International Aboriginal Youth Internship (IAYI) Program
The WorldLink International Aboriginal Youth Internship (IAYI) Program provides Aboriginal youth with the opportunity to experience a new culture while gaining international work experience. Interns will spend four months living in Amerindian villages in Guyana, South America assisting with community development projects. The remaining two months of the internship will be divided between pre-departure training and group debriefing activities in Canada.
The Program makes available an allowance of CDN$4,500 plus travel expenses for each six-month placement. This stipend is intended to cover living expenses during the overseas portion of the internship. Interns participate in intercultural training sessions prior to departure and receive active mentorship during and after program participation. A total of ten interns will be selected during the 2011–2012 intake. The first round placements will begin in January 2012 and the second round will begin in early Spring 2012.
In addition to possessing the skills required for each internship placement, all applicants must meet with the following eligibility criteria:
a. Hold a secondary school diploma or general equivalency diploma (GED);
b. Be between the ages of 18 and 35;
c. Be a Canadian or permanent resident of Canada;
d. Be of Aboriginal affiliation and willing to sign a CIDA self-declaration form;
e. Have not completed and are not currently enrolled in post-secondary education; and
f. Be interested in community development.
The Terms of Reference are available here. Interested participants should fill out the application form and submit it to the Internship Program Coordinator at worldlink@cip-icu.ca.