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Summer Internship

Focus: Education, Multi-culturalism, Post-conflict Reconciliation

Location: Bosnia-Herzegovina

Dates: Approximately June 1 to August 1, 2012

Open to: Students currently seeking their undergraduate or master's degree

A summer internship at BILD is an intense, rewarding and unique experience as interns are given immense responsibility in a demanding, culturally sensitive setting. In fact, the success of our program is wholly dependent on the internship team. Interns are involved in all aspects of implementing two integrated summer educational programs in two cities that were on opposite sides during the Bosnian war (1992-1995).

Interns help manage and implement the Tuzla Summer Institute which takes place in a predominantly Bosniak city and the Doboj Summer Institute which takes place in a predominantly Serbian city. Both institutes teach practical skills that help prepare young people for their academic studies, their professional careers and their roles as citizens in a secular multiethnic and democratic society. During a highly demanding eight weeks, interns help interview, select, and teach over 200 young people. Skills taught include English, information technology, business skills and organizational development. In addition, interns participate in extra-curricular activities that bring people of different cultures together while visiting places of cultural and historical significance.

The Tuzla and Doboj Summer Institutes (TSI/DSI) constitute a unique experience for both students and teachers as TSI/DSI combines academic choice and practical education in a highly diverse cultural setting. Students are entirely free to choose only the courses they want to take. Teachers are free to create their own courses teaching practical skills that are of immediate benefit to the students.

What makes TSI/DSI an especially valuable program is that it takes place in a country that has suffered through a genocidal war and extreme nationalism that has caused endemic ethnic tensions and economic stagnation. TSI/DSI sets an example of people from all of Bosnia's main cultural groups sharing mutual respect while creating a better future for themselves.

What qualifications are needed?

1. First and foremost, the intern must be respectful of people with very different cultural values. Interns do not teach values but rather practical skills while respecting the values of those who attend the summer institutes.
2. The intern needs to have a strong commitment and be highly motivated to help young people in Bosnia-Herzegovina.
3. The intern must be willing to follow instructions and respect the boundaries set by BILD staff.
4. The intern's English language skills need to be exemplary, especially his or her spoken English.
5. The intern needs to be a self-starter, able to identify what needs to be done without excessive supervision, and be adaptable to changing circumstances.
6. It is not necessary but if the intern has skills/experience in the following, it is a benefit: Microsoft Office applications, software programming, building websites, teaching experience, business skills, oral presentation skills.

In short, we are looking for remarkably dedicated, enthusiastic, respectful, talented people with a positive attitude, ready to adapt to the needs of our program, determined to make the most of their 8 weeks helping people in Bosnia-Herzegovina.

When is the internship?

Interns will arrive between May 28 and June 2. Through mutual agreement, the internship may start as late as June 11. The internship will end between July 30 and August 4. The actual dates of each intern’s arrival and departure are determined through mutual agreement.

Where is the internship?

Interns live in the city of Tuzla in northeastern Bosnia-Herzegovina. The Tuzla Summer Institute takes place at the Behram-begova medresa. The intern’s apartment is within walking distance of the medresa. During the Doboj Summer Institute, the interns will travel one hour each way to and from Doboj, a city 65 kilometers west of Tuzla. The Doboj Summer Institute takes place at the Doboj Center for Education and Culture and a local high school.

How much does it cost?

This is an unpaid internship. The intern is responsible for acquiring all necessary funding. Interns often receive grants from their universities or colleges of approximately $3,500 which is usually sufficient for all of the intern’s summer expenses depending on international travel costs. Interns pay a fixed cost of $1,450 to BILD for which they receive their own apartment, a cell phone, all necessary local transportation, and 24/7 assistance from BILD staff as needed. Interns must have their own funding for all other expenses such as international travel, food, daily living expenses, etc. A budget of $7 per day for food is sufficient. Further details are provided during the application process.

How do I get there?

Interns are responsible for their international travel. When they arrive in Bosnia-Herzegovin, interns will be greeted by BILD staff who will drive them to their apartment in Tuzla. In order to be greeted such, the intern needs to arrive at a location within 3 hours drive from Tuzla which includes the two locations most often used by interns, the train station in Doboj and the airport in Sarajevo.

How do I apply?

Send an email to Christopher Bragdon at cbragdon@bildbosnia.org and express your desire to learn more about this internship. Mr. Bragdon will correspond with you to help determine if this internship would be appropriate for you. If so, Mr. Bragdon will invite you to send your resume and a cover letter. You will then be given a chance to speak with former interns to learn more about the experience. The final step is an in-person interview after which you will be promptly informed whether you have been accepted.