Applications
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General Information
The World Citizenship Program is a unique international opportunity for graduate students interested in working with humanitarian and environmental protection organizations in developing countries.
Costs covered by the program will include:
- Roundtrip airfare to the country of your internship.
- A stipend to help defray some of the living expenses while in the "field".
- All necessary immunizations and visas.
- MEDEX (medical emergency assistance/evacuation insurance).
- NOTE: Students will be required to register for three (3) hours of graduate academic internship credits through the University of Florida and pay the “WCP Program Fee”.
Qualifications/Requirements
- You must be a graduate student at UF, FIU, USF, UCF, or FAMU in good academic standing. (There are no restrictions on citizenship).
- You must have a minimum cumulative GPA of 3.0 out of 4.0.
- WARNING: The countries to which interns are assigned under this program generally have inadequate health care facilities. Students with health conditions, which may require prompt or urgent medical care, a special diet, or unusual drugs, will likely not be able to have these needs met.
- Your Advisor must provide a signed Letter of Recommendation for you, that must also include your department's approval of three(3) academic credit hours given to you for the internship under the program.
- You must be available for a mandatory, 1-day orientation/training session on the University of Florida’s campus.
- You must be available to carry out your mandatory 12-week Summer internship overseas from mid-May to mid-August. Previous international travel experience is preferred, but not required.
- Proficiency in a second language may be required.
- An official copy of your transcripts from your current institution only must be mailed to the coordinator, Heather Barrett at hbarrett@ufic.ufl.edu.
- You must complete the application form by the deadline.
- If selected, you will be registered for a 3-credit internship course through the University of Florida. Although tuition will be waived for these three credit hours, you will be personally responsible for paying the “WCP Program Fee” to the University of Florida International Center. The “WCP Program Fee” is the equivalent of three(3) in-state graduate UF credit hours, regardless of your residency status. Neither State Funded Graduate Assistantships nor Fellowships will cover the “WCP Program Fee”.
Selection Process
- UF administrators will make the preliminary selection based on the review all complete applications.
- WCP administrators may require initial in-person interviews in order determine applicant qualification and to complete the first round of the selection process.
- The second round of selection will consist of interviews with WCP Partner Organizations. Applications selected by WCP administrators for the second round of the application process will be made available to program Partner Organizations. Each Partner Organization will review the applications and select applicants they wish to interview for open positions. WCP Applicant’s selected for Partner interviews will interview with representatives from the program’s Partner Organization through phone, or occasionally, in-person interviews. Not all applicants are guaranteed interviews with a Partner Organization. The selection is based upon the skills desired by WCP Partner Organizations. It is also possible for an applicant to interview with more than one Partner Organization.
- Final selections will be made by the Partner Organization and an internship position will be offered. Once the internship offer has been accepted, the intern will begin the orientation and pre-departure process.
Requirements Upon Selection
- You will have to demonstrate compliance with the particular health/medical requirements and standards for interns placed in remote locations.
- You must be available for a mandatory, 1-day orientation/training session on the University of Florida’s campus during the Spring 2006 semester. You will be informed of this by e-mail.
You must have obtained the following further documents prior to the orientation, and have submitted copies of all of these to the WCP office (170 Hubl) to be placed on your file:
- A Passport (at your own expense and must be effective at least 6 months after the internship ending date of August 2006).
- A Visa for the country of your internship.
- A completed "Health (Medical) and Accident Insurance Verification" form.
- A completed "Terms and Conditions of Participation in World Citizenship" form.
- A completed "UF Policy Statement on Alcohol and Other Drugs" form.
- A completed "Release, Indemnification, Waiver and Hold Harmless Agreement" form.
- A completed "UFIC Dean to WCP Intern Memorandum of Understanding" form.
- Certificates for immunizations as specifically required for travel to the country of your internship.
Responsibilities
- Based on preparatory readings, prepare a 5-minute presentation for the Spring orientation/training session that discusses the country where you will be an intern.
- Accept an assignment in a developing country for a 12-week period in Summer, 2006.
- Carry out daily assignments as an intern with the program's partner organization with which you will work.
- Under the supervision of a WCP partner organization, represent the University of Florida, the State of Florida, and the United States as a goodwill ambassador abroad.
- Personally verify your enrollment in comprehensive medical insurance policy that covers overseas travel and submit verification form to the WCP office prior to your departure.
- Agree to abide by laws of the host country, the regulations and work rules of host agency, and adhere to the UF's Code of Student Conduct.
- On your return, submit a 2-page summary report, assessing the value and outputs of your internship experience.
- On your return, write a short personal essay about your internship experience (if possible illustrated with your photographs) for posting on the WCP web site.
- If asked, present papers on the WCP at professional meetings and conferences.