Valpo Surf Project Internship
The Valpo Surf Project seeks motivated interns looking to learn from new experiences and challenges abroad. The VSP uses surfing, English classes, and environmental education as mentorship tools for at-risk and underserved youth populations in Valparaíso, Chile. Interns are an integral part of the day-to-day and long-term operations of our organization. An internship with the VSP provides an invaluable opportunity to:
- Live and work abroad in Valparaíso, Chile, a unique city within South America.
- Make meaningful connections with our students, families, communities, volunteers, and staff.
- Experience working with a growing, youth focused non-profit.
- Participate in a team that includes members with experience in social work, education, communications, and non-profit development.
- Become fluent in Spanish.
- Gain valuable skills in youth mentorship, communication, leadership, creative problem solving, and project management.
- Work in a dynamic environment; splitting your time between the beach, the office, and the classroom.
- Explore the coast of Chile while learning how to surf with access to the VSP’s surf equipment.
- Travel throughout Chile and South America.
Responsibilities as an intern include:
- Working closely with our student populations and communities to form strong relationships and expand impact.
- Organizing and leading all programming related activities including surf sessions, English classes, and environmental education.
- Directing and assisting in daily administrative, operational, and office related activities.
- Working with and guiding our team of volunteers.
We are looking for team members who:
- Enjoy and are excited to work with people.
- Are reliable, proactive, and have a strong ability to adapt to an ever changing environment.
- Have strong problem solving, organizational, and communication skills.
- Have a proven ability to work both with a team and independently.
- Bachelor’s or associate’s degree encouraged.
- Conversational Spanish or 1+ years of college-level Spanish courses required (Spanish is the primary language spoken with our students and in the office).
- 1+ years of experience working with children (ex: camp counselor, babysitter, day care employee, social work, tutoring, or teaching experience)
Within the general internship there are 4 specific focuses, all of which can grow and expand based on each intern’s interests. Teamwork is an important value that we teach to our students and practice throughout our team. Although interns arrive with a specific focus in mind, everyone will be counted on to contribute in all areas:
- Education
Education interns work with our Programming Coordinator to develop, implement, and lead our programming with students, which include surfing and other physical activities, English classes, academic tutoring sessions, and environmental education.
- Media
Media interns work with the Development Coordinator to run the social media accounts, write blogs, take and edit photos/videos, and generate new media based content.
- Development
Development interns work with the Development Coordinator to help create and execute our overall fundraising strategy which includes event planning, donor communications, and grant writing.
- Social Work
Social Work interns work with and assist our licensed Social Worker to create and implement social and educational interventions that complement our programming activities, develop initiatives to support the communities we work in, and learn valuable skills for working with children and young adults.
Application and internship timelines:
- **Due to the current COVID-19 pandemic in Chile and around the world, we currently have no set date as to when we will be able to resume in-person programming and our internship program. Please periodically check our website and social media accounts for updates. We are accepting applications during this time. **
- Interns are expected to complete a 12 month commitment.
Compensation information:
- VSP does not pay interns directly.
- Housing and certain work-related expenses are covered.
- We suggest interns arrive with $10,000 USD for their year with the VSP, which includes:
- Airfare
- Visa expenses
- All living expenses
- Personal travel
Additional information:
- Prior surfing experience is not required to be an intern.