FAQ
Frequently Asked General Questions
Frequently Asked Student Program Questions
Answers to Frequently Asked General Questions
The Indianapolis Peace Institute operates programs designed to encourage every person to explore his or her role as a peacebuilder. The two branches of the Institute work together to create transformational experiences for college students and for Indianapolis residents. Our participants reflect on the question of change – what can I do to implement change?
• Semester Program: Peacebuilding Across the Disciplines
• Summer Program: Peacebuilding Across the Disciplines
• Alternative Spring Break: Peacebuilding
• Alternative Fall Break: Youth and Violence
• Weekend Workshops: A variety of topics
• Summer Program: Peacebuilding Across the Disciplines
• Alternative Spring Break: Peacebuilding
• Alternative Fall Break: Youth and Violence
• Weekend Workshops: A variety of topics
What opportunities are available to the Indianapolis community?
• Weekend Workshops: A variety of topics
• Mediation training
• Weekend Workshops: A variety of topics
• Mediation training
• Play Like a Champion: Positive Coaching program
• Training in Conflict Transformation, Group Dynamics and Leadership
• Alternative Spring Break: Peacebuilding
• Training in Conflict Transformation, Group Dynamics and Leadership
• Alternative Spring Break: Peacebuilding
Answers to Frequently Asked Student Program Questions
Who is eligible for Peacebuilding Across the Disciplines?
Peacebuilding can be part of almost any profession, and the skills developed at the Indianapolis Peace Institute are useful in almost any field of work. Thus, students from all majors are encouraged to apply. Previous students have majored in biology, communications, computer science, history, interdisciplinary studies, journalism, peace studies, psychology, religion, women’s studies and more.
Peacebuilding can be part of almost any profession, and the skills developed at the Indianapolis Peace Institute are useful in almost any field of work. Thus, students from all majors are encouraged to apply. Previous students have majored in biology, communications, computer science, history, interdisciplinary studies, journalism, peace studies, psychology, religion, women’s studies and more.
The program is designed for undergraduate students. Second semester sophomores, juniors and seniors are encouraged to apply. Recent graduates may apply to the summer program.
What courses are offered and what are they like?
For a list of courses please see our semester program page. Classes are designed to be small and interactive. Field trips, visits from local practitioners and community leaders, and student presentations are as vital to the learning as texts, journal articles and student papers.
For a list of courses please see our semester program page. Classes are designed to be small and interactive. Field trips, visits from local practitioners and community leaders, and student presentations are as vital to the learning as texts, journal articles and student papers.
Where do classes take place?
Classes usually take place at the administrative offices of the Indianapolis Peace Institute, which is a short walk from the Peace House residence. The offices are in the historic “Old Centrum” which also houses many other non-profit organizations.
Classes usually take place at the administrative offices of the Indianapolis Peace Institute, which is a short walk from the Peace House residence. The offices are in the historic “Old Centrum” which also houses many other non-profit organizations.
What are the internship possibilities?
Our Internship Opportunities section offers a glimpse of our partner organizations. The list provided is by no means exhaustive. Since we tailor the internship to your interests, we will work with you to make sure your placement provides you with an excellent experience
Our Internship Opportunities section offers a glimpse of our partner organizations. The list provided is by no means exhaustive. Since we tailor the internship to your interests, we will work with you to make sure your placement provides you with an excellent experience
What is the student residence like?
Peace House, the Institute’s student residence, is located in a downtown residential neighborhood of Indianapolis, two blocks north of the Institute’s offices. Coffee shops, churches, a movie theater, a soccer field and the heart of downtown are all within walking distance of the house.
Peace House, the Institute’s student residence, is located in a downtown residential neighborhood of Indianapolis, two blocks north of the Institute’s offices. Coffee shops, churches, a movie theater, a soccer field and the heart of downtown are all within walking distance of the house.
On the main floor of the house, the kitchen, library, den, billiard room, dining room and sun room offer students a variety of places in which students nurture their community. Students’ rooms and bathrooms are located on the 2nd and 3rd floors. The finished basement provides a computer lab, laundry facilities and more than a few nooks and crannies to be discovered.
