15 Internships for 11th Graders in India
For 11th-grade high school students, internships can be a valuable way to explore future career paths while still in school. Beyond academics, you will strengthen your resume by showing initiative, curiosity, and real-world engagement outside the classroom. You will also gain practical experience in fields you are genuinely interested in, helping you better understand professional environments and future career options before college.
If you’re open to interning abroad, check out a list of free programs here!
Why should I do an internship as an 11th Grader in India?
Alongside technical knowledge, you will improve communication, teamwork, problem-solving, and professional confidence while building meaningful connections with mentors, professionals, and like-minded students. Many top colleges, organizations, startups, and nonprofits now offer opportunities specifically designed for high school students, making internships a more accessible and affordable way to gain early exposure and experience.
This list has been carefully narrowed to include the 15 best internships and experiential learning opportunities available to 11th graders in India.
Key takeaways
This list gathers internships and summer programs relevant to 11th graders in India, spanning Indian nonprofits and businesses as well as international university-affiliated summer schools, with standout hosts including Lend A Hand India, Oxford, and Imperial College London.
Cost varies enormously here, from free options like a nonprofit volunteering program and a virtual research internship, up to several thousand pounds or dollars for the residential international summer schools, so it's worth budgeting carefully depending on which type of program fits.
A number of these are based outside India entirely, including programs in Argentina, the UK, and Canada, giving students interested in an international experience several options, alongside a smaller set of programs based locally in India for students who prefer to stay closer to home.
A few programs are based directly in India, including options in Bengaluru and across multiple Indian cities, while the rest require international travel or are accessible virtually from anywhere.
A few of the earliest deadlines fall in early January for one of the Canadian STEM programs, with several more clustering into February and March, so it's worth planning ahead if one of the international residential programs interests you.
1. Foreign Policy Research Institute Internship
Location: Virtual
Stipend: Paid
Dates: Fall cohort from October to December, Spring cohort from February to April, Summer cohort from June to August
Application deadline: April 20
Eligibility: All students are eligible, including international students; the program does require that you have authorization to work in the U.S.
The internship program at Foreign Policy Research Institute is designed for students interested in foreign relations and international policy, offering hands-on exposure to the field through Research, Special Events/Development, and Operations roles. During the program, you will work alongside scholars and professionals while developing industry-specific skills in research, communication, and policy analysis. You will also have the opportunity to write a research paper that may be published on FPRI’s Intern Corner, providing valuable academic and professional exposure.
In addition, the program includes weekly seminars on global affairs, foreign policy, and career pathways, helping you gain deeper insight into international relations and related professions.
2. Ladder Internships
Location: Virtual
Cost/Stipend: Varies depending on the program type; need-based financial assistance is available / No stipend
Dates: Several cohorts run each year, including Summer, Fall, Winter, and Spring
Application Deadline: Varies as per cohort
Eligibility: High school students who can commit to 10–20 hours of work over 8–2 weeks
Ladder Internships offers high schoolers opportunities to work with high-growth start-ups across various fields, including STEM areas such as deep tech, environmental science, software engineering, web design/UX, finance, artificial intelligence, healthcare, and mental health. As an intern, you will work under the supervision and guidance of a start-up manager and a Ladder Coach on projects that align with your interests and the organization’s goals. The experience allows you to contribute to real-world projects, present your work in a professional setting, and build workplace skills. You can also choose the Combination program, which combines the CEO Internship format with a mentored research opportunity.
3. Projects Abroad Human Rights Internship in Argentina
Location: Cordoba, Argentina
Cost: Varies by program length
Dates: Flexible; You can choose any length between one week and one year
Application deadline: Rolling
Eligibility: Students 16 and older
Projects Abroad offers a Human Rights Internship in Argentina, where you will gain hands-on experience supporting advocacy and community-focused initiatives while working alongside local teams. During the program, you will take part in outreach projects, awareness campaigns, and educational activities addressing issues such as gender inequality, domestic violence, homelessness, and indigenous rights. You will also engage in field visits, community interaction, and campaign support, helping you better understand social justice challenges in Argentina while developing communication, teamwork, and cross-cultural skills. Through workshops, presentations, and on-ground experiences, you will gain meaningful exposure to human rights work in an international setting.
4. DPS Internships
Location: Primarily based in Bengaluru, India, with many internships conducted in a hybrid or online format
Cost: INR 12,500
Dates: Summer; several weeks
Application deadline: 15 May
Eligibility: Open to high school students in India, including students in Classes 9–12
DPS Internships is a career-focused internship program designed to help high school students gain practical exposure to real-world industries while still in school. The program offers internships across fields such as sports management, law, entrepreneurship and finance, psychology, and digital design, among others, allowing you to explore different career interests through project-based learning and mentorship. During the internship, you will work on industry-relevant assignments, develop professional and communication skills, and gain exposure to workplace expectations in a structured learning environment. The program also offers certificates and letters of recommendation for strong performers.
