations to groups of students, conducting research, editing the monthly newsletter, planning outreach activities, and assisting the Regional Educational Advising Coordinator in program activities with Advisers. This program is open to students who have completed at least three years of undergraduate education at a U.S. university, or have recently graduated (with an undergraduate degree) or are enrolled in a graduate program. No specific field of study is required.

Intern will complete a mid-term and final self-evaluation of performance, followed by a review with supervisor.



Additional Information:

IIE internship website

Previous intern's final report (Lisa) and slideshow. Final report (Megan).



Start Date:
Fall Session (early September to mid-December)
Spring Session (mid-January to mid-May)
Summer Session (mid-June to late-August)

Duration:
3-6 months; 6 months preferred.

Number of Positions:

varies

This is a competitive internship - it is recommended that students compete the application and on-campus interview by the IE3 Global Internships application deadline.

Students are generally notified of placement by the following dates:
Fall Session -July 15
Winter/Spring Session - November 15
Summer Session - April 15

Intern Qualifications

Academic Background:
Open to all majors; undergraduate & graduate students who desire to work in international education or work with the U.S. Department of State. Preference given to students who have completed their undergraduate degree.

Skills/Experience:
Previous study or experience abroad strongly preferred. The ability to adapt to and benefit from a new cultural experience. Demonstrated interest in international education and Latin America. General knowledge of Mexican history and culture.

Intermediate skills in software applications (Word, Excel, Powerpoint) required. Intermediate skills in Outlook and Access software applications, and writing HTML code preferred.

The ability to work in a small team. Personal maturity. Self-direction. Professional experience in a public service office, preferably working with high school or college students.

Language Requirement:
Proficiency in Spanish equal to end of third-year university level. The ability to communicate competently in both English and Spanish. Strong writing skills in English.  

Other Requirements:

Interest in interaction with the public. Self -direction is essential.  IIE will provide training for assigned duties. IIE will conduct a phone interview in Spanish with any serious candidates. Dress code is professional and conservative.

IE3 Application should include:

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:
Stipend of $500 a month.

Accommodation:
None provided, but some assistance given in finding appropriate housing. Rent for a room in an apartment building runs approx. $300-$400 per month. IIE can arrange a hotel reservation nearby for the first few days until the intern finds housing (cost $40/night). Look for housing on craigslist or segundamano or CompartoDepa in the neighborhoods of Condesa, Roma, or Roma Norte.

International Travel:
Approximately $600 round-trip airfare to Mexico City.

Cost of Living:
Living in Mexico City costs between $600-$800 a month, of which $500 is covered by the above stipend. Student should budget additional funds for weekend travel.

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:4/15/08