14 International Relations Summer Programs for High School Students
If you’re a high school student interested in global affairs, diplomacy, or how nations interact, summer programs in international relations can be a great way to explore these fields in more detail. International relations summer programs allow you to learn about policymaking, negotiation, and research, helping you develop skills outside the classroom. You’ll connect with professors, professionals, and like-minded peers while having experiences that can strengthen your college applications.
Many of these opportunities are offered by leading universities and organizations. They are good options for high school students who want to explore careers in international relations, political science, economics, or global studies. Whether you want to understand how global institutions work, analyze security and human rights, or practice debate and diplomacy, there’s something for you. To help you get started, we have put together 14 international relations summer programs for high school students that stand out for their academic rigor and mentorship.
1. UC Santa Barbara's Research Mentorship Program, Global Studies Track
Location: UC Santa Barbara
Cost/Stipend: Commuter option: $5,175 | Residential Option: $12,474
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Highly selective
Dates: June 16 – August 1
Application Deadline: March 17
Eligibility: Students in 10th and 11th grade with a minimum GPA of 3.8
The Research Mentorship Program at UCSB is designed for motivated high school students eager to experience university-level research. This competitive summer program allows you to pursue a project in a discipline of your choice while working closely with a faculty mentor. You’ll develop essential skills such as conducting research, writing academic papers, and presenting your findings at a formal conference. For students passionate about International Relations, the program features a Global Studies track that provides a direct pathway into IR-focused research. Additionally, you will also earn university credit from UCSB, adding great value to your academic record.
2. Lumiere Research Scholar Program
Location: Remote
Cost/Stipend: Not specified
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Not specified
Dates: Multiple cohorts throughout the year, including summer (June - August), Fall (September - December), Winter (December - February), and Spring (March - June)
Application Deadline: Deadlines vary depending on the cohort; Spring (January), Summer (May), Fall (September), and Winter (November)
Eligibility: All high school students are eligible to apply.
Founded by researchers from Harvard and Oxford, Lumiere pairs ambitious high school students with PhD mentors to conduct research in international relations. Each student works 1-on-1 with their mentor to develop and complete a university-level research paper. The program is fully remote and offers flexibility in duration, allowing you to choose the depth of engagement that best aligns with your career goals. Since international relations is a broad field, your research can cover a wide range of topics and may overlap with disciplines like economics, data science, or political science.
3. UChicago’s Exploring Solutions to Global Problems: Climate, Energy, & Sustainability
Location: University of Chicago, IL
Cost/Stipend: $2,500
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Selective
Dates: July 13 - 18
Application Deadline: March 5
Eligibility: High school students currently in 11th grade; must be at least 15 years old at the start of the program
This 1-week residential program introduces students to the world of climate and energy policy. You’ll attend lectures, seminar discussions, and collaborative hands-on projects led by experts from UChicago’s Energy Policy Institute (EPIC), Becker Friedman Institute, and Climate Impact Lab. The program also involves a tour of industry sites like Invenergy and panel discussions with professionals in the clean energy sector, giving you insight into potential career paths. The program is designed to strengthen your critical thinking skills while helping you explore the influence of energy policy on global diplomacy.
4. Summer Internships at the Foreign Policy Research Institute
Location: Philadelphia (remote and in-person)
Cost/Stipend: None
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Not specified
Dates: June – August
Application Deadline: Generally in early March
Eligibility: High school students authorized for employment in the U.S.
Foreign Policy Research Institute offers a selective internship for motivated high school students interested in international relations and foreign policy. This program is a great option if you are someone who wants to learn by doing. The experience focuses on building professional skills in research, communication, collaboration, and critical thinking, while providing hands-on exposure to the field of foreign affairs. You will interact directly with members of the foreign policy community, attend weekly seminars led by guest speakers, and select from roles such as research, special events, or operations. You may also have the opportunity to contribute to a research paper for publication on FPRI’s Intern Corner.
5. Yale International Relations Leadership Institute
Location: Yale University, New Haven, CT
Cost/Stipend: $2000 as program fee + $20 as application fee; financial aid is available
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Highly selective
Dates: June 3 - 8
Application Deadline: March 9
Eligibility: High school students, both based in the U.S. and international, who will be entering the 11th – 12th grades (between the ages of 16–18 years)
The YIRLI is a week-long leadership institute organized by Yale students through the Yale International Relations Association, offering high school delegates hands-on, practical experience in international relations. You’ll attend leadership and public speaking workshops, participate in immersive challenges, attend debate and Model UN simulations, and engage in research and writing labs. The program features a visit to the United Nations in NYC, interactions with Yale mentors, guest speakers, and a focus on social impact themes.
