12 International Nonprofit Internships for High School Students
If you’re a high school student who wants to understand how nonprofit work happens across the world, an international internship can be a good first step. International nonprofit internships let you work on issues like education, health, and sustainability, often in partnership with local communities. Joining one gives you a closer look at how people organize projects, manage limited resources, and address challenges in their regions. You might help with fieldwork, communication, research, or planning activities.
Your work can range from supporting small community programs to contributing to larger development initiatives on a national or even global level. These experiences can also strengthen your CV and college applications by showing that you’ve worked with international teams and taken initiative beyond schoolwork. With that, here are 12 international nonprofit internships for high school students!
12 International Nonprofit Internships for High School Students
1. Ladder Internship Program
Location: Virtual
Cost: Varies by the program; financial aid is available
Dates: Multiple cohorts throughout the year
Application Deadline: Rolling; deadlines vary by cohort
Eligibility: High school students, undergraduates, and gap year students able to commit 10–20 hours/week
Ladder Internships is a selective, eight-week virtual internship program for high school students. You work remotely with a high-growth start-up on real-world projects while receiving mentorship and support. Start-ups in the program span a wide range of industries, including technology, deep tech, artificial intelligence, machine learning, health tech, marketing, journalism, consulting, and more. These companies are typically high-growth ventures, with many having raised over one million dollars in funding. As an intern, you will work closely with both your start-up manager and a dedicated Ladder Coach. You contribute to meaningful projects and gain experience in areas such as product development, market research, content creation, or strategy. At the end of the program, you present your work to the company.
2. World Learning - Youth Ambassadors Program
Location: Virtual or in-person at various locations across the globe
Cost: Free
Dates: The program runs for three weeks between June - August. Exact dates vary by exchange country.
Application deadline: Varies by exchange country
Eligibility: High school students aged 15–18 with at least one semester left; must be citizens and residents of their exchange country and proficient in English, Spanish, or French.
The Youth Ambassadors Program, funded by the U.S. Department of State, engages high school students from across the Americas in exchanges focused on leadership, civic engagement, and cultural understanding. You will take part in workshops, volunteering, and group projects on themes such as entrepreneurship, innovation, and environmental stewardship. The program includes homestays with U.S. families, giving students the chance to experience community life firsthand. You will also meet civic leaders and mentors while developing a project to implement in their own communities after returning home. Sessions are typically three weeks long, combining time in Washington, D.C., with placements in local host communities across the United States.
3. Young Founders Lab
Location: Virtual
Cost: Varies by program; need-based financial aid available
Dates: Multiple cohorts offered year-round (Spring, Summer, Fall, Winter)
Application Deadline: Rolling; deadlines vary by cohort
Eligibility: High school students across the globe can apply
The Young Founder’s Lab is a real-world start-up boot camp founded and run by Harvard entrepreneurs. In this program, you will work towards building a revenue-generating start-up that addresses a real-world problem. You will also have the opportunity to be mentored by established entrepreneurs and professionals from Google, Microsoft, and X. Apart from building the start-up itself, you will also participate in interactive classes on business fundamentals and business ideations, workshops and skill-building sessions, case studies, panel discussions, and more. You can check out the brochure for the program here.
4. Pasquines Internship
Location: Virtual
Cost: No cost
Acceptance rate/cohort size: NA
Dates: Internships available for indefinite periods
Application deadline: Rolling
Eligibility: All high school students are eligible to apply
The Pasquines Internship is a virtual opportunity for students interested in political journalism and public policy, with a focus on U.S. territories such as Puerto Rico, Guam, and the U.S. Virgin Islands. You will research, write, and edit articles that connect regional developments to national and global issues. The program focuses on coverage of underrepresented regions, offering a chance to explore areas often overlooked in mainstream reporting. You will work with editors and peers, gaining experience in nonprofit journalism and digital publishing.
5. United Nations Young Leaders Training Programme
Location: Virtual
Cost: Varies by session (see UNITAR website)
Dates: January Edition: January 6–February 1; April Edition: April 14–May 9; June Edition: June 9–July 4; August Edition: July 28–August 22
Application deadline: Rolling
Eligibility: Open to high school and university students, young professionals, and aspiring leaders interested in international affairs
The United Nations Young Leaders Training Programme is a virtual course offered multiple times a year by UNITAR, open to students and young professionals interested in international affairs. This program is organized by the United Nations Institute for Training and Research (UNITAR) and focuses on multilateral diplomacy, sustainable development, and the workings of the UN system. Each edition runs for four weeks and includes live webinars, self-paced modules, and interactive assignments. You can explore topics such as the UN structure, negotiation techniques, sustainable development goals, and leadership in international contexts.