What is provided at the house, and what will I need to bring with me?
• Between the computer lab and library, six computers are provided for student use. Wireless internet access is available should you wish to bring your own computer.
• Sheets and comforters are provided but students should bring a pillow with case and a towel or two.
• Students will need to use a cell phone or calling card to make long distance calls as the house phone offers only local service for outgoing calls.
• Students may wish to bring a car, but a car is not necessary. The local bus system can provide transportation to almost any destination within the Indianapolis metropolitan area. Several bus stops are within three blocks of the house. The Peace House parking lot can accommodate up to 7 student vehicles. Additional parking is available at the Institute’s office lot two blocks away.
• Between the computer lab and library, six computers are provided for student use. Wireless internet access is available should you wish to bring your own computer.
• Sheets and comforters are provided but students should bring a pillow with case and a towel or two.
• Students will need to use a cell phone or calling card to make long distance calls as the house phone offers only local service for outgoing calls.
• Students may wish to bring a car, but a car is not necessary. The local bus system can provide transportation to almost any destination within the Indianapolis metropolitan area. Several bus stops are within three blocks of the house. The Peace House parking lot can accommodate up to 7 student vehicles. Additional parking is available at the Institute’s office lot two blocks away.
What are some of the Peace House community activities?
Structured programs such as Orientation, Internship Reflection sessions and house meetings guide the development of the Peace House community. Many additional activities are planned by students throughout the semester. Examples include group volunteer activities, an appreciation dinner for students’ mentors, a student-run weekend workshop for the Indianapolis community and, of course, many opportunities to explore all that Indy has to offer. In addition, there will be opportunities for the students to open their home to visiting practitioners of peacebuilding.
Structured programs such as Orientation, Internship Reflection sessions and house meetings guide the development of the Peace House community. Many additional activities are planned by students throughout the semester. Examples include group volunteer activities, an appreciation dinner for students’ mentors, a student-run weekend workshop for the Indianapolis community and, of course, many opportunities to explore all that Indy has to offer. In addition, there will be opportunities for the students to open their home to visiting practitioners of peacebuilding.
Is there a meal plan? What if I am vegetarian or have special needs?
Students taking part in the Semester program will develop a community plan with regards to meals – what food to buy, who will cook, how often the group will eat together. A weekly food allowance is provided to the group as a whole with a smaller individual allowance given to each student to use as he or she wishes. Vegetarian students or students with special needs will be a part of the community decision making process and will be able to voice their needs at that time. The individual allowance ensures that you will be able to purchase specific items that you need and want over and above what is purchased as a community.
Students taking part in the Semester program will develop a community plan with regards to meals – what food to buy, who will cook, how often the group will eat together. A weekly food allowance is provided to the group as a whole with a smaller individual allowance given to each student to use as he or she wishes. Vegetarian students or students with special needs will be a part of the community decision making process and will be able to voice their needs at that time. The individual allowance ensures that you will be able to purchase specific items that you need and want over and above what is purchased as a community.
Students in the summer program are responsible for their own foods costs.
Will I have the same academic calendar as my college?
The 2007-2008 calendar is as follows. For information on future academic years, please contact us. Each semester runs for 16 weeks with a one-week break during which students may choose to travel, stay at the house or enroll in the special program offered.
The 2007-2008 calendar is as follows. For information on future academic years, please contact us. Each semester runs for 16 weeks with a one-week break during which students may choose to travel, stay at the house or enroll in the special program offered.
