UCLA Global Internship Program: An In-Depth Guide

The UCLA Global Internship Program offers Bruins the chance to gain invaluable hands-on work experience with organizations and companies across the globe. These internships are designed to provide academic credit and allow students to immerse themselves in diverse career sectors and international locations. This article provides a detailed overview of the program, covering eligibility, application procedures, financial aid opportunities, and important considerations for participants.

Program Overview

The Global Internship Program offers an array of work opportunities in diverse career sectors and locations throughout the globe. Internship placements are approximately 8 weeks long in all program locations. Internships are for academic credit only and are unpaid. UCLA partners with local providers in program cities that will assist with placing students at internship sites based on career goals, personal interests and experience. While completing the internship, students will also be enrolled in 1 or 2 online courses, earning 4-to-8 units of academic credit. Online courses follow Summer Session A and will last for a total of 10 weeks.

UCLA offers three main study abroad opportunities: global internships, travel studies and exchange programs. Global internships offer the opportunity for students to work with international organizations, travel studies allow students to take UCLA-taught courses abroad, and exchange programs allow students to take classes at universities worldwide. Additionally, UCLA students can participate in the University of California Education Abroad Program, which is a systemwide program bringing UC students to international universities.

Key Features

Hands-on Experience: Participants intern with organizations and companies abroad, gaining practical skills and insights into their chosen field.
Academic Credit: Internships are for academic credit only.
Diverse Opportunities: The program offers an array of work opportunities in diverse career sectors and locations throughout the globe.
Global Locations: Internships are available in a variety of locations around the world.
Duration: Internship placements are approximately 8 weeks long in all program locations.
Online Courses: While completing the internship, students will also be enrolled in 1 or 2 online courses, earning 4-to-8 units of academic credit. Online courses follow Summer Session A and will last for a total of 10 weeks.
Partnerships: UCLA partners with local providers in program cities that will assist with placing students at internship sites based on career goals, personal interests and experience.

Eligibility and Application

To be eligible for a Global Internship Program, students are required to have a minimum of a 3.0 cumulative GPA and be in good academic standing during the spring quarter prior to participation in the Global Internship Program. Grades should be available via MyUCLA after October 1st.

Application Process

Online Application: Students must submit an online application. The application is open from October 13 - November 24, 2025.
Supporting Documents: Upon submitting your application you will need to submit a copy of your resume, a Statement of Purpose, and a passport style photo of yourself. As part of the application process, you will be asked to upload a current copy of your resume. Please take time to appropriately format and spell check your resume before submitting. As part of your application process you will be asked to complete a Statement of Purpose.
Video Interview: Students who submit their online application and meet the eligibility criteria will be invited to schedule a 30-minute video interview with our partners in your program destination.
Passport: All participants must have a passport valid for at least 6 months after their program end date. If you do not have a passport upon submitting your application, you will need to apply IMMEDIATELY in order to assure that your passport arrives on time.

Important Dates and Deadlines

Application Deadline: November 24, 2025.
Cancellation Deadline: February 11, 2026 at 11:59PM.
Final Payment Due: February 9, 2026. The final payment deadline is deferred for Financial Aid recipients (who have completed all of the financial aid requirements, documentation, processes, etc.). Students eligible for Veteran Benefits should submit a Veteran Benefits Agreement Form (located on the Application Portal) by February 9, 2026 in order to defer their final payment.
Acceptance Notifications: Global Internship Program acceptance notifications are sent out in mid-January.

Additional Considerations

Students can only apply for one Global Internship Program at a time. Prior to the November 23, 2025 application deadline, you may switch your application to a different Global Internship Program.
The application is open from October 13 - November 24, 2025. All Global Internship Programs have a limited number of placements available for each location.

Financial Aid and Scholarships

Financial aid can be applied to cover program costs for UCLA Global Internship Programs.

General Financial Aid Information

Continuing UCLA students who are eligible for financial aid during the academic year are generally eligible for summer financial aid. Aid packages take into consideration the program fee and estimated costs for airfare, transportation, and meals and incidentals, not included in the program fee. Grants are extremely limited in summer, so be prepared for a financial aid package that consists PRIMARILY of loans, including parent and private loans.

