Exchanges to Internships

 

   Piloted in 2005, Exchanges to Internships is a program funded by the US Embassy in Azerbaijan and administered by American Councils for International Education: ACTR/ACCELS in collaboration with ministries and institutions of the government of Azerbaijan.
   The program was established for outstanding alumni of the FLEX program. Exchanges to Internships interns are placed in key Azerbaijani state ministries and other institutions for four-month internships. The internships gives alumni the opportunity to gain valuable professional experience in the public sector of Azerbaijan.

 

Goals of Exchanges to Internships program:

  • Give alumni a unique opportunity for professional development

  • Help alumni network with professional in the public sector

  • Encourage talented and enthusiastic alumni to explore careers in the public service of their country

  • Infuse the public sector of Azerbaijan with the enthusiasm, energy and skills of US-educated Azerbaijan alumni

 

Benefits for alumni from Exchanges to Internships:

  • Valuable professional development and networking

  • Professional references for their future

  • Certificate of completion signed by US Embassy and Ministry representatives

  • Modest monthly stipend

 

Benefits for the public sector:

  • Dedicated and enthusiastic interns interested in making a contribution to the public sector of their country

  • Interns with strong communication, English language skills and computer/IT skills

  • A free resource of enthusiasm and fresh ideas

 

Selection process:

  

Since the pilot year, 36 FLEX alumni were awarded internships. Alumni interested in participating must submit a statement of purpose and CV. Interns are selected by a committee made up of representatives from the US Embassy and ACCELS. Selection is based on the statement of purpose and an interview with each applicant. Placement is done in close collaboration with representatives of each participating         Azerbaijani ministry or government institution. Interns' professional goals, specialization, and preferences are taken into consideration during placement. Every effort is made to accommodate an interns' university schedule.

 

Azerbaijan Ministries and Institutions that have participated in the program in the past:

  • Milli Majlis

  • Ministry of Communications and Information Technologies

  • Ministry of Culture and Tourism

  • Ministry of Ecology and natural Resources

  • Ministry of Economic Development

  • Ministry of Education

  • Ministry of Justice

  • Ministry of Health

  • Ministry of Sport and Youth

  • State Oil Company of Azerbaijan

  • State Oil Fund of Azerbaijan

  • Diplomatic Academy of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs

  • State Student Admissions Commission

 

All interested FLEX alumni are encouraged to apply! Please contact the ACCELS Baku office for more information on Exchanges to Internships.

For more information, please contact the FLEX Alumni Coordinator, Kamran Mammadzada at American Councils, or by email at flexalumni@americancouncils.az