Fellows and Interns

Disabilities incorporate physical, mental, emotional, and combined issues. They may include PTSD, pain, Deafness, Autism Spectrum Disorder, paralysis, and countless more. But how do these differences become their own cultures? Those suffering from PTSD may bond with others who share their experiences. Those with physical disabilities may engage in cultural activities and events. Deaf cultures are divided between Deaf and deaf. How do cultures form and perpetuate? What are the cultures within disabled communities? How do they name themselves and present themselves? Are there "outsiders" within the communities -- for example, is a person who is temporarily disabled welcomed into the larger community? How do people with disabilities interact within the non-disabled cultures surrounding them?

The culture of disability is a wide and diverse topic with many diverse areas to explore. Students are encouraged to examine a single issue of interest to them. All students are welcome to apply. Students with disabilities are especially encouraged to apply. For qualified students, laptop computers will be provided, thanks to generous donations to Cultural Intelligence Institute.

Qualifications: Undergraduate or graduate student in U.S. or internationally. Excellent research and writing skills, and the ability to analyze and write in a factual, neutral, and objective manner. Top 10% in class ranking.

Location of Work: Remote from anywhere.

When sending your application email, the subject line should read:  DISABILITY-[your last name]

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The culture of poverty

Some scientists argue that poverty isn't just a situation; it is a cultural/value system. Demonstrate one side of the argument or the other. Is the culture of poverty ubiquitous? Do different macrocultures have different cultures of poverty? What drives such a culture, what is the culture, and can/should it be changed?

All students are welcome to apply for this internship. Students who have suffered poverty inside or outside the U.S. are especially encouraged to apply. For qualified students, laptop computers will be provided, thanks to generous donations to Cultural Intelligence Institute.

Qualifications: Undergraduate or graduate student in U.S. or internationally. Excellent research and writing skills, and the ability to analyze and write in a factual, neutral, and objective manner. Top 10% in class ranking.

Location of Work: Remote from anywhere.

When sending your application email, the subject line should read:  POVERTY-[your last name]

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News tracking in Iran

Beginning January 2013, two students will be selected to supplement our current team to track events in Iran in support of a larger project effort that examines effects, trends, and opinions of the June 2012 Iranian election.

Tasks: Monitor local, regional, and international news sources and document events that can impact political trends and opinions within the Iranian culture. The events to be documented and examined include cultural shifts, financial downtowns and improvements, changes in political structure or leaders, immigration or emigration trends, natural or manmade disasters, and much more. The intern will conduct research on a daily basis between January and June, document information and sources, and write weekly analyses. As this effort is part of a larger project, the intern may be invited to present research results as part of the professional research team at the First International Conference on Culture in April 2013.

Qualifications: Demonstrated ability to track and document news, trends, and events. Top 10% in class ranking. Excellent writing skills and the ability to analyze and write in a factual, neutral, and objective manner. Demonstrated ability to remain committed over a six-month period. Must have faculty approval.

Location of Work: Remote from anywhere.

When sending your application email, the subject line should read:  IRAN-[your last name]

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Tasks: Interns will be provided a list of questions to answer about shari`ah. They will then research original documents to find the answers, and cite every source.  Multiple responses, citing multiple documents, is encouraged.

Qualifications: Prefer law students or students familiar with shari`ah, political science, or similar field. Fluency in an area-related language is strongly preferred. Excellent research and writing skills, and the ability to analyze and write in a factual, neutral, and objective manner. Top 10% in class ranking.

Location of Work: Cultural Intelligence Institute’s office in Northern Virginia.

When sending your application email, the subject line should read:  SHARIAH_US-[your last name]

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Comparative analysis of shari`ah in Muslim countries – international students

Cultural Intelligence Institute is conducting a comparative analysis of how shari’ah (Islamic law) is applied in various Muslim countries around the world. In order to gain perspective from the individuals living within these countries, we are seeking interns in MUSLIM NATIONS to participate.

Tasks: Interns will be provided a list of questions to answer about shari`ah. They will then research original documents to find the answers, and cite every source.  Multiple responses, citing multiple documents, is encouraged.

Qualifications: Prefer law students or students familiar with shari`ah. Top 10% in class ranking. Excellent research and writing skills, and the ability to analyze and write in a factual, neutral, and objective manner. Must have faculty approval.

Location of Work: Home university, working remotely.

When sending your application email, the subject line should read:  SHARIAH_INTL-[your last name]

 
Similarities among criminal cultures

Criminal groups have been divided among gangs, pirates, organized crime, terrorists, and others, yet culturally, they appear to have similarities among them. Interns will explore the similarities in approach, recruitment, retention, team-building, and other areas as they relate to the culture of criminality. This topic has been selected to support the Cultural Intelligence Institute’s Spring 2013 conference, themed “Culture in National Security, International Security, Law Enforcement and Irregular Warfare.” Successful interns will have the opportunity to present papers, contribute to workshops, and more during the conference.

Tasks: Examine similarities among the cultures of criminal groups. Conduct comprehensive research on and prepare end products that describe and explain the research.

Qualifications: Advanced undergraduate or graduate student in U.S. or internationally. Excellent research and writing skills, and the ability to analyze and write in a factual, neutral, and objective manner. Top 10% in class ranking.

Location of Work: Cultural Intelligence Institute office in Northern Virginia or remotely.

