Foreign Relations Internships: Requirements and Opportunities

Foreign relations internships offer invaluable experience for students and recent graduates interested in diplomacy, international affairs, and national security. These internships provide opportunities to improve knowledge of international issues, learn how organizations operate, and connect with professionals in the field. This article explores various foreign relations internship programs, their requirements, and the diverse opportunities they offer.

Academic and Research-Oriented Internships

Several internships focus on providing rigorous educational experiences and research opportunities.

The Institute of World Politics (IWP) Research Internship

The Institute of World Politics (IWP) offers a Research Internship and Graduate Pathway Program designed to prepare participants for graduate studies. As a research intern, individuals engage in a structured educational journey guided by Doctoral Candidate Research Advisors and Master’s Student Research Assistants, who serve as research mentors. This role includes access to academic resources, expert lectures, and specialized workshops.

Requirements and Benefits:

Eligibility: Current juniors, seniors, or recent graduates of political science, international relations, security studies, or related fields. Candidates should have a demonstrated interest in national security, intelligence, and international affairs.
Commitment: Interns are expected to commit 35-40 hours per week during the Summer and 25-30 hours per week during the Fall/Spring semesters.
Location: All internships are conducted in person at IWP’s Washington, D.C. campus.
Benefits: Successful completion of the program provides preferential consideration for IWP’s master’s degrees. Eligible interns receive a $3,000 per semester intern scholarship applicable towards tuition for the M.A. degree program.

Center for Strategic and International Studies (CSIS)

CSIS interns participate in activities that support individual programs/departments, including research, writing, and project development.

Eligibility: Undergraduate and graduate students with majors in international relations, political science, economics, or related fields.

Council on Foreign Relations (CFR)

CFR interns help citizens better understand the world and the foreign policy choices facing the United States and other countries.

Eligibility: Graduate or Undergraduate students.

Brookings Institution

Interns may work with Brookings’s staff in research areas such as Economic Studies, Foreign Policy, Global Economy and Development, Governance Studies, and Metropolitan Policy.

Eligibility: Undergraduate, graduate students, and recent graduates.

American Enterprise Institute (AEI)

AEI is a research-based think tank in Washington DC.

Eligibility: Experienced undergraduate, graduate students, and recent graduates with a minimum of a 3.0 GPA.

Hudson Institute

Hudson Institute offers a variety of research internships through which interns work closely with a particular scholar to produce research briefs, memos, and articles.

Eligibility: Undergraduates, graduate students, and recent graduates with a demonstrated interest in international relations, political science, national security, or related fields.

Non-Profit and Advocacy Internships

Many organizations offer internships focused on advancing specific causes or providing support to international initiatives.

The Women's Foreign Policy Group (WFPG) Internship

The Women's Foreign Policy Group (WFPG) is dedicated to advancing women's leadership and highlighting their contributions to foreign policy. Interns at WFPG work as part of a team, enhancing their knowledge of international issues and learning about non-profit operations.

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Opportunities and Responsibilities:

Internship Focus: Program planning, communication, and operations.
Program Planning Interns: Focus on planning and outreach for programs with international affairs officials and experts.
Communication Interns: Focus on raising WFPG's visibility and growing its digital presence.
Operations Interns: Focus on internal operations and organizational efficiency, working on brand expansion and programming.
Commitment: Part-time internships require a commitment of 20 hours per week, while full-time internships require 40 hours per week. Office hours are 9 am-5 pm, with some evening events.
Stipend: Part-time interns who commit to 3 months (12 weeks) are eligible for a $1000 stipend.

WFPG is an equal-opportunity employer, encouraging applications from women, people of color, LGBTQ individuals, and members of other historically underrepresented groups.

Amnesty International

Amnesty International is a global movement of people fighting injustice and promoting human rights. The organization works to protest people wherever justice, freedom, truth, and dignity are denied. It investigates and exposes abuses, educates and mobilizes the public, and helps transform societies to create a safer, more just world.

Human Rights Watch (HRW)

Human Rights Watch defends the rights of people worldwide. HRW investigates abuses, exposes the facts widely, and pressures those with power to respect rights and secure justice.

