Archive for January Term Opportunities

Thursday, November 20th, 2014

Application deadline extended: Cuba J-Term trip

The application deadline to the J-Term trip to Cuba (January 6 – 17, 2015) has been extended until November 30. So it is not too late to register for this unique opportunity to get immersed in a country that has essentially been off-limits to most Americans for more than half a century.

To learn more about this opportunity – including testimonies from previous students – and to apply click here

Monday, November 17th, 2014

IPSS 2015 January Pre-Departure Workshops Announced

The International Professional Service Semester (IPSS) program at MIIS recently announced its January 2-16, 2015 workshop schedule. A summary of workshop offerings is as follows:

High-Value Organizational Consulting (IPSS 8530 A, 1-2 credits, Pass/Fail) Jan 2-3, 10:00am-5:50pm

This workshop will be taught by organizational expert and successful government, nonprofit, and private-sector consultant, Dr. Beryl Levinger.  Participants will learn tools for analyzing an organization, its culture, its approach to meeting mission, and ecosystem analysis.  They will also master key skills for effective organizational consulting including client reconnaissance; client relationship management; and the creation of value-added consultant deliverables.  The 15 contact hour workshop in January can be taken for 1 or 2 credits. Students wishing to earn 2 credits for this workshop will turn additional deliverables in the first month of their internship – these deliverables will help them apply the tools they have learned in this workshop to better understand their host organizations. Instructor: Dr. Beryl Levinger.

Designing and Evaluating Interventions (IPSS 8531 A, 1 credit, Pass/Fail) Jan. 5-6, 10:00am-5:50pm

This workshop will cover basic tools and steps involved in designing successful interventions (i.e. projects and programs) and effectively evaluating these interventions.  This workshop will prepare students to assist the growing number of organizations across various specializations that are trying to establish more systematic design and evaluation systems. Instructor: Emily Morris; Monitoring, Evaluation & Research Technical Advisor, Education Development Center, Inc. (EDC).

Quantitative Data Analysis in a Professional Setting Using Excel (IPSS 8532A, 1 credit, Pass/Fail) Jan 9-10, 10:00am-5:50pm

This course is designed to meet the needs of graduate school level students who are looking to improve their understanding and abilities to collect and analyze data using Microsoft Excel. Collection and analysis are covered in the same course because proper planning and collection of good quality information requires understanding of data analysis and vice versa. The course will be broken up into three distinct modules that are each catered to the skill set of the respective audiences: Beginner, Intermediate, and Advanced. Instructor: Kevin Morenzi.

Applied Qualitative Data Collection and Analysis (IPSS 8533A, 1 credit, Pass/Fail) Jan. 15-16, 9:00am-5:00pm

Students will acquire and practice tools essential for systematically analyzing qualitative data as a professional in the government, nonprofit, or private sectors. “Learning by doing” will be the main instruction approach. Examples from typical assignments from professional setting such as needs assessment, policy analysis, and M&E will be used to facilitate learning. Instructor: Erika Takada, Senior Research Associate at Harder+Company Community Research

Networked International Organizations: Using Networks, Measurement, and Social Media for Learning That Leads To Impact (IPSS 8534A, 1 credit, Pass/Fail) Jan 15-16, 8:30am-3:30pm

This two-day workshop will help create an integrated communications strategy that makes effective use of social media and mobile tactics and tools to get results for their host organizations.   Those results may be increased brand awareness, fundraising, inspiring and mobilizing stakeholders to take action, or outreach.  The course will also help students develop a professional learning and networking strategy that will help them deepen the impact of their internship and support their career goals. Instructor: Beth Kanter, an author who was recently named “One of the Most Influential Women in Technology” by Fast Company.

These professional skill workshops will be open to students and professional outside of the IPSS program space-permitting. Please email ipss@miis.edu to express interest.

Wednesday, November 12th, 2014

Lets get Sprintensive.

 

 

IPS and MPA students

Join us tomorrow evening to learn more about the upcoming change to DPP and the alternative learning semester, Sprintensive!

