The NCDE is seeking college students and recent graduates who are interested in a career in international exchange! The goal is to provide college students and recent graduates professional and leadership skills related to inclusive international exchange.
The “Access to Exchange” fellow will spend 3-months (between May- August 2020) working with the NCDE team towards the mission of increasing participation of people with disabilities in international exchange. The fellow will be based in Eugene, Oregon at the Mobility International USA (MIUSA) office.
Objectives
- Gain professional experience working at Mobility International USA, a disability-led non-profit organization and global leader of inclusive international exchange programs.
- Develop a knowledge of the kinds of opportunities available in international exchange for people with disabilities.
- Network and build relationships with exchange professionals and disability service professionals.
- Understand methods for researching best practices through web searches and interviews.
- Learn about issues encountered by people with disabilities and exchange professionals overseas, and corresponding solutions.
Activities
The Fellow will:
- Collaborate with NCDE on an initiative promoting diversity, including disability, in the exchange field.
- Meet colleagues from a variety of industries seeking to send people with and without disabilities to volunteer, intern or study abroad.
- Support planning and implementation of our biannual Symposium on Disability and Exchange along with the meeting of our roundtable partners. Both events will take place in July 2020 in Washington, DC
Financial
The fellow will be expected to cover their travel and living costs in Eugene, Oregon for the program. However, flight, registration, hotel, and meal costs for the Joining Hands Symposium and the Roundtable meeting will be covered.
Requirements
The program is intended for aspiring exchange professionals who:
ApplicationThose wishing to apply must fill out the application form and include one letter of recommendation from someone who has experience working with them in a professional or academic capacity. The letter of recommendation must be emailed separately and directly from the reference and not the applicant.
The applicant also must answer a few short essay questions sharing about a transformative experience that motivated them to consider a career in international exchange. Applicants are advised to think about the essays as if they were personal blog posts illustrating who the individual is and what gets them energized.
Applicants must submit applications and essays to the clearinghouse team (clearinghouse@miusa.org) by January 31st (will be edited) to be considered. Subsequent applications will be considered on a rolling basis. Letters of recommendation must be sent separately by references and will not be accepted from applicants directly.
*International students are welcome to apply with confirmation from their International Office (DSO) that their visa status will permit the fellowship.
* Applicants with disabilities and from other diverse backgrounds are encouraged to apply.
The National Clearinghouse on Disability and Exchange is a project of the US Department of State’s Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs designed to increase the participation of people with disabilities in all kinds of international exchange between the United States and other countries, and is supported in its implementation by Mobility International USA (MIUSA).
