Sonoma State University

Internships

Infographic with words associated with internships

All Global Studies students participate in a high-impact internship during which they apply their academic understanding of global social issues to an real case and prepare for a professional career.

We encourage students to do the internship while they are studying abroad, or look for opportunities to do one during a summer abroad. When that is not possible, we encourage students to find internships within their geographic scope that offer opportunities to interact with people of different cultures and backgrounds, and utilize their second language. As well, we expect students to seek opportunities their align with their specific area of interest -- such as governance, economic development, youth development, housing, health, migration, women's social development, climate change, and other social and environmental concerns.

Through these internships, SSU Global Studies students have traveled all over the world and engaged in a wide range of experiences

Examples of Recent GLBL Internships

Career Fields and Locations

Locations where students have participated in internships

Teaching / Education:  Kenya, Ecuador, Brazil, China, Thailand
Sustainable Agriculture / Food Systems: Costa Rica, Ecuador, Italy
Poverty / Homelessness / Hunger: Chile, Spain, Columbia, Senegal, India, Italy, Petaluma, Santa Rosa
Sustainable Tourism / Conservation: Peruvian Amazon, The Galapagos Islands, Haiti
Economic / Community Development: El Salvador, Costa Rica, Peru, Ghana, Nigeria, Los Angeles
Women / Youth Development:  Israel, Argentina, Sonoma County, South Korea
Migration / Refugees: Mexico, Europe, Bay Area, Sonoma County
Diplomacy: California, East Africa

GLBL Students doing their Internships:

Internship Logistics

Before doing an internship, Global Studies majors should enroll in GLBL 310: Professional Development. We suggest that GLBL students enroll in that class during the Spring of their junior or senior year. Or, if studying abroad, the semester before they go abroad. 

In GLBL 310, students think strategically about what types of internships will advance their career in the right direction. And, students get access to a wide range of resources for finding internships.

While doing the internship, students get credit for it by enrolling in an internship course (GLBL 497).

Enrolling in the internship course (GLBL 497) does not occur in the same way that students enroll in other classes. The internship is a contract class that has its own back-channel registration process. Talk with the Global Studies advisor for more information on that process.

GLBL Students with Distiction

Global Studies grants distinction to graduates who have served the global community above and beyond the requirements of the major. Recent recipients include:

Brooke Penfold  |  2018

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  • Double Major: Global Studies & Spanish
  • Study Abroad: CSUIP: Santiago, Chile
  • Service Internship: Worked Fondacio Chile in Santiago, Chile.
    • Worked with persons with physical and mental disabilities in an ergonomic greenhouse to grow medicinal herbs
    • Participated in an after-school program helping kids with homework and organizing educational activities
    • Worked with the homeless, distributing donations, preparing meals, and socializing with members of the community
  • Additional service
    • Volunteered as a teaching assistant at a bilingual school
    • Volunteered as a tutor teaching citizenship, ESL, and computer classes to immigrants throughout Sonoma County
    • Helped organize donations to the American Red Cross after the Tubbs Fire

 

Jibranh Ortega  |  2015

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  • Major: Global Studies; Minor: Latin American Studies
  • Service Internship: Worked for La Casa del Migrante in Tijuana, Mexico
    • Lived with migrants in a group shelter for three months
    • Provided orientations and hospitality to migrants (e.g. food, access to medical and legal assistance, and help finding jobs)
    • Helped raise awareness of migrant issues through various local media in Tijuana
  • Additional service
    • Recruited volunteers for La Casa del Migrante upon return
    • Served as a student Leader for SSU’s delegation to the Model UN

 

Johanna Javaluyas  |  2014

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  • Major:Global Studies; Minor: Geography
  • Study Abroad: Chengdu, China & Bangalore, India (one semester each)
  • Service Internship: Worked for Earth to City in Mulalillo, Ecuador
    • Lived in a small farming community for three months
    • Helped promote organic methods of market gardening
    • Helped promote organic products in local farmers markets
  • Additional service
    • Worked with street children in Bangalore, facilitating their own initiatives, such as art projects and garbage cleanup

 

Ben Fine  |  2013

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  • Major:Global Studies
  • Service Internship: Worked for El Salvador North America (ENSA)
    • Lived and worked in the region of Caluco, a poor rural region of El Salvador
    • Helped build a school kitchen, installed solar lights, taught English, and facilitied donations of clothing and supplies
    • Helped develop training programs for local community members to become electricians, potters, wood carvers, etc.
  • Additional service
    • Became a leader within the ENSA organization, managing volunteer groups and promoting ongoing initiatives

Carissa Green  |  2012

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  • Major:Global Studies
  • Service Internship: Worked for Bayer Farm Neighborhood Park and Gardens, Ethnobotony Project
    • Helped neighboring families grow their own fruits and vegetables in the community garden
    • Helped built a database of herbs and remedies; helped build a medicinal plant garden
    • Trained to become a Health Promoter, and then produced presentations on healthy meals and recipies through the Free Lunch Program
  • Additional service
    • Became a community leader for Bayer Farm, organizing activities for the community