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Internship Program

In addition to the language courses, FLI offers the opportunity of internships in Mexican companies. This program started in 1997 and so far we have been able to place about 200 students in Mexican companies. When we believe that the Spanish student has reached a sufficient level of Spanish to survive in the every day life, he can only improve his vocabulary and gain more practice through immersion in every day life. At this point we offer the student the opportunity to work as a volunteer in a Mexican company. Moreover, the company environment offers more possibilities to meet other Mexicans to really get involved into the Mexican culture and to practice the language. We cooperate with a number of companies in Cuernavaca and other municipalities in the state of Morelos. Here are a few examples of companies we work with:

• Association for the blind
• Arts Center of Morelos
• Computer company
• International Airline
• Automotive Design Company
• Orphanage
• Environmental Investigation Center
• Human Rights Organizations
• Womens' Center
• Drug Prevention Center
• Pilot Program of English in Primary Schools
• Tourist Information Center
• Law Office
• Mechanical and Electromechanical Equipment
• Cultural Center for children and adolescents
• Various Hotels
• Electric Investigation Institute
• Water and Recreation Park
• Radio and TV stations
• Ministery of environment

We take your profession and preferences into account when we look for the right placement for you. The program includes one week of orientation in our school to prepare you for your internship and give you an overview about the company as well as some cultural and political aspects about Mexico. The internship can last from 6 weeks up to one year. During this time you are always welcome to participate in our Fenix activities and we are available whenever you need advice or help during your stay here.

What are the general requirements for an internship in Mexico?

Language skills:

The formal language in Mexico is Spanish. Voluntary workers need to dispose of a sufficient level of Spanish in the beginning of their internship because we guarantee the company that the voluntary worker will be able to understand enough to work.

We recommend gaining better language skills during a Spanish course in our school directly before starting your internship in Mexico. Our experiences have showed that someone who does not speak Spanish at all will have a sufficient level for most of the internships after an 8-week course. That is why we offer the 8-week course for a special price.

Job experience:

The job experience depends on the place where you do the internship. In a lot of companies work experience is not required. Therefore, you have the opportunity to try a different field other than your own. Generally, an apprenticeship, university knowledge or similar skills is enough. In general we think that the personal requirements are more important than the job experience.

Personal requirements:

If you want to live as a voluntary worker for a certain time in Latin America and especially in Mexico you should have a lot of flexibility and tolerance. You should be able to adapt to a different standard of living and different habits. You should also have a strong personality, allowing you to live in another country under conditions that differ from your usual environment. An internship in Mexico differs completely from an internship in the US or in Europe because of the differences in mentality. You should also be aware that you would be recognized as a representative of your country.

Duration

The internship can last from 6 weeks up to one year.

Salary

Due to the fact that all the companies are Mexican firms and organizations you will not receive any remuneration because the Mexican law does not allow this.

Visa

To do an internship in Mexico you require a visa for voluntary workers (FM3) that you can receive by the Mexican consulate or embassy. Important: Your passport has to be at least 6 months valid on entering the country.

Vaccinations

Obligatory are Tetanus, Polio, and Diphtheria. Please ask your doctor which vaccinations he/she recommends.

Why doing an internship in another country?

An internship in another country does not only improve your chances in the work market, but is also an experience that you will profit from for the rest of your life. You will gain inside into another culture from a very different angle, perfect and improve your language, personal and professional skills, make new friends and experiences that might stick with you for life. For years, an internship in a foreign country has been an essential part of their studies for many young people. Who, after leaving university, hopes to find an interesting job, is not only asked to present a successful diploma but also to be equipped with certain personality traits like social skills and experience abroad, to be open to new things, other cultures and ways of life, dominate a foreign language.

Your potential advantages after an internship abroad include:

• Less fear/prejudices in the face of the new/unknown
• A wider language spectrum
• Enhanced social skills
• An openness to different cultures and their way of life
• General day to day experience in a foreign country

Lodging

After the language course, during your internship and the orientation week you are welcome to stay on with "your" family, we also are ready to assist in finding apartments or independent rooms.

Within the family we offer three different types of homestay, either in a private room or double room: with 3 meals per day, with breakfast, or without any meals. For the prices, see the price list.