Tulane
University
Cuban and Caribbean Studies Institute
Caroline Richardson Building
New Orleans, LA, 70118
Tel: 504-862-8629; Fax: 504-862-8678
E-mail: intern@tulane.edu
Dear Student,
Thank you for inquiring about Tulane University's Community Development Internship Program. This is a credit-bearing internship where volunteers live with a family in rural Ecuador, while working side by side with community members on grassroots development projects primarily in the area of public health. The program is based out of a clinic in a rural town named Pedro Vicente Maldonado where our interns work in a primary health care setting and pursue projects with a focus on health itself and/or cultural issues in this region.
By participating in the program, you will not only contribute to a better life for a poor community, but will also have the opportunity to make lasting friendships both with the host family and their community. Not only will you be a valuable and welcome contributor to the project, but through helping others, you will also improve your Spanish skills and gain a greater understanding of the challenges facing developing countries. In addition, such an experience will not only enrich your life, but also better prepare you for a career or further study in development and community service-related fields.
Students may develop project assignments in the areas of health education, potable water, sanitation, leadership development, patient care, database management and seminar organization. These projects are designed, developed and implemented by the participants themselves.
The program is a challenging one, designed for people who are adaptable, want to live in a rural environment, and appreciate the reality of the underprivileged. As you will be fully immersed in the host culture, at least two semesters of Spanish, or their equivalent, are necessary for admittance into the program.
Please note that this program
is most suitable for students seeking undergraduate credit for their experience.
There is no financial compensation provided to students for
their volunteer time and
they must pay program fees in order to participate.
Please note that at this time details regarding program dates, prices, etc. are not available for the 2005 Development Internship Program. Tulane faculty/staff will be re-visiting the program site late this fall 2004 or early spring 2005 in an effort to re-structure the overall program. We will update this site after the new program information is available and provide the appropriate application materials on-line.
Thanks again for your interest in our program. It is a fabulous opportunity to make a positive difference in the life of a disadvantaged community.
Sincerely,
Ana M. López
Program Director