About EMI Nicaragua Internships
We aim for 50% Nicaragua and 50% Internationals in Nicaragua Internships. Nicaraguan interns have a great opportunity to learn from international design professionals and international interns have opportunities to explore the culture & customs of Nicaragua while learning from Nicaragua design professionals. The relationships you build will last a lifetime!
We aim to provide an internship program to train young Engineers and Architects to serve the poor with their specialized skill set. We offer internship programs from 2 to 6 months long. This unique program offers professional learning opportunities with Nicaraguan and International design professionals in a truly multicultural team and living experience in Managua.
—Alex Valle, 2017-18 Civil Engineering Intern
Nicaraguan Interns
Each term begins with an orientation session. In this session you get to learn about EMI’s history, vision, office policies, and living in Managua.
Post-orientation, interns gain more insights on each project they will work on that term, meet with their respective project leaders and team members to discuss the project and client needs. Interns will travel with the team lead by their project leader and volunteers for 7-10 days. At the project site, they spend time with the client, EMI Professionals and volunteer design professionals from around the world to develop the best design to suit the client’s needs.
Interns assist and collaborate with senior professionals on the project trip and in the office to develop appropriate designs. This includes researching design options, AUTOCAD drafting, and report writing. Working under senior professionals, interns have a key, “hands-on” role in completing the report and drawings for the client.
EMI Nicaragua interns have the opportunity to develop spiritually. EMI's Christian community seeks to encourage and challenge one another in their walk with God. Staff and interns take turns leading daily morning devotionals where we worship, spend time in the Word, and pray together.
—Shayla Dick, 2017 Architecture Intern
International Interns
After EMI’s intern orientation, you'll be traveling to Nicaragua for a week of orientation and language learning. You will have the opportunity to live with a Nicaraguan family, attend a Spanish speaking church and begin the process of learning a new culture.
Soon after you arrive in Nicaragua, you will have the opportunity to join one of our project trips either within Nicaragua or in another Latin America country. In the field, you'll join a team of volunteer design professionals to serve a ministry in their development needs.
Afterward at EMI Nicaragua, you'll find a routine which will help you feel at home and where relationships get space to grow. You'll experience God as you step out to serve His people & learn the ropes of ministry with EMI.
Other highlights: Nicaraguan culture, intern specific activities throughout Nicaragua (surfing in the Pacific, climbing volcanoes in the middle of a lake, swimming in a lake in the middle of a volcano—this is the country of Lakes and Volcanoes after all), and many other opportunities to explore and learn about the country and people of Nicaragua.
Q: How do I apply for an EMI internship?
A: Pre-Apply for an EMI Internship online. You will need to create or log-in to your EMI account to pre-apply for an EMI Internship.
Q: Where will I be living?
A: You will be living with a Nicaraguan host family in Managua near the EMI Nicaragua office. Managua is the capital of Nicaragua and is the hub of politics, business and universities. In Managua, there are two seasons, the wet and the dry season, one is hot and humid, and the other is hot and dry.
Q: What is the office routine like?
A: Daily working hours are from 8:00am to 4:30pm Monday – Friday. We begin each day with a devotion and we rotate the leading of the devotions among staff and interns. Our dress code is casual business.
EMI Nicaragua is a team-based, open office atmosphere where interns fill just about every conceivable role in addition to helping within their field of study. The intern’s primary task is to help produce the drawings and report for the project(s) that they participate on. Using Excel / Word / AutoCAD / Sketch-up / Photoshop to develop plans or make red-mark revisions to reports is common. Technical guidance and mentoring comes from EMI staff & volunteers that attend your project trip or manage the design work in the office.
Q: What about after office hours?
A: Nicaraguan culture is very much focused around the family. As such, our hope is that our interns will join in with the life of their host family. This may include family celebrations, game nights, helping out at their church, movie nights, or just relaxing while listening to the rain. There are many eating establishments and entertainment opportunities to enjoy as well.
Q: Do I need to speak Spanish?
A: Yes, some level of Spanish proficiency is a requirement. Our desire is to have an office that can function smoothly in Spanish or English. However, we all have differing levels of Spanish and English proficiency. An attitude of learning, flexibility and willingness to make language mistakes is absolutely necessary. You host family will speak Spanish as well, so whatever your level of Spanish when you arrive in Nicaragua, you will leave understanding and speaking much more Spanish.
Q: Can I have visitors?
A: Yes. In fact, we highly recommend it. However, project trips, publishing deadlines, and other events are scheduled well before your internship starts. The flexibility in visitor timing may be limited or visitors may need to come during your holiday period. Giving advance notice of possible visitors works best. Having someone from home or a good friend visit will deepen your relationship and also build understanding about what you are experiencing.