How to get an internship at Grameen Bank

After reading Yunus´ books I realized I wanted to know more about microfinance projects and its main figures. The idea of doing an internship came to me surfing the Grameen Bank webpage. One of the title options is “training”. Clicking there you’ll see many options to study at Head Quarters of GB, among them a free internship (they only charge 36 dollars for materials and administrative costs, a very fair amount). Internship is absolutely ad hoc. Each student can adapt their study depending on the professional objective he/she pursues. There is an internship model that can be used as a guide. The main activities are: studying the history of GB, the way they proceed, and the most interesting thing for me, visits to the villages. I think this should be the frosting of the cake. One unique experience to go through, meeting the true microcredits protagonists, and observing the daily bank running and the outcome pf they work.
When you speak to people that have been in these villages, you cannot avoid to feeling surprised and touched listening to their stories and the feelings they reveal through their memories. Later on, I will be able to confirm their stories.
Going back to the tale, next step was to contact by e-mail the person in charge of internship: Nurjaham Begun, the first lady to work visiting Yunus villages, at present bank manager. She took her time to reply but it ended up being rewarding one (they last a week to answer). She asked me for my CV and objectives that would justify my wish to go. After a week they confirmed the acceptance: I had green light to meet them!. GB does not afford transportation and food. Just for the record, most trainees stay at the Grand Prince Hotel.
To get a visa you will also need a GB letter, you may request this from your contact. If you wish to contact past trainees you can join their Facebook group for 2007, 2008, and now 2009.
There is a lot of information on the internet about GB and small loans in general. You can not skip Yunus books (“Yunus” “The banker of the poor”, and “A world without poverty”). They inspire and transmit great strength and optimism. A good beginning for a professional to be.