Internship program at risk of cancellation

By Miranda Minassian

mina0012@algonquincollege.com

A Canadian International Development Agency (CIDA) internship intended to give recent graduates valuable work experience overseas may be on the government’s financial chopping block.

The International Youth Internship Program (IYIP) provides international development assistance while giving employment and mentoring experience to students involved.

“Canada tends to be insular,” said Matt Wheatley a public relations and marketing officer in the international education center. “We send students abroad to make the world a better place as well as to help Canadians internationalize themselves.”

For the past four years the federally funded program has been administered by Algonquin College to post secondary students who wish to go further their experiences in developing countries.  This year, however, the government may be cutting funding to the program.

“The CIDA website said in October that they would be accepting funding applications late fall of 2008.  That date has since come and gone and CIDA has not put out requests for proposals,” said Maria Schnurr, manager of International Projects.

The status of the program is still unknown.  The communication department at CIDA reports that the program is “under review of the treasury board,” though the Youth Section of CIDA could not be reached for comment.

This time last year the college applied and received funding to administer seven paid internships to Africa.  Algonquin has received an increase of funds each year since their first application in 2004.

“Each year we’ve had to reapply, but each year we send more students abroad,” said Schnurr.  “ We work hard to develop our partnerships overseas and are prepared to make applications, but there is no guarantee of funding.”

Student’s returning from this years internship unanimously agree that programs like the IYIP are necessary to prepare students to compete in a global economy

 “My overall experience was very positive both professionally and personally,” said Sarah Burdeniuk, a graduate who has been working in an HIV/AIDS unit in South Africa.  

“I can’t speak for other fields of work, but I believe that in the international development and international affairs sectors, globalizing your skills does make one more employable. In fact, in many cases, it’s a requirement.  I believe that I am more employable. “

Sylwia Knapczwyk agrees that programs like this are beneficial for students.

“It’s disappointing to think it might be canceled,” said Sylwia, who was another of the interns recently returning from Africa. “I think everyone should have this opportunity.”

Several interns have remained in Africa having gotten jobs through contacts they have met while completing their internships.

Trisha Phippard, a recent graduate of Western University, is one of those students who remained in Africa post-internship.   

“I’ve been working as a Communications and Marketing Development Office in Cape Town.  I’ve decided to stay in South Africa because I feel I am now prepared to get a job here with an NGO.”