6. Center for Global Dialogue and Leadership - Youth Global Forum
Location: Madrid, Spain
Cost: $16.99 registration fee (partially and self-funded options available)
Dates: January 15–18
Application deadline: November 25
Eligibility: Anyone aged 16–46 from any country, with a passion for making a positive impact
Organized by the Center for Global Dialogue and Leadership (CGDL), the Youth Global Forum brings together high school and university students from different countries to work on global challenges. The program includes plenary sessions, policy roundtables, and solution labs, where you collaborate with peers and experts to develop ideas related to sustainability, employment, and governance. You also participate in simulations, workshops, and guided visits to institutions such as the Spanish Parliament and local innovation hubs. These experiences help you understand how policy is shaped and how innovation can address social issues. At the end of the program, you present your ideas and may compete for grants to support community projects.
7. Projects Abroad – High School Specials
Location: Multiple countries worldwide
Cost: Varies by program
Dates: 2-4 weeks during summer/winter break
Application deadline: Varies by departure date; rolling
Eligibility: Youth ages 15–18
Projects Abroad offers short-term volunteer and internship programs for high school students in countries such as Argentina, Ghana, Nepal, and the Galapagos Islands. You join a structured group trip with full-time supervision and support from in-country staff. You can choose a project in areas like medicine, human rights, conservation, or childcare. You work with local staff and NGOs, doing tasks that match your age and experience. Each program includes a set schedule with project work, cultural activities, and excursions. You may also request a certificate of completion or a reference letter at the end of your trip.
8. Global Leadership Adventures – Travel Internships For Teens
Location: Multiple locations worldwide (Costa Rica, Peru, Bali, Thailand)
Cost: Varies by location (scholarships and payment plans available)
Dates: 21 days (varies by location)
Application deadline: Rolling
Eligibility: Youth ages 14–18
Global Leadership Adventures runs three-week travel internships for students who want hands-on experience with nonprofits and social enterprises abroad. Programs take place in locations such as Costa Rica, Peru, and Thailand, where students join small cohorts to work on projects aligned with the UN Sustainable Development Goals. You can choose a thematic track like medicine, environmental stewardship, or community development, with the option to specialize further in areas such as ecology, veterinary science, or entrepreneurship. You will work with local organizations, contribute to service projects, and develop leadership skills while also participating in cultural immersion activities. Housing, meals, and supervision are provided through GLA’s “Home Base,” which serves as a hub for daily reflection and team building.
9. Changing The Present – Community Engagement Intern
Location: Virtual
Cost: Free
Dates: Year-round
Application deadline: Rolling (apply through the site’s application form)
Eligibility: High school students
Changing The Present is a nonprofit that channels everyday spending toward charitable causes and offers flexible virtual internships for high school students. As a Community Engagement Intern, you’ll dedicate a minimum of three hours per week to outreach through social media, email, and conversations with schools, nonprofits, and student groups. The work centers on raising awareness of the organization’s mission, running campaigns, and supporting donor engagement. Students can choose to focus their efforts on causes of personal interest, such as climate change, education, or animal welfare. The program can count toward community service or academic credit at some schools.
10. American Anthropological Association (AAA) – Virtual High-School Internship
Location: Virtual
Cost: Free
Dates: May–June
Application deadline: Typically April
Eligibility: High school students interested in anthropological research. International students are advised to check each year’s eligibility.
The American Anthropological Association offers a summer internship program for high school students interested in anthropology and public education. You will work around ten hours a week on two main projects: one involves translating current anthropological research into resources for middle and high school students, while the other rotates each year but often focuses on accessibility or public outreach. Past projects have included creating research summaries, infographics, and short videos that explain complex topics like migration in accessible terms. You will work remotely and receive guidance from AAA staff and scholars.
11. Interns4Good – Virtual Nonprofit Internship for High School Students
Location: Virtual
Cost: Free
Dates: Year-round
Application deadline: Rolling
Eligibility: High school students (open internationally)
Interns4Good partners with hundreds of nonprofits working on causes like health, education, and environmental action. You can participate remotely, contributing skills such as graphic design, social media, research, or writing. Projects are flexible and tailored to each student’s interests. Interns earn verified community service hours and help support nonprofit missions globally. All work is supervised by nonprofit staff and can be counted as service credit for schools.
12. The Borgen Project – Political Affairs Internship
Location: Virtual
Cost: Free (college credit may be available)
Dates: New programs begin every month; you choose the month you wish to start
Application deadline: Rolling
Eligibility: Suited for high school students with strong communication skills
The Borgen Project’s Political Affairs Internship is a remote, part-time program for high school and college students interested in global poverty advocacy. Over 12 weeks, you commit about 12 hours per week to activities that support the organization’s legislative outreach. Your responsibilities include meeting with members of Congress or local government, encouraging others to contact elected officials, and speaking to community groups about poverty-related legislation. You also create a personal fundraising campaign, write letters to political leaders and media outlets, and take part in outreach events.
Image Source - UN