Hosted by Foundation for Sustainable Development

Global Environmental Sustainability Internships with FSD

Location

Multiple Locations +6

Kenya
Uganda
India
Argentina
- Salta
Bolivia
- Cochabamba
Nicaragua

Industry

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Program Details

Timeframe

Fall Spring Summer Winter Year Round

Housing

Host Family

Language

English

Pricing

Starting Price

4500

Price Details

The program fee covers all the essential in-country costs of your program, including the following items: airport pickup & drop off, in-country orientation (cultural integration, health/safety, project management, sustainable community development principles), family homestay with all meals included, basic language lessons, continued education and reflection workshops, a midterm retreat, in-country support from FSD site team and U.S. staff, seed funding for project work, eligibility for additional project funding, medical evacuation and traveler's health insurance.

What's Included

Accommodation Meals SIM cards Some Activities Transportation Travel Insurance

Last Updated: Oct 15, 2017

Wish List

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About Program

Climate change affects communities around the world, Want to make a difference? Join Foundation for Sustainable Development (FSD) as an Environmental Sustainability Intern in one of FSD’s seven international sites in East Africa, India or Latin America. Interning with FSD provides a culturally immersive and professional experience where interns interact with, and learn from community members, all while helping to reach community-driven environmental goals--now, and in the time to come.

This program is no longer offered. View more programs from Foundation for Sustainable Development.

Video and Photos

Intern photographing seedlings in a greenhouse

Interns are matched with a host organization, learn about their priorities, and work with their host-colleagues to develop a project plan that aligns with the organization's mission and will advance efforts that are important to the community. Some interns may work on developing brand new projects, and others strengthen existing projects, but the focus remains on supporting local needs with local resources to ensure community ownership and long-term effectiveness. An equally important component of this program is that interns live with FSD host-families to foster community integration and cultural understanding.

Environmental degradation and poverty are intertwined. The poor are disproportionately affected by both climate change and environmental degradation, and poverty and environmental degradation share some root causes. This makes environmental sustainability a focus at all of FSD’s sites. FSD partners with over 50 community-based organizations engaged in environmental initiatives that respond to their community’s most pressing challenges including organic and sustainable agriculture, sustainable water management, forest regeneration, renewable energy, and biodiversity.

This position is best suited for someone who is conscious about environmental change and wants to impact the world in a positive way. Working in developing countries where resource access is limited will provide invaluable experience to interns as they improve their knowledge and develop their skill set in the field. Additionally, interns with FSD have the opportunity to put theories into practice and cultivate leadership abilities needed for a successful career in environmental issues.

Successful Candidates Should Be:

Students studying environmental or natural sciences, engineering, environmental chemistry, or related field of study
Motivated to work in rural areas and among underserved populations
Self-motivated, able to work independently and with little material resources
Culturally respectful, wants to learn more than teach
Curious, innovative, and quick learners
Resilient, open-minded, and hard-working
Creative and positive problem-solver, adaptable to challenging environments
Conversational Spanish for placements in Latin America

Examples of Past Environmental Sustainability Intern Projects:

Assisting professors who teach classes in the sustainable management of natural resources at the local university in Bolivia (Cochabamba).
Assisting in the preservation and sustainable use of land in Argentina (La Plata) via projects such as: cooperating with the local Department of Agriculture to recover traditional crops; supporting biodiversity and assisting local farmers.
Cultivating and promoting water resource development and equitable distribution in India (Udaipur and Jodhpur regions).
Creating organic gardens and educating school children about the environment in Bolivia (Cochabamba).

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Questions & Answers

Staff Interviews

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

Did you study international development in college (if not, what were your majors)? How did you first become interested in the field, and when did you first learn of FSD?

I first became interested in working internationally when I discovered that I share a birthday with Nelson Mandela. After studying about his life and what he did to end apartheid, I was inspired to get involved with international development work. I studied organizational communication for my undergraduate studies and received a Master’s in Intercultural Service, Leadership, and Management. I learned about FSD while I was working in Uganda. At the time, I was working for an organization that had limited sustainability and I was frustrated by the voluntourism aspect of a lot of organizations and I wanted to work for an organization that infused sustainability with international volunteering.

As Senior International Program Officer, what are your responsibilities? Tell us what a typical day might look like for you.

As an IPO, I spend a lot of my time working with our international teams to make sure our programs are running effectively. I also work with our applicants to help them through the application process, and I work a lot with our university partners as they place students with our host organizations. I also work closely with our Group Service Trips in helping to plan and execute group trips throughout the year.

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What are the greatest challenges of directing seven different international sites, and how do you meet them?

My greatest challenge is time. While working with seven different sites is fun and dynamic, it is also time-consuming. I wish I had an additional 40 hours in my work week so I could get everything done.

What brings you the most joy in the work that you do?

I really love working with our international teams. They are amazing individuals and really bring life to the work FSD does in the field. I also love hearing from our alumni. There are a lot of cool projects that have been completed by our alumni and I love hearing about the impact they were able to have in a short amount of time in the field.

What projects best illustrate the work that FSD interns do?

Jade, an intern at our Salta, Argentina site, created an urban garden with our local partner organization, as means of providing nutritious vegetables and fruits for children there. Early on, however, she realized that many of the parents were unfamiliar with the produce she was growing, so she created a booklet that explained how best to prepare and cook each one. Some community members were hesitant, but the enthusiasm of the children trickled up to their parents!

Best of all, a local resident with whom Jade had established a strong relationship, helped carry on her work after she had returned home. I love this example, because is illustrates the true sustainability of FSD’s work.

What kind of student are FSD's internships intended for?

The community partners we work with around the world are looking for diversity among our applicants. We have placements for students studying engineering, public health, business, special education, international relations, and everything in between.

What is the single biggest lesson you've learned as an IPO?

While working in a cross-cultural setting, it is important to have patience and understand that relationships are oftentimes more important than deadlines.

What is your favorite part of working with students who volunteer abroad?

Students are creative problem solvers. I have seen a lot of students go into a new community/country and learn from their community partner and help develop cool sustainable solutions to the issues facing the community.

Great interns are those who come into the experience without any expectations of what they are going to accomplish. When someone is open minded and willing to learn, they can see solutions to community needs that will work and become sustainable.

About Foundation for Sustainable Development

Founded in 1995, Foundation for Sustainable Development (FSD) works closely with small NGO's in project locations around the world to enhance the capacity of local communities, and address environmental conservation, healthcare, social and economic issues, and a variety of other issues. FSD operates in a collaborative manner with local communities...