Preparation and Requirements

Requirements to participate:

  • No incompletes
  • 15-credit minimum by the end of the spring semester 
  • A minimum GPA of 3.3
  • Behavior that demonstrates maturity, flexibility, initiative, and independence

Course Requirements upon acceptance:

  1. Each IFP site will have a prerequisite academic course which will provide the theoretical background to understand the issues they will be exploring on site, listed below. To go on the summer IFP, you must pass this prerequisite course at or above the grade determined by the Faculty Country Coordinator. (For example, if the passing standard is an A- and you receive a B+, you cannot go on the summer IFP.) This course will include an academic paper about your IFP Country.
    • African Cities: Urban Development Policy in Africa
    • Argentina: Evaluating Development Impact
    • Balkans: Humanitarian Intervention
    • Brazil: Global Youth Media or The Poetics of Witnessing
    • Colombia: Rural and Regional Development in the Americas
    • Hong Kong: Global Governance or Media Advocacy in the Global Public Sphere
    • South Africa: Contemporary Africa 
  2. Full attendance and participation is required in the Spring IFP Seminar. This Wednesday and Friday seminar will include country context, foundational theory, and skills workshops tailored to prepare students for site work.
  3. Research Methods is a requirement only for GPIA students. Students from other programs need to consult with their IFP Faculty Country Coordinator.
  4. Accepted students must attend all IFP-wide events and meetings.
  5. Full attendance and participation in non-credit language class.

Summer requirements

  • On-site program activities and projects
  • Summer internship, successfully completed
  • Final paper
  • Evaluation forms returned
  • IFP Conference presentation preparation and rehearsal

Fall requirements

  • Fall IFP Conference Presentation: Everyone is required to present either as a team or individually at the annual IFP Conference.

Other Requirements

Language Proficiency

  • The Argentina and Colombia programs require intermediate/high Spanish proficiency. Students applying for these programs are encouraged to attend a fall Spanish course. Full attendance is required in the spring (and will be checked). Students applying to these programs who feel their knowledge of Spanish is sufficient and wish to opt-out of the fall/spring language course must get approval from their Faculty Country Coordinator. To participate in summer in Argentina and Colombia, students must pass a proficiency exam in late Spring with their Faculty Country Coordinator.
  • The Brazil program requires intermediate/high Portuguese proficiency. Students applying for this program are encouraged to attend a fall Portuguese course and are required to audit a spring Portuguese course. Full attendance is required in the spring (and will be checked). Students applying to this program who feel their knowledge of Portuguese is sufficient and wish to opt-out of the fall/spring language course must get approval from their Faculty Country Coordinator. To participate in summer in Brazil, students must pass a proficiency exam in late Spring with their Faculty Country Coordinator.
  • Faculty Country Coordinators for Argentina, Colombia, and Brazil will be conducting proficiency tests by holding individual conversations with applicants. The IFP Seminar for Argentina will be held in Spanish. 
  • Students participating in the Kosovo IFP are required to attend a spring language course. Full attendance is required (and will be checked).
  • Hong Kong, African Cities, and the South Africa programs do not have language requirements.
  • How to Audit Language Courses

Appropriate Behavior: At any time during IFP participation, from spring through the end of the summer program, a student can be disqualified from IFP participation for behavior that reflects immaturity; and/or lack of flexibility, good judgment and independence.

Travel Insurance

Acceptance into the IFP is provisional pending completion of spring requirements. In addition, we have had to cancel and delay programs due to politics, civil conflict and natural disaster. Each student is therefore responsible, when they buy air tickets, to also purchase travel insurance.

Forms

Release and Emergency Contact forms must be signed and returned immediately after acceptance.

Health Recommendations

Visit Student Health Services and read about Health Information in order to get your vaccinations and prepare for the trip in time.