Discovering MicroFinance in the Field

  Argentina

• Buenos Aires: 
Buenos Aires

  China

• Beijing: 
Beijing

  Madagascar

Antananarivo

  Mexico

• Mexico City: 
Mexico City (Ciudad de Mexico)
• Central Highlands: 
Puebla

  Senegal

Dakar

Term: Summer 
Durations of Program: 2-4 weeks and 5-8 weeks
Typical Duration of Program: 5-8 weeks
Dates: After spring exams (May-June)

Description: Summer 2009 Program: Give yourself the experience of a lifetime by traveling either to China, Mexico, Senegal, Argentina or Madagascar and discovering microfinance in the field

For the second year in a row, PlaNet Finance offers students an opportunity to experience microfinance in the field. In teams of three students will participate in a 4-week-long trip to the country of their choice to get hands-on experience with microfinance.

While abroad, students will assist local PlaNet Finance teams on a day-to-day basis. They will be assigned specific projects linked to issues encountered by the country's local population. Students will get a chance to interact with local microentrepreneurs in the field and learn the impact of microfinance on people's lives and on reducing poverty.

The Program Gives Students a Unique Opportunity To:

* Explore different cultures and traditions
* Practice a foreign language
* Experience the working of a successful international nonprofit organization
* Spark an interest in social work
* Build resumes and earn school credit

Program Details

This program is specifically designed for high school students (grade 11 and 12) and for undergraduate students who are seeking a quality and meaningful experience.

The program will commence after students complete their school exams in spring: May/June 2009.

Duration: 4-week immersion
Program Cost: 7,000 USD

Cost includes:
* Airfare
* Housing
* Airport pickup
* Registration fees
* In-country orientation/training
* In-country staff support
* In-country introduction to local life
* Pre-departure written materials
* Donation to the host organization

What is Planet Finance?

One mission: Reducing world poverty
One tool: Microfinance

PlaNet Finance is an international nonprofit organization dedicated to alleviate poverty through the development of microfinance.

Based in Paris, PlaNet Finance Group brings together 550 staff and operates in more than 60 countries with an international network of 38 permanent offices in Europe, North America, Latin America, Asia, Africa and the Middle East.

PlaNet Finance US is a member of PlaNet Finance international network and a 501(c)3.

The Power of MicroFinance

Microfinance provides financial services to people lacking access to traditional banking or sources of capital. By providing them with microloans, microfinance helps people start small businesses, improve the standard of living of their families, get out of long-term poverty with dignity and contribute to the economic and social growth of their community.

Join the Fight Against Global Poverty!

All money raised will go directly to PlaNet Finance and the completion of the project the students will work on during their trip. Every dollar will
be contributing to improving the lives of those individuals who take advantage of microcredit to make a better life for themselves.

Get Started!

The PlaNet Finance Summer 2009 Program will be an enriching experience students.

Highlights: - A specific microfinance project linked to issues encountered by the local population will be allocated to a team of students.

- Students will get a chance to interact with local microentrepreneurs in the field and learn the impact of microfinance on people's lives and on reducing poverty.

- Students will have the opportunity to experience a foreign culture, history and language.

- All benefits will go towards the completion of the microfinance projects the students will work on during their trip.

- Students earn school credits by participating in this program

- This program will help students in resume enhancement for further studies and in career advancement.

Qualifications: This program is for:

- high school students (11th-12th grade)
- undergraduate students, from all backgrounds

* All students who are looking for a quality and meaningful experience are welcome.
* A basic local language knowledge or proficiency will be a value added to the trip, even if all our staff in local offices speaks English.

Cost in US$: 7000

Credit Available: yes

Experience Required: no

Age Range: 16 to 24

This Program is open to Worldwide Participants. This Program is also open to Couples and Individuals

Participants Travel Independently Or in Groups

Typically Participants Work in Groups of 3-5

Application Process Involves:

• Other
• Phone Interview

Post Services Include:

• Exit DebriefingAbroad
• Re-Entry Debriefing at Home
• Alumni Network
• Job and Internship Network

PlaNet Finance's Mission Statement: PlaNet Finance Group is an international non-governmental organization (INGO) whose mission is to fight against poverty through the development of microfinance. Microfinance provides financial services to people below the poverty line excluded from the banking system. Based in Paris, PlaNet Finance Group brings together 550 staff and operates in more than 60 countries with an international network of 38 permanent offices in Europe, North America, Latin America, Asia, Africa and the Middle East. After 10 years, PlaNet Finance has helped over 1,500 microfinance institutions reaching more than 10 million people around the world. As expert in microfinance, PlaNet Finance Group meets the needs of microfinance actors by supplying them with a range of services, among others: advisory services, investment services, ratings, microinsurrance. PlaNet Finance US is a 501 (c) 3

Year Founded: 1998