Wine and Pizza reception will follow! 

Sprintensive

Monday, October 20th, 2014

Cuba J-Term Information Session – Wednesday, October 22nd

Curious about Cuba? Spend J-Term with us!

Dr. Jan Black will host an info session about the practicum on Wednesday, October 22, 6:00 -7:30 pm in McGowan 100.

If you’re thinking about joining the J-Term trip to Cuba, please come to the info session to find out more. This opportunity is open to all current MIIS students.

If you’re not able to make it to the info session, but are interested in the trip, please email us for more details.

Contact persons:

Dr. Jan Black, jblack@miis.edu

Carolyn Taylor Meyer, carolyn.taylor@miis.edu

Molly Moreland,mmoreland@miis.edu

Please include all three of us in your email so we can get back to you as quickly as possible.

Hope to see you there!

Monday, September 29th, 2014

Apple Pie and Pineapple Sorbet: U.S. and Cuban Nationalism

Why is Cuba such a contradiction? Because Cuba is characterized by everything I was told the world should not be!  Socialist not democratic, communist not capitalist, systemic human rights violations, a dictatorship, inefficient, unproductive; should I continue?  I was able to get a sense of this notorious island during a seven day immersive learning excursion with twenty-seven other MIIS students and the renowned Professor Jan Black.

There was a time when I imagined Cuba as a socialist utopia. I had thought Cuba was going to be the national anthropomorphization of Eugene V. Debs famous quote that is “opposing a social order where it is possible for one man who does absolutely nothing that is useful to amass a fortune of hundreds of millions of dollars, while millions of men and women who work all the days of their lives to secure barely enough for a wretched existence.  But, there is no substitute for actually visiting the country – after seven days in Cuba, I’ve realized that the little island nation, and the United States, are a lot more complex than I was led to believe in the comfort of my Midwest upbringing.

As an American, I grew up on the smell of apple pie; lightly toasted crust, crisscrossed across the top, somehow evoking feelings of liberty, justice…righteous stuff. You see, Cuba, at least for United States citizens, is one gigantic contradiction and trying to digest and make sense of the country through the nationalistic viewpoint from which my mind has been programmed to think, whether I like it or not, is no easy task. Close your eyes and think about apple pie. Now, envision biting into pineapple sorbet.  So, I apologize now if, and that is a big if, you get to the end of this blog and you walk away more confused than you started. That’s fine though. Cuba could be the poster child for the phrase; the more you know the less you think you know.

Our professor and guide Dr. Jan Black told us to experience Cuba using our five senses. I would like to take the liberty of taking you, my reader, along for the ride with the idea of trying to engage your five senses. Unfortunately, I am less likely to engage your sense of smell.  But, here we go:

We met with all different types of people, from Cuban foreign ministers to a diplomat from the U.S. Interest Section. We also met with individual Cubans, both pro-government and oppositionist. We met with U.S. expats working with the Cuban health system and Cuban students studying international relations. What was so trying after listening to all of them was that you could easily pick each one up and place them into two buckets, Cuban Nationals (CN) or U.S. Nationals (USN). Whether we were speaking to Cuban oppositionists or expat sympathizers of the Cuban government their rhetoric fit, nicely, within these two buckets. Their world-views and indeed those of us students had been systematically crafted by the nations from which they grew up and regardless of their support for either side or not they continued to use rhetoric that perpetuated the conflict between the United States and Cuba. What was most contradictory of all was that these two worldviews of the same conflict were like hearing two completely different stories for two completely different historical events told perpetually for generations upon generations without change.

How are these national worldviews constructed within a citizenry? It is often much more subtle than one would assume.  Irrespective of whether we understand nationalism as a positive or negative force, it is generally acknowledged that nationalism places the nation on the highest pedestal and viewed as the supreme agency of meaning, collective identity, and moral justification.  Critically noting that one of the powerful ways in which nationalism becomes historically instated is through its presumption that the nation is sacred, likening it to be equivalent to the church.  Interestingly, if nationalism is being valued as sacred within the population we can see its physical manifestation in the ritualized images of national leaders and national public ceremonies that are underscored by the nations presumed history of greatness. Harry Anastasiou, a professor of Conflict Resolution at Portland State University and world-renowned leader in the settlement process in Cyprus, goes as far to claim nationalism can be a justification for divine election.