6. Yale Young Global Scholars
Location: Yale University, New Haven, CT
Cost/Stipend: $7,000
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Highly selective
Dates: Session I: June 21 - July 3 | Session II: July 5 - 17 | Session III: July 19 - 31
Application Deadline: Applications are open from November to early January each year
Eligibility: High school sophomores or juniors aged 16-18 years; first-time participants preferred only
The Yale Young Global Scholars (YYGS) program is a prestigious summer opportunity that helps motivated high school students sharpen their critical thinking and explore international relations using both theory and practical sessions. You can select from two specialized tracks: Solving Global Challenges (SGC), which focuses on hands-on approaches to development and problem-solving, or Politics, Law, and Economics (PLE), which explores how political and economic factors influence international affairs. Previous seminars have addressed a wide range of topics, including U.S. manufacturing and international trade, reconciliation committees in post-conflict regions, the global fast-fashion supply chain, and 21st-century inequality.
7. Georgetown University’s International Relations Academy
Location: Georgetown University, Washington, D.C.
Cost/Stipend: Estimated tuition fee of $3,525
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Selective
Dates: Multiple 1-week sessions in June and July
Application Deadline: April 15
Eligibility: Open to 8th, 9th, 10th, 11th, or 12th graders with at least a GPA of 2.0; students must be at least 15 years old by program start
Georgetown University — one of the oldest universities in the U.S. and a center for international dialogue — offers a 1-week International Relations Academy for high school students. The program combines lectures, site visits, and group discussions, giving you a comprehensive introduction to pressing global issues. The curriculum covers a broad spectrum of themes, including the structure of the international system, foreign policy tools of foreign policy, and the role of intelligence, ethics, and international law. You’ll also explore topics such as terrorism, nuclear weapons, climate change, global health, and international development, alongside discussions on the future of the global order.
8. USC Pre-College Program — International Relations
Location: University of Southern California, Los Angeles, CA
Cost/Stipend: $10,480 (residential domestic), $7,482 (commuter domestic), $11,085 (international student)
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Selective
Dates: June 15 – July 12
Application Deadline: Generally in March for international students and May for domestic students
Eligibility: High school students, both domestic and international, are eligible to apply, provided they have completed at least the 9th grade by June of the program year
The USC Pre-College International Relations program helps you explore the causes of war and how you can resolve conflicts. You will explore different stages of conflict, carefully looking at regions impacted by violence and instability. The course also examines the economic factors behind conflict and explores the role of individuals, culture, governments, peace movements, and international organizations. During the program, you will create a detailed case study of a real-world conflict, analyzing its causes and proposing practical peace agreements and resolution strategies.
9. U.S. Senate Page Program
Location: Washington, D.C.
Cost/Stipend: Annual salary of $37,238 is paid
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Highly selective
Dates: Summer sessions are generally in June–July
Application Deadline: Typically in mid-February
Eligibility: Rising juniors or juniors who are 16–17 years old by appointment date; GPA of at least 3.0
As a Senate Page, you’ll be working inside the U.S. Capitol, assisting with the daily operations of the Senate while attending early morning classes. The typical responsibilities include delivering legislative documents, setting up the Senate chamber, assisting with roll call votes, and providing support to senators and staff on the floor. This highly selective program requires maturity, accountability, and strong time management, as pages balance long and unpredictable Senate hours alongside a 6:00 a.m. school schedule. You will live at the Daniel Webster Senate Page Residence on Capitol Hill, with limited commuting allowed during summer sessions. Each page must be sponsored by a U.S. senator, and there are only 30 spots available.
10. Brown University's Leadership Institute
Location: Residential (Brown University Campus) or Online (through Canvas, Brown’s Learning Management System)
Cost/Stipend: Costs vary depending on the program type and duration
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Selective
Dates: On-Campus: two sessions, June 29 – July 11 and July 13 – 25 | Online: one session — June 23 - July 18
Application Deadline: May 10
Eligibility: Students completing grades 9 – 12; aged 14 – 18 years by June 15
Brown University’s Leadership Institute brings together motivated high school students to explore collaborative leadership approaches while enhancing their research, critical thinking, and problem-solving skills in areas related to international relations and policy. Students interested in international relations can choose from courses such as Intercultural Communication, Global Health, and Social Movements. At the end of the program, you’ll design an Action Plan aimed at addressing a challenge in your own community.
