Hope International University Professors Dr. Kip Lines and Jessika Ahlberg, in partnership with My Safe Harbor of Anaheim, have created a unique new internship program dubbed “City Semester.” It provides HIU students the opportunity to study the complexities of community in an urban context while being exposed to a broad array of human service organizations -- including governmental agencies, non-profit service organizations, and faith-based institutions -- in the city of Anaheim.

Participants will engage with many different human service agencies in the city network as they address specific needs in the community. Each student intern will participate in the activities and operations of at least one of these agencies. Students will not merely learn about the issues most prevalent in the urban context, but learn how churches, non-profits, social service agencies, and local government collaborate to address those needs.

City Semester students will participate in internships and practicums, and from different agency officials each week. During the City Semester, students will complete at least 15 units. These units are applied toward the fulfillment of specific HIU program requirements for practicum or internship hours.

The City Semester is designed as an interdisciplinary opportunity to serve the needs of HIU students in the following majors: Social Science: Human Services Concentration, Intercultural Studies, Church Ministry, and Cross-Cultural Business Administration. Students declaring other majors are welcome to participate in the City Semester program as space allows.

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