Student Internships for Graduates and Undergrads

Hubert-Yeargan Center Internship
Cultural Immersion & ESL Teaching
Camiguin Island, Philippines
Summer 2010

NOW ACCEPTING APPLICATIONS

Summary: The Hubert-Yeargan Center (HYC), in collaboration with Family to Family, Inc., is offering a summer internship opportunity to provide ESL tutoring service at Mapa School and Farm in Camiguin, Philippines. Mapa is an elementary level boarding school serving students who come from extreme poverty who would otherwise have no access to schooling. Mapa also serves deaf students and students with orthopedic handicaps. The primary focus of this three-month program will be working with teachers at the school to improve their English. The volunteer may also assist with classroom instruction and extracurricular activities (farming, sports, music, etc.).

Timeframe: 10 weeks. ~May 24-August 16, 2010 to coincide with the Duke academic calendar. The school year at Mapa starts on June 1st.

Application Deadline: 5 PM on Monday, November 23, 2009

Selected candidate(s) are strongly encouraged to apply for funding through Duke Engage/Individual Projects. Read about the Duke Engage Application Process at: http://dukeengage.duke.edu/

Contents:
About Mapa School and Farm
Intern Responsibilities & Expectations
Internship Key Learning Objectives
Travel & Safety
Language
Blogs by Former Interns
Eligibility
Funding
Application & Selection Process
Contact

About Mapa School and Farm:

Mapa School and Farm is located on rolling hills above the sea in Camiguin. It is an elementary level boarding school for children and adolescents who have dropped out of school or have never gone. The students receive the regular elementary instruction with a strong emphasis on health, nutrition, and farming. Older students are encouraged to actively participate in instructing and orienting new and younger students. Mapa School encourages an atmosphere of teaching and “passing it on” in all levels and areas.

The student population varies from 80 to 100 per year. There are on average ten teachers who all live on campus with the students. The majority of students live on campus Monday through Friday, returning home to their families on the weekend. Everything from school books and supplies to bedding, meals, medical treatment, and transportation to and from the school are provided by Family to Family free of charge.

All the students come from situations of serious poverty and over half of them are missing one or both parents. It is not unusual for the school to have sibling groups of three to five children. Most students are aged nine to late teens. Children younger than nine years of age may be admitted if they are part of a sibling group or coming from very difficult or extremely impoverished situations. There is no upper age limit and the school has had a number of students who just started Grade One in their late teens.

There are on average 20 deaf students. They have separate academic classes given in sign language, but are integrated with the rest of the student body for all other activities. There are also youngsters with orthopedic handicaps, such as TB damage to the spine and post polio paralysis, or cerebral palsy. These students are all evaluated by an orthopedic specialist and are provided with surgery, medication, braces, crutches, and physical therapy as needed.

After graduation, Family to Family provides assistance to many of the students who wish to go on to high school. For more information about Mapa School and Farm visit the Family to Family website:
www.family2family.org

Intern Responsibilities & Expectations:

• Provide focused one-on-one English tutoring for Mapa teachers. Although English is an official language in the Philippines, Mapa teachers are eager to improve their English skills. Other useful skill areas include American Sign Language, basic math, music, health, and/or sports.
• Accompany local nurse on monthly community health visits.
• Cultural Immersion! Integrate into daily life at Mapa
• Create a themed project of your choosing.
• Submit a five page report and evaluation upon completion.

The volunteer, under the supervision of the School Directors, will plan and teach lessons with the goal of improving the English language skills of Mapa teachers. The volunteer may also assist staff with teaching and administrative responsibilities associated with the daily operations of the school. Subjects may include English, American Sign Language, basic math, music, health, nutrition, and/or farming.

Other teaching/instructional opportunities can be geared to the qualifications of the student, if there are special skills they bring to the position. In addition, there may be an opportunity to do some work with the handicapped children’s program in the local community.

Internship Key Learning Objectives:

Each student will:

Goal 1 Engage in self-directed learning.

Objective 1.1

Read a history of the Philippines, as well as contemporary news articles, travel advisories, etc. prior to departure.

Objective 1.2

Discuss with mentor the implications of social, political, and economic factors in country.

Objective 1.3

Reflect on the differences and similarities between American and Filipino systems.

Goal 2 Demonstrate effective cross-cultural communication skills, knowledge, and attitudes.

Objective 2.1

Develop a rudimentary ability to speak the local dialect; learn key phrases of greeting and politeness prior to departure.

Objective 2.2

Dress in a manner that reflects an understanding of and respect for the local culture.

Goal 3 Develop good relationships with local staff and be supportive of organization’s operations.

Objective 3.1

Develop collegial relationships and personal friendships with the organization’s staff. Interact professionally and socially with counterparts.

Objective 3.3

Question own assumptions when tempted to offer a solution to a perceived problem.

Objective 3.4

Respect local chain of command.

Objective 3.5

Complete all work assignments on time, in a quality fashion, and with a good attitude.

Objective 3.6

Teach school staff new skills in a respectful manner.

Goal 4 Minimize personal risk.

Objective 4.1

Take all recommended immunizations/medications and purchase evacuation insurance.

Objective 4.2

Heed advice of local organization’s directors.

Objective 4.3

Avoid traveling after dark or in unsafe vehicles.

Goal 5 Document experiences through journaling and photography.

Goal 6 Abide by Duke University and Family to Family guidelines. Students will be required to heed any necessary safety measures advised by the HYC/Duke University prior to departure and by the local Director in country, inclusive of following directions to evacuate if required.

Goal 7 Engage in on campus and local community experiences. Please note that time away from the school must be discussed with Mapa School Directors to ensure that job responsibilities are adequately covered and safety measures are in place for any local travel.

Goal 8 Reflect and Report.