11. U.S. Department of the Treasury’s Headquarters Student Internship Program
Location: Washington, D.C
Cost/Stipend: Unpaid internship
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Selective
Dates: Offered in Spring (January-May), Summer (May-August), and Fall (September-December) time periods
Application Deadline: Varies depending on the term
Eligibility: Students must be U.S. citizens and must be enrolled or accepted at an accredited institution
The Treasury Headquarters Student Internship Program offers students an opportunity to spend a semester at one of the most influential agencies in the U.S. government. You will support policy work across multiple offices like Domestic Finance, Economic Policy, and International Affairs, assisting with tasks like research, data collection and analysis, drafting briefing materials, and preparing for meetings or hearings. The work varies depending on the office, but it helps you to learn how federal economic, tax, and financial systems operate. Although it is an unpaid role, it provides hands-on experience in policy development, networking with professionals, and real public service..
12. UCLA Immersive International Studies Summer Institute
Location: University of California, Los Angeles, CA.
Cost/Stipend: Check the Fee Calculator for more information related to costs
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Selective
Dates: June 23 – July 12
Application Deadline: June 13
Eligibility: Must be 17 years of age by program start
The UCLA Immersive International Studies Summer Institute is a 2-week program designed for high school students eager to explore global issues, history, and governance. Using the Reacting to the Past (RTTP) method — an interactive, role-playing pedagogy — students learn through immersive historical simulations. By assuming the roles of historical figures, participants explore pivotal moments in history while improving their research, writing, and debate skills. The program focuses on persuasive communication, critical thinking, teamwork, leadership, and problem-solving, offering hands-on experience to understand how forces and ideas have shaped world events.
13. Penn Pre-College Summer Program: Introduction to International Relations
Location: University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA
Cost/Stipend: $13,648 (residential), and $8248 (online) for 1 course unit. If you attend a School District of Philadelphia public or charter high school, you are eligible to attend a Penn Summer Academy free of charge with a Penn Summer Scholarship
Acceptance rate/cohort Size: Selective
Dates: May 27 – July 2
Application Deadline: Applications for summer open in late fall
Eligibility: Current 10th-11th grade students, both domestic and international, can apply.
The University of Pennsylvania’s Introduction to International Relations course, offered through the summer pre-college program, provides high school students with an introduction to the study of global politics. The curriculum is split into 2 sections: first, you’ll explore the core concepts and major theories of international relations; second, you’ll apply these frameworks to current global issues and policy debates. Through lectures, discussions, and interactive exercises, you’ll explore how classic theories influence current international dynamics, with an emphasis on U.S. foreign policy, and U.S.-- China and U.S.-- Russia relations. Key topics include power, states, war, and globalization. You’ll compare different theoretical approaches—realism, liberalism, and constructivism — to evaluate their strengths and weaknesses. By the end of the course, you’ll be equipped to analyze contemporary global events through these perspectives, gain familiarity with state geography, and develop a solid foundation in great power politics and U.S. strategic thinking.
14. National Student Leadership Conference’s International Diplomacy Program
Location: Georgetown University (Washington, D.C.) & Columbia University (New York, NY
Cost/Stipend: $4,395
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Selective
Dates: June 13–21; June 25–July 3; July 8–16; July 20–28
Application Deadline: On a rolling basis
Eligibility: High school students aged 14-18 years; must have completed at least one year of high school
NSLC’s International Diplomacy allows you to step into the role of a diplomat working through real-world issues at the United Nations. Over the course of a week or more, you’ll take part in global negotiations, explore foreign policy challenges, and learn about international organizations like the U.S. State Department or the United Nations. The program features guest speakers, site visits to embassies and strategic centers, and field trips in Washington, D.C., and/or New York City. You will participate in workshops focused on leadership, communication, and empathy to sharpen your skills. For many students, this is an opportunity to gain hands-on experience in diplomacy, global affairs, and international relations within a structured and immersive environment.
Want an Immersive Experience?
Check out Ladder Internships!
Ladder Internships is a selective start-up internship program for ambitious high school students. In this program, you work on an internship with a high-growth start-up. Start-ups that offer internships range across a variety of industries, from tech/deep tech and AI/ML to health tech, marketing, journalism, consulting, and more. Ladder’s start-ups are high-growth companies raising over a million dollars on average. In the program, interns work closely with their managers and a Ladder Coach on real-world projects and present their work to the company. Here is the application form.
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