Jobs & Internships

The Center for Latin American and Caribbean Studies maintains in its office a binder with listings of internship and/or volunteer opportunities in the US, Latin America, and the Caribbean. Below are selected links to organizations and programs of interest.

Please note that these organizations are not affiliated with or endorsed by CLACS. This list is provided only as a resource to assist students in beginning their search for internships.

Organizations in the US:

Acción partners with microfinance organizations to promote economic development and provide financial services such as housing loans to microentrepreneurs and their families. Internships are based in Boston, Washington DC, and overseas regional offices.

Amazon Watch works closely with indigenous groups in the Amazon Basin to promote indigenous rights, sustainable development, rainforest conservation, and biodiversity. Offices are located in Northern and Southern California and Washington DC.

The Anunciation House operates hospitality houses for refugees and immigrants on the border between El Paso, Texas and Ciudad Juarez, Mexico.

Ashoka is a DC-area social entrepreneurship organization that funds individual projects in areas such as civic engagement, economic development, the environment, health, human rights, and education.

Asociación Tepeyac is a community-based organization that defends the rights of Latin American immigrants, particularly Mexicans, in the New York City area.

Banyan Global is a development consulting firm with offices in New York City and Washington DC. Its areas of focus include microfinance, the health sector, the financial sector, and micro, small, and medium enterprise.

The Brazilian Embassy in Washington DC has an extensive internship program for English and Portuguese speaking students who are interested in Brazilian issues.

The Carter Center in Atlanta seeks interns with background in Latin American and Caribbean Studies to work with its Americas Program, whose goal is to strengthen inter-American relations.

The Center for Global Development is a Washington DC think tank that conducts policy research on issues such as foreign aid effectiveness, health, education, migration, foreign trade, and globalization in the developing world.

The Center for International Policy in Washington DC is a policy organization with a focus on human rights, demilitarization, and conflict resolution in areas such as Central America, Colombia, and Cuba.

The Center for World Indigenous Studies, based in Olympia, Washington, addresses the problems facing indigenous peoples, including resource management, economic development, and health issues.

The Council on Hemispheric Affairs in Washington DC offers internships for students who are interested in US-Latin American political, economic, and diplomatic relations.

The Council on Foreign Relations in New York City, publishes the journal Foreign Affairs and serves as a forum for foreign policymakers. Internships are available in departments such as foreign affairs, communications, and publications in New York and Washington DC.

Cultural Survival works closely with indigenous groups to defend indigenous rights and promote sustainable development. It coordinates campaigns such as the Guatemala Radio Project and the National Language Revitalization Program.

English for Action works with Latin American immigrant families in Providence's Olneyville community, providing English language programs for children and adults. Volunteers serve as classroom and workshop facilitators, youth mentors, and research assistants.

Grassroots International supports idigenous and women's groups with grantmaking, education, and advocacy. The Boston-based organization partners with communities in Brazil, Guatemala, Haiti, Honduras, Mexico, and Nicaragua.

International Development Exchange is a grantmaking program in San Francisco that supports organizations working with Guatemalan and Mexican communities on economic development, women's empowerment, and resource management.

The Latin America Working Group in Washington DC seeks interns who are interested in advocacy work, US foreign policy in Latin America, and the political, economic, and social issues facing the region.

The League of United Latin American Citizens is a DC-based civil rights organization that offers internships to English and Spanish speaking students in departments such as policy, communications, development, and education.

MADRE is a New York-based women’s human, sexual, and economic rights organization that collaborates on projects in Colombia, Guatemala, Haiti, Mexico, Nicaragua, Panama, and Peru.

The Organization of American States is a multilateral forum for states in the Western hemisphere to cooperate on issues such as human rights, poverty, and terrorism. Positions are available for English, Spanish, and Portuguese speaking students in Washington DC.

The Rainforest Alliance's work promotes ecosystem conservation, sustainable agriculture, and ecotourism in the Amazon Basin. Internships are based in New York City.

Refugees International is a DC-based advocacy organization that promotes human rights and the resolution of refugee crises, including those in Colombia and the Dominican Republic.

The United Nations Development Programme promotes poverty reduction, democratic governance, environmental sustainability, public health, and women’s empowerment in countries throughout Latin America. Internships for graduate students are available in New York and in regional overseas offices.

Witness for Peace coordinates grassroots activists who are dedicated to economic justice and human rights, organizing campaigns to change US foreign policy in Latin America and the Caribbean. Internships are in Washington DC.

Organizations in Latin America and the Caribbean:

The Center for Justice and International Law promotes the implementation of international human rights law in the member states of the Organization of American States. It has offices in Washington DC, Brazil, Argentina, and Costa Rica.

The Directorio Legislativo in Argentina supports legislative initiatives that promote the public interest and works to ensure greater transparency and responsibility in the legislative branch of the government.

Fronteras Unidas Pro Salud provides basic and reproductive healthcare to families in Tijuana in addition to sponsoring outreach and education programs on family planning, domestic violence, and mental and physical health.

Fundación Paniamor promotes the well-being and the rights of Costa Rican children and young adults by highlighting issues such as violence in the family, schools, and the community; sexual exploitation and child trafficking; and civic participation among youth.

Justiça Global is dedicated to protecting human rights in Brazil by documenting human rights abuses, advising local NGOs and organizations, and promoting international awareness of human rights issues in the media.

The La Pedrera School Project supports literacy, English, music, and nutrition classes for Mayan children in a poor Guatemalan community.

Nuestros Pequeños Hermanos sponsors homes for orphaned, abandoned, and at-risk children. Summer opportunities for teaching English, music, dance, art, and athletics are available in Haiti and the Dominican Republic; volunteers in Guatemala, Honduras, and Mexico make a one-year commitment.

Poder Ciudadano encourages citizens to participate in the political process and promotes government transparency and broader access to public information in Argentina.

Project Racine partners US and Haitian college students in a youth leadership training program to address the developmental and environmental challenges facing Haiti.

RioArte promotes environmental sustainability in Costa Rica through responsible forestry practices, water management, and use of national parks.

The Teatro Bolivar Foundation raises funds for and oversees the restoration of the Bolivar Theater, in addition to supporting cultural programming and the performing arts in Quito, Ecuador.

The Volunteer Association for the Protected Areas seeks volunteers to work on conservation projects in nature reserves, national parks, and wildlife refuges in Costa Rica.

Internship Placement Programs:

AIESEC
AmeriSpan Study Abroad
BA Cultural Abroad
CDS International
Centers for Interamerican Studies
COINED
Cross-Cultural Solutions
Cultural Embrace
ELG
Foundation for Sustainable Development
GIC Argentina
Greenheart Travel
International Education Programs at Jacksonville University
Intrax Intern Abroad
International Studies Abroad Experiential Learning Abroad Program
MSID Ecuador
ProWorld
Road2Argentina