Financial Aid Orientation: Attend a Financial Aid Orientation. View the Financial Aid Orientation recording. This recording will be available to students in their application portal in early February. Virtual Financial Aid Q&A sessions will be hosted with the Office of Financial Aid to address additional questions students may have.
Financial Aid Agreement: Signed a copy of the Global Internship Program Financial Aid Agreement form by February 9, 2024.
FAFSA: Submit the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) by March 2, 2024.
Global Internship Program Financial Aid Application: Submit the Global Internship Program Financial Aid Application on MyUCLA to the UCLA Financial Aid Office by March 22, 2024. There are separate financial aid applications for Summer Sessions courses on the UCLA campus, the UCLA Global Internship Program and UCLA Travel Study programs. Waitlisted UCLA students must submit the Global Internship Program Financial Aid Application on MyUCLA by the March 22, 2024 deadline.

Veterans Benefits

All students receiving Veteran Benefits (Cal-Vet College Fee Waiver, GI Bill® Waiver, etc.) must complete and upload a Veteran Benefits Agreement Form by February 9, 2024 to their application portal. Be sure to include your UID in all correspondence.

Important Financial Aid FAQs

How many units do I need to take to be eligible for Financial Aid? Students must be enrolled in a total of 8 units (2 courses) to be eligible for financial aid.
If I accept financial aid in the summer, will it affect my financial aid package during the next academic year? For UCLA students, the federal loans you accept in summer affect the following academic year. For students who need federal loans for the following academic year, the UCLA Financial Aid Office will offer more Parent Plus and private loans to cover your summer program. We advise you to meet with your financial aid advisor to discuss your summer plans and learn more about the types of loans that will be offered to you.
Do I have to pay the $300 nonrefundable deposit when I am accepted into a Global Internship program? Yes, all students are required to pay the $300 non-refundable deposit to secure their spot onto their Global Internship Program. Students will be asked to pay the non-refundable deposit after receiving an acceptance notification for the program. Acceptance notifications are sent out in mid-January.
How much financial aid can I expect to receive? Financial aid packages consist primarily of LOANS, including Parent Plus and private loans. If eligible, students may also receive some grant funds, including the University Grant and/or Pell Grant.
Can I receive financial aid for both a Global Internship Program and regular Summer Sessions courses? No, you can only receive financial aid for either a Global Internship Program OR regular Summer Sessions courses, but not for both. If you are waitlisted for a Global Internship Program, you may submit the financial aid application for regular Summer Session courses on the UCLA campus while you await a final decision regarding your Global Internship Program.
Are grants available in the summer? If you are grant-eligible during the academic year, you may be eligible for grants (ie. Pell and/or University grants) during the summer; however, you can expect that a majority of your financial aid package will be LOANS, including Parent Plus and private loans. Grant funding will be based on your total number of credit hours.
When will I receive my financial aid award notification (FAN)? Award notifications will go out by the end of May.
When will the financial aid awards be disbursed? UCLA financial aid awards are normally disbursed 5-10 days prior to the program start date.
Do I have to attend a Global Internship financial aid workshop? Yes, students applying for financial aid are required to attend a financial aid workshop prior to departure. Financial aid workshop information will be posted to the IEO events page. Additionally, if you are a first-time financial aid recipient, you will have to complete a mandatory debt-management session in the spring.
What expenses will I need to cover prior to my disbursement? You will need to cover the $300 nonrefundable deposit and airline tickets for your program prior to your financial aid disbursement.
If I am a financial aid recipient, will I be responsible for paying the program fees in full by the final payment deadline? Eligible financial aid recipients (who have completed all of the financial aid requirements) will not be held responsible for paying the full program fees by the final payment deadline. Financial aid recipients will have their final payment deadline deferred until their aid is disbursed, approximately 5 - 10 days prior to the program start date. Please note that students applying for financial aid still assume full responsibility for all program fees.
How can I check the status of my financial aid? UCLA financial aid recipients can access their financial aid information at MyUCLA.