Che.1.

Click here to read more

Wednesday, August 27th, 2014

TEAM PERU: Is it right for YOU?

 

The Who, What, When, Where, Why & How!
TeamPeru_201415 copy

Monday, July 28th, 2014

DPMI: A learning journey

Josh Fleming (MA IPS '15) participates in a facilitation exercise during the second week of DPMI Monterey this June.

Josh Fleming (MA IPS ’15) participates in a facilitation exercise during the second week of DPMI Monterey this June.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

I had heard repeatedly on campus that DPMI (Design, Partnering, Management and Innovation) is one of the most useful courses you can take. I found this hard to believe at first, but now I agree. If you haven’t taken this leadership training in international development project management and social change then you should reconsider.

You will walk away from the DPMI training having learned some ground-breaking and ‘tried and true’ tools to solving your next problem, motivating your staff or making your next big partnership. Tools that break down these processes  into quantifiable, qualifiable methods to be used at a given moment or throughout the lifespan of a project.

If you are a non-profit guru, a development practitioner in training, or a social change maker then you will notice, quickly, that these tools and capacities that DPMI finds so important are actually pretty important. This is how USAID, and other major non-profit employers do it, and whether you like it or not USAID often sets the standard. Additionally, from the United Nations to grassroots organizations, from CSR departments to State department recruiters–most are looking for project management skills. DPMI fits them nicely into the longest three weeks of your life (Yes, I’ve thrown in a bit of sarcasm). It’s worth it though. I implore you to find one job posting that doesn’t ask for project management skills.

Click here to read more

Friday, April 25th, 2014

Team El Salvador Leadership Applications – Still time to apply! –

– Application deadline EXTENDED to April 29 – 

Team El Salvador Practicum 2014-2015 Call for Leadership Applications

Team El Salvador (TES) is seeking three student leaders to lead the Team El Salvador 9 Practicum during its 2014-2015 program year.

Do you want to gain skills in leadership? International Development? Environmental policy and natural resource management? Survey creation? Improving your Spanish proficiency and communication?

TES leadership is open to all MIIS students, from all departments and fields of study!

How to apply? Please send resume and cover letter to: teamelsalvadormiis@gmail.com by Tuesday, April 29th. Visit us at: http://blogs.miis.edu/teamelsalvador

Team El Salvador provides a unique, professional opportunity for MIIS students to develop and apply practical skills and enhance language proficiency and multicultural competency in a dynamic international setting.

Team leaders will cultivate a variety of professional skills while gaining real world experience. The ideal candidate has a passion for international development, strong leadership skills, and a willingness to facilitate and manage a variety of program elements, including communication and outreach, program development, fundraising, updating and developing website content and social media sites, event scheduling and management, meeting planning and travel logistics and community engagement.

Ideal Candidates will:

• Speak, write and read Spanish at a 400 level
• Understand the mission and goals of Team El Salvador and
El Salvadoran history and culture
• Have strong communication and organizational skills
• Have experience living and working in rural communities of Latin America (or other developing
countries)
• Have a lucid understanding of the unpredictable nature of development work
• Be personable, dynamic, patient, flexible and adaptable to changing program and project
demands
• Have experience with fundraising
• Develop and deliver compelling presentations to MIIS faculty, prospective team members, etc.
Executive management and staff

Friday, December 6th, 2013

MIIS Immersive Learning Opportunities

Winter 2014 Opportunities:

Chile Practicum: Transitional Injustice, Human Rights, and Chile’s Vulnerable Populations

Chile Practicum

Chile Practicum

Professors: Dr. Jan Black with Global Majority and guest Dr. Fusun Akarsu
When: 4-unit January course (IPSG 8672) and trip to Chile January 5-22
Register: Register in Bannerweb and email sbernstory@miis.edu by December 13

Info: Visit the website or contact Sydney Bern-Story at sbernstory@miis.edu.

