Teen Times by Cody Hilton

Summer Internships Abroad for Recent Graduates 
Projects Abroad Offers Internship Programs in Over 25 Destinations Around the Globe

Human Rights Interns in Ghana

NEW YORK – May 14, 2014 – It has become increasingly popular over the years for recent college graduates to embark on a summer trip abroad before entering the workplace. Many graduates are interested in traveling with a purpose, and want to do something meaningful with their time. International volunteer organization Projects Abroad offers a variety of internships in several disciplines that give graduates a worthwhile experience abroad for the summer while also enhancing their resumes.

Projects Abroad has internships available in over 25 destinations across the globe. Interns travel to a country of their choice, choosing from destinations in Latin America, Africa, Eastern Europe, Asia, and the South Pacific. These programs are designed to help graduates develop skills in a particular field by working alongside local professionals in the role of an intern and helping as needed. With internships in fields including Medicine and Healthcare, Law and Human Rights, Journalism, Microfinance, Business, International Development, and Veterinary Medicine and Animal Care, graduates from all backgrounds are sure to find something to suit their interests and fit their career plan.

"For graduates, a summer internship in an international location is a fantastic way to help their resume stand-out against the competition when applying for jobs," says Rachel MacMillan, a Program Advisor at Projects Abroad. "And not only is their internship experience abroad educational, it is also meaningful. Projects Abroad offers a departure from the typical internship, allowing students to explore the world while sharpening their skills in a particular field."

Projects Abroad offers a variety of internships in areas including:

Medicine & Healthcare 
Students interested in pursuing a medical career can intern in a variety of practice areas. Internships are available in Medicine, Physical Therapy, Midwifery, Dentistry, Nursing, Occupational Therapy, Speech Therapy, Nutrition, and Public Health. Medical interns learn directly from doctors and medical staff in hospitals and clinics, and are an important asset in developing countries where resources can be limited. Placements are made to suit people of all levels of qualification and experience, ranging from high school students to advanced medical students and beyond.

Law & Human Rights 
International Law internships with Projects Abroad give students the opportunity to work side-by-side with legal professionals, becoming involved in many different aspects of the legal process. Offered in China, Mongolia, and Togo, these programs expose participants to unique legal practices and customs. Similarly, Projects Abroad's Human Rights internships in Argentina, Cambodia, Ghana, Jamaica, Morocco, Senegal, and South Africa provide students the opportunity to work with non-governmental organizations that have a significant impact on the lives of locals. Law & Human Rights internships are available for a variety of qualification levels, including recent graduates with no formal law experience.

Journalism 
Journalism interns can choose to work on a print journalism internship with an international newspaper or magazine, or on a broadcast internship, where interns work with a radio or TV station abroad. During the Print Journalism placements, interns not only get an insider's view of how publications are run, but they also compile an impressive portfolio to take home. In Broadcast internships, interns are provided with an array of clips, as well as a host of broadcasting and production experience. Internships are offered to practicing journalists, as well students studying, or planning on studying, journalism in college.

Microfinance 
A Microfinance internship focuses on supporting small local business and helping entrepreneurs develop a sustainable future in developing countries. Interns will get involved at a grassroots level and find themselves performing tasks such as reading though business plans, developing marketing strategies, conducting workshops, and providing business guidance and support. This placement is suited for people of all skill levels, and is ideal for students interested in business, international development, and microcredit.

International Development 
International Development interns work toward furthering sustainable development in emerging economies. We work with small business and local NGOs to improve the quality of life in local communities. Interns can work on a variety of International Development causes. These may include disaster management, agriculture, immigration, marketing, fundraising, disability rights, and HIV/AIDS problems. Interns will find themselves working closely with children, women, the elderly, and the disabled.

Business 
Projects Abroad's business internships are designed to give practical work experience to those looking to acquire professional skills and hands-on experience in the business world with a company abroad. Business internships are specially tailored to suit the individual intern, as qualifications, previous work experience, and personal interests are directly relevant. International business internships give interns the chance to discover a way of life in another country with promising economic growth. Positions offer work experience in business sectors that are relevant for the 21st century, and provide a challenging environment that makes a business internship abroad an enriching experience.

Veterinary Medicine and Animal Care 
Interns with a passion for working with animals, either in the field of veterinary medicine or in a more general animal-oriented role should consider Projects Abroad's Veterinary Internship opportunities, as they're an ideal way to gain knowledge and put skills to practice in the developing world. Interns will see cases that have been virtually eliminated in the developed world, and will develop a better understanding of the problems people are faced with in their host country.

For more information on internship opportunities with Projects Abroad, visithttp://www.projects-abroad.org/volunteer-projects/intern-abroad.

