What is the "Mission Intern" program?

So everyone is asking me what this program I'm doing is all about. So here goes...

The Mission Intern Program is a leadership development and social justice opportunity for young adults (20-30 years old) through the General Board of Global Ministries of the United Methodist Church.

The three-year program is divided into a 16-month international work/study assignment and a 16-month action/education assignment in one's own country. It is an opportunity for young people to hear the prophetic voice of communities and individuals around the world who are working for systemic change and to apply that experiential learning to their home context. The program encourages participants to learn about and live out the transformative gospel of Jesus Christ while working as grassroots organizers and/or advocates in areas of conflict resolution, peace, education, environmental justice, economic development, indigenous rights, and women's and children's issues. (Both above and below description is from www.gbgm-umc.org)

The Mission Intern Goals are:

1) To commit to a ministry of presence, which supports marginalized communities working for peace and justice.

2) To learn through experience, the day-to-day effects of systemic oppression on local communities, both internationally and nationally.

3) To actively participate with local organizations working for social justice.
To learn to live the gospel of Christ by connecting with people who model creative social witness.

4) To enrich your faith by learning with others, interreligiously and ecumenically, experience the liberating power of God.

5) To bridge the experiences of different communities so as to better facilitate communication and cooperation between peoples seeking justice in a global context.

6) To witness in one's local church and community about new ways to envision mission as a global church.

7) To develop yourself as a leader, prepared to be a prophetic voice in society and committed to holding the church accountable to God's calling.

8) To form a covenant community of young adults committed to demonstrate through word and action the importance of Christian presence within and support of global movements for social change.

9) To engage in faith based action for justice and disciplined theological reflection in order to better integrate social justice into Christian faith and learn to live a new definition of mission.