How it Works

Inclusive Sustainable Global Development

• Many non-profits and social enterprises around the world are challenged to meet all of their organizational needs. Isla helps partner organizations build their capacity to serve their beneficiaries and communities by placing talented interns like you to help fill the gaps. We believe that it is essential that you work on a specific project coordinated by the host organization that is both a good fit for your particular skill set and can be accomplished during the time frame you are in country.

Next Steps

• Now it is time for you to Investigate the internship possibilities in various destinations, sectors and career fields on the Isla website and decide upon three choices. Please note that we are always available to chat with you to guide you through the options.
• Once you have decided on your destination and internship choice(s), complete the online application on the Isla website (apply.isla-serve.org) and submit the $50 deposit. You will be asked to upload your university transcripts, a CV (resume), and two letters of reference. 
• At this point, Isla will give you a call to learn more about you. We want to ensure that you are placed in the best fit internship for you.

Acceptance

• An invitation to join Isla with a mutually agreed upon internship offer will be sent to you. We will also send you the Scope of Work and an internship contract.
• Pre-departure preparations begin with lots of guidance from the Isla team.
• Intern with Isla! Improve your skills while helping your host organization improve their operations and outcomes.

Internship Experience

• The internship period will allow you to gain valuable international work experience, life skills, cultural awareness and sensitivity, and the confidence to help you develop personally and professionally.
• During this time, Isla will monitor your stay to ensure that you are benefiting from your internship and host family experience. You will receive weekly sessions with your host supervisor and periodic reflection survey requests from Isla.
• The beautiful part of your Isla internship is that you will improve your skills while helping your host organization improve their operations and outcomes.  Make a lasting impact! Intern with Isla!

---

Program FAQs

---

Where will I intern?

Isla interns will work with our partners non-governmental organizations in support of their efforts in their communities. Through the process, our partners identify needs and challenges that they and their community face. Isla interns help fill the gaps or needs of the organization.Interns play an integral role in executing a specific project. Thus, many of the NGO's organizational challenges become internship opportunities. 

What qualities does Isla look for in an intern?

• Past university coursework or work experience in fields related to our work
  
• Past work, volunteer or field experience, which demonstrates initiative and leadership
  
• Reasonable level of knowledge and interest in the chosen destination
  
• Appreciation of cultural and economic diversity
  
• Genuine respect, patience, and curiosity toward cultures in the developing world

Are there grants or scholarships available to help finance my program?

Isla offers partial-scholarships to help defray the cost of program fees. In addition, many universities and colleges offer scholarships and grants specifically for the purpose of engaging their students in meaningful international experiences. If you're a student, check for these scholarship opportunities at your university. Please note that it is possible to combine scholarships to make your internship doable and possibly at no cost to you!

In addition, numerous organizations offer funding for internship and service learning programs like ours. You may qualify for the following national scholarships. 

The U.S. Department of State's Benjamin A Gilman International Scholarship enables students of limited financial means to study or intern abroad. The Gilman Scholarship Program is open to U.S. citizen undergraduate students who are receiving Federal Pell Grant funding at a two-year or four-year college or university to participate in study and intern abroad programs worldwide.
​
The InterExchange Foundation Christianson Grant provides awards of up to $10,000 to motivated young Americans who create and carry out their own meaningful service projects abroad.

Christianson Grant applicants must be

• U.S. citizens or legal permanent residents
• Between the ages of 18 and 28
• Participating in a work, internship, or volunteer abroad program*
• Committed to a program duration abroad of at least six months
• Willing to submit blog posts during their project and a written report upon completion

The Christianson Grant cycle includes three annual deadlines

• March 15
• July 15
• October 15

Grant recipients receive notification approximately six to eight weeks after each grant deadline.

Contact Isla to learn more about how you can find scholarships at your school and elsewhere.

Do you have an age requirement?

You must be at least 18 years of age to participate in an Isla internship. The most competitive applicants will have at least two years of college academic or work experience relevant to the internship for which they are applying, as well as a demonstrated interest in living and working internationally.

What else will make me a competitive applicant?

Isla's primary objective is to provide qualified, motivated and capable interns who can help further the mission of building capacity within local NGOs in developing world communities. We are very selective in reviewing applicants for the available internships. We want to ensure that both participant and host NGO are given the best opportunity to reach their full potential.

Isla internships are specifically developed in response to requests from our local NGO partners. We only place interns with organizations that have developed clear objectives and have demonstrated need. Interested applicants should review the list of currently available internship opportunities and apply for those for which they have direct experience or interest. Isla looks for participants who demonstrate flexibility/adaptability, attention to detail, a strong interest in working with diverse communities, creative problem-solving ability and cross-cultural communication skills.

