Internships, The Summer Program and Other Possibilities for Students
Introduction and Some General Points
In General
We wish to make clear from the beginning that the CWWPP is an organization dedicated to work with its beneficiaries. Thus, for us, work with students is a secondary activity. This does not mean that we don’t want students here nor that we do not care about students. It does mean that, at times, we will not be able to give students all of the attention that we would like to or that we think they deserve.
In this context, we wish to make it clear that we do not want to have people around who are here purely for a vacation and who will not take their work – and ours – seriously. We have been accused of being “too intensive” at times. We do not regret that. Rather, we regret that people sometimes have not been able to take their own work, and ours, seriously enough. When we work with students, we pay attention to what people are doing and spend time with them. We do not impose our views on anyone. However, we do demand that the work be rigorous.
We wish to make clear from the beginning that the CWWPP is an organization dedicated to work with its beneficiaries. Thus, for us, work with students is a secondary activity. This does not mean that we don’t want students here nor that we do not care about students. It does mean that, at times, we will not be able to give students all of the attention that we would like to or that we think they deserve.
In this context, we wish to make it clear that we do not want to have people around who are here purely for a vacation and who will not take their work – and ours – seriously. We have been accused of being “too intensive” at times. We do not regret that. Rather, we regret that people sometimes have not been able to take their own work, and ours, seriously enough. When we work with students, we pay attention to what people are doing and spend time with them. We do not impose our views on anyone. However, we do demand that the work be rigorous.
Finances
Unfortunately, like many non-governmental organizations, we do not have the funds to support all of the work that we would like to do. Thus, all students, with a very few exceptions, are required to give a contribution to the organization. Also, all students must cover their own costs for travel, accommodation, etc. If a specific project requires translation or interpretation or a contribution to another organization, the student is required to pay for that as well. Depending on the length of time that a person is here and the amount of attention required, we will determine the amount of the contribution. In general, these contributions are tax-deductible. We also recommend that students seek support from other sources. All contributions must be paid in advance and are non-refundable.
Unfortunately, like many non-governmental organizations, we do not have the funds to support all of the work that we would like to do. Thus, all students, with a very few exceptions, are required to give a contribution to the organization. Also, all students must cover their own costs for travel, accommodation, etc. If a specific project requires translation or interpretation or a contribution to another organization, the student is required to pay for that as well. Depending on the length of time that a person is here and the amount of attention required, we will determine the amount of the contribution. In general, these contributions are tax-deductible. We also recommend that students seek support from other sources. All contributions must be paid in advance and are non-refundable.
Formalities
Students are required to get their own visas, if required, and handle all formalities themselves. Once accepted into a program, we will provide a letter to that effect. We cannot provide financial guarantee letters.
Health
We also require that students have their own health insurance that includes repatriation if required. We require that students be generally in good health. Health care in the regions in which we work is not of the highest possible quality. We are willing to consider people with health challenges on a case-by-case basis. In all cases, we also require a general health questionnaire and physical examination before a student comes here. Students are required to carry a health history and results of examinations with them and to submit these to the Head of Mission for emergency use. To be clear, while the Head of Mission is a physician and while, of course, we will assist during emergencies, we do not have the time to spend on chronic health problems.
Credit and Cooperation with Academic Institutions
Students are required to get their own visas, if required, and handle all formalities themselves. Once accepted into a program, we will provide a letter to that effect. We cannot provide financial guarantee letters.
Students are required to get their own visas, if required, and handle all formalities themselves. Once accepted into a program, we will provide a letter to that effect. We cannot provide financial guarantee letters.
Health
We also require that students have their own health insurance that includes repatriation if required. We require that students be generally in good health. Health care in the regions in which we work is not of the highest possible quality. We are willing to consider people with health challenges on a case-by-case basis. In all cases, we also require a general health questionnaire and physical examination before a student comes here. Students are required to carry a health history and results of examinations with them and to submit these to the Head of Mission for emergency use. To be clear, while the Head of Mission is a physician and while, of course, we will assist during emergencies, we do not have the time to spend on chronic health problems.
Credit and Cooperation with Academic Institutions
Students are required to get their own visas, if required, and handle all formalities themselves. Once accepted into a program, we will provide a letter to that effect. We cannot provide financial guarantee letters.
The Summer Program and Other Collective Academic Programs
In the past, we have organized intensive programs for interested people lasting from about a week to about a month. These programs include discussions on trauma in post-conflict regions, on violent and non-violent peacebuilding, on bottom-up work, on governmental, inter-governmental and non-governmental organizations and their roles, on religion and its role, on identity and its role, on economics, and on other topics of interest locally and internationally. Topics can be adapted to the interests of the participants.
In general, we require 5-10 people to participate before we organize such a program. We will collect the names of individuals, although we prefer organized groups of colleagues. We prefer to have people over the age of 20, although we will look at people on an individual basis. There is no maximum age. We prefer people to have at least two years of university education, although we will also look at this on an individual basis.
