International Experience Program: India
Faculty of Business
This is an exciting opportunity for Business students to Intern with microfinance institutions based in the vibrant city of Mumbai. This internship program and its placement provide you with an opportunity to understand the inner workings of such institutions with a focus on achieving financial inclusion for the otherwise 'non-bankable' urban poor in India. In addition the program provides you with an in-depth understanding of the concept of Microfinance, livelihood issues and the dynamics of urban poverty.
When: November/December, 2012 (exact dates to be confirmed)
Other start dates available please contact lrust@csu.edu.au for further info on these alternative start dates
Eligibility: You must be an enrolled undergraduate Business degree student (either Internal or Distance mode) at CSU in 2012.
Credit: Students who successfully completes this International Experience Program will be eligible for credit in one of the subjects in Banking/Finance or International Business or in another appropriate area. On completion each student must submit a detailed report on the program, its coverage, and how it benefited you in learning process in order to claim subject credit.
Number of places available: 12
NB. This program will require 8 students to proceed.
Program Cost: approx $2700.00 (exact costs to be advised).*
*Students may be eligible to receive a $500 travel grant from CSU Global. Please note that this amount is not paid to students directly but deducted from the program fee.
Costs should include: Program fee, international flights, accommodation, insurance, meals.
Please note all CSU Global Programs are group ticketed. Your program will depart from Sydney and return to Sydney on the dates listed.
Timeline:
- Application Deadline: early August, 2012 (exact dates TBA)
- Successful students notified (email): late August, 2012 (exact dates TBA)
- Passport required for Visa Processing: mid September, 2012 (exact dates TBA)
(You MUST have obtained your passport prior to this date. Please note it may take 4-6 weeks to obtain a passport)
- Payment required: early September, 2012
click here to register your interest [doc]
Please submit the completed form to:
Linda Rust
CSU Global Manager
Office of International Relations
Charles Sturt University
Wagga Wagga
Phone: 02 6933 8214
Fax: 02 6933 4499
Email: lrust@csu.edu.au
Indicative program outline:
Microfinance refers to the provision of financial services to low-income clients- traditionally considered not to be 'credit-worthy'. Microfinance has reversed conventional banking practice by removing the need for collateral and creating a banking system based on mutual trust, accountability, participation and creativity. In this system credit is a cost effective weapon to fight poverty and it serves as a catalyst in the overall development of socio-economic conditions of the poor who have been kept outside the banking orbit.
In the search for practical measures to alleviate poverty and its debilitating impact on humanity and the planet, the microfinance movement offers a set of powerful tools in the service of social and economic development. The program provides interns with an in-depth understanding of microfinance and allows them to contribute/learn based on their specific subject and expertise. The internship provides a 4-week placement in one or many microfinance institutions based in Mumbai. Activities will include field trips, market research, data collection, documentation and observation.
Throughout the program participants will:
- Participate in Group meetings (client meetings) towards gaining better understanding of issues in urban poverty and access to credit. Meetings with microfinance ground level staff and management.
- Gain an understanding of microfinance principles, process and methodology
- Help organisations implement microfinance as a tool to alleviate urban poverty
- Conduct Market research (microfinance requirements), product designing
- Assist with case documentation (written, audio and video documentation)
- Assist with IT systems (including website improvement)
- Work with Human Resource departments , Capacity building (for ground level staff and new staff)
- Interact with bankers working in Microfinance.
Where is the program located?
Mumbai is India's commercial capital. With a population of nearly 13 million, Mumbai's most affluent inhabitants live alongside the working classes and urban poor in soaring skyscrapers and sprawling slums. Mumbai is a melting pot of residents from diverse ethnic backgrounds that speak over a dozen languages.