College interns prepare for overseas work experience

COTR interns prepare for work experience in Kenya. Left to right: Rachel Ward, Annie Dabrowski, Sakina Abbas, Mary McNeill, Mike Riera, Alison Stockwell.

Since 2001, College of the Rockies (COTR) has provided over 100 young Canadians with overseas work experience in countries such as Ecuador, Peru, Tanzania, Kenya and China. COTR international internships are six and a half months in length and include a one-week orientation in Cranbrook, a six-month overseas work experience and a one-week debriefing session in Cranbrook.

This year’s interns will be working in Ecuador, the Dominican Republic, Jamaica and Kenya, with various COTR partner organizations that include universities, private businesses and non-governmental organizations. Interns will work in fields such as microenterprise development, tourism, community development, nursing, health education and business.

International project co-ordinator Tracey Brenton said, “These internships are funded by the Canadian International Development Agency (CIDA) to provide post-secondary graduates the opportunity to gain international work experience that provides them with the tools and experience they need to launch successful careers in Canada or abroad.”

In May, 2012, 14 COTR/CIDA interns from across Canada participated in a one-week orientation session in Cranbrook before departing for their overseas work experiences. For more information on this program contact Tracey Brenton at 250-489-2751 ext. 3499 or email: [email protected].