Queen Elizabeth II Diamond Jubilee Internships in Costa Rica (UPEACE)
This internship opportunity is part of the Canadian Queen Elizabeth II Diamond Jubilee Scholarship (QES) program.*
The program will be carried out in partnership with the Áù¾ÅÉ«Ìà and the University for Peace in Costa Rica with the technical support of Universities Canada.ÌýThe QES program engages a dynamic community of young global leaders across the World to create lasting impact both at home and abroad through cross-cultural exchanges encompassing international education, discovery and inquiry, and professional experiences.
*ÌýThe Canadian Queen Elizabeth II Diamond Jubilee Scholarship (QES) is managed through a unique partnership of Universities Canada, the Rideau Hall Foundation (RHF), Community Foundations of Canada (CFC) and Canadian universities. This program is made possible with financial support from the Government of Canada, provincial governments and the private sector.Ìý
Key information
Application information
Student Experience
QES Scholars at UPEACE in Costa Rica in Summer 2022 share about their experiences
Yi Chen
Useful links
Program details
Position 1 -Ìý Intern - Chair on Countering Illicit Trade and Preventing Transnational Organized Crime (University of Peace).
See position description here.Ìý
- Must be senior level student entering or enrolled in their 3rd or 4th year of undergraduate studies in International Relations, Political Science, Global Development Studies, Latin American StudiesÌýor other related programs or be enrolled in a graduate program in a related field at the time of application.
- The successful candidate:
- Knowledge and experience in Qualitative and Quantitative Research Method, and Graphic Design.ÌýCommunity Engagement experience is desirable.
- Official working language is English. Some Spanish is desirable.
- Must be mature and independent.
- Must be flexible and willing to adapt according to the needs of the program and cultural setting with empathy and consideration.
- For details check the position description linked above
The intern is expected to commit at least 7 hours a day, five days a week (or 35 hours a week) to work with the local partner organization. Interns must also be enrolled in a course during the internship period (online or distance, such as a directed reading course or independent study.)
Position 2 - Project Management Office ÌýInternÌý - Office of the Dean (University of Peace).
See position description here. (Recruiting for Winter/Spring 2023 only)
- Must be senior level student entering or enrolled in their 3rd or 4th year of undergraduate studies in Marketing, Communications, Public Relations, Business Administration, Project management or other related programs or be enrolled in a graduate program in a related field at the time of application.
- The successful candidate:
- Knowledge and experience in Marketing, Communications, Public Relations, Fundraising (desirable).
- Excellent research skills (knowledge of quantitative as well as qualitative research methods).
- Knowledge of grant submission processes and proposal writing.
- Official working language is English. It is desirable that the intern has some level of Spanish.
- Must be mature and independent.
- Must be flexible and willing to adapt according to the needs of the program and cultural setting with empathy and consideration.
- For details check the position description linked above
The intern is expected to commit at least 7 hours a day, five days a week (or 35 hours a week) to work with the local partner organization. Interns must also be enrolled in a course during the internship period (online or distance, such as a directed reading course or independent study.)
Position 3 - Research Assistant / Grants Writing InternÌý - Department of Peace and Conflict Studies (University of Peace).
See position description here.Ìý
- Must be senior undergrad or graduate level student at UCalgary enrolled in Political Science, International Relations, Sociology, Anthropology, Gender Studies or related degrees. Familiarity with Peace and Conflict Studies will be a plus
- The successful candidate:
- Must be passionate about achieving positive social change and non-violent approaches to conflict transformation and peacebuilding.
- Excellent research skills (knowledge of quantitative as well as qualitative research methods).
- Knowledge of grant submission processes and proposal writing.
- Official working language is English. It is desirable that the intern has some level of Spanish.
- Must be mature and independent.
- Must be flexible and willing to adapt according to the needs of the program and cultural setting with empathy and consideration.
- For details check the position description linked above
The intern is expected to commit at least 7 hours a day, five days a week (or 35 hours a week) to work with the local partner organization. Interns must also be enrolled in a course during the internship period (online or distance, such as a directed reading course or independent study.)
Position 4 - ÌýResearchÌýAssistant (Environment and Development)Ìý (University of Peace).
