The program starts with an orientation and three days of community immersion, with participants living with a family. Five groups consisting of 12-14 participants each then go to five villages where they work with the local community in projects on appropriate technology for development, cultural and recreational exchanges and workshops, and focused exchanges with local youth. HIP is an interactive program based on dialogue and active learning. Through three day workshops and follow-up activities, participants build skills for responding without violence to conflicts, analyze the impact of societal injustice on their lives and the lives of others, and work on taking action for positive, nonviolent personal social change. HIP trainings have been given in schools, community centers, youth programs, juvenile detention centers, and substance abuse prevention programs.
Participants are responsible for travel expenses to Oakland.
Interns are placed at one of several partner organizations throughout the U.S. and work under the close supervision of a community organization or labor union. Student associations, student organizations, and student governments usually host GROW sessions on their respective campuses. The format includes presentations, hands-on exercises, debriefs, and discussions. GROW is designed to help students overcome campus apathy, develop strategies to win, gain hands-on organizing experience, build more effective coalitions, and increase the membership, reputation, funding, and influence of their organization. Skilled student activists facilitate sessions.