What are the long-term goals of Worldwide Witness?

• Some of our long-term goals include:
  • Provide opportunities for students to experience missions for a period of time that allows them to determine if long-term missions could be in their future.
  • Assist young men and women in developing ministry skills.
  • Increase the vision for missions in our churches by equipping the next generations with first-hand experience in cross-cultural ministry.
  • Give missionaries on the field energetic, short-term help with specific tasks that have a long-term focus on the field.
  • Encourage missions-minded students to network and develop partnerships for long-term ministry.
     

Who decides where I do my internship?

Determining where you spend your internship is a process of prayer and dialogue. Once you have prayed about the internship options and submitted your application, spiritual biography, references and application fee, the coordinators will spend time reviewing your application and petition.  If you are a good “fit” for the location you have requested and that particular site still has openings, then almost always you will be able to work in the location you petitioned.  If, however, you are not a good “fit” for the location or other circumstances have developed regarding that location, (e.g., the missionary will be on furlough, the church is suffering a crisis, the society has become too unstable, etc.) then the coordinators will visit with you personally to find the best alternative for you.  In addition, if it becomes obvious during training that you are not compatible with other team members for your location, then the coordinators will work to help some or all the team members redirect their efforts to different locations.

What if I want to go somewhere that WWW does not have an internship?

At times students want to work where WWW does not have an internship.  The interest might be due to previous trips with a home or sponsoring church, relatives who are missionaries, or one's personal interest.  Since mentoring is a critical factor in a WWW internship, the coordinators will review the newly petitioned location to see if there is a mentor present on the field that can serve the interns.  Also the coordinators will review the nature of the work and society at the location to make sure that both are compatible with student interns.  If indications are that the new location will provide a healthy spiritual environment for the intern, then the coordinators will pursue arranging an internship.  If not, then the coordinators will work in dialogue with you to find a better option.

What does the $100 non-refundable application fee cover?

The fee is used to cover insurance, a t-shirt and various assessments for the student.

Who determines the number of interns and timing of trips?

Each site supervisor specifies the number of interns he/she is willing to host and the dates of their arrival and departure.  The missionary application form has a space for this information.  The coordinators of WWW then work to put this information into your hands.  Once a site has the petitioned number of interns requested by the missionary, the coordinators cease to recruit for that location and try to redirect later applicants to other options.  If there is a problem with the timing such as the need to attend a family event, a graduation or marriage, then WWW coordinators will help you work this out in direct dialogue with your host. Most difficulties in timing can be worked out.  However, since some missionaries must travel long distances and incur expenses and much disruption to their own lives to pick up students at the airport, some missionaries opt to be stricter on the dates they petition for arrival and departure, in which case, WWW coordinators will work with you to find an alternative option.

What if the internship "goes bad"?

The directors of WWW are former missionaries and respect the judgment of their cohorts on the field.  If the host missionary decides that the internship needs to be terminated, that decision will be honored by the directors of WWW and you will be sent home early by the host missionary.  If you find yourself in the unusual circumstance of being totally incompatible with the host missionary and decide to return home early, then the directors will likewise respect that decision. Less than 1% of students have ever returned home from an internship prematurely.

What is WWW’s policy on dating?

WWW holds strictly to a no dating policy.  The policy applies to team members as well as relationships between interns and locals.

The whole idea of fundraising is new and scary to me. What if I am no good at it and don't raise the money I need?

Over the last 17 years of WWW, over 97% of all approved applicants did raise the funds necessary to participate in an internship. Most of these students had never raised funds either. Our God is gracious and we are committed to coaching and equipping you through the entire fundraising process.

I would love to go on an internship but need to stay home and make money. Is there any way that I can do both?

Contact us for more information.

How do I get the visa, passport and tickets?  

WWW coordinators will coach you through the process of getting your visa, passport, and tickets. We purchase your insurance for you.

How much time off will I have to see the country?  

WWW recommends one day off per week.  The coordinators also hope that you will have the chance to see more of your host country with locals or the missionary.  Usually the missionary or locals are very proud of their country and try to facilitate your ability to experience the local culture.  Often hosts have taken students on short trips to see more of the country outside of the area of their internship.  If you desire to take a longer trip of several days or weeks, the directors encourage you to do so after completing your internship.  For example, students on European internships have completed their internship and then hiked Europe for a week before returning.  Former students in South America completed their internship prior to spending time visiting Cuzco and Machu Picchu.

Who do I have ACU Missions donations sent to?  

If you fundraise using ACU’s letter, donations will be mailed directly to ACU Gift Records using the form provided with the ACU letter, or submitted on the website provided to you. If you fundraise on your own, you cannot direct your donors to mail funds directly to ACU. You can, however, direct them to use the website.