See position description here.Ìý
- Must be senior level student entering or enrolled in their 3rd or 4th year of undergraduate studies in Political Science, International Relations, Development Studies, Sociology, Anthropology, Gender Studies,Ìýor other related programs or be enrolled in a graduate program in a related field at the time of application.
- The successful candidate:
- Must be passionate about achieving positive social change and non-violent approaches to conflict transformation and peacebuilding.
- Excellent research skills (knowledge of quantitative as well as qualitative research methods).
- Knowledge of grant submission processes and proposal writing.
- Official working language is English. It is desirable that the intern has some level of Spanish.
- Must be mature and independent.
- Must be flexible and willing to adapt according to the needs of the program and cultural setting with empathy and consideration.
- For details check the position description linked above
The intern is expected to commit at least 7 hours a day, five days a week (or 35 hours a week) to work with the local partner organization. Interns must also be enrolled in a course during the internship period (online or distance, such as a directed reading course or independent study.)
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Expected Program Outcomes:
The intern is expected to achieve the following by the end of internship
- Increased knowledge and skills through academic and professional experiences of Canadian young leaders.
- Enhanced networking between Canadians and fellow citizens of the Commonwealth.Ìý
- Increased contributions to local and global communities by young leaders in Canada and the Commonwealth.
Internships are a minimum of three months long (90 days) and a maximum of 8 months.
Fall placements start in September and Winter placements start in January.
Summer placements start in May and will begin recruiting in the fall.ÌýÌý
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Costs
Students must arrange to get credit for an academic course during the program. Tuition for this course is charged at UCalgary.ÌýOther expenses are paid directly to the service provider.Ìý
Also, remember to include things like visas, insurance, vaccinations etc in your budget planning.
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Funding
3-6 month long placements: A maximum of $6,000 to cover travel and living expenses will be provided to the selected interns for the duration of the placement. Tuition fees are not covered by the QES funding.
Interns who extend their placement to 7-8 months willÌýreceive an additional $2000.Ìý
The QES Program is managed through a unique partnership of Universities Canada, the Rideau Hall Foundation (RHF), Community Foundations of Canada (CFC) and Canadian universities. This program is made possible with financial support from the Government of Canada, provincial governments, and the private sector. Technical support is provided by Universities Canada.
Also have a look atÌýtheÌýexchange funding pageÌýfor other possible sources ofÌý funding. QES participants cannotÌýreceive the InternationalÌýStudy Travel Grant.
Local Partner Organizations will assist with housing arrangements.Ìý
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Eligibility requirements
Students must be in their 3rd or 4th year of undergraduate studies or be enrolled in a graduate program at the Áù¾ÅÉ«Ìà at the time of application.
-ÌýÌýÌýÌýÌýÌý Must be a Canadian citizen, through permanent residents will be considered.
-Ìý Ìý Ìý ÌýMinimum cumulative GPA of 2.7 (B-)
-ÌýÌýÌýÌýÌýÌý Must be 35 years of age or under at time of application
-ÌýÌýÌýÌýÌýÌý Must be proficient in English and for some placements in Spanish
-ÌýÌýÌýÌýÌýÌý As part of the QES program, the Intern must participate in community engagement activities while abroad and upon their return to Canada
-ÌýÌýÌýÌýÌýÌý This placement must be for academic credit. Interns must register for at least one course. Please discuss your options with academic advisor.
-ÌýÌýÌýÌýÌýÌý Strong research skills an assetÌý
-ÌýÌýÌýÌýÌýÌý Should possess a creative writing style and background in communications.
-ÌýÌýÌýÌýÌýÌý You are able to spend aÌýminimum of 90-day placementÌýin Costa Rica
-ÌýÌýÌýÌýÌýÌý Must be mature and independent,Ìýflexible and willing to adapt according to the needs of the program and cultural setting with empathy and consideration
-ÌýÌýÌýÌýÌýÌý Willing to live and work in a rural placementÌý
-ÌýÌýÌýÌýÌýÌý Students should familiarize themselves with theÌý
-Ìý Ìý Ìý ÌýPlease note that your Dean's approval is required for this program. This step will be completed after a placement is confirmed.
