IMPORTANT NOTE: Due to the extended shutdown of the Simplicity website, which contains the "Tunnel" database, the Application Deadline for the Initiative for Service Internships in International Development has been extended until Monday, February 13 at 5:00 pm.

Purpose: Carleton College gratefully acknowledges its establishment of The Initiative for Service Internships in International Development. The Initiative was established in 2003 with a gift from Stephen R. West '53 and his wife Phyllis M. West in honor of the members of the Class of 1953 at its Fiftieth Reunion. Read more about the internship in this Inside Carleton article.

This initiative awards grants to support internships for Carleton students who perform volunteer service through NGO's or already established programs in the areas of international community development, including credit and business cooperatives, public wellness and treatment, literacy and education, and other public services in developing countries. The internships will provide Carleton students with valuable experiences outside the classroom, which may motivate them to consider careers in international service.

Funding: The grants may cover expenses such as application fees, program fees, transportation to and from the site, lodging and meals during the internships for a total grant not to exceed $5,000. A stipend to cover partial lost wages from a summer job ($2,000 maximum) may be available for students on need-based financial aid.  Together, internship costs plus lost summer wages cannot exceed the $5000 limit. Award amount will be at the discretion of the selection committee.

Eligibility:

• Grants are intended for students to fund internships during summer break. The internship duration must be a minimum of 8 (eight) weeks.
• Non-senior students in any discipline are eligible.  Seniors are not eligible.
• All applicants must be in good academic standing.
• Recipients will not receive academic credit nor conduct research.
• International students are eligible but must see Luyen Phan, Associate Director of Intercultural and International Life, prior to applying to discuss visa requirements and/or restrictions.
• Recipients are required to attend a Health and Safety meeting following award notification.  2012 dates TBA.

Selection Criteria: Grants will be competitively awarded based on a review of all application materials.  Award recipients will be determined by a selection committee of Carleton faculty and staff.

Successful Proposals:

• provide evidence of how a community will be impacted by the project 
• students are able to show sufficient self-knowledge to be successful in a developing country
• consider cost-effectiveness and how funds are utilized to impact a community

Application Process: Students must first apply (in the fall or winter term) to the organizations sponsoring the service internship. This process needs to start early since these programs can fill up, have long lead times, or an extensive application process. Once a student is accepted into an internship which meets the criteria above, applicants should submit one copy of their proposal through the "Tunnel." 

Note: Application information will appear in the "Tunnel" as a job, listed under Carleton Career Center as the employer and 2012 Initiative for Service Internships in International Development Application as the position title. 

Submit the application packet through the "Tunnel" by 5:30 PM on February 10^th, 2012. **Remember, the required documents must be uploaded in the document area of your "Tunnel" account before you will be able to apply.  

A proposal includes the following:

• Career Center Funded Programs Cover Sheet (form can also be downloaded from the document library in the Tunnel).
• Personal Statement (no more than 1000 words) exploring your qualifications for undertaking this work and the relationship of the internship to community development and your future goals. Include a description of previous experience abroad, service experience and language skills.
• Résumé
• A copy of the Confirmation Letter of your internship from the organization
• Unofficial transcript (request electronic copy through the HUB)
• Budget Worksheet (form can also be downloaded from the document library in the Tunnel).
• Letter of Recommendation from faculty member (DOES NOT HAVE TO BE UPLOADED INTO THE TUNNEL). Hard copy of letter must be received in the Career Center by 2/10/12. 

(Note:  It is your responsibility to ask a faculty member for a letter of recommendation. Please give the recommender a copy of your application materials and provide them with 30 days notice. If the recommender is not able to meet the deadline, please ask someone else.  It is your responsibility to see that the recommendation is received by the deadline.)     

Contact: Brian Murphy at the Career Center at 507-222-4446 or bmurphy@carleton.edu with any questions.