[Spring 2025] Education Services Intern, IINE Boston

Spring 2025 Education Services Intern (IINE Boston)

The International Institute of New England is a 501(c)(3) non-profit serving refugees and immigrants in Boston, MA, Lowell, MA, and Manchester, NH. The Institute offers internships to students, graduate students, and recent graduates with demonstrated interest or experience in supporting refugee, asylee, and immigrant populations. Each internship includes an educational component, through which interns contextualize their experience and reflect on their service.

All internships are unpaid and correspond roughly with the US semester system:

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  Spring Internship: January through mid-May 2025
  
  (Applications requested by November 29th, considered thereafter until positions are filled)

  
  

First consideration is given to applicants that can commit at least 16 hours per week over the course of the semester outlined above. Applicants are encouraged to apply regardless of whether their schedule fits the semester system; IINE makes exceptions on a case-by-case basis. Slots fill quickly and candidates are encouraged to apply earlier than the requested date above.

Please note that this internship will be a hybrid format, meaning that some in-person hours at our Boston, MA office are required.

Education Services Overview

IINE�s English for Speakers of Other Languages (ESOL) Program serves clients ages 18+ who are committed to taking their next college and career steps in the United States. Some students are refugees and asylees resettled by IINE, while others are referred to the Institute by affiliate organizations offering similar case management and employment services. IINE-Boston's adult education program also welcomes immigrants interested in improving their English. Students come with a wide range of schooling and instruction; many have experienced interrupted education and may not have completed high school in their countries of origin, while others have completed advanced degrees.

Both morning and evening students are provided with English instruction focused on workforce readiness; finding and maintaining employment; the pursuit of higher education; and living safely, comfortably, and happily in their homes in the Boston area. Students complete a reading and writing assessment when they register for classes or begin services. Placement in the appropriate class level is determined based on assessment results. Classes run throughout the year.

Education interns assist with student recruitment and advising as well as classroom instruction. Working alongside IINE�s Admissions Specialist and ESOL Instructors, they meet with prospective students to enroll them in programming, provide occasional instructional support in ESOL, and serve as advisors that help clients find and apply for entry-level jobs, pursue and obtain job promotions, enter training programs, and further their education. Classes meet in the morning and evening depending on student need.

Reports to:Education Manager

Location:Boston, MA (hybrid format)

Key Responsibilities:

• Meet with and help enroll new students


• Advise students on career, education, and civic engagement goals, as well as basic tech and digital literacy support


• Assist ESOL instructors in classrooms


• Help create and update student files and data

Qualifications:

• Interest in international, refugee, asylee, and/or immigrant issues


• Ability to work respectfully in a multicultural environment


• Patience speaking with non-native English speakers/second language-English speakers


• Tutoring or teaching experience, especially in small groups or on a one-on-one basis; Experience teaching or tutoring adult learners preferred


• Excellent oral and written communication skills


• Highly organized with great attention to detail


• Ability to handle multiple tasks and to switch gears quickly


• Professionalism, discretion, and maturity in dealing with confidential information


• Proficiency in Microsoft Word, Excel, Outlook, and PowerPoint


• Language skills in Arabic (Modern Standard), Arabic (Darija), Dari, Pashto, French, Haitian Creole, Spanish, Chinese, Portuguese, Somali, Swahili, and Nepali preferred


• Comfort navigating the Boston area on public transit

Learning Objectives:

1. Assist instructors in the adult continuing education classroom


2. Identify and employ best practices to communicate with students from diverse backgrounds and experiences


3. Advise job seekers and direct strong candidates to potential employers


4. Identify and access community resources and services, particularly those responsive to the needs of refugees and immigrants.


5. Understand the immigrant integration work and the US Refugee Resettlement program, as well as what part VOLAGs and resettlement agencies like the International Institute of New England play in receiving and integrating refugees.