Despite the emphasis on individuals' initiative in finding internships, Pavese insists that OCS does provide significant resources to students interested in the program, which has awarded funding to some 20 to 25 students annually in recent years.

"There's a lot of opportunity for students to come here for the strategy and research needed to pursue internships," Pavese says. "We don't have lists of internships, because part of what the program values is finding internships that fit students well."

Many Weissman interns spoke highly of the self-selective nature of the application process, noting that those students who ultimately receive awards tend to find internships they are deeply committed to pursuing. The challenges of finding an internship abroad also narrow the pool of applicants.

"It is kind of scary," says Siripanth Nippita '00, who worked to promote women's health last summer for a Brazilian non-governmental organization. "A lot of times it's frustrating to sit in front of your computer and not know who to call. Ultimately, that's the biggest obstacle."

Several students said the encouragement they gained from OCS-sponsored meetings about the Weissman program gave them an impetus for the internship search.

"I went to a meeting about it last fall," says Anne C. Durston '01, who worked for a family planning organization in Mexico City last summer. "The people who spoke there inspired me to look into finding an internship."

Professional Immersion

According to Paul Weissman, the chance to work in a foreign country is the quickest route to cultural immersion.