Spring Break 2014:

China Practicum: Shanghai Free Trade Zone

Shanghai Free Trade Zone

Shanghai Free Trade ZonChina Practicum: Shanghai Free Trade Zone

Professors: Drs. Liang Zhang and Robert Rogowsky

When: 3-unit spring course (IPSG 8574) with spring break trip to Shanghai March 15-23
Register: Register in Bannerweb by December 20.
Info: Visit the blog or contact Dr. Zhang at lzhang@miis.edu.

Cuba Practicum: Changing Course for Changing Times 

Cuba Practicum

Cuba Practicum

Professors: Dr. Jan Black with Global Exchange

When: 4-unit spring course (IPSG 8530) and spring break Cuba trip March 15-23

Register: Register in Bannerweb and email Maddie Stoeri at mstoeri@miis.edu
Info: View video from last year’s trip or contact Maddie Stoeri at mstoeri@miis.edu.

 

Wednesday, December 4th, 2013

Technology for Conflict Management and Peacebuilding Online Certificate Course

indexIn this four-week certificate course, participants will explore how mapping, social media, and mobile telephones can effectively support the work of conflict prevention and management.  The course will feature case studies from Kenya, the Democratic Republic of Congo, Syria, and Libya among others,  and draw on relevant conflict prevention and resolution theory to arrive at best practices for using technology in conflict-affected settings.  Participants can expect a dynamic and interactive learning environment with a  number practical and hands-on activities and simulations aimed at developing tangible skills and strategies in use of technology for conflict prevention and peacekeeping. You can explore the course syllabus here. The course will take place from January 13, 2014 – February 7, 2014

The course is designed for conflict management professionals to assist them in understanding the roles of technology in conflict prevention and peacekeeping.  No specific technological skills are required for the course. If you apply and submit your application by December 8th, you will pay the smaller early-bird fee. More information on course requirements and courses offerings can be found here.

Thursday, November 21st, 2013

Cuba: Changing Course for Changing Times

An introduction to the 2014 spring break opportunity in Cuba by Professor Jan Knippers Black

MIIS Spring Break in Cuba

2014 Spring Break Trip to Cuba

Cuba has always found itself, or placed itself, in the most unusual circumstances. It was among the last of the Western Hemisphere countries to win independence (or at least nominal independence) from the Spanish. It was in part because such independence was largely nominal, hegemony having been passed to the United States that Cuba in 1959 began to experience one of the most thorough-going revolutions the world had seen. And Cuba has held onto its revolutionary profile long after most other governments so assembled have abandoned revolutionary rhetoric as well as revolutionary inclusiveness.

As a consequence of that extraordinary history, Cuba has much to teach about the costs and benefits of revolution and also the costs and benefits of integrating belatedly a now globalized economy. Having been stripped time and again of capital and of markets, Cuba also has much to teach about self-help – about what communities can do for themselves when they have no other recourse. And the nature of therelationship between Cuba and the United States – the relentless continuity despite dramatic change in the world around them – gives away the predominance in both countries of domestic interests and domestic politics in the design and execution of foreign policy.

This narrative will be explored further with an on-site course this spring that will offered to students from all MIIS schools and programs and from Middlebury College.  The onsite portion of the course will take place over spring break: March 15 – 23 and will include visits to various Cuban ministries, including those of foreign affairs and tourism, offices of the United Nations Development Program and other IGOs and NGOs, and sites of historic events, including the Bay of Pigs and the Museum of the Revolution.

This opportunity is co-sponsored by Global Exchange. For inquiries, please contact: Maddie Stoeri at mstoeri@miis.edu (please cc cmtaylor@miis.edu).

Course dates: March 15-23, 2014

Application deadline: December 10, 2013

Tuesday, October 29th, 2013

Applications to January DPMI Trainings in Rwanda and Monterey Due October 31

Development Project Management Institute

What: Professional certificate training in international development project planning, facilitation, and partnership

Where: Monterey, California or Kigali, Rwanda!

