Samaritan's Purse

General Intern

August - December 2019 • Monrovia, Montserrado

What I liked

I enjoyed the fact that I was able to see my work in the Protection Sector, Health Sector, school, and communications holistically reach the most marginalised with the Gospel. Spiritual and physical needs being met through collaboration of others is a great example of the Body of Christ on the move. I’d also never worked in a top-down NGO before or one where I didn’t know the donors personally, so the professional experience grew me a lot and gave me an appreciation for the care SP has for its staff.

What I wish was different

I wish I had been more intentional in deeper relationship development with colleagues and other ex-pats on my compound. I also wish I had been able to stay on staff longer.

Advice

Flexibility is a must when working in any disaster relief/development setting. I’d also encourage differentiation between expectations and goals before going on the field (if applicable) to foster a greater tenacity for field challenges.

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HR and Adminstrative Intern

January - May 2019 • Makati, Philippines

What I liked

I absolutely loved the international internship that I had with Samaritan's Purse in their Philippines field offices. I loved getting to work alongside hardworking and like-minded believers who serve so well in Jesus' name. I enjoyed living in a new country, embracing a new culture, and making new friends during my time there.

What I wish was different

I wish the international internship was longer!

Advice

Be willing to go out of your comfort zone and try to give your 100% to adapt to a new country because then only would you be able to get the full exciting experience. And always trust the Lord in the process!

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Finance Intern

January - May 2019 • Kampala, Uganda

What I liked

I enjoyed working with people that were both passionate about their faith and humanitarian work. The internship provides a real opportunity to fulfill a role within a country office and learn how Samaritans Purse runs on the ground level. I had opportunities to work within each role of the finance team and interact with most departments on a weekly basis. One of my favorite parts of working in Kampala was interacting and working with the national staff and learning more about Ugandan culture.

What I wish was different

I really enjoyed my internship. By the end, I had a good community of friends both in and outside the office. It would've been nice to stay even longer but I think the Apprentice program does a good job of fulfilling that role to continue with SP.

Advice

I think being flexible, having humility, and just coming ready to learn will really help your experience. If you have free time, get to know national staff or ask your supervisor how else you can help out!

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Biomedical intern

May - August 2019 • North Wilkesboro, NC

What I liked

Great work environment! Great place for deep and meaningful relationships.

What I wish was different

I wish I had more time there.

Advice

Spend time meeting the people where you are working.

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Program and Government Relations Intern

May - August 2018 • Boone, NC

What I liked

I loved getting opportunities to work at a high level. I was respected and did not feel looked down on for being an intern. Getting the opportunity to work alongside giants in the humanitarian aid world was encouraging and inspiring.

What I wish was different

Advice

Really put yourself out there. Apply for the job. If you get it, connect with people, ask the hard questions, meet with the higher-ups that you want to learn from.

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World Medical Mission Intern

May - July 2018 • Monrovia, Montserrado

What I liked

Samaritan's Purse helps people in the name of Jesus. The best part of my internship was getting to be apart of this mission and meeting true heroes that I will remember and be inspired by for the rest of my life.

What I wish was different

I wish the length of my summer internship experience was two weeks longer.

Advice

Unexpect the expected- be flexible. Samaritan's Purse knows how to move and act quick, look for opportunities to step up.

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International Security Intern

June - August 2020 • Boone, NC

What I liked

The genuine nature of everyone's dedication and commitment to Jesus first then their work second was truly refreshing. I wasn't able to attend my internship due to COVID-19, but I can say with confidence that this organization cares for everyone, employee or intern, Christian or unbeliever, friend or foe.

What I wish was different

Well obviously I wish I could have actually gone, but their communication was superb considering what everyone was going through with the virus.

Advice

While I can't speak to the experience of the internship itself, I can say that if the thorough and compassionate nature of their hiring process is anything like their work environment, anyone would be blessed to be a part of Samaritan's Purse.

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Volunteer Relations Intern with Operation Christmas Child

May - August 2019 • Boone, NC

What I liked

My internship with Samaritan's Purse was such an incredible experience for me personally, spiritually and professionally. I got to build meaningful relationships through working with my supervisor, my team, and with other interns. Working at Samaritan's Purse propelled my confidence in pursing a career in Public Relations and it solidified a passion in me to be the hands and feet of Jesus to those in need around the world!

