`` entrepreneurship & development: International internship Bucerias, Mexico Summer 2018
About HUMAN CONNECTIONS Human Connections is a nonprofit organization that connects visitors with artisans and small business owners in Latin America. Through day tours, weeklong trips and internships, we provide a platform for entrepreneurs to tell their own stories and share their culture. These educational programs foster conversations between people of diverse backgrounds while channeling tourism dollars into local businesses. We believe that responsible travel has the power to shift perspectives and create lasting social change. Our Internships Human Connections internships are led by our Director, Elly Rohrer, and other members of HC s experienced and energetic team. Our staff has years of experience conducting student programming in Bucerias, Mexico. Our programs are capped at 14 interns and, given the intimate nature of our work and housing, interns tend to become close friends. This 7-week Summer Internship program is an immersive cultural and professional development experience ideal for anyone interested in the social sector or responsible travel. We treat you as a pivotal part of our team, entrusting you with a great deal of responsibility. Through projects, personal interaction, and meetings with social entrepreneurs in western Mexico, this internship gives you the analytical tools necessary to tackle the development sector s difficult questions, and the hands-on experience to increase employability and inform your career. WHY PARTICIPATE? Leave your mark on Human Connections. Innovate programs and strategies that have an impact on our community. Strengthen local businesses through consulting projects and capacity building. Through hands-on projects and a critical analysis of impact models, hone your skills in the social sector. Develop a personal perspective about development to inform your professional trajectory. humanconnections.org 2
the logistics DATES This program will run for 7 weeks, from June 6th to July 25th, 2018. LOCATION: BUCERIAS, MEXICO Bucerias is a vibrant seaside village 30 minutes north of the Pacific Coast destination, Puerto Vallarta. Bucerias is known for its safety, making this the ideal setting for interns to freely explore and fall in love with Mexico. While most of your time will be spent working in Bucerias, we will also visit and enjoy excursions to nearby towns. COST US$2995 Many participants partially or fully fund their experience through grants from their universities, or through fundraising. HC is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit, meaning that donations made on your behalf are tax-deductible. Additionally, we offer a limited number of scholarships - visit our website for details. Option 2: Local Homestay Want to experience Mexican culture first hand? Hoping to seriously improve your Spanish skills? HC also offers the chance to live with a local Mexican family. If you prefer this option, we will work to match you with a host family that fits for your needs. WHAT S INCLUDED Comfortable, safe accommodations 24/7 staff support prior to and during the program All local transportation, including airport pickups 20 group meals Translation services as needed Responsible travel excursions in the Riviera Nayarit Project budgets & materials Guided interactions with local community members Workshops and presentations by local experts Valuable, hands-on professional experience Carbon offsets to neutralize program-related emissions The opportunity to work directly with local artisans, tradespeople, and social entrepreneurs *International health insurance add-on available for US$95 Accommodation Option 1: Hotel Interns who wish to stay in a hotel will be staying in charming, comfortable and safe accommodations in Bucerias located within walking distance of the beach and of Human Connections staff. Accommodations include kitchen access, double occupancy rooms, and free Internet. Also within walking distance are stores, restaurants, cafes, and the town plaza. humanconnections.org 3
Itinerary & Program Details Your time as a Human Connections intern will be action-packed and diverse. The itinerary will follow a fairly traditional work schedule, during which time you ll focus on three main projects (defined below). Our itinerary will also involve visits with local artisans and organizations, excursions, and workshops. COMMUNITY CONSULTING PROJECT Our interns work directly with small businesses and organizations in the Bucerias area to fine-tune and strengthen their operational models. These consulting projects are helpful for locally-owned businesses who are working hard to compete in the tourist sector, as well as for local nonprofits who are doing their part to strengthen our community. Apart from having a local impact, these projects also provide learning opportunities for our interns in areas like entrepreneurship, economic development, and cultural agility. NONPROFIT MANAGEMENT PROJECTS Additionally, you will be involved in two separate projects directly related to HC s growth as a social enterprise. Through these projects, you ll gain firsthand experience in nonprofit management, program design, marketing and outreach, local networking, and more. This behind-the-scenes experience working for a nonprofit will increase your employability and inform your professional trajectory. How to Apply QUALIFICATIONS We look for globally-minded interns interested in the social sector. Applicants must be at least 18-yearsold and enrolled in undergraduate studies. Ideal candidates have an interest in social enterprise, international development, consulting, Spanish, and/or responsible travel. DEADLINES Priority Deadlines: February 12th, 2018 March 12th, 2018* Final Deadline: April 16th, 2018 *HC scholarship application deadline HOW TO APPLY Please fill out the application on our website: humanconnections.org/apply-online/. We will conduct Skype interviews with qualified applicants. We interview and accept strong applicants within two weeks of each deadline. We cannot guarantee that positions will still be available by April. humanconnections.org 4
My internship experience with Human Connections has genuinely changed my life. I was given the opportunity to learn about other cultures and current social issues by engaging with the community in Bucerias. Those experiences in and out of the office strengthened me both professionally and personally. I am coming away from this internship with a greater confidence in my Spanish speaking skills, my capabilities for success in the work place, and a new found sense of independence and personal identity. LIZ K., OHIO WESLEYAN UNIVERSITY
FAQs What is the work schedule like? HC creates an itinerary for the program that functions like a syllabus. Your projects have a final objective and milestones to help keep you on track. The itinerary is enriched with activities that complement your workload, too. These opportunities include visiting social businesses and innovative organizations, spending time in the homes of our artisan partners, and engaging with local community leaders. Social events and excursions make for a well-balanced, truly enjoyable learning experience in Mexico. At HC we enjoy a relaxed professional atmosphere, as we spend much of our time working with the community. What if my school requires an 8-week internship (or longer)? If your university requires that internships be eight weeks long in order to apply for funding, we are able to offer an additional week of work to be done remotely upon the completion of your seven weeks in Bucerias. (Note: We can also accommodate up to 10 week time commitment requirements - please contact us directly for more details) How safe is Bucerias? Bucerias and the Riviera Nayarit are incredibly safe, especially given their touristic nature. There is no recommendation against travel to these regions by the US Department of State (travel. state.gov), and incidences of violence are much lower here than in many US cities. In fact, we are located in this part of Mexico specifically because it is such a calm, safe, and beautiful part of the country. If you or your family have any additional questions about safety during this program, don t hesitate to reach out to us directly. Why is there a cost associated with the program? While we recognize and value the contributions interns make, we charge a fee to offset the costs related with their stay. Accommodation, transportation for interns and staff, a budget and materials for intern projects, and fair compensation to clients, guides, and staff for their work during the program, as well as during the months of careful preparation leading up to it are all covered by the program fee. We believe in full transparency, and are happy to provide a detailed breakdown of fees upon request. What are living costs like in Mexico? Our past interns have spent $50-$125 USD per week on food, laundry, local transportation, and entertainment. If you plan on buying many souvenirs or eating out often, we suggest bringing additional spending money. Can I hear from past participants? Yes! Many interns have offered to answer questions, so please let us know if you are interested and we will put you in touch. humanconnections.org 6 6
CONTACT US humanconnections.org info@humanconnections.org USA: 773-800-2811 Skype: humanconnections FB: HumanConnections Hidalgo #13, 3rd Floor, Col. Centro Bucerias, Nayarit, Mexico C.P. 63732 My experience with Human Connections was valuable because of the relationships I had the chance to build with HC s artisan partners, staff, and the other interns. The inspiring stories of the artisans altered my understanding of poverty completely. Working in an environment with people who are extremely passionate about what they do has changed the way I want to approach my future career. MINAMI K., YALE UNIVERSITY