About the Organization

Students Helping Street Kids International (SHSKI), a non-profit and Oregon-based organization, uses fund raising and educational activities to connects U.S. 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.

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 and be flexible to respond to shifting needs within the MPC.

# of Positions per term

2

Start Dates

Beginning of Any Academic Term

Duration of Internship

3 or 6 Months (6 Months Preferred)

Academic Background

ESL, Education, English, Linguistics, Social Work 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 (ABA) in Recife.

Language Ability

No prior Portuguese is required but is desireable.Three or more years of university level Spanish or Italian, are highly preferred to facilitate learning Portuguese and to manage daily living activities. All interns are encouraged to take 2-4 weeks of intensive Portuguese language in Brazil prior to the start of the internship.

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.

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	$1000-$2200
Visa Fees	$250
Recommended Immunizations

*See Additional Cost Information below.

Estimated Monthly Expenses

Expense Type	Price/month
Housing	$350
Food	$100
Local Transportation	$50
Recreation	$50
Personal Expenses	$50

Compensation

Lunches and bus passes are provided by MPC

Additional Expense Information

U.S. citizens travelling to Brazil are required to obtain a visa. Visa applications must be submitted in person at the Consulate in San Francisco or submitted by a duly authorized third party. Brazilian visa information. It is possible to arrange to live with a homestay family in Recife.

Intensive Portuguese language classes can be arranged.

Link to inexpensive airfares to Recife

SHSKI Website

Read Previous Intern Reports:

N. Castro

Another Report

General Information on Recife

Tourist Information on Recife