When: Monterey (January 6-24, 2014) or Rwanda (January 14-23)

Who: Aspiring international development and social change practitioners interested in developing a practical skill-set and meeting others interested in this field. Interested graduate students, career-changers, and outstanding undergraduates encouraged to apply.

Program Fees: $1,500 for Monterey or $900 for Rwanda training for MIIS students; $2,500 for non-MIIS students for either program (some scholarships available)

Application Deadline: Apply at http://go.miis.edu/dpmi by October 31, 2013!

Click here to read more

Wednesday, October 23rd, 2013

Still undecided for J-term? Applications for the J-term trip to Colombia are being accepted for a second round!

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Work with a local non-profit, Misiion Gaia to help strengthen sustainable tourism in the beautiful region of the Sierra Nevada de Santa Marta in Colombia. Why should you join the team?

Gain field experience (!) in a richly bio-diverse environment that will develop mutually professional skills relating to international development, environmental conservation. translation/interpretation and sustainable business modeling!

This trip is open to all students and you can participate whether you want to earn credits or not! Ask the team leaders for more information.

Conduct a SWOT analysis and build an impact matrix for the potential for future business development in Minca, Colombia with priority given to locally developed tourism products which highlight local expertise and preserve natural resources.

Closely work with local community members to develop realistic action plans. Students will also have the opportunity to consult a local family on creating a sustainable business model for tours on their coffee farms!

Free weekends to embark on all that Colombia has to offer – surfing and scuba diving in the Caribbean, bird watching, hiking and more!

Deadline is October 28th, so get started! Email colombiajterm@gmail.com before October 28th or check out the Facebook page.  If you have any questions, contact the three team leaders: Whitney White (wwhite@miis.edu), Teryn Wolfe (twolfe@miis.edu) and Cristina Falcione (cfalcione@miis.edu).

 

Tuesday, October 22nd, 2013

MIIS Program Offers US-Focused Social Enterprise Management and Impact Investing Certificate Training

The Frontier Market Scouts program includes a new training program at the James Lee Sorenson Global Impact Investing Center in Salt Lake City January 11-24, 2014.

Training covers tools for social enterprise management and impact investing with a focus on US case studies and programs.

The program fee for MIIS students is $2,000 (room and board not included).

University of Utah housing available for around $30/night.

After completing the training, participants have the option of receiving a 3-6 month placement with a US-based social enterprise with a minimum stipend of $200/month for up to six months of service.

The application deadline is November 1, 2013.

Apply online at go.miis.edu/fms.

Tuesday, October 22nd, 2013

DPMI Rwanda and DPMI Plus Winter/Spring Applications Due October 31

Are you interested in a career in international social change and development?

Would you like to gain a new professional skill-set this January?

Consider applying for the Development Project Management Institute (DPMI) professional certificate training January 6-24, 2014 in Monterey or January 14-23 in Rwanda.

Would you like to gain professional experience?

After successfully completing the DPMI Training, Monterey Institute students can complete a 3-9 month credit-bearing internship program in which they apply skills covered in the training to benefit their host organizations.

Applications for DPMI Monterey, DPMI Rwanda, and our corresponding internship program (DPMI Plus) due October 31, 2013.

Learn more and apply at go.miis.edu/dpmi.

 

Thursday, October 10th, 2013

Internship Possibilities with KIVA for January 2014!

kiva_121x64Kiva is currently hiring 30 intern positions for its 11th Internship Class. The Kiva Internship Program and Kiva Staff are dedicated to providing a rich educational experience and robust career development foundation for those interested in working on high-level Kiva initiatives.  The internship program offers recent graduates and early to mid-career professionals the opportunity to work with Kiva in their San Francisco headquarters.

The Internships begin January 23rd, and end in June 2014. For more information and the application, see Kiva’s Internship page here.  Candidates are asked to apply to the General Internship Role unless they have the specific qualifications needed for the more specific roles posted.

