“Professionally, it has helped me find my career path and I am forever grateful for that. I know that I will be returning to Malawi soon!” – Shayani Jones
Read about Shayani’s journey as she took on a Nonprofit Education Internship in Malawi, turning challenges into lessons and classrooms into spaces of impact. Her story is a beacon of hope for future teaching interns looking to shape young minds across the globe.
KEY FACTS:
- Location: Nkhata Bay, Malawi
- Academic Focus Area: Education
- Length: 8 to 26 weeks
THE INTERNSHIP
This teaching internship in Malawi offers a unique opportunity for those training to be teachers, studying education, or looking to use their teaching skills for a meaningful cause. Set in a welcoming community on the banks of Lake Malawi, you’ll join an international primary school dedicated to tackling the lack of quality education in the area. As part of a small but passionate team, interns play a crucial role in providing an enriching learning experience for over 200 children. The responsibilities will vary depending on the intern’s skills and experience, including teaching classes, supporting local teachers with training, and developing after-school programs. Additionally, interns have the chance to raise awareness for the school through newsletters, social media, and fundraising initiatives.
THE ORGANIZATION
This organization strives to bridge the educational gap in rural Malawi by offering a unique learning environment for children from various socio-economic backgrounds. With a mission to make education accessible, the school pairs every paid spot with a sponsored one for students from families facing financial hardships. Keeping class sizes small, around 30 students, ensures each child receives the attention they deserve, a rarity in the area. Additionally, the school provides a free nutritious meal to every student daily, supporting both their learning and well-being. The ultimate goal is to equip the next generation with the tools to break the cycle of poverty, offering them the chance for a brighter, more independent future.
ABOUT SHAYANI
Shayani embarked on her internship journey with a desire to gain hands-on experience in education somewhere in Africa, but she knew she wanted to step beyond the familiar. With South Africa off her list, her options narrowed, and one name kept resurfacing: Malawi. At first, it was just a dot on a map she couldn’t place, but curiosity led her down a rabbit hole of research. The more she learned, the more convinced she became that this was where she was meant to be. Taking the leap turned out to be the best decision, what she found wasn’t just an internship, but a tight-knit community that felt less like work and more like a group of friends on a shared adventure.
BEYOND THE MAP
Shayani’s journey to Malawi began with a simple yet determined goal, to pursue an education internship in Africa. Reflecting on her decision, she shares, “I was looking at the options available to me. I hadn’t heard that much about Malawi (I couldn’t even point it out on a map) but something about this internship kept coming back to me, so I did more research with the help of Roots. Eventually, I decided this was the placement for me and I am so glad I did because everything about this internship felt more like a group of friends than a job!” What started as an instinctive pull toward an unfamiliar destination soon turned into one of the most rewarding experiences of her life. From forming deep connections to discovering a passion for education, Malawi became more than just a place on a map, it became something reminiscent of a second home.
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HIGHLIGHTS AS AN EDUCATION INTERN
During her nonprofit education internship in Malawi, Shayani had the privilege of meeting a fellow intern at an eco-lodge that supports various nonprofit projects. The two connected instantly. “We got along really well and ate our dinner together every night, as well as taking a weekend trip up north to Livingstonia together and visiting a chocolate factory in Mzuzu,” she recalled. Despite only spending six weeks together in Malawi, their bond remains strong, and they continue to be good friends to this day.
Another one of the most rewarding aspects of the internship for Shayani was the growth and enthusiasm displayed by the intervention students. She notes that initially, it took three weeks for the students to feel comfortable and build a rapport, but soon after, the progress became evident. “When I arrived at school in the morning and they saw me, they would all run up to me and ask ‘Madam, Madam, are we doing reading today?’ This moment of excitement reflected the hard work invested in making reading fun. Though the students never explicitly stated their enjoyment, their eagerness to engage with the material spoke volumes, proving just how impactful the internship had been.
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INSIGHT GAINED FROM THE INTERNSHIP
Through her experiences, Shayani discovered a profound personal insight: “I have learnt that I am more content when I have very little (my whole life is in a 70L backpack) and in the real world making a difference than when I have a lot of material goods but I’m not really making an impact on anyone.” This realization highlighted the value of simplicity and purpose over material possessions.
During her education internship, Shayani encountered a challenge that initially left her uncertain: “I faced the challenge of having extremely low participation in my intervention session and I wasn’t entirely sure why that was.” Despite her efforts to make the sessions fun, engaging, and safe, the students remained unresponsive. However, after discussing the issue with another volunteer specializing in teaching English to reluctant readers, she gained valuable insight: “Maybe the reason for their low participation was because they didn’t truly know me.” Taking this advice to heart, she opened up more about herself, sharing personal details like having two sisters. “Once I told them that I had two sisters, they all told me how many siblings they had,“ which sparked a lively conversation, primarily in English. The experience highlighted how the challenges of interning abroad require a different approach: “The challenges you face when you intern abroad are different, so you have to think differently to overcome them.”
PERSONAL AND PROFESSIONAL GROWTH
Before embarking on her education internship in Malawi, Shayani was uncertain about the specific career path she wanted to follow, apart from knowing she wanted to work with children. However, the experience proved to be a turning point. Reflecting on her journey, she shares, “My career plans have been shaped by my internship hugely which was one of my main hopes for the outcome of the internship. Going into it, I wasn’t sure what field I wanted my career to be in beyond including working with children. Now, I feel very passionate about the fact that I want to teach English as a foreign language and this internship has inspired me to pursue a qualification in this field.” Immersing herself in the classroom, engaging with students, and witnessing the impact of education firsthand solidified her passion for teaching English as a foreign language.
Shayani’s time in Malawi was more than just an internship, it was a transformative experience that reshaped both her personal and professional outlook. Reflecting on her journey, she shares, “My time in Malawi has changed and shaped me in so many ways. Personally, it has taught me a lot about my values and the things I need and don’t need in my life. I am more secure in my belief that I don’t need a stable 9-5 in England to be happy and fulfilled but want to be traveling and making a difference with grassroots organizations. Professionally, it has helped me find my career path and I am forever grateful for that. I know that I will be returning to Malawi soon!” Embracing a life beyond conventional expectations, she has found fulfillment in meaningful work and cultural immersion. With a newfound passion for grassroots initiatives and a clear career direction, her time in Malawi has set the foundation for an exciting, purpose-driven future, one that she’s eager to continue exploring!
GAIN HANDS-ON EXPERIENCE LIKE SHAYANI AND MAKE A DIFFERENCE WITH ROOTS
Has Shayani inspired you to seek out an education internship abroad? If you’re looking for the top teaching internship recommendations or even considering getting your TEFL certification, don’t hesitate to reach out!
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