CWS Identified Internships

Rice fields at ARI

ARI Asian Rural Institute
Luce Program – Japan

ARI is an international training center set on a 6 hectare farm in Northern Japan where rural leaders from developing countries in Asia, Africa, and the Pacific are invited to study at ARI for nine months in sustainable, organic agriculture techniques, community development, and leadership. At the end of the program in December, participants return home to implement programs that will create healthier, more sustainable, and more independent villages and societies. A truly vibrant learning community, ARI hosts representatives from over 15 different countries with English used as the common language. Christian in inspiration, but ecumenical in practice, ARI welcomes people of all faiths, races, classes, and professions to learn and work together.

Internship Description:

Interns and volunteers are an integral part of the ARI community, growing alongside our participants and staff. Our dedicated interns support the training of our participants by living and working at ARI. They live simply and work humbly, offering them a chance to grow as individuals, as leaders and as valuable community members.

ARI interns must be ready for challenges and physically demanding work. Interns will be assigned to a work section in livestock, crops and vegetables, meal service, food processing, or office work. ARI is a completely self-sustaining community that does not revolve around a typical nine to five schedule. Interns sometimes start work at 6:30 in the morning and often work on Saturday mornings.  Despite all the hard work, working at ARI is a lot of fun, with the chance to make lasting friendships and have a large impact on our international community.

ARI interns and participants live simply in a very diverse community, which can sometimes be frustrating. While interns are a crucial part of ARI, they serve in a purely supportive role, often putting the needs of others before themselves.

Ideal Internship Qualification: