With summer quickly approaching, don’t miss your opportunity to break into the professional world with an internship at Christel House in Indianapolis, Indiana. Whether you are a college student or recent graduate, the Christel House International 2010 Summer Internship Program offers interns real-world experience in a fast-paced and reputable global nonprofit.

Christel House interns produce tangible results and work with top industry professionals. They're given real projects that move the organization forward. They are also given the freedom to use their creative energy for good, not to mention - they help end poverty.

One of our current interns, Sarah Franz, had this to say about her experience with Christel House: “At Christel House, I’ve been able to take my education interests and nonprofit volunteer experience from college and build upon those in a professional nonprofit setting. I have taken on several projects that have allowed me to learn tangible skills needed to work in the nonprofit industry, all while supporting an amazing cause.”

Our internships are designed to build your experience, network and resume. We'll do our best to match your interests and expertise with the needs of the organization - see job descriptions below. All positions are unpaid but we're happy to help secure college credit.

Apply now! Deadline is March 31st, decisions made by April 15!

Fundraising & Special Events
Research & Grants
Global Communications & Marketing
Graphic & Web Design

Labels: college, intern, Volunteer

“Education is the most powerful weapon which you can use to change the world.”

-Nelson Mandela

This quote has never been more inspiring and timely than it is right now in my life. My name is Meredith Kelsey and this semester I decided to trade in the comfort of my school dorm room for two big suitcases as I embarked upon a study abroad experience to Cape Town, South Africa.

Unlike an ordinary study abroad program in which I would go from University of Connecticut to another university, I had the opportunity to really become immersed in the culture by also getting an internship dealing with real issues. Being a Human Development/ Family Studies major I was given the opportunity to assist a teacher at Christel House. Christel House is a school with the strong dedication to help children break the cycle of poverty they are immersed in. The school does such wonderful things for these children by giving them a full education, meals and even digs down to the roots of poverty by educating the parents.

I have had the chance to work with the Grade R children for the past two weeks and I can already say that they have completely changed my outlook on life. Without even knowing me for more than five minutes, they welcomed me into their home away from home with huge smiles and hugs. What I have learned the past few weeks at Christel House is that these kids have so much love and joy in there hearts that is just bursting out of there little bodies. These kids need to give and receive love in order to feel joy and at Christel House the teachers truly make that possible each and every day.

Yesterday the children squealed with laughter as they hugged me so hard that I ended up on the ground and I could just feel the joy radiating off of them. The fact that the kids want to be in school as opposed to doing anything else was joy in itself. I know as a child the last thing I wanted to do was be in school, I would rather be doing almost anything else. These children want to learn and it is amazing how there lives will change. I’m so excited for them because I know that they will break the cycle of poverty.

Labels: intern, South Africa, testimonial

Are you a college student or recent graduate looking to break into the professional world? Our intern program gives students real-world experience with a fast-paced and reputable global nonprofit.

Christel House interns produce tangible results and work with top industry professionals. They're given real projects that move the organization forward. They are also given the freedom to use their creative energy for good, not to mention - they help end poverty.

Our internships are designed to build your experience, expertise and resume. They are unpaid and we're happy to help secure college credit.

Apply now!

Marketing and Communications
Fundraising and Special Events
Graphic Design and Web Development

Position responsibilities, schedule, and total hours are flexible. Questions? Contact nhand@christelhouse.org!

Labels: intern

Greetings from the Southern Hemisphere! My name is Diana Iglesias and I am the newest intern at Christel House South Africa. I arrived here about a month ago as a participant with the Honors Semester Abroad in Cape Town through the University of North Carolina in Chapel Hill. If any Capetonians have been wondering about the recent Tar Heel invasion of the city, it’s due to the fact that myself and the rest of the students have been doing internships with businesses and NGOs throughout the greater metropolitan area (from the City Bowl, to Ottery, to Khayelitsha), in addition to attending class once a week at the University of Cape Town.

Alexis Ivey, another student on the program, and I were placed at CHSA to work on projects with different departments in the school. Alexis is working with a social worker and plans to develop an anger management workshop series, while I will be partnering with the Arts and Culture teachers. Throughout the next term, I will assist with auditions and rehearsals for Annie Jr. the Musical and help begin a Drama Society at the school. Everyone is very eager about introducing creative expression into the new facilities at CHSA, through murals being painted around the school and the introduction of theatre, dance, and music clubs.

It is a very exciting time to be at Christel House – the buildings are brand-new, the campus has a gorgeous view of the surrounding mountains, and the students are brilliant! Just the other day a group of 5th and 6th graders showed me their ability to do the Macarena and told me all about the local food. I was born in Puerto Rico and spent the last two summers in Honduras, so when they proceeded to sing me a song in Spanish with impeccable pronunciation, I was floored. They are all thriving in the environment CHSA provides and never hesitate to show you just how stunningly smart they are. It is absolutely fascinating to listen as they open their minds and spirits to you. Currently, the school is on spring break (yes, it’s getting warmer here) and I can’t wait to resume working with the wonderful people I have met. Look out for photos and videos in the near future!

Labels: art, intern, language, partner, South Africa, testimonial, Volunteer

Rachel is interning at Christel House South Africa (from UConn) and writes...

"Picture in your mind your senior prom. Now remember the way you felt during that prom: the dancing, the music, the food, the pictures, and the atmosphere. Now imagine you are from an area where gang violence, drug abuse, physical abuse, HIV/AIDS are rampant, and you may live in a one room shack... In South Africa there is an event known as Matric Ball, or dance, and it is very similar to our senior prom. Girls find a fancy dress and get their hair and nails done while the guy finds a nice suit and they bring partners, which are their dates for the night. The students in grade 12 at Christel House South Africa had their Matric Ball on Friday the 17th of April. It was also historic for the school itself because this is the schools first Matric class ever, and thus the first Matric Ball.

What makes this Matric Ball even more special is the fact that these students had their outfits for the night and their hair and makeup donated by teachers and others throughout their community. I can remember in the weeks up to the dance there would be dress fittings in classrooms and girls would be running around talking about their outfits or who their partner was, and the guys would be trying on suits or shoes. All of the excitement led to this one night.

Jill and I had the privilege to attend the dance, and we had no idea what to expect. When we got there we were stunned to find the students looking absolutely gorgeous. Every single one of the learners and their partners looked like celebrities. The face of every student was of pure happiness. There were hundreds of pictures being taken and smiling faces everywhere. Jill and I could not stop saying how beautiful everyone looked, and how excited we were to be there. After everyone ate the dancing started, and Jill and I got forced to go out on the dance floor. Lets just say that we felt slightly awkward since our dancing skills were not quite up to par.

All in all, we had an amazing time and I am sure the students did too. It was a great experience and I am very glad that I had the chance to go. Working at Christel House has given me many opportunities that I would not have been able experience anywhere else. My experience here would not have been complete without Christel House and the people that I met there. The people I met and the kids I worked with will stay in my heart forever, and I will always be grateful for their friendship and help."

Thanks Rachel. And congrats to all our graduating students at Christel House South Africa!

You can read more from Rachel and her fellow students from the UConn Honors program at their blog. If you're interested in interning with (or visiting) one of our Learning Centers please contact us.

Labels: graduation, intern, South Africa