Serve short-term in Hard Places

Overview

On Track (OT) is the name of Interserve’s short-term program. It was designed for students and professionals wishing to serve abroad for a term of one month to one year. Interserve can place personnel in a wide variety of occupations within our geographic areas of service. Participants in On Track serve using marketplace skills. As personnel serve in the name and spirit of Christ opportunities for friendship and faith sharing may arise. Our ethos is one of service and servanthood.

Purpose

The purpose of our short term program is four-fold. We seek to serve: the sending church by providing strategic opportunities for her people, the receiving church and local community in practical ways, the individual by facilitating placements that help participants discern or confirm one’s call to long term service and the organization by contributing to the long term work in which our Partners are engaged.

Value for the Participant

Understand the practicalities and process of being sent
Gain exposure to the receiving culture
Receive insight and direction from long term workers
Apply gifts and skills in cross-cultural contexts
Build relationships cross-culturally
Discern one’s suitability for and call to career service

Tracks: Service and Experience

The SERVICE track has an emphasis on using one’s training and professional skills for service. Within the broad parameters of this track we are also able to place folks who may not be able to serve overseas for an extended amount of time as a:

Ministry Consultant

Individuals with a specific area of expertise are invited to serve by providing outside perspective and insight to enhance effectiveness and fruitfulness in various projects. Consultants will generally address a specific need identified by a country team, project or organization that Interserve partners with. Once an individual has gone through the application process for OT their name will be added to a roster of consultants and made available for our teams overseas. Consultants will then be called upon as needed and will generally serve as they are able for up to four weeks a year.

Returning Professional

Ideal for individuals who want to serve using their professional skills on an annual basis, but are not in a place to become career track workers. Individuals who fall into this category would: have already completed a short-term placement with Interserve, generally return to the same placement year after year, consider their home country as their primary place of residence and be in service overseas for less than six months a year.

The EXPERIENCE track has an emphasis on student internships, medical electives and general mission exposure. Traditionally students, individuals with minimal work world experience or those who are new to cross-cultural mission service chose this track. Within the broad parameters of this track we are also able to place folks in specific programs:

Overseas Medical Elective Program

Our supervised, seven week, overseas medical electives are reserved for students in their final year of study at an accredited medical school. Placements are facilitated in partnership with Christian hospitals in the Arab World and Asia. Opportunities outside of our traditional areas of service occasionally arise. Inquiries and applications should be submitted during the third year to maximize one's chances for placement.

Explore Health Careers Overseas - Summer 2012

The purpose of this awareness tour is to help individuals see the possibilities for future overseas medical service. An interest in medical missions is one of the pre-requisites. This four week trip is ideal for pre-med and medical school students, nursing students, medical residents or those early in their health related studies or career. A trip coordinator and a field experienced nurse from Interserve will co-lead the trip for eight individuals.

Process

Please plan on the entire application process taking 6-8 weeks. Once accepted to OT it generally takes 3-6 months to prepare for overseas service.

General Inquiry
Preliminary Information Form and Resume
Application and Associated Materials
Background Check
Reference Forms
Interview
Notification: Acceptance or Non-Acceptance
Placement Form Submitted to the Field
Pre-Field Preparation
Overseas Orientation
Placement
Debriefing Upon Return

Timelines

Although we desire to be flexible with our suggested guidelines, Interserve requests that individuals consider the timeline chart as they apply for short-term service. Our experience supports that it generally takes one to two months for the application process and three to six months for personal preparation once accepted to the On Track Program. There are exceptions to these guidelines where individuals may not have work, family or educational commitments or, in instancee where an individual has extraordinary organizational skills and efficiency. Individuals applying for medical electives should inquire one year in advance of their desired term of service to have the best chance to be placed in a limited number of opportunities. There may be flexibility for urgent openings.

Prerequisites

Applicants must be followers of Christ and have a servant heart, humble spirit and flexible attitude. Applicants should be open to God’s leading in their life related to future cross-cultural service and be at least 18 years of age at time of application. Applicants must be a U.S. citizen or holder of a green card (we are only able to process applications for couples in cases where both spouses meet this prerequisite). Applicants should be self-motivated to personally manage pre-departure logistics and self-guided pre-field orientation.

Finances

Participants are required to cover all of the expenses associated with their short-term trip. The most common way to finance one’s service is by raising financial support through churches, family and friends. A select few are able to finance their trips through personal savings. And, in some instances, workers are offered partially or fully paid positions. The cost of one’s experience is dependent on many factors, including: participant needs, geographic placement and family size. Workers will develop their unique budget with our assistance. A typical budget includes the following items: application and placement fees, passport and visa, immunizations and health and medical evacuation insurance, language learning resources and fees, transportation, housing and supplies and personal expenditures. For individuals raising full support one month of service overseas generally costs between $2,500 and $3,500 while one year of service can range from $10,000-$20,000.

What to Expect From Interserve

Interserve exists to serve the Church. We do so by assisting and facilitating self-motivated individuals for kingdom service in cross-cultural contexts. Workers should expect to be practically supported and encouraged by Interserve during preparation, while overseas and upon return.

Inquire or Apply Today

If you are not sure about applying with us yet and just need more information on a particular opportunity, please request the Preliminary Information Form. There is no fee required to submit this form. If you would like to be considered for short-term service with Interserve through the On Track program, you will need to complete the full application and submit the non-refundable application fee.

Forms

Please send an email to ot@ludlow.net and let us know which form you are interested in completing and you will be sent a link to complete the form on-line. You will also be able to upload your formatted CV (guidelines can be provided upon request and will also be posted in the documents on-line).