Thursday, July 20, 2006

Intern/volunteer abroad with The Foundation for Sustainable Development

Below is an opportunity that was recently sent to me via email - I thought someone out there might be interested.
I am pasting an edited version below but

please visit their website www.fsdinternational.org or contact them directly at 415.283.4873 for program details.

Contact person: Alex Michel

The Foundation for Sustainable Development is an 11 year-old 501(c)(3) non-profit dedicated to supporting the efforts of over 160 grassroots development organizations in Latin America, East Africa, and India. Through strong partnership, FSD provides these locally run NGOs with grants, technical assistance, and capable interns/volunteers who collaboratively design and implement much needed project work.

Students and professionals looking to gain international development experience and make a genuine impact on an international community participate in FSD programs for one week to one year, depending upon their availability. Participants will:

  • Experientially learn sustainable development solutions
  • Receive training in language, grant-writing, project design and implementation
  • Jointly design and implement project work with their host organization and the FSD in-country support staff.

Student and professionals work with these organizations as a volunteer or intern for 1 week – 2 years, offering experience, educated ideas, and financial resources. Participants choose the subject area, country, and host organization that best fits their objectives and interests. In the end, participants have the experience of a lifetime and make long-standing relationships with their host families, host organizations, and the communities they serve.

Programs are available in: Argentina, Bolivia, Ecuador, Kenya, India, Nicaragua, Peru, and Uganda. To learn about our programs in these countries.

Project work addresses issues in: Health, Environment and Conservation, Youth and Education, Infrastructural/Community Development, Women's Empowerment, and Microcredit/Microfinance. To query host organizations within each of these issue areas.

FSD needs your help informing friends and colleagues about our programs. Currently 40 students and professionals will be supporting and creating projects abroad for the fall term – through our Long Term Internship , Pro Corps, and Customized Internship program. There is still space left for these programs and your support would be extremely helpful in providing more resources for our partner NGOs.

About the Programs:

Our Long-Term Internship program begins September 10 and lasts for a minimum of 4 months. The program provides the most structured and supported opportunity for those interested in gaining substantial field experience while working with one of our host organizations. Projects that reflect an understanding of sustainability can be supplemented by a grant from FSD for up to $1000 to directly support the project work. For a detailed description of monthly activities over the course of the internship Prices range from $3,550 – 4,650 (for 6 months) depending on the country.

The Pro Corps Program provides an opportunity for professionals who wish to give back to the global community, while establishing connections and relationships that are typically unavailable to travelers. Prices begin at $1150.

The Custom Internship Program offers the most time-flexible, independently structured opportunity to learn about and implement sustainable development projects abroad. Internships range from 8-52 weeks long and can begin whenever is most convenient to the student. For a detailed description of weekly activities over the course of the internship, click here. Prices range from $1,900 - $2,160 (for eight weeks) depending on the country.

The Summer Internship Program is our most popular program for students and professionals seeking a concentrated,structured internship in international development. Prices range from $2,250 - $2,800 depending on the country.

Most participants receive grants from their university or fundraise in their community to participate in our programs. For information on how to effectively apply for grants and fundraise.


Most participants of the FSD's internship programs use the experience as a stepping stone into international development fieldwork.