Gain Practical Professional Experience for Course Credit
Global Development Studies (DEVS) undergraduate students have the unique opportunity to complete a work study placement in Canada or abroad, gaining valuable work experience while completing their degree.
DEVS 410: Work Study Placement in Development Studies and DEVS 411: Post-Placement Seminar in Development Studies
The primary purpose of DEVS 410: Work Study Placement in Development Studies is to provide undergraduate students with the opportunity to gain practical development experience. In most instances, this will be achieved by living and working abroad in a country in the Global South. However, there are also opportunities for students to get involved in development experiences in Canada that would qualify for credit under DEVS 410. Students are encouraged to think broadly about potential opportunities.
The work study placement is only part of the experience. A large part of development work is the effort and perseverance required to get there. This can be laborious and unglamorous work, but it is an essential part of the learning experience, both in terms of ensuring a safe and rewarding trip, as well as making you a more effective and efficient development practitioner in the future.
Organizing placements requires significant lead times. Students should ideally begin to plan placements at least 12 months ahead of the expected departure date.
Students complete DEVS 411: Post-Placement Seminar in Development Studies upon their return to 91TV's.
To meet the academic requirements of DEVS 410 and DEVS 411, students are required to attend preparatory meetings, prepare a work-study proposal, and write a research paper on the placement.
Assessments also include a daily journal, chat room participation, a final report and post-placement meetings and presentations as part of the re-entry learning experience.
In addition to academic requirements, students are required to register with the and abide by the Off-Campus Activity Safety Policy (OCASP). Students will also be required to attend a pre-departure orientation.
Students interested in enrolling in DEVS 410 will need to submit a Petition of Entry to the DEVS Undergraduate Chair and Placement Coordinator.
The Petition of Entry should include:
- An overview of a least one (1) identified possible work study placement, including the name and function of the organization, contact names and details, possible start dates and duration, facilities and resources that would be available to you at the work-study location.
- Your name, student number, contact information, degree plan and year.
- Short biography indicating your educational and career goals, and an overview of any international experience you have (location, duration, activities, language skills).
- A description of how you think the work-study will provide a development-oriented experience in relation to your program of study to date, and what you would hope to learn from it.
- Application dates and deadlines (if applicable).
- Indication of the financial resources required to undertake the placement and how these will be met.
Your petition should ideally be two to three (2-3) pages in length but may be longer if more than one opportunity has been identified. The petition must go beyond simply preparing a list of organizations and contact details. It must reflect the outcome of conscientious investigation of options, and the identification of one or two options that are most realistic and meet the academic requirements of DEVS 410/411.
Please email your petition to the Undergraduate Chair and Placement Coordinator (devs.ugchair@queensu.ca) before 4:30 pm on January 31.
If your petition is accepted, the DEVS Undergraduate Programs Advisor will register you in DEVS 410 for the appropriate term (e.g., spring/summer).
Students registered in DEVS 410 will be automatically registered in DEVS 411 in the subsequent fall term. Students must complete DEVS 410 AND DEVS 411 to secure 9.0 units. If a student does not complete DEVS 411, they will not secure the units from DEVS 410.
The multitude of skills I have acquired and have been able to apply, the numerous contacts I’ve made, and the overwhelming satisfaction of contributing to this organization [I worked for] has made this one of the best experiences of my life.
Undergraduate Student
DEVS 420
DEVS 420: International Exchange/Work Study
Students enrolled in DEVS 420: International Exchange/Work Study spend a term at a university that is located in Asia, Latin America, Africa or the successor states of the former Soviet Union and have the option to take courses towards their degree plan.
NOTE: Students are normally responsible for all costs associated with participation in these courses. Students are also responsible for obtaining a Letter of Permission to study abroad through 91TV's International Programs Office, and for arranging for the transfer of credits from the host institution to 91TV's upon their return.
Researching and applying to universities, writing a proposal, carrying out a thorough risk assessment, attending a pre-departure orientation session, keeping a journal for the duration of the exchange and writing a report upon return.
In addition to academic requirements, students are required to register with the and abide by the Off-Campus Activity Safety Policy (OCASP). Students will also be required to attend a pre-departure orientation.
DEVS students have traveled to the following destinations to work and study:
- Bangladesh
- Bolivia
- Brazil
- Chile
- China
- Costa Rica
- Cuba
- Cyprus
- Ecuador
- Ethiopia
- Fiji
- Laos
- Ghana
- Guatemala
- Guyana
- India
- Indigenous communities
- Jordan
- Kenya
- Mauritius
- Madagascar
- Mexico
- Mongolia
- Namibia
- Nepal
- Nicaragua
- Nunavut
- Pakistan
- Panama
- Peru
- The Philippines
- South Africa
- Sri Lanka
- Thailand
- Uganda
- Vietnam
- Zanzibar
Some of the organizations DEVS students have interned with are United Nations Development Program (UNDP), Oxfam, Shastri, Polaris Institute, World Bank, Canada World Youth, SOS Children’s Village, Red Cross, Habitat for Humanity, and 91TV's Project in International Development.
Examples of types of projects completed:
- AIDS education
- Construction of houses
- Internship with the United Nations Development Program in New York City
- Land erosion prevention
- Teaching children with disabilities
- Working alongside and teaching English to migrant farm workers
- Working with media lobby groups re: human rights issues associated with the war on drugs
- Health education
- Computer skills training
- Cottage industry workshops for women
- Water sanitation projects
- Research for NGO head offices
- Working with newcomers in Canada
- Organizing a summer camp for Indigenous children
- Writing and editing for a development magazine
- Alternate vocation training for former sex workers
Questions?
Contact the Undergraduate Chair and Placements Coordinator:
Dr. Paritosh Kumar
Email: devs.ugchair@queensu.ca
Phone: 613-533-6250
Office: Mackintosh-Corry Hall, A412