INTERNSHIP
2024 Global Research, Implementation and Training (GRIT) Internship
TBC: June 8-30, 2024 and/or July 15 - August 4, 2024
The Global Research, Implementation and Training (GRIT) internship program provides university students with an immersive global health experience in Uganda, the pearl of Africa. GRIT summer interns design and implement research studies and facilitate community outreach and awareness-raising programs for youth in Uganda, in partnership with respected local non-profit organizations. Projects that interns participate in focus on diverse global health challenges, including sexual and reproductive health, drowning and injury prevention, climate change and environmental health, and gender equity. The program is run through a partnership between Reach a Hand Uganda (RAHU) and Energy in Action (EIA) who have funding from a range of donors, including the Swedish International Development Agency, UNFPA Uganda, UNESCO, MTV Staying Alive Foundation, the Bloomberg Foundation among many others. While working side-by-side with community members, interns will gain a better understanding of how global health projects are implemented and will be better equipped to lead future programs that emphasize community-based partnerships.
A RAHU/EIA PARTNERSHIP
The GRIT Internship is a partnership between RAHU and EIA, providing interns the opportunity to take advantage of the programming and experience of both organizations. Founded in 2011, Reach a Hand Uganda is a youth-centered organization committed to driving positive change in the lives of young people in Uganda. With a comprehensive approach to youth empowerment, RAHU programming is centered around livelihoods and skills development, behavior change communication, sexual reproductive health and rights, and HIV/AIDS awareness and prevention. RAHU values strong partnerships with communities to enhance synergies, sustainability and ownership of their programs. Key programs run by RAHU include The Peer Educators Academy, Intergenerational Dialogue, Share 101’s, and Joint Advocacy for Sexual and Reproductive Health and Rights in Uganda (JAS Programme).
The RAHU/EIA internship is directed by Dr. Heather Wipfli, Professor and director of the GRIT Lab at the University of Southern California. Dr. Wipfli has over two decades of global health research and capacity-building experience and has led several study-abroad programs to Uganda. Dr. Wipfli provides oversight over the internship program, ensuring that it meets the expectations and adheres best practices in immersive global health educational programs, while experienced international and local staff work hand in hand with RAHU staff on the ground in Uganda to ensure the program runs smoothly and safely.
Internship Goals and Activities
The Summer GRIT program aims to provide interns the opportunity to immerse themselves in a range of global health activities, including research, program implementation, community outreach, and policy development. The experience is broken down into three phases and interns rotate between three different locations in Uganda. For example, the first week interns are stationed in rural Northern or Western Uganda where they train and partner with Youth Public Health and Refugee Ambassadors in community outreach, data collection, and data analysis. The second week interns spend in Kampala, visiting programs and sharing data and best practices with major national and international stakeholders in support of public health policy development, including the Ugandan Parliament, Ministry of Health, Ministry of Gender, Makerere University, the World Health Organization, and many more. The third week students are based in Mayuge, eastern Uganda where they assist in the delivery of community programming focused on drowning prevention and swim instruction to adolescents living on Lake Victoria. As interns traverse the country, they have the opportunity to experience the natural and cultural wonders that Uganda has to offer, including going on safari, visiting cultural sites, and engaging in daily life with locals. Interns who wish to extend their time in the country are welcome to develop an individualized program in advance or after the main program.
What is included
This program provides a fully immersive cultural and educational experience. All transportation and lodging is provided, including short homestays with rural Ugandan families. Most food and excursion costs are also covered through the program tuition.
Who is eligible
Undergraduate and graduate students at any level who are committed to completing at least one summer session are encouraged to apply for our internship program. We also accept applications from working professionals in, or with a background in, public health, international development, or a related field.
For the best experience, we are looking for students who are culturally competent, flexible, and well-organized; who demonstrate a positive, result-oriented approach to work; and who are self-motivated.
How to apply
We invite candidates from all universities to complete to the GRIT Internship Program interest form on the EIA website. Candidates will be contacted and final notified of acceptance decisions will be released in February 2024.
Cost
The program costs $3,500, plus individual airfare.