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What Are Human Rights Internships?Introduction
The Human Rights Internship Program offers a select group of Chicago students the opportunity to learn the skills and understand the difficulties inherent in putting human rights into practice. Since its establishment in 1998, the Internship Program has helped place more than 350 students with non-governmental organizations, governmental agencies, and international bodies around the world. The Internship Program is unique in its flexibility, awarding $5000 grants to afford all interns the freedom to explore their interests, whether thematic or regional in focus.Program Description
The Internship Program is a year-long process designed to give students the opportunity to identify their ideal host organization and to plan an internship experience that satisfies both the student’s and the organization’s goals and expectations. While we encourage students to further their educational goals by working in organizations or regions that complement their academic interests, this internship program is not intended to fund research.The Fall Quarter is devoted to the selection of interns. The application process is highly competitive; in 2005, more than 150 students applied for 30-35 positions. Students are not expected to have identified a placement prior to submitting an application, but are encouraged to think creatively about their prospective plans. All applications will be reviewed by the Human Rights Board, but, due to the large number of applicants, not all students will be invited to interview. Interns are selected shortly before Winter Break, allowing time for the new interns to meet with Program staff prior to vacation.
Interns spend Winter Break developing a list of potential host organizations of interest to them. Throughout Winter Quarter, interns work with Program staff to brainstorm ideas, contact organizations, and follow up leads. Many interns choose to work with organizations that have hosted Chicago students in the past, while others identify new groups of interest. By the end of Winter Quarter, all interns have a confirmed placement or several strong leads.
Spring Quarter is dedicated to the development of a concrete workplan. In collaboration with their host organizations, interns identify tangible projects whose completion meets both students’ and organizations’ goals. Additionally, interns work with Program staff to finalize the logistical details of their internship. At the end of Spring Quarter, students are issued a check for $5000 to cover their summer expenses. At the end of their internships, students must write a 10-15 page report detailing their internship experiences.
The following academic year, returning interns are invited to present their work experiences at public report back panels hosted by the Human Rights Program.
Eligibility
All second-, and third-year students in the College, and all graduate and professional students are eligible to apply to the Human Rights Internship Program. Additionally, graduating seniors in the college are not eligible to apply.All interns are required to take one of the three Human Rights core sequence courses (PDF) (HR —1, —2, —3) prior to the start of their internship (exceptions must be approved by Director Susan Gzesh).
Application Guidelines
All applications are due by 5:00 pm on Friday, November 2, 2012, and should be submitted to online.
- Please submit the following:
- Completed online application form
- Résumé
- Essay responses (see application form for details)
- Please submit 1 letter of recommendation from a professor or employer. Letters of recommendation may be submitted via e-mail to hr-internship-apps@lists.uchicago.edu.
Receipt of applications will be confirmed by e-mail within 24-hours.
Due to the large number of applications, not all students will be able to interview for a position.
Deadline
All applications are due by 5:00 pm on Friday, November 2, 2012.Information
For additional information, please contact the contact Internship Coordinator Jack Lesniewski, (jshm@uchicago.edu), or Student Internship Coordinators Matel Sow (College, msow@uchicago.edu), Helen Hailes (College, hhailes@uchicago.edu), and Jonathan Lykes (jlykes@uchicago.edu).
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