14 Internships for International High School Students
Regardless of the field you’re interested in pursuing, you could probably benefit from some practical experience, like that offered by an internship. Internships provide a unique opportunity for you to immerse yourself in the local culture, work environment, and language, which can lead to a deeper understanding of living and working overseas especially if you are looking to apply to university there, or aiming for similar international exposure after high school.
What you learn during an internship can really enhance your personal and academic growth, while also allowing you to gain practical, real-world experience in your field of study. This can add significant value to your college applications, proving your hands-on work experience and your motivation to explore a particular subject.
Not to mention, internships offer the opportunity to network with industry professionals in your chosen field, which can lead to valuable connections and potential job offers. An internship can also help you solidify your choice of career!
While it may be difficult to find an internship in the U.S. as an international student, you have several options to choose from. And we’ve made it easier – here are 14 of the best internships for international high school students!
Subject areas: Multidisciplinary
Location: Remote
Eligibility: High school students available to work for 5-15 hours per week for 8-16 weeks
Application Deadline: Summer cohort (early admission): February 18, 2024 | Summer cohort (regular admission): April 14, 2024. Fall, winter and spring cohorts are available too.
Dates: Varies based on cohort. Summer cohorts run in June-August.
Cost: $1,990 onwards
Financial Aid: Need-based financial aid is available.
Ladder Internships, a program founded by Harvard alumni, pairs high school students with startups and nonprofits across the world for virtual internships. Some of the startups students have interned at include IPMD, Billion Dollar Startup Ideas, JuneBrain, Softenmind, Fair Opportunity Project, and Fintech Launch. As an intern, you will work on a real-world project, while guided by your startup manager and a Ladder coach, who serves as a second mentor. At the end of the internship, you will get the chance to present your work. What sets Ladder Internships apart is that students can choose to intern in a wide range of fields, based on their interests. These include tech and deep tech, machine learning and AI, health tech and mental health, environmental science, non-profits, consulting, finance, engineering, and media and journalism, and more. The program also offers professional skill development sessions.
2. Student Research Internship Programs at Scripps Research Translational Institute
Subject areas: Medicine, translational science, precision medicine
The institute offers two internships under this program: one focused on translational science (I - Student Research Internship Program and the other on precision medicine (II - Medical Student Research Internship Program). Both have substantial overlap in subjects covered.
Location: Scripps Research Institute, La Jolla, CA. The institute provides a few resources to help students find housing.
Eligibility: Highly motivated students in high school who will be at least 16 years old before the internship begins can apply.
Application deadline: March 30, 2024 (I) and February 29, 2024 (II)
Dates:
- June 3, 2024 – August 9, 2024 OR June 17, 2024 - August 23, 2024 (I)
- May 20, 2024 - July 29, 2024 (II)
If these dates do not work for you, the institute recommends you note your specific available dates in your application (You are required to give 10 weeks for I, 8 weeks for II).
Stipend: For I, information on funding is yet to be updated. For II, a stipend will be provided; travel and housing expenses will be covered.
The competitive 10-week internship selects 40 talented and motivated students (high school, undergraduate, graduate and professional) every year for an immersive, college-level research experience. During the program, you will learn about current topics in translational science, precision medicine, focusing on digital health, clinical genomics, and community engagement. You will also study design and analysis procedures relevant for translational research, including genomic/genetic association studies. You will observe the steps of proposing, designing, undertaking and analyzing clinical trials. At the end of the program, you will present a scientific concept to your peers and mentors. Based on your interests, you will be assigned a primary mentor for the program who will guide and advise you.
3. Stanford SHTEM Summer Internship
Subject areas: Multidisciplinary
Location: Virtual
Eligibility: Current high school juniors or seniors in the 2023-2024 school year
Application Deadline: February 23, 2024
Dates: June 17, 2024 - August 9, 2024
Stipend: This is an unpaid internship.
Stanford’s SHTEM (science, humanities, technology, engineering, and math) Summer Research Internships Program is a virtual internship opportunity for high school and community college students. It aims to provide students with early exposure to cutting-edge research in an academic environment. Further, the program introduces students to diverse research topics in engineering and the link between humanities and STEM research, with themes spanning psychology, biology, neuroscience, arts, linguistics, engineering, and more STEM and humanities subjects.