What is your policy on payments and cancellations?

Applicants who receive an internship placement will receive an invoice with a payment schedule. We require a deposit of $500 to hold an internship and full payment of the invoice 45 days prior to the start of an internship. Cancellations that occur less than 45 days from the start of an internship forfeit the deposit. Cancellations that occur outside of the 45-day period receive a 50% refund of the entire invoice unless we are unable to fill the vacated internship, in which case the applicant would forfeit the deposit as well.

Do I need a visa to intern abroad?

Yes! Acquisition of the appropriate visa is the responsibility of each Isla participant. Currently, Uganda issues 90 day visas for holders of U.S. passports upon your arrival to Entebbe, Uganda. Visa requirements vary for passport holders from other countries, and can change at any time without notice. Please discuss any passport/visa questions with the Isla staff member handling your application.

If I successfully complete my internship can I get a letter of reference?

Absolutely! We will provide documentation and letters of recommendation upon successful completion of our program. Please let the isla staff member handling your application know about any internship documentation requirements once you have been selected for placement.

Can I receive academic credit for my internship?

Many schools provide credit for participation with our internship program. Often your school will have to qualify us prior to your internship if you wish to receive credit. Please check with your university to determine its policies and let us know how we can help. We do not provide credit directly through our organization.

Is it possible to receive language training while I intern?

Yes, there are qualified language tutors available at our program site. We will help facilitate language lessons but arrangement for times and payment will be done by the participant. Language lessons must be completed outside of work hours.

Can I decide to extend my stay during my program?

Yes! However we ask that interns provide us 30 days notice if they want to extend their internship so that we can coordinate with the site team and any relevant local partner organizations and host families. This helps to ensure that work in the extended period will continue to be impactful.

Does Isla accept non-US citizens?

Yes! We work with all people interested in providing their service and support for our community development work. Please talk with the isla staff member handling your application about any specific questions you have on coordinating your application.

Is health insurance provided with my program?

Yes! Every program participant is provided with Travel Medical Insurance & Emergency Evacuation Assistance through Seven Corners, a leading travel insurance provider. This service maintains an emergency phone line that is available 24/7. Certificates of insurance are issued before the participant arrives in country. You can read about the specifics of this insurance here.

You are also welcome to purchase additional insurance through Seven Corners if you wish to have extended health coverage or to cover your personal belongings from theft or damage. You can contact Seven Corners directly to learn more about expanding your coverage. 

Is there a language requirement to participate?

Applicants should have a strong command of the English language.

How will my actual internship work be determined?

The internships hosted by our local NGO partner organizations are directly based on the needs of our local partner organizations. When a local organization enters into partnership with FCDE we jointly go through an institutional self-assessment (ISA) process where the organization identifies specific objectives that will allow it to be more effective. Each partner-hosted internship is unique and has a position description developed to meet the needs identified in the organization’s ISA. Typically, work will focus on technology or skills transfer, support for ongoing program work in the field and office capacity building. Most importantly, each internship has a work plan that is intended to help an organization serve its community in a more effective manner.

What is included in my program fee?

The program fee includes a personalized volunteer placement, lodging with a host family, meals (breakfast and dinner), travel medical insurance, ground transportation to and from airport, 24/7 on-the-ground support from our professional locally-based staff and orientation upon arrival.

What is not included in my program fee?

The program fee does not include flights, visa fees, incidental expenses (including health insurance deductible), mid-day meals, weekend excursions and any other personal expenses.

What Safety Precautions does Isla take for participants?

Safety and security for our staff and program participants is of the utmost importance to our organization. International development work carries inherent risks that cannot be completely eliminated, but we take every effort to ensure that risk factors are mitigated. Our safety approach has been developed by our the FCDE CEO who provided for the safety and security of over 300 Peace Corps Volunteers, among other safety and security related activities throughout his career. We reduce risk by integrating participants with the local community and ensuring that our local staff provide the key behavioral and practical safety protocols for our interns.

Key aspects of our health and safety approach include:

• Training interns on safety competencies that include cultural integration, local health and safety concerns and approaches to dealing with the most common safety issues.
• Maintaining an in-country staff with connections to the local communities who are available 24/7 in case of emergency.
• Regular check-ins with participants throughout the duration of their program.
• Access to a 24/7 emergency line based in the US for issues requiring emergent care or support.