International Internship Program Fundación Paraguaya

Length of internship: There is no minimum length to be considered for an internship, though it is desirable that applicants be available for at least a month.

An internship with Fundación Paraguaya offers a unique opportunity to gain professional experience in microfinance and development, and spend time living and working in Paraguay. However, longer commitments are welcomed and encouraged. Background: Current undergraduates, college graduates, or graduate students from a variety of disciplines (Economics, Business Administration, Public Health, Intern

ational Relations / Development, Education, Agricultural Economics, and so on). You may also apply if you have a strong interest in microfinance, economic education for youth, agricultural high school education, Junior Achievement, etc). Language: Spanish proficiency required. Age: 20+

Insurance: Interns are required to have health insurance that will cover them in Paraguay. Travel plans: Interns should arrive in Paraguay on weekdays to ensure their settling goes as smoothly as possible. If an intern plans to visit other countries or other Paraguayan cities as tourists, should plan to do so during weekends or before and/or after the stipulated internship time. Cost: Depending on the time of the year that you plan to intern at Fundación Paraguaya, you pay a monthly fee which contributes to the sustainability of the program. Interns are required to pay the full internship fee prior to arrival by wire transfer. Housing: The Fundación Paraguaya has an Interns House two blocks from the main office, (which is fully furnished, with all utilities, water, electricity, internet, Cable TV, barbecue area, swimming pool, and so on). The interns that wish to stay at the house can do so at no additional cost. If the internship is done outside Asunción, housing will be at the house of a member of the Fundación. In the case of the internship being done at one of the three Agricultural Schools, housing will be provided at the same School. Apart from the Fundación’s fee, interns are responsible for their own personal expenses (including food, personal travel, laundry, entertainment, etc. which usually amounts to between US$ 300 and US$ 500 per month), and the cost of travel to and from Paraguay.

15/10/2014

Llegamos a los 500 ME GUSTA! Gracias a todos ustedes el Programa de Pasantías Internacionales continúa creciendo

09/10/2014

New Internship Opportunities with Fundación Paraguaya for 2014-2015 The application deadline for admission to the Spring 2015 semester for prospective Master's students has been extended to October 17, 2014.

07/10/2014

"La casa de pasantes es increíble, y se llega a conocer a gente de todo el mundo, desde los más diversos orígenes (Argentina, Francia, Alemania, Nigeria, Brasil y más.). Se suponía que debía estar allí durante 6 semanas y acabé quedándome 12 semanas. Esto denota lo mucho que disfruté. Echo de menos a los amigos y momentos que tuve allí y voy a llevarlos en mi corazón por el resto de mi vida." Ram Nascimento.

07/10/2014

RAM NASCIMENTO

"To take the international internship at Fundacion Paraguaya over summer was the best idea ever. I refused an paid corporate internship in Argentina to volunteer my time to an amazing institution with an noble cause. This internship was demanding but at the same time flexible. I started working on a project for the Micro-Financing department regarding customer protection. After two weeks in I notice that was not my area of expertise and requested to change departments. I was promptly attended and ended up working closely with a consulting firm hired to create a whole new department of Micro-Franchising. This internship gave me hands on experience in negotiation, team leadership, business reporting techniques and group presentations just to name a few. Besides that, the staff is super friendly including BBQ for lunch every week. The intern housing is amazing where and you get to know people from all over the US and the world, from the most diverse backgrounds (Argentina, France, Germany, Nigeria, Brazil and more.). I was supposed to be there for 6 weeks and ended up staying 12 weeks, that should tell you how much I enjoyed it. I miss the friends and moments I had there and I will take them in my heart for the rest of my life."
"Optar por una pasantía internacional en la Fundación Paraguaya durante el verano fue la mejor idea del mundo. Rechacé una oferta de pasantía corporativa paga en Argentina para ofrecer mi tiempo a una institución increíble con una causa noble. Esta pasantía ha sido exigente pero a la vez flexible. Empecé trabajando en un proyecto para el departamento de Microfinanzas, en materia de protección al cliente. Después de dos semanas, noté que esa no era mi área de experiencia y pedí cambiar de departamento. Atendieron rápidamente a mi pedido y terminé trabajando en estrecha colaboración con una empresa consultora contratada para crear un nuevo departamento entero de Micro-Franquicias. Esta pasantía me dio experiencia en negociación, liderazgo de equipos, técnicas de presentación de informes de negocios y presentaciones de grupo, solo por nombrar un poco. Además de eso, el personal de la fundación es súper amable, además de hacer barbacoa para el almuerzo cada semana. La casa de pasantes es increíble, y se llega a conocer a gente de todo EE.UU y el mundo, desde los más diversos orígenes (Argentina, Francia, Alemania, Nigeria, Brasil y más.). Se suponía que debía estar allí durante 6 semanas y acabé quedándome 12 semanas. Esto denota lo mucho que disfruté. Echo de menos a los amigos y momentos que tuve allí y voy a llevarlos en mi corazón por el resto de mi vida."

Jackie Wolf Internship: User Experience Designer

15/09/2014

12/09/2014

PARAGUAY LANDSCAPES

12/09/2014

JACKIE WOLF - PUSHING BOUNDARIES
"I decided to pursue an internship at Fundacion Paraguaya because I was interested in exploring what usability and interaction design looked like in a different country and different culture. I wanted to know if there was space for UX designers doing something that wasn’t focused on “entertainment”, at an NGO.. While at FP I had the opportunity to work on a wide variety of UX projects. I worked on evaluating the usability of the website and I also helped prototype a mobile business plan application to be used in the field after the Poverty Stoplight had been administered, where I was able to learn about the process of developing a business plan, and a new way of thinking about and measuring poverty. People at FP were always there when I had a question, a problem, or if I felt that I needed to go out with officers into the field and do observations. I worked with some truly phenomenal people that were always willing to give my crazy work process a shot, made me feel involved in part of the office culture, showed me where the closest empanadas were to the office, and helped me navigate life in Asuncion. Part of what they tell you need to learn to succeed, is learning how to be comfortable being uncomfortable, and I believe that working with FP this summer really helped me push my own boundaries and develop those type of skills."

11/09/2014

"I can say without doubt that I have learned more in my two months in Asunción, than during an entire semester in my college classroom." Eric Carroll, Intern of Fundacion Paraguaya

Internships 2014: Adaptating the Poverty Stoplight to Nigeria

09/09/2014

Faridah Ibrahim made an outstanding analysis and adaptation of the Poverty Stoplight to Nigeria. Another step in exporting the model of poverty elimination to the world. Congratulations!

Faridah Ibrahim realizó un excelente análisis y adaptación del Semáforo de la pobreza a Nigeria. Un paso más en la exportación del modelo de eliminación de pobreza al resto del mundo. Felicidades!