Deadline:
As soon as possible
Location(s)
United States of America
Amity works with participating schools throughout the United States. Many schools are in the Midwest, in non-urban locations, and small communities. Therea re a few assignments in major U.S. cities.
Overview
Amity Institute is a nonprofit organization with over 55 years of experience facilitating cultural exchange. In 1962, Dr. Ernest and Emily Stowell of Eau Claire, Wisconsin, founded Amity Institute to meet the needs of American foreign language teachers and students for direct personalized contact with world languages and cultures. They also sought to involve young people from abroad in American education, family and community life. Several decades later, Amity Institute has broadened to provide exchange programs that work toward achieving the mission of building international friendship and cultural understanding through teaching exchange.The Intern Program provides participants the opportunity to live in the U.S., gain teaching experience and serve as informal ambassadors for their country in U.S. schools.
Details
Interns:
- Are assigned to a supervising teacher
- Work in school for approximately 32 hours a week, including preparation time, staff meetings and regular extra-curricular activities. Excludes occasional special events.
- Play a flexible role in the classroom, including:
- Observing classroom and school culture
- Assisting the teacher with lessons/group work
- Conducting cultural presentations
- Participating in extracurricular activities
- Developing materials for student instruction
Interns are also required to complete the Amity Cultural Project during the assignment. Additional courses that will enhance the learning experience may be audited.
The Amity Team highly recommends that individuals commit to a full school year of exchange when participating in our Intern Program.
When deciding to participate in a cultural exchange program, many people find themselves struggling to decide the appropriate length of stay as an Amity Intern. While both a semester and a full school year exchange have their immense benefits, here are the top reasons why a full school year is the best option.
- You’ll gain fluency and self-confidence in your language skills. The longer you are immersed in U.S. culture, the more you will practice your English language skills, which will dramatically improve your ability to speak and understand the language. Developing fluency in English will open the door for many professional opportunities.
- You’ll have more time to adjust and find what works for YOU. Adapting to a new culture takes time. It can take a while to really settle into a new place and develop a good routine. By committing to a longer exchange, you won’t find yourself packing up to fly home as soon as you begin to feel comfortable.
- You’ll truly immerse in local life, understanding the ins and outs of the culture. The longer you stay, the more of a “local” you will become. You’ll be able to pick your favorite coffee shop and restaurant, learn the ins and out of the public transit system, and find your favorite little nooks in your neighborhood.
- You’ll experience a full calendar of culture. Throughout the duration of a school year and the changes of the seasons, there are different holidays, celebrations, and traditions. Not only do you get to learn about these special moments, but you are able to personally experience each of them within your host community.
- You’ll share more of your native culture and traditions. Just as you will be learning about U.S. culture, you will also be teaching U.S. citizens all about yours. An extended stay allows much more opportunity to teach about your culture, dispel any stereotypes, help others to learn your native language, and really embrace your role as a cultural ambassador in your host community.
- You’ll develop independence while navigating a completely different way of life. Living abroad involves a lot of trial and error, and a lot of going outside of your comfort zone. Maybe you feel uncomfortable asking for directions in English, or perhaps the way the local metro system work really confuses you at first. Over time, you will develop these skills, and in the process, you will gain confidence while living in this new world.
- You’ll develop relationships that extend far beyond your time in the United States. It can take time to form meaningful connections. How unfortunate it is to have to leave just as you are truly connecting with people. By staying in the United States for a full year, your hosts and other friends from the local community will likely transition into a second family.
- You’ll have more time to develop your educational skills in a global classroom. It will take some time to adapt to a foreign classroom. Throughout the course of a year, you will really get to understand your host school, its mission and philosophies, and U.S. teaching methodologies. Also, direct classroom experience is where teachers in training gain the most applicable knowledge to help them adapt to their role as an educator. The more time, the better.
- You’ll have the opportunity get involved in the local community. A year in the USA will allow you to start and see through opportunities such as volunteering to host a language club, coach a team, or serve food at a local soup kitchen.
- You’ll have more time to explore. The more time for weekend and holiday adventures, the better! Maybe you have a list of multiple places you’d like to see. With more time in the USA, you can enjoy more getaways and road trips, and have ample opportunity to explore all the neighborhoods in your local community.
Admissions is now open for the 2020-2021 school year! Please fill out the entire pre-application form and email it to mail@amity.org.
Opportunity is About
Eligibility
Candidates should be from:
Description of Ideal Candidate
To qualify, applicants must:
- Be currently enrolled full-time in a post-secondary, degree – or certificate issuing academic institution (college/university) outside the United States OR have graduated no more than 12 months before the start date of the program
- Have an interest in a career in education
- Have sufficient proficiency in the English language to participate in the program
- Be enthusiastic about sharing their culture and native language with U.S. students
Dates
Deadline: As soon as possible
Cost/funding for participants
Cost to the Interns
- Application fee – US $200 (non-refundable)
- Visa application fee – US $150 (approximately)
- SEVIS fee – US $220
- Round-trip airline ticket – varies (by location and season)
- Health insurance coverage – US $95 per month (average)
- Personal spending money – US $150 per month (minimum)
Proof of sufficient funds required.
Un-save Opportunity
Internships, scholarships, student conferences and competitions.
