Internships Details

About the Organization

CASA is a nonprofit organization that has been serving the poor, particularly adolescents and rural women, through health, social service and environmental outreach programs since 1981. Today CASA offers: a Community Center for young people, a maternity hospital and family health clinic, a midwifery program that includes Mexico's only government-accredited school of midwifery, child development center and daycare, a library that offers collections for children and adults, computers, videos, cultural events and classes, and a counseling and anti-violence program. Programs include: Rural Outreach Health Education, Advocacy and Civic Participation Training, Sex Education, Theater Troupe, and a Youth Radio Program. CASA welcomes interns; the staff and health educators are always eager to meet new interns and offer ideas for projects.

Job Description

Programs include: Rural Outreach Health Education, Advocacy and Civic Participation Training, Sex Education, Theater Troupe, and a Youth Radio Program. Interns may work in any one of the above programs or the administrative office, where they may assist the development department or the accounting department. There is also a childcare center and a library where interns could work. Interns must be very independent, be flexible and be there to learn and help. It is preferred if interns have an idea of a project prior to arrival, but C.A.S.A. is flexible in helping interns develop projects. Interns will receive firsthand experience in how a community-based reproductive health organization operates, including its advocacy, educational, medical, organizational development, and community outreach components.

# of Positions per term

1-2

Start Dates

Beginning of any academic term

Duration of Internship

10 weeks or longer

Qualifications

Academic Background

Public health and those interested in public health issues, education, communications, women's studies, reproductive health, early childhood education, psychology, environmental studies, computer science, Latin American Studies, non-profit management, public policy, public relations, accounting, library science or social work.

Skills/Experience

A lot of walking in rural areas is required in the "campo" with the "promotores." Previous study or experience abroad, preferably in Latin America.

Language Ability

The more Spanish, the better, preferably completion of fourth-year university level.

Other Requirements

Previous study/experience abroad, preferably in Latin America. CASA will ask for an essay written in Spanish and a phone interview in Spanish. After applying through IE3 Global Internships, an additional application is required by CASA, available through the IE3 Latin America Director. Applicants should be mature, self-motivated, emotionally strong and open to learning by watching and doing.

In addition to the IE3 Global Internships application, please fill out and submit to IE3 "the C.A.S.A. application": InternApplicationJuly_2009.doc

Internship Costs

Total costs vary depending on how long you plan to be abroad, where you will be living, your personal spending habits, and current exchange rates. The following estimates will give you a ballpark figure for this internship. Get help with the math from our handy Cost Calculator.

IE₃ Program Fee

The program fee* for the first term of any internship is $2950 - $3150. You do not pay tuition in addition to the program fee. Visit your University's IE₃ page for details, costs for additional terms, and campus administrative fees.

*The program fee noted above reflects the anticipated fee increase that will go into effect for the Fall 2010 term and will apply to all terms thereafter.

Estimated One-Time Expenses

Expense Type	Price
International Travel	$600-$800
Visa Fees
Recommended Immunizations

*See Additional Cost Information below.

Estimated Monthly Expenses

Expense Type	Price/month
Housing	$400-$600
Food	$150
Local Transportation	$50
Recreation	$50
Personal Expenses	$50

Compensation

None.

Additional Expense Information

Air fare is approximately $500-$700 round trip to Mexico City; then you ened to take a 4-hour bus to San Miguel de Allende (about $40). It is more expensive but safer to fly into Leon or Queretero airport and take a van to San Miguel de Allende.

Budget approximately $300 per month for food, incidentals, recreation. It is possible to rent a 1-bedroom apartment for $400-$600/mo. This is not covered nor arranged by the employer.

Additional Information

C.A.S.A. is located in a beautiful facility in a working class neighborhood of San Miguel de Allende, a short walk from the historic town center. Within San Miguel interns will have easy access to art and music, along with historical sights. The Charco botanical garden has great views of town along with educational materials about the indigenous culture and local vegetation. As with most Mexico San Miguel has great celebrations, parades and processions on holidays and saints days. It is a short trip to both Dolores Hidalgo the birthplace of the revolution and the University town of Guanajuato also with great historical sights.

Read a previous intern's report:

Mallory

Check out the following websites: CASA organization, CASA internships

Article about CASA (2008): AtencionArticleCASA_Hospital

"What we do at CASA" (December 2006) CASA

Information on San Miguel de Allende