Work With Us
The International Internship Program gives students an opportunity to learn about development first-hand and empowers them to be a force for good in the world.
18,000+
Lives changed by IIP interns
300+
Participating schools
around the world
$6.4M+
Scholarships awarded to interns in 2024 alone
Internship Benefits
IIP interns receive over $2,500 worth of benefits, providing invaluable support for their academic and career growth. From real-world experience collaborating with organizations in the developing world to personalized college essay reviews and SAT/ACT preparation, these benefits ensure interns stand out in their future endeavors. Additional perks include community service recognition, scholarship assistance, and exclusive summer program scholarships, making this internship an exceptional opportunity for students looking to make a meaningful impact and get ahead.
Real-World Experience
LI Interns stand out with their unparalleled real-world experience that sets them apart from their peers.
Letters of Recommendation
LI staff will write two letters of recommendation for interns to support their college or scholarship applications.
Community Service
Interns' work has a huge impact in the communities we serve, and we make sure their work is recognized.
Scholarship Assistance
LI knows what factors matter when applying for scholarships, and we help interns secure the most financial assistance possible.
College Essay Review
Interns can submit up to five college essays for professional review and editing by experts with our partners at University Connection.
SAT/ACT Preparation
Interns get access to TestRocker, the premier online SAT/ACT training resource for high school students.
College Probabilities
LI models the likelihood that interns will be accepted to their top choice schools based on things like their major and extracurricular activities.
Program Scholarships
Interns are eligible for an exclusive scholarship to attend an LI Summer Internship at Georgetown University.
Personalized Website
We create a personalized team website to highlight the accomplishments of each internship team.
Explore Internship Programs
International Business & Development
Through the International Business & Development Internship Program, students collaborate directly with microbusinesses in the developing world, gaining hands-on experience while driving sustainable change. Leadership Initiatives partners with entrepreneurs in Bauchi, Nigeria, who earn less than $1.90 per day and often lack formal business training, which makes it difficult to provide for their families.
International Public Health
During the internship, students design and lead interactive community workshops to address the preventable health crises impacting families in Northern Nigeria. Working closely with local health professionals and clinics, interns develop practical strategies to improve maternal health, prevent disease, and promote healthier daily practices. These workshops do more than share information; they deliver life-saving knowledge that empowers communities to take charge of their health and create a healthier future.
International Advocacy
The internship begins with students designing and leading community surveys to gather firsthand insights from local leaders and residents. This data shapes every advocacy effort, ensuring strategies respond directly to community-identified challenges. By embedding research into the heart of the program, interns help foster trust, cultural understanding, and shared ownership of the solutions they create.
Explore Internship Programs
Through the International Business & Development Internship Program, students collaborate directly with microbusinesses in the developing world, gaining hands-on experience while driving sustainable change. Leadership Initiatives partners with entrepreneurs in Bauchi, Nigeria, who earn less than $1.90 per day and often lack formal business training, which makes it difficult to provide for their families.
Summer Internships at Georgetown
Leadership Initiatives also hosts immersive internships every summer at Georgetown University in Washington, D.C. These week-long internships offer an unprecedented hands-on experience in the fields of medicine, neuroscience, law, advocacy, business, diplomacy, and cybersecurity. Summer interns work together to do things like creating new businesses, diagnosing real patients, preparing early release petitions, and direct- or cross-examining a client in court, all while learning alongside leading experts in these fields. No other programs can offer experiential learning like this.
We Do More Than Internships. We Transform Lives.
Through the International Internship Program (IIP), interns research and develop solutions to real-world problems in rural Nigeria, addressing challenges in business, health, and advocacy. Interns are paired with development partners and work in teams through weekly meetings, conducting practical research and assisting with implementation. This hands-on experience builds leadership skills and critical thinking, setting them apart from peers while making a tangible impact on communities. Past projects have included advertising plans, advocacy campaigns, and health curricula, creating lasting community growth.
What Our Interns Are Saying
Leadership Initiatives helped me discover my passion for public health and is the reason I was accepted into Cornell as a Global and Public Health Sciences major. They gave me the insight I needed to develop my leadership skills and explore my passions. The application support and letter of recommendation I received from LI staff also played a key role in strengthening my application. All the tools LI offers make the college application process significantly less daunting.
Jaida Anekwe
Cornell Univeristy
Ithaca, NY
Being a part of IIP was one of the most impactful experiences of my entire life. Never would I ever have imagined that at the age of seventeen, I would have made a workshop to help with health disparities in Africa. Knowing that I worked hard with my team for the past six months to create an actual change makes me extremely proud. Creating a workshop for menstrual health that is implemented in Nigerian communities is something that is seldom to come across compared to other students' resumes.
Sophia Reyes
Bishop McNamara High School
Forestville, MD
One of the notable accomplishments I attained during my internship was leading my team to create workshops to providing assistance to infants in the first 1.000 days of their lives. The internship experience I had has bestowed upon me a profound sense of purpose and guidance, fostering a fervent dedication to social impact. I want to use the knowledge I have acquired in my own country, Armenia, and provide assistance to those in underprivileged regions.
Tamara Nahapetyan
Innovation Academy
Roswell, GA
From learning and teaching others the importance of nutritional health to developing businesses with passionate goals and hearts—each moment has been significant. It is so inspiring to my business partners' hopes and dreams manifest. I have learned how to be a better person, how helping one person transcends into helping a community, and how we are the people who have the ability to change a community.
Dylan Lin
Bullis School
Potomac, MD
Eligibility & Committment
The International Internship Program seeks passionate, driven high school students ready to make a global impact. This program offers a unique opportunity to collaborate with international partners, develop leadership skills, and contribute to meaningful projects. Before applying, review the eligibility requirements and commitment expectations to ensure you're ready to embark on this transformative journey.
Who We're Looking For
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High School Students: The International Internship Program is open to rising freshmen through graduating seniors.
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Passion and Dedication: Students should demonstrate a strong interest in the internship focus (business, health, or advocacy), leadership, and global impact.
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Communication Skills: As the program involves working with international partners, participants should be able to communicate effectively and work collaboratively.
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Create an Internship Team: Create a team of three to six peers who share your interest and want to be a part of postivie change.
What to Expect
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Virtual Meetings: Interns will meet virtually once a week with their teams, Leadership Initiatives staff, and Project Coordinators in Bauchi, Nigeria. These sessions are crucial for planning and executing projects, building relationships, and receiving guidance from mentors.
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Time Commitment: Interns are expected to dedicate 2-3 hours per week to the program between weekly meetings, independent work, and collaboration with teammates.
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Program Duration: The program runs from August 25th to April 1st, providing participants with seven months of consistent engagement and project development.
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Fundraising: Each internship team will be responsible for fundraising throughout their internship
Summer Internships at Georgetown
Leadership Initiatives also hosts immersive internships every summer at Georgetown University in Washington, D.C. These week-long internships offer an unprecedented hands-on experience in the fields of medicine, neuroscience, law, advocacy, business, diplomacy, and cybersecurity. Summer interns work together to do things like creating new businesses, diagnosing real patients, preparing early release petitions, and direct- or cross-examining a client in court, all while learning alongside leading experts in these fields. No other programs can offer experiential learning like this.
Partners & Sponsors
Our work wouldn't be possible without our sponsors and partners. Their generous support through grants, fundraising efforts, and benefits enable Leadership Initiatives to empower communities in Nigeria, provide our one-of-a-kind internship programs, and offer summer program scholarships that ensure our those programs are accessible to all. Together, we are creating opportunities, transforming lives, and building a brighter future. Thank you for your support!
