HC INTERNSHIP PROGRAM

The Human Connections internship program gives students a hands-on experience working at a leading responsible tourism and study abroad social enterprise. Our programs are relatively small (8-16 interns), and the intimate nature of the experience encourages professional development, a tight bond between interns, and the opportunity to expand your comfort zone in a supportive environment. 

Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, Human Connections will not host a program in this winter.

Please check back for updates regarding a program in Summer 2022.

That’s what you can expect from a HC Internship.

Our team of entrepreneurs, business leaders, educators, and artists serve as your supervisors, mentors, and colleagues as you work on projects that generate economic benefits for our local partners and contribute to our commitment to responsible tourism.  You will be charged with thinking critically about social entrepreneurship, community development, eCommerce and fair trade, the impact of travel, and contemporary social justice issues. 

  • Work on impact-focused projects, collaborating with Mexican microentrepreneurs, staff, and HC’s network of professional consultants to tackle new initiatives as our tourism-reliant organization continues to navigate the COVID-19 pandemic.

  • Engage in educational, immersive visits with our partners, community leaders, and other local residents to gain an authentic understanding of life and business in Bucerias and how your project can serve within our cultural context. 

  • Workshops, presentations, and discussions focused on professional communication in Mexico, responsible tourism, sustainable development, and indigeneity and social justice.

  • Career development, including access to alumni groups, resume review, and professional networking. 

  • Be a part of an international, multicultural team, gaining skills in remote project management and intercultural fluency.

  • Upon successful completion of capstone project, receive a certificate in Social Entrepreneurship or Intercultural Communication.

  • Support pursuing university credit, when applicable.

If you are dedicated to a career where your skills and expertise contribute to sustainability and making the world a more equitable place for all, we want to hear from you! Contact us for more information.

PROGRAM DATES

TBD

PROGRAM FEE

TBD

APPLICATION DEADLINES

Applications Closed

SELECTION PROCESS

Our internship program typically welcomes college students, though we have had recent graduates and graduate students join us as well.

HC Internships are open to students of all majors; we seek a diverse team, who come from a variety of backgrounds and who possess a range of skill sets. In our experience, this best enables intern teams to support our partners, as well as to learn positively from one another.

There is not a Spanish language proficiency requirement for our internships. We welcome Spanish speakers and learners of all levels and create opportunities for you to advance your Spanish language skills.

THE HC INTERN EXPERIENCE

One of our core values is reciprocity. To that end, we know that the learning you take away from your internship is just as important as the contributions you make. 

As an intern you will work a mostly traditional Monday – Friday, 9:30 am – 5:30 pm schedule. HC offers a relaxed professional environment. We treat you as coworkers and give you the same amount of autonomy, responsibility, and trust with which we grant full-time staff.

During your workday, you can expect to spend about 70% of your time on your projects; the remaining 30% will be invested in professional development and educational activities. Of course, you’ll also have the evenings and weekends to explore Bucerias and the Riviera Nayarit during group dinners, an all-day cultural excursion, and plenty of free time. 

Our organization was and continues to be built upon creativity, outside-the-box thinking, and energetic contributions. 

Past intern projects include: 

  • Researching, planning, marketing, and piloting a new tour route

  • Creating the GET calculator for our website

  • Establishing the structure for our volunteer program

  • Launching our HC Artisan boxes to create revenue for our partners when tourism halted due to COVID-19

Learn more about what it’s like to participate in a social enterprise internship by checking out the following articles from past HC interns:

FAQ

What COVID-19 safety precautions are being taken?

As an organization rooted in the values of responsible travel, our priority is the safety of our guests, partners, and staff. Read more about the measures Human Connections is taking to promote safe travel during the Covid-19 pandemic.

How safe is Bucerías?

Bucerías, Puerto Vallarta and the Riviera Nayarit, the regions in which our programs take place, are all specifically excluded from U.S. Department of State travel warnings. Incidents of violence are lower than in many US cities. Our program orientations always cover best practices for the most agreeable experience during your time in Mexico. That said, everyone has their own level of comfort and we recommend that you do your own research before signing up for any experience abroad. Check out HC's Bucerías guide to learn more about our community.

What are the living costs in Mexico?

This depends on your individual needs and lifestyle! Past interns have spent anywhere from $50 – $125 per week on food, laundry and entertainment. If you plan to buy many souvenirs or eat out often, you might want additional spending money.

Why is there a cost associated with the program?

We recognize the value of the time and contributions our interns make to our organization. The program fee we charge is the cost of the services that we provide for you (such as accommodation, transport, meals, etc.) as well as fair compensations to clients, guides, guest speakers and staff for their work during the program. We provide these services so that you can focus on your internship work and cultural immersion experience. Please note that most of our interns are able to receive funding from their institutions. We believe in full transparency and we are happy to provide a detailed breakdown of fees upon request.

Will I earn academic credit for my HC Internship?

Human Connections does not issue transcripts for this program. However, many of our prior interns have successfully worked with their home institution to earn academic credit for their experience. We are happy to work with students or directly with university officials to navigate this process.

Is there any funding available for this program?

The Human Connections team has put together a short list of scholarship resources and fundraising ideas that may help offset the cost of participating in our programs.

  • Personal Fundraiser: You can start a personal fundraiser on GoFundMe or Facebook to cover the internship cost. It’s fast, easy, and if you can get friends and family to help you, you can reach your goal in no time.
  • Gift Donations: If you have a birthday or gift-giving holiday coming up, consider asking for contributions toward this experience that you will remember for a lifetime.
  • Apply for Scholarships: Research scholarship opportunities. Some sites to get you started: scholarships.com, dosomething.com, fastweb.com, unigo.com.
  • Contact Your Educational Institution: While outside options are great, your own school is likely the best source of funding. Many universities have specific scholarships, grants or internship programs that provide support for international experiential learning opportunities.

What is the refund policy?

Read our full cancellation and refund policy here.

Questions? Contact us at info@humanconnections.org