Human Rights Internship

Human Rights placements are typically with community organizations, NGOs, and government agencies. Interns work with change agents and other social workers who are focused on empowerment and social justice. You help with community outreach, education, research, and fundraising. Immerse yourself into a community and a project and see first-hand the impacts of culture, social values, and the roles of politics, religion, gender, and ethnicity.

Possible tasks for Human Rights Interns include:​

• Support marketing via website updates, social media, and creation of promotional materials
• Interview potential recipients and/or beneficiaries
• Collaborate on projects or events
• Translate or edit documents
• Create presentations for potential projects
• Attend organizational meetings
• Support staff in daily office tasks

When finding a suitable internship placement, Maximo Nivel always take your goals and interests into account. You gain valuable experience in your desired field, but please also keep in mind that placements are meant to be mutually beneficial. The tasks available and assigned to you may vary depending on the current projects and goals of the organization in which you are placed. 

Interns are required to submit weekly journals and a final deliverable.

Internships lasting less than 8 weeks require either a 10-20 page written paper or a 1-hour PowerPoint presentation. Internships that last 8 weeks or longer require both a 10-20 page written paper and a 1-hour PowerPoint presentation. Final deliverables are expected to cover the following:

• Overview of the organization worked with and the intern's role
• Organization review
• Sector analysis in host or home country
• Analysis of obstacles incurred
• Outcomes/results
• Recommendations for the future

Interns are always supported by Maximo Nivel’s in-country coordinators, but they are not with them at their placement every day. Please be prepared for some independence and leadership.

Internship placements are located in the Antigua area. Walking or taking the bus is the most effective and cheapest way to get to and from your placement. Travel time varies widely from project to project, and interns should expect to spend 20-60 minutes traveling each way. Taxis  are also widely available. For the first visit to the placement, interns are taken by a Maximo Nivel representative using the local transport and given additional information about how to get to and from your work place. Local bus rides are very affordable and a one way trip typically costs Q8 (about $1) or less, but may cost more if the project is further outside Antigua. 

There is plenty to see and do around La Antigua including cultural events, tours and treks, andexploring the various markets. Our local staff also posts a monthly events calendar to let participants know of the activities going on around Maximo. Just outside of La Antigua, there is even more to explore including nearby coffee farms, volcanoes, and both Mayan and colonial ruins. Further outside the area, participants can visit beautiful Lake Atitlán, Semuc Champey, and the famous Tikal archaeological site. Our staff are experts on Guatemala and can answer any questions clients have. Tours and trips can also easily be booked through our on-site travel partner.