The answers to most questions can be found in our Student Application Guide.
How can I apply for the Fong Family Winternship Program?
All interested students should apply via CARAT by November 30, 2023.
What am I required to do in order to participate in the Winternship Program?
All participants are asked to develop a project with a community organization/non-governmental organization. Students should plan to work with their host orgnaization for three weeks fromm January 1-19, 2024. Participants must submit a 500 word reflection paper and attend a post-program campus event in late January 2024.
What kind of projects will qualify for this program?
Winternship projects should be community-based and solution-focused. Partner organizations should be community-based. All community organizations involved must comply with Harvard anti-discrimination policies.
When designing a project, think about the following questions: What are the issues that you have noticed in your community that, first, need to be addressed, and second, what can be reasonably tackled in three weeks?
Examples of solution-focused projects:
- Creating a better logistical system for food delivery at your local food pantry
- Providing a direct service that meets a community need
- Developing a technical solution that serves as a community resource
- Building and implementing a better marketing or fundraising plan for a local nonprofit
Can projects be in-person or remote?
Yes, students may apply with in-person or remote projects.
How specific should I be in my application?
We look for issue, plan, and impact specificity. Your application should clearly convey the issue you have identified and are trying to solve. For example, you have noticed that the after-school program at which you volunteer has lesson plans that could benefit from incorporating cutting-edge learning and teaching science into it. You should explain in detail why that is an issue worth solving. Next, you should describe your plan for solving this issue in detail. Lastly, describe why you find yourself in a position to solve this issue and how impactful such solutions would be to the community.
What are you looking for in terms of impact?
We look for a project or role whose outcomes have the potential to positively influence the community. Such outcomes need to be clearly stated. They should also be realistic, given the time constraint you’ll be under.
Once selected, will I do my service project on my own? Will there be anyone helping me accomplish my goals?
You will not be expected to work on your own. As part of your application process, you will be asked to identify a community leader within your organization to help guide your project and supervise your winternship. You will be primarily accountable to your supervisor at the community organization. You will have support from staff, faculty, as well as other Winternship participants through an online community that will launch in December (once participants are chosen). While we will provide support, we expect that you take initiative, leadership, and ownership over your project.
Will I be able to communicate with the other Harvard College students?
Yes. In fact, you are expected to communicate with your fellow cohort members. We are creating an online community through which you will be able to share and reflect on your service experiences.
Who should I contact if I have questions about the program?
All questions should be addressed to Samantha Levin, Interim Director of Pathways to Practice, (samantha_demelim@fas.harvard.edu)