Spring 2008:
Jan. 6 – students arrive at Peace House
Jan. 7-9 – Orientation
Jan. 10 – First day at internship
Jan. 15 – First day of class
Jan. 21 – Holiday – Martin Luther King Jr. Day
March 1-8 – Spring Break (Peacebuilding Alternative Spring Break)
Apr. 23 – Last day at internship
Apr. 24-25 – Exit programming and final classes
Apr. 26 – Students depart
Fall 2008:
Aug 19 – Students arrive at Peace House
Aug 20-22 – Orientation
Aug 25 – First day at internship
Aug 26 – First day of class
Sept 1 – Holiday – Labor Day
Oct 18-26 – Fall Break (Youth and Violence immersion course)
Nov 27, 28 – Thanksgiving Holiday
Dec. 10 – Last Day at internship
Dec. 11-12 – Exit programming and final classes
Dec 13 – Students depart
Jan. 6 – students arrive at Peace House
Jan. 7-9 – Orientation
Jan. 10 – First day at internship
Jan. 15 – First day of class
Jan. 21 – Holiday – Martin Luther King Jr. Day
March 1-8 – Spring Break (Peacebuilding Alternative Spring Break)
Apr. 23 – Last day at internship
Apr. 24-25 – Exit programming and final classes
Apr. 26 – Students depart
Fall 2008:
Aug 19 – Students arrive at Peace House
Aug 20-22 – Orientation
Aug 25 – First day at internship
Aug 26 – First day of class
Sept 1 – Holiday – Labor Day
Oct 18-26 – Fall Break (Youth and Violence immersion course)
Nov 27, 28 – Thanksgiving Holiday
Dec. 10 – Last Day at internship
Dec. 11-12 – Exit programming and final classes
Dec 13 – Students depart
What does the average day look like for a student in the program?
During the semester, students have class two or three days a week. Internship schedules are set by the students with their mentors and range from full-time two days a week, to part-time every day (for a total of 20 hours per week). During the summer there are no classes and internships are 30-40 hours per week. Tuesday evenings are set aside to spend as a community. In their free time, students play pool, read the newspaper, go running, watch movies, go to the farmer’s market, do volunteer work and more. Students eat dinner together in the evenings, usually having split the chores of cooking and cleaning. Dinner is often a time when students engage in spontaneous discussions on important issues and topics or further thoughts about class. Some evenings might be spent lingering over these conversations. Other nights, students go to coffee shops, take walks or go dancing. Most weekends they go downtown or to the other 5 cultural district neighborhoods – listen to jazz, salsa dance, attend festivals and peace conferences, read in bookstore cafes, eat in the wide variety of Indy restaurants and, occasionally, visit home colleges.
During the semester, students have class two or three days a week. Internship schedules are set by the students with their mentors and range from full-time two days a week, to part-time every day (for a total of 20 hours per week). During the summer there are no classes and internships are 30-40 hours per week. Tuesday evenings are set aside to spend as a community. In their free time, students play pool, read the newspaper, go running, watch movies, go to the farmer’s market, do volunteer work and more. Students eat dinner together in the evenings, usually having split the chores of cooking and cleaning. Dinner is often a time when students engage in spontaneous discussions on important issues and topics or further thoughts about class. Some evenings might be spent lingering over these conversations. Other nights, students go to coffee shops, take walks or go dancing. Most weekends they go downtown or to the other 5 cultural district neighborhoods – listen to jazz, salsa dance, attend festivals and peace conferences, read in bookstore cafes, eat in the wide variety of Indy restaurants and, occasionally, visit home colleges.
What is the cost of the program?
Please visit our semester and summer program pages for a list of fees. If you have specific questions, please e-mail us or call (317)631-7322.
Please visit our semester and summer program pages for a list of fees. If you have specific questions, please e-mail us or call (317)631-7322.
Can I visit before I decide to apply?
You are welcome to visit before you decide to apply. Please e-mail us or call (317)631-7322 to arrange a visit.
You are welcome to visit before you decide to apply. Please e-mail us or call (317)631-7322 to arrange a visit.
Summer applications are due on April 1, 2008
Fall semester applications are due on May 15, 2008.
Fall semester applications are due on May 15, 2008.
What if I miss the application deadline?
Applications sent in after the deadline will be considered if space in the program remains. Completing your application before the deadline ensures that Institute staff will have plenty of time to dedicate to securing the best possible internship for you.
Applications sent in after the deadline will be considered if space in the program remains. Completing your application before the deadline ensures that Institute staff will have plenty of time to dedicate to securing the best possible internship for you.