UCLA Global Internship Program Scholarship

The UCLA Global Internship Program Scholarship was established in 2020 by the UCLA International Education Office (IEO) to support students participating in the UCLA Global Internship Program on the basis of financial need. The application cycle takes place each year in December/January for the upcoming Summer term and is open to those who meet all requirements.

The Personal Statement Essay is part of your application.
Recipients of this scholarship must complete projects and tasks for IEO during the 2026-2027 academic year. Please see here for more details.
IEO strives to provide scholarship funds broadly to assist the maximum number of applicants. We encourage students to apply to as many scholarship opportunities as possible to increase their chances of receiving an award.

Internship Placement Process

After enrolling in the Global Internship Program, our program partners will work with each student one-on-one to find the best internship match. Starting in April and moving into early June, the internship placement process will occur. Our program partners will arrange interviews with local organizations and companies based on each student’s individual goals. Students will interview with one Host Company at a time. On-going interviews will continue with prospective internship site managers until there is a match between both the student and the Host Company.

Key Aspects of the Internship

Hours per Week: Students will intern approximately 32 hours per week. Total weekly work hours and mode of work (in-person vs hybrid) will depend on the specific internship site needs.
Paid vs. Unpaid: Internships are not paid. Internships are for academic credit only.

Travel and On-Site Experience

Passport and Visa

All Global Internship Program participants are required to have a valid passport. Your passport should be valid for at least six months beyond the date you expect to return to the United States (or home country). Currently, normal passport processing timelines take approximately 2 months. citizens may need a visa for some of the Global Internship Program locations. Please reference the “Travel & On Site Experience” section of your Global Internship Program webpage for more specific visa information.

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Arrival Instructions and Travel Arrangements

All students will receive Arrival Instructions once it is permitted to purchase flights. You are responsible for making your own travel arrangements to and from your program destination. *The purchase of a fully-refundable and/or flexible airfare is STRONGLY RECOMMENDED.

Housing

All Global Internship Program participants are required to stay in program housing. Program housing is restricted to enrolled participants only. Guests (includes spouses, children, other family members and friends) are not allowed in Global Internship Program housing (including short-term overnight guests) or on any program related activity. UCLA IEO does not assist with housing arrangements for family, friends, or other guests of Global Internship Program participants. UCLA IEO does not make housing arrangements for students arriving prior to the program start date or after the program concludes.

On your Application Portal you may request another program participant as your roommate/housemate. Both participants must request each other in order to be paired together. Assignments are subject to change and cannot be guaranteed. If you would like to be assigned within gender inclusive housing, you should indicate your preference on the Roommate and Housing Preference Form, on the application portal. Gender inclusive options are provided where possible and based upon local housing availability.

Housing varies from program-to-program. Visit the “Housing & Meals” tab on your program page to read a brief description of the housing offered. Complete details for housing, including address information, will be sent to all program participants in the spring prior to departure. All students participating in the Global Internship Program are required to stay in program designated housing.

Health and Safety

Immunizations: Some Global Internship Program locations may require immunizations. We also recommend you visit the Ashe Center Travel Clinic to complete a health evaluation where they can provide advice customized to your health status and travel plans, immunizations, and prescriptions as needed.
Security: Put your name, address and telephone numbers inside and outside of each piece of luggage. If possible, lock your luggage (consult the airline about their locked luggage policy). Don’t bring anything you would hate to lose. Keep your door locked at all times. Know how to report a fire.
Prescription medications: Verify that your prescription medication is legal in your host country. If you have any doubt about the legality of carrying a certain drug into your host country, consult the embassy or consulate of the host country before departure. Remember to bring any prescription medication with you in your carry-on bag. Bring enough to last the duration of your trip and a little extra in case you have travel disruptions. Keep medicines in their original, labeled containers. Bring copies of your prescriptions and the generic names for the drugs.
Cell phones: Check with your cell phone provider to see if they offer an international phone plan. You can also ask whether your phone may be unlocked in order to use a local SIM card while abroad.

