Pamela Muckosy, an intern with Mennonite
Economic Development Associates of Canada, and a
farmer visit his rice field in Peru as part of the Productivity
Chain Project, established to provide farmers in
a rice production chain with credit and technical support.
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The International Youth Internship Program (IYIP) has collected a number of tips, information sites and necessary documents to help your organization make the most of its internships. Below you will find pertinent information for all phases of an internship.
Before You Select Your Interns
Before Your Interns Leave
While Your Interns Are Abroad
When Your Interns Return
Before You Select Your Interns
When recruiting interns, there are various things to consider. The following links contain all the forms and information necessary to successfully choose and then guide your interns in order to make their internship an enriching experience. We’ve also included some other useful information to help you prepare.
Before Your Interns Leave
You have selected your interns and now its time to prepare them for their internship. Here are some things you should look into.
Safety and Security Guidelines – These guidelines relate to the Safety and Security of International Internships under the Government of Canada’s Youth Employment Strategy.
Pre-departure training – To help prepare your interns to operate effectively in their new environment, CIDA has arranged with the Centre for Intercultural Learning (CIL) to provide pre-departure training as well as re-integration sessions on their return to Canada. In these information sessions, interns will be given advice on issues such as security, health and the culture of their host country. Most of the CIL sessions and travel costs are covered by CIDA. For more information, call the CIL at 1-800-852-9211.
Forms – The Participant Information form helps us measure the success of our program. Please make sure your intern completes all the required forms.
Guide for CIDA Interns and Canadian Partner Oganizations – This handy guide helps both parties plan and execute successful internships. The guide takes you through each phase of an internship, noting who is responsible for each action required and the target date for action.
Best Practises - Pre-departure Training - This compilation of all of the best practises was provided by you, our partners. Please take a look to find out what worked well.
Country Travel Reports - Consult the Country Travel Reports produced by the Consular Affairs Bureau (Department of Foreign Affairs and International Trade) website, where you will find up-to-date reports on safety, security, health concerns and visa requirements for countries around the world. Please make this information available to your interns.
Please make sure that your interns have signed and completed the following documents:
While Your Interns Are Abroad
Now that the interns are abroad, make sure you stay in contact with them at all times in order to anticipate possible problems and to monitor that they are being looked after by the host organization.
Best Practices - Overseas Support – This compilation of all of the best practises was provided by you, our partners. Please take a look to find out what worked well.
Other job opportunities - While your interns are abroad, you may want to begin exploring job opportunities to help them find work after their internship ends. Check out these job sites.
Overseas Host Organization Survey – CIDA's Evaluation Unit for IYIP is conducting an ongoing assessment of its program. Your comments will help us monitor development results and improve the program to ensure that all internships benefit participants as well as partner organizations in Canada and abroad.
Interim and Final Performance Report for Organizations (Narrative and Financial) – You must submit interim performance reports so that CIDA receives an i
indication of the interns’ progress.
When Your Interns Return
Your interns have returned from abroad and are excited to be back home. You want to make sure that they re-integrate into Canadian society as smoothly as possible. At the same time, make sure that you can provide opportunities for them to develop the skills they learned during their overseas project. Plan outreach activities and present your interns with possible job leads.
Best Practices - Debriefing - This compilation of all of the best practises was provided by you, our partners. Please take a look to find out what worked well.
Re-entry forms – The Participant Follow-up Survey helps us measure the success of our program. Please make sure your intern completes all the required forms.
Declaration of Outstanding Amounts Owed to the Federal Government - According to Article VIII of our contribution agreement, each organization signing with CIDA as part of IYIP, must submit to CIDA a declaration of any overdue amounts owing to Her Majesty.
Communicate your Experiences - Improve the visibility of your organization. Invite your interns to participate in one of our youth communications projects!
Outreach activities are important in a participating organization’s promotion of the IYIP and of international development to young Canadians.
The Youth Speakers Program
This is a great way to promote your organization to Canadians all across the country. We offer opportunities for your interns to showcase their presentation skills and to help young Canadians discover the cultural richness and challenges of working in a developing country. Encourage your interns to become youth speakers.