What I wish was different

I wouldn't change my experience I had! I felt very cared for, challenged, and encouraged during my time as an intern.

Advice

I would encourage people coming into this internship to come with a teachable attitude and a drive to pursue excellence in the work they do!

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Medical Operations Intern

May - August 2019 • Boone, NC

What I liked

I deeply appreciated SP's commitment to providing both physical and spiritual healing to a world in need. In addition, I was continuously encouraged by the organization's emphasis on never comprising the Gospel, while always providing excellent work. Working on the International Health Unit allowed me to gain a deep appreciation for all that goes into medical programming and operations in field offices, as well as disaster response. I felt encouraged by the projects I was given and the trust that my supervisor and colleagues had in me. The work I was able to be apart of held lasting impact and I feel thankful for all the knowledge and skills I acquired during this experience.

What I wish was different

I would have loved to have the opportunity to make a field visit and see the medical programming and operations first hand. I appreciated being apart of the decisions and planning that occurs at Headquarters, but it would have been great to see the implementation on the field as well.

Advice

Be flexible! Through my time at Samaritan's Purse, I have realized how much the context we are working in changes so quickly. With this being said, it is important to remain in a posture of openness and flexibility. Often times, although it might feel uncomfortable at first, these new opportunities allow for immense growth and development, which is so incredibly valuable.

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HR Intern

May - August 2018 • Boone, NC

What I liked

The position let me rub shoulders with people who have a global perspective and live out their convictions in very practical ways.

What I wish was different

I wish that I had been more intentional in connecting with my host parents. They are managers at Samaritans Purse and have so much life experience and insight. Quality conversations can get lost in the noise of the day-to-day busyness.

Advice

Be open to getting stretched in ways that you were not expecting. When fear of failure is eliminated, all become opportunities for learning. You don't know how God might use your experiences in the future.

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International Apprentice

July 2020 • Boone, NC

What I liked

I love this job opportunity because it provides young professionals who have raw skills that need refining with real work experience to accomplish that. It is a very professional work environment that encourages a healthy balance of excellence and failure. Failure is not frowned upon as long as there is an effort made towards progress and that a lesson is learned. This leads to growth for individuals and boost the atmosphere of trust and excellence. I love that the goal of this program is to develop highly qualified SP employees that will excel in numerous different roles and environments. Finally, I appreciate and respect that the gospel is the driving factor behind everything that we learn and do and that that is made clear through everything that SP accomplishes.

What I wish was different

Something that I wish was different is that as apprentices, we would have more time at headquarters in Boone to make connections. The program does a great job training apprentices by including many presentations given by SP employees but there is not enough time to follow up with a lot of them. I felt that though our cohort got close through the isolation, there were many missed opportunities with many SP employees due to our off sight training.

Advice

Come prepared to learn. This apprentice program is a great experience and it would be a shame if someone came in proud and with a closed mindset. Not many organizations provide such a unique and beneficial job opportunity so by coming in with a open mind to learning you will be setting yourself up to become a great employee with solid work experience.

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Asia Regional Intern

May - August 2018 • Boone, NC

What I liked

-Community: both the staff and fellow interns were phenomenal, hardworking, intelligent, and loving. They taught me much about the Lord and seeking Him in our work. -Work: I felt extremely useful, my work felt like it had purpose and contributed to something greater, and I felt adequately stretched but prepared. -Vocation: In regards to my future, this definitely helped shape my desires as I proceed with applying to Graduate School programs which are similar to my work. I fell so in love with my work and learned so much about my desires for my future that it has impacted the programs which I am selectively seeking to pursue.

What I wish was different

Nothing; absolutely nothing!

Advice

-Don't be afraid to take initiative; while it's good advice to, "not be afraid to ask questions," it's even more impressive to people when you show you are a hard worker and a self started who doesn't need to be assigned tasks to get the job done. My boss told me one of the best things he's seen in a worker is their ability to be trusted to work on their own.

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Communications Intern

May - August 2018 • Kampala, Uganda

What I liked

I loved working alongside the staff of Samaritan's Purse in a manner which my skills were actually making a diffrence for the orginzation's benificeries and the orginzation as a whole. I was able to use my skills as a photographer, writer, and creative, to produce material that has been and will be used by the orginzation in there mission to walk alongside those who are suffering from natural and manmade disasters around the world.

