Internships in India: mutual benefit & meaningful exchange

From charities working with children in deprived areas of India’s big cities and grassroots organisations in the Himalayas, to internationally recognised NGOs and research institutes in Delhi, Camvol offers a wide variety of internships in India and Nepal.

Founded in 2006 by Trinity alumna, Shiraz Vira, who studied Social and Political Sciences, Camvol provides work experience, cultural exchange and career development for Cambridge undergraduate and postgraduate students, and at the same time helps meet the needs of host organisations. Shiraz said:

The placements are mutually beneficial and meaningful exchanges in which volunteers both benefit and contribute to the organisation by working alongside Indian professionals over a period of six to eight weeks.

We pride ourselves on carefully matching students (and their skills and interests) with needs that have been identified by host organisations. Our partner organisations find student assistance helpful for projects and work that they often lack the time or resources to complete.

This distinguishes Camvol placements from the typical overseas opportunity for young people, says Shiraz. Volunteers do not usually require specialised skills, apart from the analytical and writing skills that students develop during their studies, and placements are open to students studying any subject.

The skills that many host organisations find useful are writing, computer skills, research and analysis, which most Cambridge students have. Some placements require specialised skills, such as GIS/mapping skills and working with special needs children.

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The cost of an eight-week placement (food, accommodation and local travel) is approximately £1250. No fee is paid to Camvol and the organisation is keen to ensure internships are available to all. Support may be available from the Cambridge Malaysian Commonwealth Education and Development Trust.

Eight-week placements take place in Summer. There are opportunities for longer placements in the Autumn for graduating students. The first deadline for applications for Summer 2018 is 8 December 2017. Camvol has more information and how to apply.