Interns will be grouped into multiple teams, with each team working on an interdisciplinary project with support from mentors, faculty, and staff of the Stanford Compression Forum. During the program, you are expected to work on their assigned group research projects virtually while maintaining regular communication with the mentor and group members. For hardware projects, materials will be sent to students. The program ends with the presentation of projects. You can check past projects here.
4. Princeton University’s Laboratory Research Program
Subject areas: Engineering, natural sciences, physics, tech and more. Can vary.
Location: Princeton University campus, Princeton, NJ
Eligibility: High school students between 16 and 18 can apply. Applicants must be U.S. citizens, permanent residents, or international students attending a U.S. high school.
Application Deadline: March 15, 2024
Dates: 5-6 weeks in the summer, depending on the research project and the schedule of the researchers. Each research project has its own schedule. Interns work full-time, Monday to Friday, with no weekend activities.
Stipend: This is an unpaid internship.
Princeton University’s Laboratory Research Program is a selective, competitive and prestigious full-time research and learning internship program where interns work on ongoing real-world projects alongside Princeton faculty and researchers. Interns will work during office hours in the summer months on projects in engineering and natural sciences. Around 25 Princeton laboratories accept 40 interns annually. Selected interns will undergo safety training before beginning laboratory work. They will also need to submit a two-page research summary report at the end of the internship.
Princeton faculty lead research teams, which include postdoctoral, graduate, and undergraduate students, and other staff researchers. Research opportunities vary year on year, depending on the laboratories and researchers’ focus areas. Some of the research projects interns participated in the past include:
Machine learning methods for power magnetics modeling
Heat pumps to save the world
Investigating heteroresistance to antibiotics
Machine learning for green power generation
You can see the entire list of 2023 research opportunities here.
5. Hutton Junior Fisheries Biology Program
Subject areas: Fisheries, aquatic science, zoology
Location: Varies based on where interns live. Hutton usually places interns within a 45-minute commute of their homes.
Eligibility: High school students who are at least 16 and are residents of the US, Canada, Puerto Rico, the Pacific Islands, and Mexico
Application Deadline: Applications for 2024 are now closed. Applications for 2025 will open in November 2024.
Dates: June-August (8 weeks)
Stipend: $3,000 and an all-expenses paid trip to the Hutton Scholars Summit
The Hutton Junior Fisheries Program is a summer internship program sponsored by the American Fisheries Society (AFS) aimed at encouraging interest in the fisheries and aquatic science among underrepresented groups. Having been around for 23 years, this program is a prestigious opportunity. As a Hutton Scholar, you will be paired with and mentored by a fisheries professional in your local area. Interns will gain hands-on fisheries science experience in marine or freshwater, and experience in conducting laboratory and field research.
You will participate in resource conservation and management projects, and will learn about career opportunities. Each intern is likely to have a unique experience depending on their mentors, but some potential activities include taking fish population surveys, snorkeling, establishing fish habitat, electrofishing, examining specimens, water quality testing, data processing, and more.
6. Adler Planetarium Summer Internship Program
Subject areas: Space studies, astronomy, science communication
Location: Adler Planetarium, Chicago, IL
Eligibility: Students enrolled in high school during the 2023-24 school year
Application Deadline: March 1, 2024
Dates: July 8, 2024 - August 14, 2024
Stipend: Not specified
Adler Planetarium’s summer internship program is an incredible opportunity for students interested in space, astronomy, and science communication, to learn about the inner workings of one of the most renowned planetariums in the world. The program places interns in multiple museum departments where they will work with peers and top scientists, educations and communicators on projects and activities. Your role may involve hands-on research, public engagement, and the development of educational programs and exhibits. You'll participate in cutting-edge astronomical research and play a part in conveying complex scientific concepts to the public, making it accessible and exciting for all ages. You will also get a chance to develop your professional and interpersonal skills.
Internship positions are likely to change for 2024, but some placements in 2023 included the Adler’s Space Visualization Lab (using the software OpenSpace), Zooniverse (assisting science writers), and the Marketing and Business Strategy department.