What I wish was different

Advice

Allow it to change you. If you put your heart into the work you do, the people you serve and your coworkers, you will walk away changed.

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Marketing Intern

May - July 2018 • Sydney, New South Wales

What I liked

The cultural exposure, the work environment/"family", the mission and vision of the organization - specifically how it bled down through each employee and volunteer that served with Samaritan's Purse, the way interns were welcomed on as part of the team and had privilege of jumping into meaningful projects right away.

What I wish was different

Maybe a little more structure to the overall internship program at SP-AU, but overall, it was a solid learning experience!

Advice

Be prepared to be welcomed in as one of the family! This means you will be cared for as such, but also challenged to share the load. Go in with an open mind, an open heart, and a desire to jump in with both feet. This office knows what they are doing, but they are also very receptive to new ideas, so don't be afraid to pitch in!

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Communications/Grants Intern

May - August 2018 • Erbil, Erbil

What I liked

I came in skeptical I made the right choice interning with Samaritan's Purse, but I left confident that I gained tangible, transferable skills, and an experience that would boost my future job prospects as well as personally impact me. I loved the flexibility of my supervisor, the ability I had to work on many different projects and shape my experience to fit my interests, and the community of the staff in Iraq. I gained a unique cultural experience working in camps in Northern Iraq, and the people I met working at SP have shaped who I am.

What I wish was different

Though I really liked how during the course of the summer I could shift the focus of my internship and the projects I worked on, I wish I had more structure and more work. I felt like I had a higher capacity to work and didn't have the direction to really dig in as much as I would have liked in order to take full advantage of the internship.

Advice

Network before and during the application process. It will make a TON of difference on your application to have a strong understanding of the work and who recruiters are looking for. If you're doing an internship in the Field with SP, I recommend really doing your homework on the industry beforehand so you know how to really dive in. Be direct with your supervisor on what you want to learn and take on more than you think you can handle, that's where you'll really grow.

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Finance Intern

May - August 2015 • Kampala, Uganda

What I liked

I loved learning about Finance overseas, visiting different offices across the country, and seeing the impact the teams in Uganda had on the community. It is awesome to see SP team with other organizations to provide food, clean water, supplies, and encouragement in the name of the Lord. My team in the Kampala office was awesome too!

What I wish was different

I was suppose to be in South Sudan with 1 other intern, but due to the unrest in the country, was moved to working in Uganda. I was okay with change, as I knew the opportunity would still be amazing, however I was sad to not have another intern in Uganda with me. I lived alone in a house for most of the trip and felt lonely at times. However, I think this is rare!

Advice

Be bold in applying for SP and see where God might lead you! My internship at SP taught me so much and the lessons I learned then still shape me many many years later!

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Global Communications Intern

May - August 2015 • Bunia, Ituri

What I liked

As an intern in the Congo field office, I lived in a house with several other Samaritan's Purse employees and a fellow intern. I believe this is different from most other international locations but it was a great fit for me and created a family-like atmosphere. My internship supervisor actually lived in the same house as me, but I think she did a great job of being professional at work and being a friend to me at our house. We had a great working relationship and I still keep in touch with her. The people that lived in the house with me and worked at our office were all extremely intelligent and passionate about their work. My coworkers at the office were a combination of local Congolese staff as well as American and Canadian staff. I loved my coworkers and they felt like family. As most SP field offices don't have full-time communications managers, I was supervised by the program development officer who wrote grant proposals and oversaw monitoring and evaluation of our programs. Some of my tasks included helping her with grant proposal research, writing blog posts, creating Twitter posts, and going through impact stories of our programs written in French by our staff working in the field and working with other staff members to translate them into English. One of the ways we used these stories was in our grant proposals to talk about past program success. I also helped with various data entry and organization tasks. I learned so much in this internship about the way international relief organizations work (including the types of roles available in this setting), about Congolese culture and history, and about stepping into new cultures with humility. While I was there, my supervisor was in the process of starting up a new program and a staff member from SP’s Canadian office came to help with that. It was an amazing experience to join them in brainstorming sessions about how to best meet the needs of the people we were seeking to serve through those programs. The Congo is primarily French-speaking (however there are many more languages and dialects specific to different regions) and I had taken some French in high school but was very rusty. Thankfully, my fellow intern and I were able to take French lessons (I believe once or twice a week) at the office with a local Congolese man who was the best teacher! I was a little nervous going into this internship, but I felt SP took really good care of us and made me feel safe. As an international intern, it was nice to take part in an on-campus orientation in Boone and get to meet the other interns before going all over the world!