About Projects Abroad

Projects Abroad was founded in 1992 by Dr. Peter Slowe, a geography professor, as a program for students to travel and work while on break from full-time study. The program had its genesis in post-USSR Romania, where students were given the chance to teach conversational English. After a few years just sending volunteers to Eastern Europe for teaching, the company expanded to sending volunteers of all ages around the world on a wide range of projects.

Projects Abroad is a global leader in short-term international volunteer programs with projects in 29 countries and recruitment offices in the UK, Australia, Canada, Denmark, France, Germany, Ireland, Italy, Japan, Holland, Hong Kong, Norway, Poland, South Africa, South Korea, Sweden, and the United States.

For details on volunteering overseas, visit Projects Abroad's web site atwww.projects-abroad.org

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NASHVILLE, Tenn., May 1, 2014 – Ideals Children's Books and Christy Ziglar, CFP®, experienced personal finance advisor, mother of twins, niece of legendary motivator Zig Ziglar, and founder of the Shine Bright Kid Company, are celebrating the one-year anniversary of the award-winning book, Can't-Wait Willow! 

 

Named a Most Beloved Bedtime Story of 2013 by Red Tricycle and most recently, the 2013 Children's & Teens Book of the Year by BookGateway.com Booky Awards, Can't-Wait Willow! released in April 2013. It is the first book in the Shine Bright Kids Series. The second book, Must-Have Marvin!, released in March 2014.

 

Can't-Wait Willow! teaches kids the importance of delayed gratification with the story of a little girl on her way to the circus who just can't say "no" and spends all her time and money on things she doesn't really want or need. Through the kindness of a stranger, whom Willow later discovers to be the circus ringmaster, she learns that sometimes in life you have to say "no" to good things now to end up with something great later.

 

 

Must-Have Marvin!, the newly-released second book in the Shine Bright Kids series, teaches children the significance of valuing people over possessions. A little boy named Marvin focuses so much on a new toy robot he "must have" that he ignores his friends and ends up all alone. But a chat with a wise neighbor gives him a second chance to learn that people will always matter more than things. 

 

Both Can't-Wait Willow! and Must-Have Marvin! have scored rave reviews from parents. One reviewer from Amazon.com writes, "This is such a powerful, practical lesson for kids. Even as an adult, I sometimes need to be reminded that not every good thing needs a 'yes' from me. I'm glad Willow helps teach my kids that sometimes the best things really are worth their wait." Another says, "This book is actually for all ages! Honestly, there are adult men and women out there just like Marvin. I can't wait for book three!"

 

With contemporary characters and fresh, fun illustrations, each book in the Shine Bright Kids series teaches a different principle highlighted by a popular Zig Ziglar quote at the beginning of the story. Dedicated to her Uncle Zig, Must-Have Marvin! is introduced by one of his most beloved quotes, "You can have everything in life you want if you help enough other people get what they want."  

 

The Shine Bright Kids stories give parents and educators a fun and relevant framework to talk about values and affirm making good choices in everyday life. Christy was inspired to create the series after helping to develop a financial literacy program for first- and second-grade students in the Atlanta Public School system. Through this work, she realized that while money skills are important, children must first learn basic decision-making skills. 

 

"I am so thrilled that Can't-Wait Willow! is celebrating its one-year anniversary, and I'm so pleased with its continued success," said Christy. "In today's fast-food, consumer-driven world, we have come to expect instant gratification. But in reality, if we learn to weigh our options and take time deciding on what choices we need to make, our satisfaction will be more than just temporary."

 

Developed for children ages 4 to 8, the Shine Bright Kids series is published by Ideals Children's Books and fills a gap between toddler board books and educational character books for older kids. Christy's works emphasize life skills such as using good judgment, setting goals, delayed gratification, respect for others, perseverance, and having a positive attitude.

 

"At Ideals, we're committed to creating high-quality books that encourage engagement and learning," said Peggy Schaefer, publisher of Ideals Publications. "Can't-Wait Willow! has solid success, and we are excited that instilling positive values in today's children continues to be a focal point  in Must-Have Marvin!"

 

Can't-Wait Willow! and Must-Have Marvin! are available now in bookstores nationwide, at online retailers and at Idealsbooks.com. Ebooks are now available for download to iPad and Kindle as well. Supplemental materials, including a board game, creative activities and free downloadable star reward charts are also available athttp://ShineBrightKids.com/.

 

Ideals Children's Books, a Guideposts company, publishes books for children that inspire and entertain — and teach a thing or two. Releasing 25 to 30 new children's titles a year, primarily for ages 2 to 8, Ideals is a leader in picture, activity, board, novelty and sound books. For more information, visit http://www.idealsbooks.com/.