Kiva envisions a world where all people – even in the most remote areas of the globe – hold the power to create opportunity for themselves and others. Kiva believes providing safe, affordable access to capital to those in need helps people create better lives for themselves and their families.

Wednesday, October 9th, 2013

IPSS January Pre-Departure Workshops Announced

The International Professional Service Semester (IPSS) program at MIIS recently announced it’s January 3-20, 2014 workshop schedule. A summary of workshop offerings is as follows:

“High-Value Organizational Consulting” (IPSS 8530A) Jan. 3, 4, 5; 12-5pm

“Designing and Evaluating Interventions” (IPSS 8531) Jan. 7-8, 9:00am-5:00pm

“Quantitative Data Analysis in a Professional Setting Using Excel” (IPSS 8532) Jan. 11 and 13 9:00am-5:00pm

“Applied Qualitative Data Collection and Analysis” (IPSS 8534) Jan 15-16, 9:00am-5:00pm

“Netwoked International Organizations: Using Networks, Measurement, and Social Media for Learning That Leads to Impact” (IPSS 8534) Jan. 17 and 20, 9:00am-5:00pm

These professional skill workshops will be open to students and professional outside of the IPSS program space-permitting. Please email ipss@miis.edu to express interest or call 831-647-6417. 

Click here to read more

Friday, October 4th, 2013

Winter/Spring Programs with Foundation of Sustainable Development (FSD)

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The Foundation for Sustainable Development is currently accepting applications for the Winter/Spring Programs in Africa, Latin America and Asia sites. FSD training programs are highly immersive, bringing students, professionals, and retirees on-site to support critical grassroots initiatives. Rather than work on aid-based, short-term projects, participants collaborate with community partners to enhance local capacity to address health, social, environmental, and economic issues. With ongoing support from FSD Site Teams, all programs include: orientation, family homestay, language and grassroots development trainings, seed Grant + access to additional funding for strong projects, hands-on project development experience, debriefing sessions, cultural activities, and access to FSD’s Alumni Connect program.

1) Intern Abroad for 9-52 weeks (with opportunities for funding for public health students through the Evans Memorial Scholarship ($3k)

2) Global Service Trip for 1-4 weeks for student groups in J-term

3) ProCorps Volunteering for 10 days to 12 weeks for professionals

Deadline is November 1, 2013. For ore information on application process and financial support, click here.

Founded in 1995, Foundation for Sustainable Development (FSD) enhances the capacity of community organizations around the world to address local health, social, environmental, and economic issues. Our model incorporates four programs that support underserved communities in a collaborative and sustainable manner: Capacity Building, Grantmaking, International Development Training Programs, and Giving Circles.

Wednesday, October 2nd, 2013

Alternative J-Term Opportunities with ThinkImpact Institute

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ThinkImpact is introducing new programs for Winter Break for students of all disciplines to explore education, food, health and social innovation in either Africa or Latin America. ThinkImpact offers a great Immersive Learning experience and provides sources for financial support. This is a good opportunity to apply skills in the real world and make a difference. You can go Rwanda, Ghana or Panama for J-Term. ThinkImpact also offers programs in the summer. Check out their website for all the programs, information on financial support and conditions to apply.

ThinkImpact works closely with universities such as Claremont McKenna College, Dartmouth College, Georgetown University, University of San Diego and many more.

Friday, September 20th, 2013

New J-Term opportunity

image001 Join the Mision Gaia J-Term program for a lunch and an information session on Tuesday, September 24th, 12:30-1:30 in McGowan 100. The new J-Term opportunity is open to all MIIS students, regardless of their degree program. The experience will provide students with tangible opportunities to apply their coursework through 1)Community engagement and international development, 2)Immersive learning and cultural exchange, 3)Professional development with a Colombian non-profit, 4) Spanish language practice and improvement, 5)  Translation and Interpretation, 6) Sustainable business development, 7)  Small scale business modeling, 8)Program Design and Development, and 9)Social Media and Visual Storytelling. For more information, please contact Whitney White at wwhite@miis.edu.