Objective 8.1

Submit a 5 page written report along with digital pictures which help to tell the story about your experience. This may include edited portions of your journal. The report should include a reflection of what the experience has meant to you, what you have learned about the similarities and differences between the US and the developing world, and a commentary on how you think the experience will influence you personally and professionally as you embark upon your future career.

Objective 8.2

Complete a formal evaluation of the program experience.

Objective 8.3

Meet with HYC Staff and communicate with designated Family to Family staff to share your reflections.

Travel & Safety:

Camiguin is a small volcanic island located off the northern tip of Mindanao about 90 kilometers from Cagayan de Oro (CDO). The population of Camiguin is the second smallest of all the provinces in the Philippines. The people have been described as deeply religious, hospitable and friendly. Camiguin is a safe community with very little crime.

Although travel in the CDO local is safe, the US State Department has issued a travel warning for the southern Philippine islands of Mindanao and the Sulu Archipelago. There have been sporadic clashes between special interest groups and the Philippine Armed Forces in these areas. Interns are advised to avoid travel in and around southern Mindanao.

It should be noted that Mapa School Director Tom Palmeri is the U. S. Consular Warden for Camiguin. He and his family have lived safely as Americans in the Philippines for over 30 years.

At the HYC we take safety concerns seriously and will take all the necessary steps to prepare students and their families for safe travel.

Student Interns must be covered by appropriate sickness and accident insurance for the duration of the program. All Duke students traveling internationally are covered for Repatriation and Medical Evacuation insurance under Duke’s umbrella International SOS policy.

Required immunizations for the Philippines include all routine vaccines, hepatitis and typhoid. Anti-Malarial drugs are not required, as Camiguin is free of malaria.

Language:

Being able to communicate is crucial to having a productive experience abroad. Learning basic conversational phrases will enrich your experience and endear you to the students and staff at Mapa. The language in Camiguin is Cebuano Visayan. To get a taste of the language, check out this Cebuano Phrase Book online: http://www.bohol.ph/article123.html

Former Intern Blogs:

Summer 2009 - Morgan Carney

http://morgancarney.shutterfly.com/travel

Summer 2008 – Eugene Vayntrub

http://bktocamiguin.blogspot.com/

Summer 2007 – Trevor Ostbye & Steve Campbell

http://sjcworldtravel.blogspot.com/2007_06_01_archive.html

Eligibility:

Duke graduates and undergrads are eligible to apply.

Ideal candidates possess the following knowledge, skills and abilities:

1. Sensitivity to cultural differences and some knowledge of the political and ethical issues surrounding poverty, health, and education in developing countries.
2. Ability to work well with others and to develop and maintain relationships with school administration, staff, students and local partners.
3. Willingness to learn basic phrases in the local dialect, Visayan.
4. Demonstrated competencies in key support areas for the position:
1. Skills in some or all of the following areas:
1. Basic English/ESL teaching
2. American Sign Language
3. Basic Math
4. Musical Training (basic guitar, keyboard and/or voice)
5. Sports
6. Health/Nutrition
7. Farming/Gardening
2. Well developed written and oral communication skills
3. Ability to communicate and present information in a coherent, informative, and captivating style
4. Ability to work independently, self-motivated and flexible.
5. Training and/or evaluation skills are a plus.
6. Ability to travel internationally and within the Philippines.

Funding:

Room and board will be provided free of charge by Mapa School; however, interns are responsible for all expenses associated with the program, including travel and personal expenses, immunizations and passport/visa fees. Interns must obtain a pre-travel evaluation at the Duke Travel Clinic. Duke University will have the discretion to require that interns all obtain recommended, as well as mandatory immunizations. There is no tuition, academic credit, or salary being offered for the internship.

Selected candidates are strongly encouraged to apply for funding through DukeEngage/Individual Projects. DukeEngage provides funding for Duke undergraduates who wish to pursue an immersive (minumum of eight weeks) service experience by meeting a community need locally, domestically or internationally. Duke undergraduates in good standing who have completed two semesters of coursework are eligible and may apply. Independent Project application deadline is January 14, 2010. Read more about DukeEngage and the Application Process at: http://dukeengage.duke.edu

Other funding opportunities include the Duke Global Health Institute Fieldwork and Research Grants. These funds may be used for fieldwork or research of relevance to global health, locally or internationally. DGHI grant funding is intended primarily for students enrolled in DGHI degree programs however those not enrolled are welcome to apply, with the understanding that priority is given to DGHI students. Letter of Interest due November 30, 2009. Application deadline is March 5, 2010. More details online at: http://globalhealth.duke.edu/dghi-fieldwork/how-to-apply

Application & Selection Process:

Submit all application materials by 5 PM on Monday, November 23, 2009.

Send application materials as Word or PDF attachments to ica3@notes.duke.edu.

All applications must include the following:

1. Letter of recommendation from faculty or faculty advisor. We ask that faculty members send their recommendation letters directly to ica3@notes.duke.edu.
2. Current resume and/or transcript.
3. A brief (1-2 page) personal statement describing your reasons for pursuing this opportunity, what you will contribute to the school, and what you wish to accomplish. Be sure to note any relevant international and/or instructional experience.

Top applicants will be interviewed by the Hubert-Yeargan Center shortly after the application deadline.

Criteria for selection include the following:

• Strong recommendation letter.
• Demonstrated skill in key support areas: English/ESL, American Sign Language, basic math, musical training, sports, health, and/or farming.
• Demonstrated maturity, integrity, and cross-cultural awareness/sensitivity.
• Knowledge of the political and ethical issues surrounding issues of poverty, health and education in developing countries.

Contact:

Irina Adams, Program Coordinator; 919-668-8352; email: ica3@notes.duke.edu