Intercultural Studies Internships

The ICS Internship is an 8-week overseas missions experience led by a Northwestern Intercultural Studies professor, during which students visit a variety of ministries, cultures, countries, and religious groups. The goal of this internship is to give students exposure to missions on a world-wide front, which usually means stopping in about 4 different countries around the globe. The ICS Internship leaves every fall, mid-October to mid-December. The first half of the semester is spent in a Preparation Workshop and other courses that help students get ready for what they are about to experience.

2012 ICS Internship

Preparations for the fall 2012 ICS trip are near completion with the trip destinations and team participants confirmed.  Destinations scheduled include Japan, Thailand, Southeast Asia, the Middle East, and the United Kingdom.  A team of 19 students and two trip leaders are in the final stages of preparing for the cultures and countries to be visited. Keep up with the Team by visiting the trip blog at: http://www.2012icsfall.blogspot.com/

2011—Portugal, South Africa, and Mozambique

The 2011 Team of 15 students and two trip leaders have just completed serving in ministry.  Read the trip blog to find out more.

Past ICS Internships

2010—England, Portugal, Bethlehem, Thailand, and Southeast Asia

The 2010 Team consisted of 16 students and two trip leaders.  They learned and served in ministry in several locations in churches, schools (teaching English), and ministries.  Read the trip blog for further information.

2009—China, Thailand, and Southeast Asia
Read the trip blog

2008—France, Bethlehem, Tel Aviv, Thailand, and Tokyo

The team of 18 students and two leaders (and one spouse) traveled to learn and serve in ministry by attending a conference, teaching English, singing and performing, and assisting in a school building project. 

2007—Europe and Africa
The 2007 ICS team of 19 students and two leaders learned and served in Kenya, Amsterdam (Netherlands), and Romania. Partnering with local churches, para-church ministries and mission organizations, students were exposed to varieties of ministry approaches within a variety of cultural and social contexts.

2006—Pacific Rim
The team of 21 students and two leaders traveled to several countries around the Pacific Rim to gain exposure to these Asian cultures and a deeper understanding of world religions.

2005—Europe and Africa
A team of 18 students and two leaders traveled to England, Romania, South Africa and Mozambique.

2004—South America
A team of 22 students and two leaders flew to South America for the first and only semester long NWC ICS Internship. For the first four weeks of the semester, students studied at the Northwestern College Christian Center for Communications, our sister school in Quito, Ecuador, where they had a Preparation Workshop, as well as other preparatory classes for the countries and cultures in which they would later be in engaging. The remaining 11 weeks of the semester was spent ministering to the Quechua and Shuar tribes in Ecuador, Brazil, Peru, Trinidad, and Puerto Rico.

Other Options for ICS Internships

Students may also choose from the two alternate tracks listed below.

Study Abroad
Northwestern College is a member of the CCCU, which provides a diverse array of off-campus study programs that are available to qualified juniors and seniors. Learn more about semester abroad opportunities.

Independent Internships
Students may also choose to do an Independent Internship in an area of their choice, as long as it fits the course criteria. This internship needs to be pre-arranged with the Intercultural Studies professors and it must be approved by the Department Chair.