Promising Practices in North-South
Youth Internships
IVCO
October 21, 2014
Lima, Peru
Overview
• Background
• Research findings
• Recommendations
• Next steps
Canadian student mobility context
• While student mobility is a priority, most students are looking to conduct
academic coursework abroad
International experience opportunities offered by Canadian universities in 2012-2013
97%
Course work
70%
Field schools
Service/volunteer opportunities
67%
Research
67%
Work (incl. co-ops/internships)
66%
Developed/developing countries
•
Although internationalization is a priority for universities, most programs
focus on developed countries
Research methodology and findings
Research questions
•
Did Students for Development Program (SFD)
contribute to development?
•
What were the benefits and challenges for host
organizations, students and universities?
•
What actions can be taken in future programs to
maximize the benefits for all parties?
Data collection
•
Review of 952 questionnaires completed after each
internship (2009-2013)
•
Survey of 2005-2012 alumni (301 resp. of 1,105)
•
Workshop with 27 Canadian university representatives
•
Interviews with 12 most active overseas hosts
•
2013 monitoring visits – 32 hosts, 70 interns, 6 uni reps
Contributions to development: Hosts
“The intern was able to make a positive contribution to the needs of our organization.” (952)
Disagree
1%
17%
Agree
Strongly agree
82%
Host said interns helped them:
•
•
•
•
Conduct research and develop policy reports and articles
Develop databases, websites and other IT tools
Organize and deliver workshops and training
Connect with other organizations domestically and
internationally
• Obtain new sources of funding and materials
• Gain new perspectives on their work
Challenges: Hosts
Recommendations from 69 organizations that hosted 2012 and 2013 interns
74%
Improve student preparations
Improve match between student skill
sets and hosts' needs
48%
13%
Lengthen internships
Provide more funding to interns and/or
hosts
9%
Contributions to development: Students
“I was able to make a positive contribution to the needs of the host organization.”
Disagree
Agree
Strongly agree
952 questionnaires
3%
25%
301 alumni surveys
3%
6%
72%
Strongly disagree
Disagree
Agree
Strongly agree
58%
Canadian interns said internships helped them:
• Acquire new knowledge, skills, attitudes, and connections
• Increase their commitment to development
• Increase their employability, often in jobs related to
development
34%
Contributions to development: Students
Alumni continuing to promote awareness and support for development by:
77%
Sharing internship experience with others
39%
Volunteering with NGOs working in development
Participating in fundraising activities
for agencies working in development
37%
22%
Other
Not active in this area
9%
Challenges: Students
Greatest challenges as an intern (301 alumni)
37%
Adapting to a different culture/language barrier
24%
Not enough support from Canada or the host
19%
Ability to achieve goals/ make contribution
13%
The country's challenges/politics
9%
Relating to others
Illness/health issues
Leaving host country/issues upon return
3%
2%
6%
Other
4%
Don't know/no comment
None
2%
Contributions to development: Universities
“Overall the university is satisfied with the results of this internship.” (560)
Disagree
2%
10%
Agree
Strongly agree
88%
Universities said SFD helped them to:
• Inspire students to learn about and contribute to development, and in some
cases pursue international careers
• Lead multi-disciplinary teams on development projects
• Link their research and teaching to development goals
• Strengthen and expand their international partnerships (spin-off activities)
• Attract international students to study in Canada
Challenges: Universities
• Internships require considerable human/financial
resources (at the expense of other activities)
• Managing expectations and risks
• Ensuring students complete reintegration activities
• Facilitating processes for obtaining academic credits
Design Recommendations
• Develop internships within multi-year projects
• Encourage two-way internships and student connections
• Program internships of longer than three months when possible
• Provide appropriate funding for internships
• Encourage stronger partnership between university and Southern partner
based on links for ongoing research, teaching and social engagement
• Foster clear communications among all parties, especially regarding objectives
and expectations
• Track outcomes over the long term
Next Steps
• Continue research on understanding of best
practices globally
• Hold learning workshop in 2015/2016
• Develop new internship programs
Thank you! Gracias!
For more information please contact:
Philip Landon
plandon@aucc.ca
Claire Millington
cmillington@aucc.ca
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