Campus

International Internship FAQs

General

Q: How long is an International Internship (STINT)?

A: A typical STINT is 10-12 months in your international location. The standard timeline for a STINT in a northern hemisphere location is acceptance notification by April, raise support until August 1, attend a one-week briefing conference in mid-August and then leave for your assignment in late August or September. The end date of your assignment will be determined at the time of placement, but will likely be between June and August. Most teams in southern hemisphere locations arrive at their assignment in January.

It is often possible and even encouraged to do a second STINT in the same location. You must reapply and be accepted for the second-year program. Doing a second year STINT may affect the date you leave your assignment at the end of the first STINT, as you will need to raise support for your second year.

Q: What will I be doing on STINT?

A: You will be involved in direct evangelism and discipleship on a full-time basis. Other roles and responsibilities will vary according to each team’s strategy to reach students in their location.

Q: Will I have coworkers? Who will they be?

A: You will be placed on a team with other Cru interns and/or staff. We believe healthy teams are vital for success and therefore will not send you to a location to work by yourself. You could even invite your friends to form a team with you. Just send them to this site to learn more!

Q: What kind of training can I expect for my assignment?

A: You will attend a weekend training in the Spring called Kickoff Weekend and a week-long training called Global STINT Briefing in August before you leave for your location. Throughout the year you and your team will have a monthly training curriculum to follow.

Q: I’m deciding between joining Cru staff or going on STINT. Which do you recommend?

A: Both are great! There are advantages to either choice. If you know the Lord has called you into ministry full-time, going on STINT gives you a year to discern if that call is to a particular setting overseas and/or to gain international experience.

The Application Process

Q: Are there any academic requirements for doing a STINT?

A: Applicants must have a minimum educational background of a high school diploma, at least one year of college and be at least 18 years of age. A college degree is not required.

Q: How long does the application process take?

A: You can apply on-line as early as November 1. Once the application materials are complete and all references are received, you should expect a decision in 4-6 weeks. The earlier you complete your application, the better.

Q: What if my application is late?

A: The deadline for submitting completed applications is March 1. An application is complete when we have received your application, biographical material, all elaboration forms and questionnaires, all references, your signature page and application fee. It is your responsibility to see that all these get to us by March 1. We may not be able to accept applications after March 1 based on team needs, available evaluators, estimated processing time, etc.; therefore, we cannot guarantee the processing of any application submitted after March 1. Late applications will be charged a $50 non-refundable application fee and may take longer to process.

Q: How can I make sure my application information is saved?

A: Watch the timer at the top of the page to make sure you won’t be “timed-out” while entering information. At any time you can flip to the next page and come back. This will save your information and reset the timer.

Raising Support

Q: How much support will I have to raise?

A: The monthly amount will vary according to location. You will also raise a one-time amount to cover airfare and other expenses. The total of all support that needs to be raised will vary, depending on the cost of living in a given location.

Q: Will I receive any training on how to raise support?

A: Yes. After you are accepted to the STINT program, you will be expected to attend a weekend training (Kickoff Weekend) held in your region, usually sometime during the month of April.

Q: Will I have any help and encouragement while I raise support?

A: Yes. During your time of raising support (known as Ministry Partner Development or MPD) you will be assigned a coach who will help you through the process. He/she will give you instruction and encouragement along the way and help keep you on track toward your goal of reaching full support.

Q: What if I don’t raise all of my support?

A: If you are very close to finishing your full support when it is time to report to your assignment, time may be allotted for you to complete your support raising and still report to your assignment. If a low percentage of support has come in, it might be an indication that God is calling you to do something else. The (very few) people who do not see their support come in are still thankful for having taken this step of faith and have seen God’s hand in it. Each situation will be evaluated on an individual basis, but you must be at full support and have clearance from your sending region in order to report to your assignment.

Q: What if I have student loans and other debt?

A: If you have student loan debt you may be able to have the payments adjusted so that you will only need to make payments on the interest during the period of your STINT. The first step will be to approach your lending agency (in person, if possible, or by phone or letter if not) and explain that you will be interning for a year with a non-profit organization. There is usually a 6-month grace period between graduation and the beginning of debt repayment. Ask for an extension of that 6-month period to 12-16 months, which should cover the time that you are on STINT.

If your debt is consumer-related and you have no other debt, then you will have to make payments out of your salary (up to $50/month for STINT). Those with a combination of debt will be handled on a case-by-case basis.

Q: Who can I contact for more information or remaining questions?

A: Each region in the US has one or more Global Missions contact people.

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