Psychology internship in Peru

Gain practical psychology experience supporting young girls from disadvantaged socio-economic backgrounds in Cusco

This is a fantastic opportunity for those with a background in psychology to gain hands-on experience with a professional lead psychologist and social workers, take part in the intake and selection process based on motivation and personality testing, conduct psychological evaluations of individual girls, advise on their potential future, and help expand the program to even more young people across Cusco.

Travel to Cusco, Peru’s ancient archeological city, to help break the cycle of poverty and gender inequality prevalent there. Your time will be spent supporting girls aged 14 to 20 studying at public high schools and universities. These girls have been identified and selected for the program based on factors such as intrinsic motivation and personality traits, including emotional stability, openness and conscientiousness. They mostly come from extremely poor, single-parent families that often have troubling or complicated dynamics.

Throughout your internship, you’ll gain practical expertise in educational, youth-based psychology that will widen your understanding of the discipline and help you find a career in the sector.

Learning objectives:

Develop your understanding of psychology practices within the field of youth-based, educational psychology
Build on the expertise needed to work with young people and their families, taking into consideration socio-economic factors
Gain insight into international nonprofit work and community development
Gain international work experience for your future

ORGANIZATION

Chaska is a psychology-based program that works to break the cycle of poverty and gender inequality across Cusco, Peru. Girls from extremely poor, single-parent families who demonstrate great potential are identified through in-depth interviews and psychological testing and are selected to join the program each year. The program is built upon three pillars of support: financial, educational, and emotional; through assisting with extra classes, delivering workshops on key social issues, as well as providing healthy meals and other financial support, this nonprofit helps the girls gain the tools to thrive as healthy, independent and successful individuals.

TASKS & REQUIREMENTS

As a psychology intern, you’ll work directly with the lead psychologist, to support young girls with building the skills they need to overcome socio-economic barriers to a healthy, independent and successful future. You’ll play an important role in conducting psychological evaluations of individual girls and advising on potential treatments, as well as working more widely with families on education-related issues.

What you’ll do

The key tasks for interns in this program will be:

Conduct psychological evaluations of individual girls and advise on potential treatment
Follow up with the girls’ progress
Work with the families on education-related issues
Participate in the yearly intake procedure
Test and analyze hundreds of individuals with the JS NEO 60
Help conduct socioeconomic status assessments of families
Develop or find character-based psychological tests applicable to secondary school children in order to expand the program
There is lots of space for personal initiatives (f.e. conducting research, leading workshops, etc.) as long as they are in line with the program’s objectives

Requirements

Education or background in psychology or a psychology-related field
A passion for community development and education
Independent, proactive, good with teenagers
Ability to work independently and as part of a team
Spanish level B1 for psychology interns (If you’re more interested in research & development then basic Spanish is sufficient)
Must be over 20 years of age
Minimum commitment of 10 weeks, to be completed in Cusco (not a remote position)

WHERE YOU’LL STAY

Interns stay in one of two apartments, each with three bedrooms. Each apartment has a well-equipped kitchen where interns can prepare and eat meals together (there is also the option to eat a nutritious, homemade lunch with the girls), a living area, and a shared bathroom, and come with electricity, WiFi, and filtered drinking water. The apartments are located in a safe area of Cusco, South America’s oldest inhabited city, steeped in culture and tradition.

The city, famed as the gateway to the ancient ruins of Machu Picchu, is a wonderful melting pot of Incan majesty, Andean baroque, and a cosmopolitan shopping and eating scene. With endless temples and ruins to explore, quaint cobblestone streets lined with textile boutiques, and traditionally-dressed women walking their pet llamas, your senses will be heightened at every turn.

DATES & RATES

Internship start and end dates are flexible and will be discussed with your during the selection process.

What you’ll pay (2023 rates)

3 months USD 1,881
4 months USD 2,299
5 months USD 2,717
6 months USD 3,135

What you are paying for:

Careful matchmaking. It takes time to find the right internship for each person, and we take this process very seriously.
Initial interview with one of our team to gauge your skills, interests, and desired learning outcomes.
Airport transfers upon arrival and departure
Shared apartment access to WIFI and well-equipped kitchen
Lunch from Monday to Friday (optional)
Assistance with your visa arrangement & other preparations
An orientation program with your supervisor
Supervision and support during your internship
Regular check-ins and feedback from your supervisor.
Access to workshops with a focus on career development
Troubleshooting if needed
A reference letter at the end of your internship

Excludes:

Flights
Visa, medical and travel insurance costs for the duration of your placement – must include cover for repatriation
Electricity bill is split between you and your house mates
Meals (note that from Monday to Friday you can have lunch with the girls)
Drinks, snacks, and items of personal nature (f.e. curios, gifts, clothing)
Costs for additional excursions or activities

QUICK FACTS

	Cusco, Peru
	Gender Equality NGO
	Psychology, Gender Equality, Education
	Min. 10 Weeks
	From USD 1,881

INTERNSHIP HIGHLIGHTS

Gain hands-on experience in psychology practices within an educational setting
Benefit from the expert mentorship of a leading psychologist and support workers
Make a positive impact on the country’s youth and the wider community
Travel to the magnificent ruins of Machu Picchu set in the middle of a tropical mountain forest
Develop your Spanish language skills

3 MONTHS USD 1,881
4 MONTHS USD 2,299
5 MONTHS USD 2,717

See Detailed Rates

MORE INTERNSHIPS WITH THIS NONPROFIT

GALLERY

HOW TO APPLY

If you’re ready to apply for this internship, here’s what to do:

APPLY

Fill in the application form (it will show in a new screen) which includes sharing your CV to us

SPEAK WITH AN ADVISOR

We’ll set up a call with you to go through your application.

INTERNSHIP MATCHING

If we feel it’s a good match, we’ll set up a call between you and the supervisor for this internship.

PAYMENT

If everyone’s happy, we’ll provisionally confirm your placement! We’ll then send you the invoice for the deposit, getting started with the booking process and all the info you need.

CONFIRMATION

Only once we receive payment of the deposit your placement will be confirmed.

NEED TO MAKE AN ENQUIRY FIRST?

Or if you’d just like to ask us some questions about this internship first, just fill in the contact form below. We’ll be happy to assist!

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Open for applications