7. Jimerson Birr High School Internship
Subject areas: Law, business law
Location: Jacksonville, FL
Eligibility: High school seniors
Application Deadline: To be announced
Dates: June-August (4-6 weeks)
Stipend: Paid (amount not specified)
Jimerson Birr is a Florida-based law firm ranked as one of the Best Law Firms in America according to US News & World Report. For high school students interested in pursuing law and its adjacent fields, this internship is a solid way to gain insight into business law. As an intern, you can choose one of Jimerson Birr’s departments to work in – accounting, legal services, communications and more, alongside industry experts. You will learn to think like a lawyer: strategically, proactively, and with a keen eye for detail. You will work with the different department heads, and hone your professional skills. Throughout the internship, you’ll be working directly with the firm’s staff and attorneys, attending biweekly team meetings, and actually contributing to active cases and research.
8. SPARK Summer Internship Program
Subject areas: Computer science, biotechnology, communications and outreach, research, physics and more.
Location: Greater Seattle Area, WA
Eligibility: High school students who can work for 40 hours per week for 8-12 weeks
Application deadline: Applications will open in March-April 2024. Deadline TBA
Program dates: June-August (6-8 weeks)
Stipend: Up to $500, with some internships being unpaid.
The SPARK Summer Internship Program (SIP) pairs high school students with mentors, educators, and industry professionals across various organizations. This prestigious program, with an acceptance rate of about less than 5%, is an opportunity for students to dive into research areas in the field. The program allows students to work on real-world applications of concepts in machine learning, computer programming, computer vision, and neural networks.
Students must select 5-6 projects that they’d like to work on. For the 2023 cohort, the research project list included the following topics (among others):
2D Materials - A new class of conductors and semiconductors for future
Preparing Python script for crossbar architecture and exploring its various non-idealities.)
9. Judicial Intern Opportunity Program by American Bar Association
Subject areas: Law, legal research, legal studies, judiciary
Location: Various cities across the country
Eligibility: High school seniors and undergraduate students
Application Deadline: Applications for 2024 closed on January 12, 2024, but the program is still accepting late applications.
Dates: June-August (6 weeks minimum)
Stipend: $2,000. Housing and transportation costs are not covered.
The ABA's Judicial Intern Opportunity Program is a prestigious opportunity for high school students to intern with federal or state judges across the United States. The program provides opportunities to underrepresented groups in the profession. Selected interns must indicate their geographic and legal preferences, following which they will be matched with a court and judge.
You will get hands-on experience in a court environment, observe trials, and engage in legal research. As an intern, you'll also have the unique opportunity to work directly with judges and their chambers, experiencing the judicial system from the inside. You will engage in legal research, writing, and observe court proceedings, providing you with a comprehensive understanding of the legal process and invaluable practical skills. The JIOP is best for those who are committed to pursuing a career in law, specifically those interested in working within the judicial branch of government.
10. Research in Industrial Projects for Students (RIPS)
Subject areas: Engineering, materials science and related technical disciplines
Location: University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA), CA
Eligibility: Graduating high school seniors and undergraduate students from across the world
Application Deadline: Applications for 2024 are now closed and will reopen in late 2024/early 2025 for the 2025 program.
Dates: June 24, 2024 - August 23, 2024
Stipend: Paid (amount not specified) + travel allowance, on-campus housing, and meals
Graduating high school seniors entering their freshman year of college can apply for the RIPS program, in which they will work in teams on real-world projects proposed to them by sponsors. This program is best suited for students interested in engineering, materials science, or related technical disciplines. As a participant, you will work on collaborative research projects with industry partners, gaining hands-on experience in solving real-world challenges and contributing to industrial innovation. You'll work alongside experienced professionals and researchers, applying your academic knowledge to practical, industry-focused applications.
You will present your projects at the end of the internship. Teams are then free to publish their research or present them at national conferences. Projects may cover various subject areas, with each including a strong computational component. Site visits are also included in the program.