The programs can be organized more or less at any time of year. The period from about the end of June to about the end of August and the period from about the middle of December to about the middle to the end of January are not good, as local people take vacations during these periods, and thus it is much more difficult for us to find external speakers and to visit external organizations.
It also is possible to extend the stay of the student and to carry out an individual project.
Costs will vary with the length of stay. We calculate the contribution to include accommodation, most meals, and local transportation.
Please write to us for more information and an application.
In general, we require 5-10 people to participate before we organize such a program. We will collect the names of individuals, although we prefer organized groups of colleagues. We prefer to have people over the age of 20, although we will look at people on an individual basis. There is no maximum age. We prefer people to have at least two years of university education, although we will also look at this on an individual basis.
The programs can be organized more or less at any time of year. The period from about the end of June to about the end of August and the period from about the middle of December to about the middle to the end of January are not good, as local people take vacations during these periods, and thus it is much more difficult for us to find external speakers and to visit external organizations.
It also is possible to extend the stay of the student and to carry out an individual project.
Costs will vary with the length of stay. We calculate the contribution to include accommodation, most meals, and local transportation.
Please write to us for more information and an application.
Internships
Onsite Internships
We find short-term onsite internships difficult. Here, there is little that can be done without language skills and without at least a basic understanding of the culture. Almost everything we do externally and internally requires a fairly long-term commitment. Some projects are possible, but these possibilities may be limited. Please also note that people here tend to be tired of students asking them the same questions for the umpteenth time, and thus may not be terribly willing to cooperate.
We require a contribution to the organization for guidance, as well as for expenses such as accommodation.
We cannot afford to pay interns for being here.
If you are interested in this possibility, in the first instance please send us:
We then will evaluate the feasibility of your request from a number of standpoints and come back with more questions for you.
Online Internships and Mentoring of Academic Work
Online internships and mentoring of academic work also are possible with us.
Again, we require a contribution to the organization. The amount of the contribution will be determined by the amount of time that we spend on the work of the student.
If you are interested, please write to us with:
We then will evaluate the feasibility of your request from a number of standpoints and come back with more questions for you.
Mentoring of BA/BS, MA/MS and PhD Work
We are prepared to mentor and assist with such work. Our role will be agreed upon on an individual basis between us, the student, and the institution.
As above, a financial contribution will be required.
If you are interested, please write to us with:
We then will evaluate the feasibility of your request from a number of standpoints and come back with more questions for you.
Please note that, if we agree to work with you, a complete protocol of your research, a letter of approval from your ethics committee, approval from our ethics committee, and a plan for dealing with any possible consequences to research interviewees will be required. We also may ask for additional information and documentation.
We find short-term onsite internships difficult. Here, there is little that can be done without language skills and without at least a basic understanding of the culture. Almost everything we do externally and internally requires a fairly long-term commitment. Some projects are possible, but these possibilities may be limited. Please also note that people here tend to be tired of students asking them the same questions for the umpteenth time, and thus may not be terribly willing to cooperate.
We require a contribution to the organization for guidance, as well as for expenses such as accommodation.
We cannot afford to pay interns for being here.
If you are interested in this possibility, in the first instance please send us:
- an outline of what you want to do;
- the length of time that you want to be here;
- a CV;
- the academic program in which you are participating;
- what you would require from us;
- a letter of motivation.
We then will evaluate the feasibility of your request from a number of standpoints and come back with more questions for you.
Online Internships and Mentoring of Academic Work
Online internships and mentoring of academic work also are possible with us.
Again, we require a contribution to the organization. The amount of the contribution will be determined by the amount of time that we spend on the work of the student.
If you are interested, please write to us with:
- an outline of what you want to do;
- the length of time of the project;
- a CV;
- the academic program in which you are participating;
- what you would require from us;
- a letter of motivation.
We then will evaluate the feasibility of your request from a number of standpoints and come back with more questions for you.
Mentoring of BA/BS, MA/MS and PhD Work
We are prepared to mentor and assist with such work. Our role will be agreed upon on an individual basis between us, the student, and the institution.
As above, a financial contribution will be required.
If you are interested, please write to us with:
- an outline of what you want to do;
- the length of time of the project;
- a CV;
- the academic program in which you are participating;
- what you would require from us;
- a letter of motivation.
We then will evaluate the feasibility of your request from a number of standpoints and come back with more questions for you.
Please note that, if we agree to work with you, a complete protocol of your research, a letter of approval from your ethics committee, approval from our ethics committee, and a plan for dealing with any possible consequences to research interviewees will be required. We also may ask for additional information and documentation.
Conclusion and Epilogue
We are quite open to work by students with us. However, such work must be serious and ethical, and must be in the wider context of our work. We wish to educate people into the specific problems of post-violent regions in terms of peacebuilding and health, particularly mental health, and wish people to do research in these areas. We look forward to hearing from you.