WOLA’s Yudelman Internship Program works to give interns a broad exposure to the foreign policy-making process. Interns explore current events in Latin America through regular meetings with our staff and by attending NGO coalition meetings, congressional hearings, and other discussions and events. Upon arrival each intern is assigned to work with a WOLA Associate on one issue and will complete a project that meets the intern’s interests and the Associate’s needs. In addition, throughout the semester, interns will have a series of “brown bag” lunch discussions with representatives from different sectors that interact with the NGO world, including foundations, governments, and multilateral institutions.

Through WOLA’s Internship Program we hope to provide unique mentoring opportunities to interns, encouraging the next generation of young people to become actors in the formation of U.S. foreign policy. WOLA’s internship program is named after Sally Yudelman for her contribution and commitment to WOLA, human rights and democracy in Latin America.

Applications to the WOLA Yudelman Internship are three times each year— summer, fall and spring. WOLA selects seven interns per session. The internship is unpaid. During the summer, they are expected to work at least 32 hours each week. In the fall and spring semesters, interns are expected to work at least 24 hours each week.

Approximately 45% of the internship is administrative in nature—answering telephones, faxing, copying, or working on a specific task (helping to keep our website updated, monitoring the media, helping with events, etc). The remainder of the time is spent on the intern project or other substantive work.

Interested applicants should have a demonstrated interest in human rights, democracy and economic justice in Latin America; initiative and flexibility; the ability to work in a fast-paced environment; good organizational skills; follow-through and attention to detail. Spanish proficiency is strongly recommended. Technical skills are highly desired.

Latin American and minority students are encouraged to apply. In general, the Yudelman Internship Program is not open to either graduate students or to students who have already graduated as they are generally looking for something more substantive in nature.

Application instructions:

In order to be considered for an internship, WOLA needs the following materials: 

1) Cover letter in which you state:

• That you understand the internship is unpaid.
• Your specific dates of availability.
• Your willingness to work at least 32 per week.
• Why you want to intern at WOLA, an idea of your specific interests regarding Latin America, and your language abilities
  
  

2) Resume.

3) The names of 2 references with email addresses and daytime phone numbers.

4) Writing sample (no more than 2-3 pages) on a topic of your choice. It can be a paper you submitted for a class.