Interns in South India have the opportunity to gain practical experience in their field along with the unforgettable experience of a cultural immersion program.  The following positions are available:

Women's Empowerment

ELI works with several organizations in Chennai devoted to empowering marginalized women. The organizations have evolved from relief/welfare organizations to dynamic groups that emphasize empowerment through development, capacity building, legal advocacy, STD/HIV testing and treatment in the brothels, and anti-trafficking awarness campaigns and rescue. ELI interns assist with projects in their particular field of interest. Participants will learn about the process of mobilizing self help groups, fieldwork, documentation, and the challenges many women face everyday. The organizations also operate shelters for abused women, most of whom only speak Tamil. Interns and volunteers who do primarily office work are still encouraged to spend some time in a shelter in order to gain a more personal connection with the women they are working to help, and work with any children who are the victims of trafficking. To learn more about the day to day life of the internship, see Brenda's Photojournal .

Medical and Health

ELI works with charitable hospitals in Chennai and Madurai to create unique internships designed for pre-med, pre-nursing, nursing, medical and dental students. Interns have the opportunity to shadow doctors and nurses, observe diagnosis and treatments, and learn firsthand about the day to day practice of medicine in India. Pre-meds will not have medical responsibilities but may be asked to assist with some tasks if the staff feels the participant is capable and the assignment is appropriate.  Medical students start out by shadowing and then complete tasks as they are assigned by their supervizing doctor.  Participants in this program are also invited to assist with public health education campaigns in the community.  To learn more about the day to day life of a medical intern, see Olivia's Photojournal .

Travel Writing Internship

Print journalism has existed in South India for over 200 years since the Madras Courier, a weekly newspaper, began publishing in 1785. Today, Chennai has eight major daily newspapers and an ever increasing array of weekly and monthly publications. ELI works with several publications based in Chennai to create internships designed to give participants practical training while providing a unique, in-depth learning experience and  insight into the fast paced world of English print media in Chennai. By interning abroad, participants will gain exposure to diverse journalism practices,  learn about the international issues facing the industry, and they finish the program with published articles. Journalism internships require a minimum 2 month commitment, and a writing sample is required with the application.