India

Overview

India’s vibrant civil society and dynamic democracy provide varied and unique internship opportunities with organizations working to address issues related to the environment, development, and sustainability. This virtual online internship and seminar will focus on sustainable development in the Indian context and the role private, community-based, and nongovernmental entities play in responding to the challenges related to India’s rapid economic growth. To address urgent issues of poverty and environmental degradation, India is finding ways to rethink its approach to development to create sustainable local, regional, and global futures.

Before your internship begins, you will receive an introduction to the broader cultural, social, and political context of India, NGOs and civil society space, India’s development and environmental concerns, workplace norms, and the ethics of virtually interning with an Indian organization. Potential internship focus areas include climate change, environmental conservation, watershed restorations, community development, education, disaster prevention, sustainable mountain development, water and sanitation, urban air and water pollution, coastal erosion and action, indigenous rights, agroecology, or another field related to your interests and career goals.

You will be expected to devote approximately 37.5  hours a week both on synchronous and asynchronous course activities. Synchronous activities may include orientation sessions, seminar country and theme specific lectures, initial meetings with your internship advisor, group reflection sessions, and project presentations. Frequency, duration, and scheduling of synchronous activities will be determined the first week of the course in conversation with participants to find mutually convenient times. If a student cannot attend a live session, every effort will be made to provide a recording, transcript, or summary for off-line viewing.

Asynchronous activities may include seat time at your internship, break-out groups, check-ins with your academic director, internship coordinator and your internship mentor, writing progress reports, discussion boards, completing assignments and a final paper, and using audio or video to record reflections on the internship experience. Students are required to demonstrate a strong online presence by participating in group discussions, answering questions, and interacting with course participants and staff.

Highlights

• Develop a strong foundation on issues related to the environment and sustainability in the context of India.
• Understand the role, approaches, and impact of local community organizations, NGOs, or private enterprises in issues of environment, development, and sustainability.
• Gain international work experience through an internship with a local community organization, NGO, or private enterprise based in India.
• Develop your professional, intercultural communication skills.

Prerequisites

None, but an academic background related to Indian society, environment, and development is helpful.