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Application requirements
Please go toÌýUCI/RAISAÌýand log in using your UCalgary username and password. After creating a profile in the online application system, use the Study Programs tab to search for the program you are applying for, and then click "apply".Ìý
Placement choices:
Please list your top two placements
Suitability Letter:
Please prepare a letter (max 1000 words) indicating your suitability for the proposed internship.ÌýDescribe why your skills and experience make you an ideal candidate for this position, as well as how this opportunity abroad will complement your field of study and advance your career goals.
References:
Please provide two letters of reference in support of your application: 1 academic (from an instructor who has taught you) and 1 professional (a current or past employer or possibly a relevant volunteer supervisor). References can be submitted electronically or as hard copies to the Study Abroad Office (MT501)Ìýstudy.abroad@ucalgary.caÌýIn your application please put the names of the people who will be sending in your references.
Curriculum Vitae:
Please upload a copy of your brief (max. five page) CV into your application in RAISA
Selection Process:All applications will be reviewed by a Review Committee and a short-list of candidates will be sent to the Host Organizations. Suitable candidates may be invited for Skype interview with the Host Organization as well.
Universidad para la Paz (University for Peace)
The vision of the University for Peace (UPEACE) is to be aÌýforward-thinking, transformational and inspirational educational institution dedicated to the goals of quality teaching, research, and service for serving humanity in building a peaceful world.
UPEACE was established as aÌýTreaty OrganizationÌýwith its own Charter in an International Agreement adopted by the General Assembly of the United Nations through itsÌýÌýof 5 December 1980. This unique history of UPEACE makes it the only University in the world created through a UN General Assembly Resolution with the specific mandate of "engaging in teaching, research, post-graduate training and dissemination of knowledge fundamental to the full development of the human person and societies through the interdisciplinary study of all matters relating to peace."
UPEACE campus is located in the outskirts of San José, Costa Rica, and its 200 protected hectares are part of the last remnant of primary forest in the Central Valley.
The Rodrigo Carazo Campus is located 30Km Southwest of San José, within a natural reserve composed of a secondary forest and the last remnant of primary forest (200 ha) in the Central Valley of Costa Rica. The park and the campus are within the protected zone of El Rodeo, Mora. UPEACE covers about the 2% of the Mora landscape; hence this protected area is rich in fauna. It shelters mammals such as monkeys and deer, reptiles, and over 300 species of birds, as well as approximately 100 varieties of trees. The University´s installation and protected area make up 303 hectares.
As a result, it possesses a unique global legal authorization to grant Master's and Doctoral degrees as conferred upon it by the resolution that created it as well as by theÌýÌýand the accompanyingÌýÌýannexed to Resolution 35/55.
Source:Ìý
Have questions?
The exchange advisor for this program is:
How to Apply
Download the application guide
This PDF contains information on how to complete your application and what to do after you have applied.
Identify three programs of interest
We recommend applying for your top three programs for the priority application deadline, as placement may be competitive. We will assess your applications in ranked order.
Check requirements and deadlines
These may vary by program, so check the individual program pagesÌýand make sure that you are aware of any different application deadlines or eligibility requirements.
Start your application
Once you have gathered everything you need, you can begin your application!
Please note: Applications will not be considered complete until all required documents are submitted in full.
International travel presents challenges that may not be found when attending classes on campus. There may be a lack of resources, emergency services, hospitals, accessibility issues and/or demands on the physical and the mental self, all of which can challenge individuals when away from their usual support systems and structures. Adequate preparation is essential.
For this reason, it is imperative that you evaluate all aspects of your own physical, psychological, emotional and spiritual condition against the rigors of the particular global learning program you are selecting. If you are unsure of whether or not this program is a good fit for you and/or if you have any circumstances that could impede your enjoyment of the program, please contact us. Our Global Learning Advisors will be happy to assist in finding the best options for you and arrange any supports or accommodations necessary to ensure your success.
If you have or are seeking a certificate from Student Accessibility Services, you should provide this early to your Global Learning Advisor to ensure that the option that you are seeking can support your needs.
Please note: All participants must adhere to COVID-19 and other vaccination-related requirements for the destinations visited on this program. Failure to do so may have consequences such as being denied access to accommodation/housing, program activities, or to the host country itself.