11. Sonia & Celina Sotomayor Judicial Internship Program (The Sotomayor Program)
Subject areas: Judiciary, legal studies, law
Location: New York City, NY / Virtual
Eligibility: Underrepresented grade 11 high school students from one of the five NYC boroughs
Application Deadline: Applications for 2024 are now closed and will reopen in late 2024/early 2025 for the 2025 program.
Dates: July 2024 (4 weeks)
Stipend: Not specified
The High School Division of the Sonia & Celina Sotomayor Judicial Internship Program, commonly referred to as The Sotomayor Program, is a prestigious initiative aimed at introducing high school students from underrepresented communities to the world of the judiciary and legal system. Interns will be paired with a state or federal judge in one of the five NYC boroughs. You will then work with the judge, legal professionals, and court personnel during office hours from Monday to Thursday each week and will attend educational and professional development workshops each Friday.
Students will achieve an understanding of the judicial system through court observations, legal research and writing, case management, and interactions with multiple professionals and staff of the court. The program provides you with insight into the workings of the judicial system.
12. Rockaway Initiative for Sustainability and Equity (RISE) Environmentor Internship
Subject areas: Environmental science
Location: RISE, Far Rockaway, NY
Eligibility: 9th to 11th grade students who live or attend school in or near the Rockaway peninsula
Application Deadline: Applications open on March 1, 2024, with no specified deadline.
Dates: June 5, 2024 - August 15, 2024
Stipend: $1,200
Environmentor is a science research internship for interested and selected high school students to conduct significant environmental research on the Jamaica Bay and the Rockaway shoreline in New York, while being guided by scientists from nearby universities and research institutions. You will work on relevant projects, with each project including plenty of fieldwork and laboratory research and analysis.
You will undergo water safety and CPR training, in addition to engaging in activities such as kayaking, surfing, biking, and community service weekend events. Previous projects included dolphin fin morphology, marine debris, and sea turtle strandings, among others. Interns are encouraged to commit to a four-day work week. You have the chance to accrue community service hours by actively participating in RISE community service weekend events.
Subject areas: Arts, humanities, marketing, zoology, and more
Location: Varies according to the position (virtual/in-person/hybrid)
Eligibility: High school students (make sure to check which internships are available for international students)
Application Deadline: Varies based on position
Dates: Variable
Stipend: Paid (amount varies for each position)
The Smithsonian is the largest group of museums and educational and research centers in the world. It runs several internships for high school students or recent high school graduates, such as:
Young Ambassadors Program for college preparation and leadership focusing on Latino perspectives
Benjamin Lawless Internship for audience engagement, exhibition design, and object-based research
Internships at the National Zoo for animal care, IT, communications, animal behavior, conservation, veterinary medicine, and more
Internships at the Smithsonian Asian Pacific American Center for region-specific research
Note: While many of the internships are open to international students, a few do have US citizenship requirements. so keep an eye out for that.
14. EnergyMag Research Internship
Subject areas: Renewable energy
Location: Virtual
Eligibility: Sophomores, juniors, and seniors in high school
Application Deadline: Applications are accepted throughout the year.
Dates: 2-8 weeks in the summer (20 hours per week) | 1-9 months throughout the year (8 hours per week)
Stipend: This is an unpaid internship.
EnergyMag is a non-profit institution that offers students an opportunity to explore renewable energy research. These virtual internships will include conducting research on a scientific or business issue, approaching strangers in different positions and interviewing them, analyzing and synthesizing information, and producing a draft analysis report that will then be published on the EnergyMag website. You will work with a mentor who will support, brief, and supervise them. You can choose between a half-time internship that runs for 2-8 weeks or a quarter-time internship that runs for 1-9 months.
Looking for an immersive internship experience?
Check out Ladder Internships!
Ladder Internships is a selective, virtual internship program where students work with startups and nonprofits from around the world! The startups range across a variety of industries, with a large number of them in tech. As part of their internship, each student will work on a real-world project that is of genuine need to the startup they are working with, and present their work at the end of their internship. In addition to working closely with their manager from the startup, each intern will also work with a Ladder Coach throughout their internship. Apply now!
Stephen is one of the founders of Ladder Internships and a Harvard College graduate.