Money Management

Careful planning of your finances is important. Create a budget for personal expenses (airfare, study materials, meals, optional excursions, etc.). With regard to spending money, make it last the duration of your trip. Always overestimate your spending. Budget your extra food money first. dollar and foreign currencies are not fixed. The rates change daily. It is best to take a combination of debit cards, credit cards, and a small amount of cash. Keep copies of your credit card and ATM card, separate from the cards themselves. Exchange about $100 to $200 into local currency before you depart. You may need some cash in local currency when you arrive at your destination. Keep in mind that your bank may charge an ATM transaction fee for each withdrawal. IEO strongly recommends that all students travel with a credit card for emergency purposes. Do not flash large amounts of money when paying a bill. If your possessions are lost or stolen, report the loss immediately to the local police. Keep a copy of the police report for insurance claims.

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Cultural Considerations

Drinking alcohol while socializing is common in many parts of the world. The attitude in some countries toward alcohol may be much different than in the United States. Drinking in some countries is part of the social experience, but not the focus of it. Excessive drinking or drunken behavior is not acceptable. Public drunkenness is illegal in many countries. If your consumption of alcohol becomes disruptive to your program, it is cause for immediate dismissal. Constitution. You can be arrested overseas for actions that may be either legal or considered minor infractions in the United States. If you are arrested on a drug or criminal charge, it is important that you know what can and cannot be done.

Please keep in mind that in many countries not all dietary restrictions can be easily accommodated and the diversity of food options available at home may not exist in your program destination. For instance, if vegan and/or vegetarian options exist in the country you are visiting, they may be quite limited.

Packing Tips

Always travel light: Limit yourself to one checked bag and one carry-on. You can move more quickly and will be more likely to have a free hand.

Money: Bring ATM cards, one or two major credit cards, and $100 to $200 in the local currency.
Passport: Bring a photocopy of your passport information page to make replacement of your passport easier in the event it is lost or stolen. Leave an extra copy of your passport with someone at home.
Airline tickets and travel itinerary: Make sure your itinerary is in order and the name on your airline ticket matches the name on your passport.

Program Expectations

Your participation in a UCLA Global Internship Program makes you a representative of UCLA; therefore, you must adhere to the UCLA Student Code of Conduct. Students in violation of the code of conduct will be expelled from the program at the discretion of UCLA IEO. In the event a student is expelled, the student is not eligible to receive a refund of any of the fees paid to UCLA. Dismissed students will not be permitted to participate in any program activity or be entitled to any program benefits including, but not limited to, travel, meals, and housing.

UCLA discourages students from withdrawing after a program has begun. Successful programs require the full participation of all students, and we hope students are prepared to complete the program. However, we recognize that due to unforeseen circumstances, some students may need to leave a program early. In these rare instances, students must speak with the International Education Office and complete a withdrawal form.

Program Restrictions

The Global Internship Program is an intensive study abroad experience. Internship sites will expect students to complete their weekly hours and will not be providing vacation days during the program. Although it may be possible for students to conduct short weekend trips, all longer trips should be conducted prior to or after the conclusion of the Global Internship Program.

Guests (including spouses, children, other family members and friends) are NOT allowed in Global Internship Program housing or on any Global Internship Program related activities, this includes overnight stays (i.e.

Academics

Each Global Internship Program has a required 195 (C/CE) internship course. Global Internship Program students are automatically enrolled in this course by UCLA IEO. This course is mandatory and cannot be dropped without terminating participation in the program. Add course - The optional course may be added by applying to an 8-unit Global Internship Program. If a student wishes to add the course after starting their application, they must withdraw their original application and then apply for an 8-unit program. Drop course - After an application has been submitted, the optional course may be dropped by contacting UCLA IEO and requesting to drop. If the optional course is dropped by Friday of Week 2 (by 5 PM PST) the student will receive a full course tuition refund.

Course Enrollment and Credit

Required Course: Each Global Internship Program consists of a required 195 internship course.
Optional Course: You can enroll in the optional CESC 130 course during the Global Internship Program application process by applying for an 8-unit program. You can add the optional course anytime before the final program application deadline.
Course Transfers: Yes, the courses taken on the Global Internship Program will automatically transfer to your UCLA transcript.

Post-Program

Transcripts

Past participants can view and request transcripts on MyUCLA.

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