What I wish was different

It would have made my life easier if I was better at French because not all of my co-workers spoke English, but that was on me. The office I was in was very isolated compared to most other SP field offices, so it would have been nice to have more things to be able to do and see. However, I did actually make it to visit three different SP sites in the Congo and see a hospital run by doctors from SP's World Medical Mission which was awesome. So I'd say the Congo office has less "fun" things and can be isolating in some ways, but you do get to know your coworkers better and we'd do things like go play frisbee at the UN compound. There were two places you could go out to eat at too. Having another intern definitely helped since the full-time staff were more settled there and we could relate to each other in the "newness" of things. I think it would have been hard to be the only intern at this particular office.

Advice

When I applied for this internship, I filled out a general application (not sure if it's still like this) where you check off basically what internships you'd be open to. So I checked both international and domestic. I totally thought I'd end up in Boone at the headquarters (which I'm sure would also be great) but was very surprised when I was offered an interview with the Congo field office. It ended up being a great surprise. I also interviewed for another position with BGEA. They really seem to take your application and find a place where you fit best (if they want to move forward with you as a candidate). So I would say go along for the journey! You may be surprised by the internship you end up being placed in, but it will be such a growing experience no matter where you are placed. There may be a while where you hear nothing after a phone interview - but sometimes that means they're still trying to find a place for you. There is usually going to be something (even if it's small) you don't like about a particular office or experience, but focus on the good things because there is so much to learn. As an intern there is also so much less pressure than as a full-time employee so just learn all you can and be helpful!

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Projects Intern

May - August 2018 • Sydney, New South Wales

What I liked

I loved getting to work with such an incredible organization that is so dedicated to its mission, yet willing to take the time to really invest in interns. I feel blessed to have interned in an office full of people who were willing to teach me, encourage me, and give me tasks and projects to do that really were making a difference. I remember being stunned when some of the people who worked in Projects wanted me to give them a briefing about gender-based violence (which I was researching) before they went to an event to represent some of Samaritans Purse's work combatting such violence. It was a privilege to learn and be pushed in such a top-notch environment full of the most dedicated people I've ever known.

What I wish was different

I wish that I had realized how much I could learn, and not felt as if I needed to have a 'cool' task to do or a need to prove myself. Essentially, I wish I had an attitude of humility. Otherwise, I wouldn't change a thing.

Advice

Interning for Samaritan's Purse was one of the best experiences I have ever had! I would recommend it to anyone who wants to get a realistic vision of how their passions can be turned into a real, sustainable effort to help people in Jesus' name.

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World Medical Mission Intern

May - August 2019 • Monrovia, Montserrado

What I liked

One of my favorite things about the internship was the community. The community (both in Boone and Liberia) was supportive, encouraging, and so willing to share wisdom. I learned so much from the people I worked with and the patients I served. Being able to see firsthand (and participate in) how Samaritan’s Purse seeks to aid broken people spiritually and physically was a blessing and an honor.

What I wish was different

This will sound like a cop out answer perhaps, but honestly one of the only things I would change was how long I was there— I wish I could’ve stayed longer!

Advice

This won’t be the last time you will here this: flexibility really is a necessity. Being able to adapt to whatever circumstances or requests are thrown at you is vital. Just remember why you are an intern too— it’s not about the growth of your resume but being an instrument in the growth of the Kingdom and glorifying the Lord.

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Program Management Apprentice

October 2019 • Niamey, Niamey

What I liked

I have cherished being able to work alongside teams of people that love Jesus and are committed to helping people in need around the world. The Apprenticeship program allows you start making a tangible difference in the world while also providing a platform for continued learning and professional development. It is also very fun to travel around the world for your job!

What I wish was different

Samaritan's Purse is a fast-paced, disaster-responding organization. This is incredibly exciting but also means that you have to say goodbye to friends a lot! I wish there weren't so many times where you have to say goodbye, but that is a part of the work that we all sign up for at SP.

Advice

I would say to come into the experience with open hands! There will be things that come up that can distract you from the mission of SP and the reason why you wanted to work as a Christian humanitarian worker. Never lose focus on the mission of bringing physical and spiritual aid to those around the world! Let God surprise you with the doors he opens through this work.

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