SWEDISH SOUTH ASIAN STUDIES NETWORK

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Report from an internship with CREST in Kozhikode

– by Petra Bergquist

CREST web page: http://www.crest.ac.in/

In May 2009, Petra Bergquist – a student at the Masters Program in Gender Studies, Lund University – was selected for Internship at the Centre for Research and Education for Social Transformation (CREST) in Kozhikode, India. CREST is an autonomous institution under the Government of Kerala that is involved with research and educational programmes for marginalized communities. Petra left Sweden on Friday 29 May 2009 and will spend approximately three months at CREST, working with a group of 40 graduates from Dalit/Adivasi and other minority communities of Kerala who are taking a Post Graduate Certificate Course for Professional Development.
– Arriving late May I reached Kozhikode, Kerala, just in time for the monsoon to begin. On Monday 1 June, the Internship at Centre for Research and Education for Social Transformation (CREST) would start and until then I had to adjust to the new environment and make myself comfortable at the girls’ student hostel. Fortunately, the students made it easy for me as I was invited to a party the day after my arrival to celebrate that one of the students had got a job as a teacher.

The main aim of the internship is learning by teaching through an exchange of experiences and ideas. The students come from various disciplinary backgrounds including natural sciences as well as social sciences and history. During Petra’s 3 months stay at CREST she conducts lectures focusing on women and development, arranges daily afternoon sessions on general knowledge, and supports students in their communication skills. Being a master student in Gender Studies, with a particular interest in women and development in India, this is also a fantastic chance for her to discuss these matters in a local context.

Internship opportunities are again given for Swedish students to work at CREST during the Fall 2009. International /local travel expenses should be met by the candidates. The Interns will be based in Kozhikode (Calicut). A monthly living allowance of Rs.6000/- (approximately 120 USD) will be given to the interns. During the internship, the candidates will stay for free at CREST student hostel in Calicut. Interns should meet the expenses for food. The application deadline is Tuesday 25 August 2009. The internship will begin from mid-October 2009. Full information about the internships offered by CREST.