Other Non-Profit Organizations

Numerous other non-profit organizations offer internships, including:

AIDS Foundation of Chicago: Provides practical applications of academic learning to qualified applicants, focusing on HIV/AIDS knowledge.
American Diabetes Association: Offers daily engagement with employees and real-world experience in making a difference in the lives of people affected by diabetes.
American Red Cross: Introduces young leaders to the mission of the Red Cross, involving them in critical projects.
Carter Center: Works to improve life for people in more than 80 countries by resolving conflicts, advancing democracy and human rights, preventing diseases, and improving mental health care.
Center for Effective Global Action (CEGA): Improves lives and generates opportunities globally through innovative research.
Center for Global Development (CGD): Conducts research and analysis on policies affecting poor people in the developing world.
Oxfam International: Seeks to create lasting solutions to the injustice of poverty around the world.
Women's Global Education Project (WGEP): Provides access to education and develops training programs to empower women and girls.
United Way Worldwide: Works to improve lives by mobilizing communities to advance education, income stability, and healthy lives.

Government and Diplomatic Internships

Government internships provide direct exposure to foreign policy and diplomatic operations.

Department of State Student Internship Program

The Department of State offers internships through its Pathways Internship Program, including the Internship Temporary Program (ITEP) and the Internship Experience Program (IEP). These internships are available to U.S. citizens enrolled in educational institutions from high school to graduate school.

Key Aspects:

Opportunities: Interns gain an inside look at diplomacy, working with professionals from diverse backgrounds and skill sets.
Location: Opportunities are available in embassies and consulates worldwide, as well as in Washington, D.C., and other U.S. offices.
Eligibility: Applicants must be U.S. citizens and students returning to school immediately following the internship.
GPA Requirement: Must have a 3.0 GPA.
Application Process: Requires creating a USAJOBS account and resume, and providing proof of student status.
Security Clearance: Students must undergo a background investigation and receive a security clearance, which can take up to 150 days.

Bureau Opportunities:

Geographic Bureaus: Oversee policies for specific regions of the world.
Functional Bureaus: Focus on specific issues such as democracy, human rights, international narcotics, and environmental affairs.

Virtual Student Federal Service (VSFS) Internships

The Virtual Student Federal Service (VSFS) program connects U.S. citizen college students with federal agencies for virtual internships.

Key Features:

Remote Work: Interns work remotely, contributing approximately 10 hours per week during the school year.
Diverse Opportunities: Projects range from data visualization to political analysis.
Eligibility: Open to U.S. citizen college students.
Compensation: Internships are paid and may be eligible for course credit.

Congressional Internships

Internships with congressional committees and individual members of Congress offer direct involvement in foreign policy legislation and oversight.

Senate Foreign Relations Committee (SFRC): Interns support office operations and assist staff in policy work. Internships are in-person in Washington, D.C.
House Foreign Affairs Committee Democrats: Hiring a Legal Intern for the semester. This will offer a law student the unique opportunity to gain experience with legislation, policy, and Congressional oversight.
Eligibility: Candidates should have completed at least one year of law school, have strong legal research abilities and written and oral communication skills, and be self-starters who take initiative.

Other Government Agencies

USAID: Offers paid and unpaid internships and fellowship opportunities to qualified students and recent graduates.
Peace Corps: The preeminent international service organization of the United States, which sends Americans abroad to tackle the most pressing needs of people around the world.
Department of Labor (DOL): Charged with preparing the America’s workers force for new and better jobs in the 21st Century work force, and ensuring the adequacy of America’s work places.
Department of Health and Human Services (HHS): The government’s principal agency for protecting the health of all Americans and providing essential human services, especially for those who are least able to help themselves.

International Organizations

Organization of American States (OAS): Internship with OAS, which is an international political organization that aims to resolve and prevent conflicts.
Eligibility: Undergraduates in at least their second year of college. Graduate students are also accepted. Must have a 3.0 GPA. Fluency in French, Spanish, or Portuguese required.
World Health Organization (WHO): WHO’s Internship Programme offers a wide range of opportunities for students to gain insight in the technical and administrative programmes of WHO.

Specific Internship Examples

Legal Internship with the House Foreign Affairs Committee Democrats: This internship offers law students a unique opportunity to gain experience with legislation, policy, and Congressional oversight.
General Internship with the House Foreign Affairs Committee Democrats: Interns provide policy and administrative support, including research, drafting memoranda, and attending briefings.

Tips for Aspiring Interns

Meet Eligibility Requirements: Ensure you meet the specific requirements of each program, including academic standing, GPA, and citizenship.
Prepare Application Materials: Create a strong resume and cover letter highlighting relevant skills and experiences.
Provide Transcripts: Submit official or unofficial transcripts as proof of student status.
Apply Early: Submit your application well before the deadline to ensure consideration.
Complete Security Clearance Forms Promptly: If required, complete and return all security clearance materials by the indicated date.
Leverage Virtual Opportunities: Explore virtual internship programs for remote work experience.
Consider Diversity and Inclusion: Seek out organizations that value diversity and inclusion in their activities.

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