Binational foundation offering dream internships
A binational foundation is immediately seeking 30 talented college juniors and seniors to spend four weeks in an eco-resort in one of six Mexican states. The U.S.-Mexico Foundation is offering summer internships to U.S. students that include round-trip transportation, meals and lodging in small eco-friendly boutique hotels in indigenous communities. The foundation introduced El Sueño Mexicano (the Mexican Dream) internships this year as a win-win.
“It’s a unique opportunity for students to gain valuable project consultation skills while supporting indigenous-led businesses in some of the most beautiful and diverse locations in the world,” says Rebeca Vargas, U.S.-Mexico Foundation president and chief executive officer.
The internships are the product of collaboration between the foundation and the Mexican National Commission for the Development of Indigenous Peoples (CDI). The CDI chose the sites for the program. It has provided financial backing for some of the small business owners.
“CDI can provide funding but not know-how,” Vargas says. “The interns will provide the know-how.”
The foundation is looking for candidates who are fluent in reading, writing and speaking Spanish; demonstrate entrepreneurial drive and enthusiasm; want to work in indigenous communities; are authentically interested in binational relations; and possess technical skills. Applicants will be weighted in favor of specific skills like web development and marketing, and geography.
“We want interns who can actually help the indigenous communities,” Vargas says.
Another goal is to draw all 30 interns from different parts of the U.S. and particularly, Kansas and Missouri, which haven’t sent participants to any of the foundation’s other programs for college students. Vargas hopes many will apply now.
“We’ve seen the value of having students from across the U.S.,” Vargas says. “Going and learning about Mexico is already very powerful, and having the opportunity of interacting with students from different parts of the U.S. makes the experience a lot richer for them.”
The Mexican Dream internship program starts July 9 and runs through August 8. Five interns will work as teams in each of the six sites located in the states of Campeche, Chiapas, Oaxaca, Puebla, Quintana Roo and Yucatán. They’ll work Monday through Friday, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Their responsibilities will take them out into the local community where they will interview residents, business owners, resort owners and staff, and entrepreneurs.
“The expectation is that the interns will study the results of their field work and give small business owners recommendations in terms of how to market their product, be more efficient and increase sales,” Vargas says.
May 30 is the application deadline, but Vargas urges interested students to apply at once.
“The sooner the better,” she says. “As we get applications, we review them, and when we see one that stands out, we send an acceptance letter.”
The selection process will close once 30 qualified applicants have been selected or on May 30. Acceptance and rejection letters will be emailed by June 16.
“I invite Mexican-American students, American students of Mexican origin or American students interested in learning about Mexico to apply for this truly unique program,” Vargas says. “There’s no other program like this at the binational level. It provides the opportunity to truly help indigenous communities by applying professional skills while learning about Mexican culture.”
Read more about the Mexican Dream internship program and apply online at https://www.usmexicofound.org/programs/el-sueno-mexicano.
