Community News
The GraceKennedy Jamaican Birthright Internship gives you the opportunity to live and learn in Jamaica for one month
BY: LEANNE BENN
Are you constantly dreaming of Jamaica? Then university students pay attention. Applications for the 2019 GraceKennedy Jamaica Birthright Internship is now open. This cultural initiative and month-long program allows university students in Canada, the United Kingdom, and the United States with Jamaican parentage to apply for an all expenses paid internship in Jamaica.
Interns will work alongside a Grace Kennedy subsidiary that is in line with the applicant’s career interests. Students will have a chance to connect to their cultural heritage of the birthplace of their parents or grandparents and to deepen their personal connection with Jamaica.
The 2019 Jamaica Birthright Internship program will run from July 1st to August 7th , 2019. This month-long internship will go to four lucky students. A winner from Canada, one from the United Kingdom and two winners from the United States.
The 2018 program saw great success and interns were able to have a life-changing and rewarding experience. Executive Director of the GraceKennedy Foundation Caroline Mahfood and director of this internship program in an official statement remarked “With the support of our partners such as Caribbean Airlines, Go Jamaica Travel, Island Car Rentals and the Jamaica Tourist Board amongst many other government and private companies in Jamaica, the 2018 cohorts received the once in a lifetime opportunity to experience the business’ undertakings as well as Jamaica’s vibrant cultural traditions, from our food to music, history and so much more!”
The 2018 interns comprised of both undergraduate and masters students who were able to gain a well-rounded and transformative experience on a professional level as well as a personal level. The internship goes beyond the work to promote a deep and vibrant cultural connection to the children of the Jamaican diaspora.
One of the former interns, Joshua Tulloch, a third-year student at Oxford University in the UK said, “The programme gave me an incredible insight into my familial past and has formed my future career decisions. To say it was life changing would be an understatement!”
To be eligible to apply, applicants must be between the ages of 18-25 and second or third generation Jamaican pursuing either an undergraduate or postgraduate degree. Applicants must have a Grade “B” average or higher and a desire to learn more about their Jamaican heritage.
Those that have lived in Jamaica for more than six months or more will not be eligible to participate in this program.
To apply, application forms can be found online at www.gracekennedy.com/birthright or you can send e-mail queries to gkfoundation@gkco.com. The deadline for applications to this wonderful and exciting internship will be no later than November 30, 2018. Something this unique might just change your life. Good Luck applicants.