ILAD INTERNSHIP
Gain hands-on experience while using your skills to make a meaningful, lasting impact.
INTERNSHIP PROGRAM
The International Literacy and Development Internship Program
Our greatest hope for our interns is that they experience meaningful relationships that help them discover the beauty and value of international development work. We are committed to equipping them to thrive in diverse cultural contexts, whether serving overseas or engaging in stateside cross-cultural work. Additionally, we provide job-specific training within the U.S. to help them develop practical skills for the field. We are honored to journey alongside our interns as they explore opportunities for their future.
Vision
To ignite a passion for seeing lives transformed in marginalized language communities through literacy and development and inspire a new generation of future development workers through cross-cultural experiences and exposure to a myriad of essential support roles to accelerate human flourishing in mind, body, and spirit.
Mission
To provide transformative opportunities that immerse individuals in both cross-cultural experiences and job-specific vocations that foster spiritual growth, cultural understanding, and practical skills essential for thriving in international development work.
Core Values
1. Understanding internal motivation
We prioritize deepening one’s understanding of what motivates them to serve others and how to connect that motivation with spiritual growth.
2. Living in Relationship
We value the importance of learning from deep relationships and understanding, engaging effectively and empathetically with diverse communities.
3. Immersive Training
We are committed to providing practical, hands-on learning opportunities that equip interns with essential skills for cross-cultural work on a team.
4. Intentional Mentorship
We foster a supportive environment in which interns receive guidance from certified life-coaches who walk with them to explore opportunities in their lives.
General Summer Internship Structure:
International Literacy and Development works in conjunction with our strategic partner, Pioneer Bible Translators, to prepare interns for their internship. This training takes place on the Pioneer Bible/ILAD Campus in Dallas, TX.
Pre-Field Orientation (PFO)
Duration: 2 Weeks
Purpose: To equip interns for their time on the field.
Details
- Interns receive hands-on training in language acquisition, team formation, cultural anthropology, spiritual formation, and conflict resolution.
- They participate in interactive team-building activities under the direction and mentorship of the Formation Team.
- In addition, interns get to participate in a myriad of learning opportunities – Translation demonstrations, literacy equipping sessions, community development, and support roles.
- They attend the Discovery conference where they meet many of our teammates and catch our vision to see lives transformed in marginalized language communities through literacy and development.
Field Portion
Duration: 6–7 Weeks
Purpose: To help interns acquire a broader vision of cross-cultural work, gain further insight into what it means to truly flourish, and to explore what the future may hold for their lives.
Debrief
Duration: Approximately 1 Week
Purpose: To help interns process their experiences and allow them to reconnect with other intern teams.
FAQ’s
(dates are subject to change)
- Discovery Conference in Dallas, TX (May 28-29, 2027) ILAD is a non-sectarian non-profit organization. Our leadership is motivated by the belief that all people were created by God, have value, and should live in dignity.
- Pre-Field Orientation in Dallas, TX (May 31 – June 4, 2027)
- Internship (June 5 – July 25, 2027)
- Debriefing in Dallas, TX (July 26-31, 2027)
To be eligible for a summer internship, you should:
- Be internally motivated to alleviate suffering and promote flourishing in the world.
- Be willing and able to raise financial support.
- Be available for the full internship period: May 26 – July 31, 2027.
- Have completed at least two years of college or possess equivalent work experience.
- Phase 1 – Due: November 27, 2026
- Interview –
- Window #1: December 14-18, 2026
- Window #2: January 4-8, 2027
- Phase 2 – Due: January 9, 2027
- Final Decisions: All applicants will be notified by Friday, January 15, 2027
Internships taking place at our office in Dallas cost $4,500. Internships taking place overseas or in a different U.S. location cost $7,500.
Yes! In fact, our strategic partner, Pioneer Bible Translators, we will equip you with biblical perspectives and basic skills to raise both prayer and financial support.
Most likely. Pioneer Bible Translators has a long history of working alongside universities to meet the academic and hands-on requirements each respective institution requires in order to receive college credit. We are happy to have a conversation with you about this.
We love that you have people in your life who care deeply about you, and we’d be happy to chat with them about this opportunity. They can email our Director of Communications at [email protected].
INTERNSHIP APPLICATION
