Student internships offer a valuable learning experience for CMC students interested in expanding their understanding of different cultures, and even impacting the world abroad. And this summer, the Kravis Leadership Institute (KLI) provides another way to make that possible: The KLI International Internship Program.
Created from a fund established in 2009 by Susan Mirza, widow of CMC graduate Muzzafar Mirza '80, the international internship program complements the existing KLI Social Sector Internship Program, funding domestic internships in the social sector.
For CMCers who've found a way to be abroad during their college years, the time invested continues to be life-altering, they say.
"Working and living abroad made me appreciate all the things I took for granted, and it changed my outlook on life," said Keila Novoa '11 who interned in Guatemala during the summer of 2009, through a program sponsored by the CMC Career Services Office. "I applied for funding because I wanted my resume to show that I took the initiative to step out of my comfort zone. I figured this would be an experience that I would always treasure. However, I didn't expect it to change my life.
"After much thinking," she adds, "I have decided to apply for the Peace Corps, and I'm looking into graduate programs with non-profit work."
The new KLI International internship program is open to all CMC sophomores and juniors, with preference given to students enrolled in the Leadership Sequence and/or affiliated with The Kravis Leadership Institute. Awards of up to $3,000 are available to assist with travel and living expenses associated with the internship.
Internships should focus on cross-cultural understanding of leadership in the public, governmental, or not-for-profit sectors, while developing personal leadership skills in an international setting.
*** Application Information and Deadlines ***
Applications for the International Internship program are due Monday, Feb. 22, and applications for the KLI Social Sector Internship program are due Monday, March 22. All applications should be submitted to the Career Services Center.
For more information, visit http://cmc.edu/kli/education/summerint.php, or contact Sherylle Tan, KLI's associate director of research and internships, Stan@cmc.edu, or (909) 607-8136.