GVI: Short Term Internships in India

Visit Site

Apply Now

Video and Photos

View All Photos

About

In Kerala, improve your CV and future job opportunities by addressing economic and gender disparities in India through community development projects. These include; supporting workshops that encourage men and boys to talk about gender issues, assisting with the improvement of girls literacy skills, contributing to the English language skills of local youth, and assisting children and adults in self-care WASH (water, sanitation, and hygiene) routines.

GVI measures all impact against the 17 UN Sustainable Development Goals (UN SDGs), and has a strict Child and Vulnerable Adult Protection Policy in place to ensure ethical best practices.

In your free time, take a boat cruise along Kerala’s beautifully scenic backwaters, made up of a network of rivers, lagoons, and lakes. With palm-lined jungle greenery, and an ever-changing horizon, it is a peaceful and inspiring sight to behold.

Highlights

Develop cross-cultural skills and become a global citizen with a greater perspective and understanding of social and environmental issues around the world.
Gain practical skills in health education, conducting workshops for economic growth, and teaching. You will learn how to facilitate and create lesson plans, while also having the opportunity to start learning a different language.
Contribute directly to the 17 UN SDGs, and learn about volunteering ethically and sustainably.
Meet people from around the world with various cultural backgrounds, and connect with local community members.
Develop skills in your chosen career path, and improve your future job opportunities with hands-on experience.

GVI has a Community Development Internship in Thailand!

This is an opportunity to learn more about Chiang Mai's local Karen hill tribe culture, gaining intercultural communication skills and valuable teaching experience.

Learn More

Popular Programs

Interns leading a group of children in exercises in India

Health & Wellbeing Internship in India

Through ethical best practices, and GVI’s Child and Vulnerable Adult Protection Policy, you can provide valuable assistance to local teachers and educational programs. These programs include the development of resources for classes, and life-skills based, health awareness education initiatives that encourage youth development. This is also an opportunity to take language classes, explore the Keralan backwaters, meet other international participants and develop cross-cultural skills.

Women’s Empowerment Internship in India

Gain leadership skills as you reside in Kerala, a coastal state supporting a warm tropical climate. You will engage in education programs, health projects, and income initiatives to encourage equal access for women and young girls. This supports the UN Sustainable Development Goal 5: Gender Equality, and Goal 4: Quality Education.

Questions & Answers

Reviews

100%

based on 3 reviews

Leave a Review

Intern

Growth 9.7
Support 10
Fun 9.7
Housing 9
Safety 9.7

Showing 1 - 3 of 3

In the summer of 2016 I spent six weeks with GVI working in Kerala, India. We had three different service projects: teaching computer skills to women's self-help groups, working at a relief settlement, and teaching a gender equality class to middle school aged children. Each of these projects taught me something different, presented new challenges, and helped me to see the beauty of the place that I was in. This program helped me to escape my comfort zone, showed me that I love working with people and taught me a lot about responsible community engagement. GVI itself is an incredible program. They really emphasize sustainable community development by asking and providing what the community needs and wants. The different projects change with each group that comes in, so if you participate in this program you probably won't do the exact same thing as I did!
The program also provides plenty of opportunity for personal learning - through discussions of culture, history, and language - and personal and group reflection. The accommodations, food, and excursions were incredible and really make the trip an unforgettable experience. I would highly recommend this experience to anyone looking to broaden their cultural and personal horizons.

What was the most nerve-racking moment and how did you overcome it?

The most nerve racking thing on this trip was the first couple volunteering days when we didn't really know what to expect, yet had to communicate with the participants in our projects without being able to speak the same language, especially at the relief settlement. We quickly had to learn to use non-verbal communication to understand and effectively volunteer with the people. This was outside of my comfort zone because it meant we had to really let go of our inhibitions; however, it ended up becoming one of the biggest growth experiences for me on the trip.

A hike on one of our weekend excursions in the tea fields

Volunteering at the Relief settlement and playing hand games with one of the men there

I was only a participant for 2 weeks but in those 2 weeks I was able to experience and accomplish so much. I instantly fell in love with the culture of India and felt so at home on the GVI base. Participating in the construction program really allowed me to feel fulfilled and ready to do more, even though it was hard work, seeing the finished project and knowing that it would be sustained by the local community, made all the pain, exhaustion and sweat worth it. The worst part of this experience is actually when it comes time to leave, I definitely did not want to and I miss all the volunteers I was able to meet and share life with for 2 weeks. The upside is now I have even more opportunities to continue volunteering with GVI and know that I will always be welcomed back to Kerala.

As someone who has not done this type of adventure before, I was quite hesitant to sign up. My concerns were quickly put to rest by the amazing staff team here. I have felt safe my entire trip and the local area is spectacular. The project cites are amazing and I feel as if as well as having a good time I have made a difference during my time here.Teaching each day is hard work, but seeing the students starting to grasp the concepts we were teaching was very rewarding. This opportunity has allowed me to grow and has changed some of my perspectives. This has been an adventure I will always remember.

Staff Interviews

These are in-depth Q&A sessions with program leaders.

What is your favorite travel memory?

Arriving after an arduous 14-hour drive onto the Pristine White beaches on Ponta Milibangalala. Seemingly untouched by man and no one except your travel group around for miles.

What do you believe to be the biggest factor in being a successful company?

A company needs a passion for what they are hoping to achieve, and not just from Senior Management but from all the staff involved. This way everyone is working towards a common goal.

How have you changed/grown since working for your current company?

I have become more of a team player. I have started working better with others and focusing on helping complete each other's tasks rather than an individual worker.

What unique qualities does your company possess?

Every company tries to create a bond between its' colleagues. I believe my company has done just that.

Describe a time when you felt especially proud to be part of your current team.

When I first started, I was introduced to a daily catch up with all the staff in the office. And I was especially happy when I learned that at the end of the meeting, there is a "Thank you" section, and every day there were people thanking each other for sometimes maybe the smallest thing, but just the level of appreciation for everyone was really amazing.

About GVI

Founded in 1998, GVI runs programs in various countries around the world, each manned by our own staff and aligned to the 17 United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (UN SDGs), as well as the objectives of local partners. We welcome participants from all around the world and help facilitate their development into global citizens. Our commitment...

Learn more →