MORE CULTURE. LESS SHOCK. Programs, Internships and Volunteer Opportunities
Chilean Universities Program, Valparaíso Study Abroad Internship Print E-mail
Required GPA:
Length of internship:
Credits:
Program advisor:
3.0 (4.0 scale)
One semester
3 U.S. semester credit hours
Ashley Anderson

The Internship in Community Action will be carried out in the work centers of the Community Action Workshop (Taller de Acción Comunitaria or TAC). TAC is an NGO founded in 1989 and encompasses a broad spectrum of volunteer opportunities.

During the semester, selected students will intern for 30 hours in one of the TAC work sites, as well as complete 15 contact hours with the academic director for IFSA-Butler in Valparaíso. Students will submit written reports in Spanish about the tasks and projects they complete, along with any other significant experiences accompanied by descriptive efforts and analysis of them (nature, frequency, etc.). The internship will be certified by the Universidad Técnica Federico Santa María and is worth 3 U.S. semester credit hours. Participation in all internship activities is mandatory.

Through the internship, students will have the opportunity to work in schools in underprivileged areas of the city, some of which are schools for students with developmental disabilities. There are many different opportunities for students to get involved with local schools, working with preschool through high school students. According to the participant's availability and the schedule he/she is able to negotiate with the school, he/she can participate in activities in the classroom during the school day or participate in after-school programs for students.

Past participants have developed and presented workshops for students on topics such as personal health, recycling, and the environment among other topics. Other students have organized and implemented recreational activities for students, and others have helped students and teachers in the maintenance of a school garden.

Objectives
• To understand and analyze the social and cultural reality of different social sectors, exploring root causes and the impact that community service makes.
• To understand the importance of community action in overcoming economic, social and/or cultural problems that the community and individuals face and the general improvement of living conditions.
• To improve writing and speaking skills in Spanish.

Selection Process
1. Personal interview with the academic director 
2. Visit and interview with TAC
3. Selection of five students

You will have the opportunity to apply for the internship during IFSA-Butler's orientation. In the event that more than five students sign up, participants will be selected based on evaluations by TAC and our academic director.

Evaluation
Report on readings (minimum 10 pages) 30%
Report on internship experience (5-10 pages) 30%
Final research paper on internship experience (minimum 15 pages) 40%

 
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