Programs that “Work”: On the Many Virtues of Internships

A student intern at the American International School of Jeddah, giving back and making herself useful (photo: AISJ).

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On a recent student trip, I noticed that one student’s water bottle was looking a little insalubrious. When I suggested that he wash it, I was met with a blank stare. And when I asked him what the problem was, he admitted, “My maid always does that! I have never done it before.”

It was obvious that with all of their advantages and privilege, some of our students lack the basic skills they will need as adults. In an effort to provide our students with “real-world work experience,” The American International School of Jeddah (AISJ) has created an internship program for our Grade 11 and 12 students.

International school students, on the whole, are a relatively privileged group, and it is rare for them to have any “work” experience. This situation is even more pronounced in Saudi Arabia, where cultural and legal restrictions make it nearly impossible for students to get a summer job, or to work in a restaurant or movie theatre.

However, countless studies have highlighted the fact that students graduating today lack some basic skills that are needed for success in the workplace. Our program offers students the opportunity to work with an expert in a particular field, and gain hands-on experience. These experiences also give the students a glimpse into that occupational field, and may help them decide whether or not that career is right for them.

AISJ has therefore created internships in a number of areas: medical interns, tech interns, PE interns, art interns, music interns, library interns and Peer Advisory Leadership (PAL) interns.

The medical interns work directly with the school nurse, and they are responsible for taking blood pressure, temperatures, bandaging wounds, wrapping sprained ankles, etc. The tech interns work with our Director of Technology, helping to install software, troubleshooting, and assist in setting up projectors, fixing printer problems, and accessing websites. Peer Advisory Leadership (PAL) interns work with our learning support teachers in both the elementary and middle school. They are assigned to work one-on-one with a student, and they help that student with organization and study techniques.

Now in our second year, this program has been very successful for both students and teachers. Students beam with pride when they tell us they helped teach a class, or taught an important skill to a struggling elementary student. Teachers and staff have raved about the help they have been given, and the opportunity to work with students outside the classroom.

As for me, I have already noticed fewer blank stares, and more “can-do.” Our internship program is a win-win for everyone! It has made our school “family” a little closer, and fostered mutual respect between the members of our community.

Mr. Gertz is College Counselor at the American International School of Jeddah, Saudi Arabia.

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