When sending your application email, the subject line should read:  CRIM-[your last name]


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Culture and social media research

For this broad topic, we invite students to submit their ideas about culture and social media. How does social media affect culture? What is the culture of social media? What role does social media play in culture, and what role does culture play in social media? These are just a few of the many topics that we invite interns to propose.

Tasks: Conduct comprehensive research on a subject of the student’s choice, and prepare end products that describe and explain the research.

Qualifications: Advanced undergraduate or graduate student in U.S. or internationally. Top 10% in class ranking.

Location of work: Either Cultural Intelligence Institute’s Northern Virginia office or remotely.


When sending your application email, the subject line should read:  RESSOCIAL-[your last name]


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Choose your own topic: International culture

Cultural Intelligence Institute strives to understand cultures all over the world! Propose a project that will explain and demonstrate one particular macroculture (e.g., “Brazil”) or microculture (e.g., “the Hadzabe tribe of Tanzania”). Creativity and interdisciplinarity are welcome.

Tasks: Conduct comprehensive research on a subject of the student’s choice, and prepare end products that describe and explain the research.

Qualifications: Advanced undergraduate or graduate student in U.S. or internationally. Excellent research and writing skills, and the ability to analyze and write in a factual, neutral, and objective manner. Top 10% in class ranking.

Location of work: Either Cultural Intelligence Institute’s Northern Virginia office or remotely.


When sending your application email, the subject line should read:  GENCULTURE-[your last name]


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Culture and rapport-building

Whether we are traveling on vacation, business, or to visit friends, creating new friendships, feeling comfortable in a foreign environment, and being confident that we can navigate around a new city or countryside is important. How does culture play into how we build rapport with people?

Tasks: Conduct comprehensive research on a subject of the student’s choice, and prepare end products that describe and explain the research.

Qualifications: Advanced undergraduate or graduate student in U.S. or internationally. Excellent research and writing skills, and the ability to analyze and write in a factual, neutral, and objective manner. Top 10% in class ranking.

Location of work: Either Cultural Intelligence Institute’s Northern Virginia office or remotely.

When sending your application email, the subject line should read:  RAPPORT-[your last name]


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Gestures around the world

Everybody gestures! Gestures are movements that replace or accompany speech in order to communicate ideas. At Cultural Intelligence Institute, we want to explore the differences in the gestures that people use all over the world. To best do that, we are asking interns to examine the gestures used in their own cultures.

Tasks: Conduct comprehensive research on the gestures and their meanings that are used in the student’s own cultures, and prepare end products that describe and explain the research.

Qualifications: Advanced undergraduate or graduate student in U.S. or internationally. Top 10% in class ranking.

Location of work: Either Cultural Intelligence Institute’s Northern Virginia office or remotely.

When sending your application email, the subject line should read:  GESTURES-[your last name]


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The importance of life

The value and importance of human life varies among cultures. The degree of value is based on belief systems, experience, and more. Exploring how much emphasis various cultures place on the importance of life, and why, is a fascinating and little-examined area of research. Interns will have the opportunity to perform ground-breaking work that can lead to further studies.

Tasks: Examine at least two cultures to determine what the value of life is and how it came to be that way.

Qualifications: Advanced undergraduate or graduate student in the U.S. or internationally. Top 10% in class ranking.

Location of work: Either Cultural Intelligence Institute’s Northern Virginia office or remotely.

When sending your application email, the subject line should read:  LIFE-[your last name]


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Choose your own topic: Comparison of world religions

Hundreds of religions exist in the world, each with its own unique beliefs and practices. Most people grow up surrounded by just a few of these religions, and their knowledge of the way the rest of the world approaches spirituality is limited. At Cultural Intelligence Institute, we recognize the critical role that religion plays in culture – how it is both shaped and shapes worldview, behavior, and belief. We wish to explore the similarities and differences among large and small religions in the world.

Tasks: Conduct comprehensive research on a subject of the student’s choice, and prepare end products that describe and explain the research.

Qualifications: Undergraduate and graduate students in the U.S. and internationally. Excellent research and writing skills, and the ability to analyze and write in a factual, neutral, and objective manner. Top 10% in class ranking.

Location of Work: Either Cultural Intelligence Institute’s Northern Virginia office or remotely.

When sending your application email, the subject line should read:  WORLDREL-[your last name]

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PRACTICUM INTERNSHIPS

We need your help! Cultural Intelligence Institute has not even begun to leverage the vast array of social media that will help us bring people together through understanding! We are seeking interns to work closely with us to help shape and implement our social media strategy.

Tasks: Develop and implement strategies that will help Cultural Intelligence Institute extend its reach, research and impact throughout the world.

Qualifications: Undergraduate or graduate student with significant, demonstrable experience with a wide range of social media, media planning, and implementation. Top 10% in class ranking.

Location of work: Cultural Intelligence Institute’s Northern Virginia office or remote.

When sending your application email, the subject line should read:  SOCIALMEDIA-[your last name]

 
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Fundraising interns

Studying to become a world-class fundraiser? Help us make a difference and support our research, training, education, fellowships and internships, so we can continue our important work. We are seeking interns who can help shape and implement our fundraising strategies.

Tasks: Develop and implement strategies that will help Cultural Intelligence Institute plan and implement its fundraising strategies.

Qualifications: Advanced undergraduate or graduate student in U.S. Top 10% in class ranking.