In Spring 2023, the LBJ School of Public Affairs, through its RGK Center for Philanthropy and Community Service, will offer graduate students an opportunity to provide research and consulting services to nonprofit organizations (NGOs) and governments in three venues: (a) the Mexico-US border; (b) Japan; and (c) Israel. The consulting roles in Spring 2023 can be completed as a virtual activity, if the student does not wish to travel, or the Covid-19 situation does not allow for travel. On the other hand, if a student wishes to travel in Summer 2022 to Mexico, Japan or Israel in Summer 2023, the student can do so if they obtain travel authorization from Texas Global. Travel with financial support is possible, but no travel is necessary for the student to complete all requirements for credit for the course. This class is appropriate for the following degree students: Ph.D.; M.P.Aff; MGPS; M.P.Aff-DC; MGPS-DC.
All class members will meet each Tuesday from 6 to 7 (for all pods). Each pod will meet separately during an hour each week that is convenient with class members. There will be individual instruction in addition. Each of the pods (Mexico, Japan and Israel) will meet separately outside of the main class. Each pod will have a unique group training program that will enable them to learn about the nation in which they plan to work, including cultural competency. Each will train in skills they will needed to accomplish their tasks. The ‘group training’ content will be developed jointly by the class members and the instructor. Each person will develop her/his/their individual training program to prepare themselves with the specific technical skills they need to accomplish their tasks for fieldwork. The specific schedule for individual training will be developed during the first week of the semester. In effect the instructor and the student will identify a study agenda to best prepare for fieldwork.
Some of internships require technical skills or knowledge, as specified by the sponsoring organization. In some cases, a student will possess sufficient skills prior to enrollment in the class. For example, if an internship in Mexico expects the intern to be able to use geographical information systems (GIS) and a student has experience using GIS software, there would be no expected prior training required by the student to start the internship. However, if a student has no experience with GIS, the individual would be expected to develop adequate skills to be able to perform the intended tasks of the internship. A student may acquire the skills by practice in a work setting, study in a course taught by a faculty member at any academic institution, or work with the instructor during the course of this semester course. The instructor will work with Austin-based professionals to help each student develop appropriate technical skills as part of the expectations for this course.
There are funds available from sources at The University of Texas at Austin (UT) to support field research in a number of nations, including Mexico, Japan, and Israel, including Texas Global’s Global Career Launch (GCL), International Student Fee Scholarships, Curtis W. Meadows, Jr. Social Enterprise Fellows, Crook Fellowships, LBJ School-based support for internships, or from other sources. Students are eligible to seek funding from sources within UT-Austin for travel stipends, loans, scholarships, fellowships, and other sources of support to help defray the cost of international field study and research. Some useful websites include:
- https://global.utexas.edu/abroad/funding/scholarships
- https://www.scholarshiptab.com/scholarships/university-of-texas-at-austin-ut-austin-2021-international-education-fee-ief-scholarships
- http://utdirect.utexas.edu/student/abroad/globalassist.WBX
- https://onestop.utexas.edu/managing-costs/scholarships-financial-aid/
Students also are eligible to raise funds through a so-called ‘HornRaiser’ process. The appropriate website is:
LBJ School students are eligible to apply for funds to support unpaid summer internships following policies that may be promulgated for Summer 2023.