5. Oxford Future Climate Innovators
Location: Oxford University, Oxford, England
Cost: £8,995
Dates: July 19 - August 1
Application Deadline: Rolling admissions
Eligibility: Students aged 16-18 | Students must obtain a proper visa
In this two-week international summer program offered by Oxford Scholastica Academy, you will explore sustainability, climate change, and leadership while living on campus in Oxford, UK. The Future Climate Innovators program combines interactive classes with networking events, campus tours, and field trips, including visits to the Oxford Botanic Garden and industry sites focused on environmental innovation. You will study topics such as extreme weather, ecosystems, and the role of artificial intelligence in climate change while collaborating with other students to develop a sustainable business proposal. The program culminates in a final presentation at the Oxford Climate Innovation Conference, giving you valuable experience in research, teamwork, and public speaking.
6. Computer Science Internships in the United Kingdom - The Intern Group
Location: London, UK
Cost: Varies by program length and accommodation; minimum cost is $4,588, and maximum cost is $21,167
Dates: Flexible; programs can run from 4 to 24+ weeks
Application Deadline: Rolling
Eligibility: Graduating high school seniors
The Intern Group offers Computer Science Internships that give high school students a gap-year opportunity to gain international work experience while living in the UK. In this program, you will be matched with a company partner and work on hands-on projects in areas such as web development, software testing, quality assurance, machine learning, and industry research. Internship placements may include globally recognized organizations like Sony, KPMG, FIFA, and Make-A-Wish, allowing students to experience how computer science is applied across industries. Throughout the internship, you may work on improving website user experience, debugging and testing code, analyzing datasets, or supporting software and AI-related projects, while also developing professional skills and global workplace experience.
7. CRY (Child Rights and You) Volunteering & Internship Programs
Location: Remote and on-ground opportunities across multiple cities in India
Cost: Free to participate
Dates: Vary by program; some volunteering opportunities are open year-round, while structured internships typically run for 4–8 weeks during summer or winter cycles
Application Deadline: Rolling applications for volunteering; internship deadlines vary by cohort and program
Eligibility: Open to school students, college students, and young professionals interested in child rights and social impact initiatives.
The CRY Volunteering and Internship Program gives students the opportunity to contribute to child rights and social impact initiatives through projects in education, fundraising, digital media, and research, among others. It is available in remote, hybrid, and on-ground formats across India. The program allows you to gain practical nonprofit experience while developing leadership, communication, teamwork, and organizational skills. Alongside hands-on work, you will also receive exposure to social issues such as child education, healthcare, and child rights advocacy, making it a meaningful experience for those interested in community engagement and social impact.
8. Project Pathways Internships by Lend A Hand India
Location: Multiple cities in India (10,000+ high schools in 24 states/union territories)
Stipend: Not specified
Dates: 80+ clock hours (2 weeks full-time/1 month part-time) at any time in the year
Application Deadline: Applications are accepted on a rolling basis through the partner high schools.
Eligibility: High school students in grades 11 and 12 are eligible to apply.
In this program, you will be placed with businesses such as auto workshops, cafés, bakeries, and retail shops, among others, where you will observe and sometimes assist with day-to-day operations. The goal is to build practical workplace readiness by exposing you to real-world skills, work culture, and basic industry practices. Alongside on-the-ground experience, the program encourages reflection and learning through structured school partnerships, helping students strengthen their understanding of career pathways and improve future academic and professional opportunities.
9. EnergyMag Internships
Location: Virtual
Stipend: Unpaid
Dates: 2-8 weeks in the summer (20 hours per week) | 1-9 months throughout the year (8 hours per week)
Application Deadline: Applications are accepted throughout the year. You can apply here.
Eligibility: High school students with at least one honors science or honors English class.
EnergyMag is a digital publication centered on energy storage and renewable energy that offers students from around the world the chance to gain hands-on experience in research-driven science communication. In this internship, you will be guided by mentors as you investigate topics such as emerging clean energy technologies, companies, or market developments. Your role involves conducting in-depth research, reaching out to relevant sources for insights or interviews, and analyzing gathered information to produce a well-structured report. The final write-up is reviewed and may be published on EnergyMag’s online platform. Throughout the experience, you will receive continuous feedback and support, helping you build strong research, writing, and analytical skills, and you will also be awarded a Letter of Accomplishment after completion.
10. Imperial Global Summer School
Location: Imperial College London, South Kensington Campus, London, UK
Cost: £7,695 (all-inclusive residential program covering tuition, accommodation, meals, materials, activities, and certificate)
Dates: 29 June – 10 July (July session); 3 August – 14 August (August session)
Deadline: Not fixed
Eligibility: Students aged 16–17 years old
The Imperial Global Summer School is a two-week residential STEM experience for students aged 16–17 that introduces you to academic life at Imperial College London. You will explore subjects such as engineering, medicine, physics, data science, and life sciences through lectures, lab work, and project-based learning led by Imperial academics. A key feature of the program is the Innovation Challenge, where you collaborate in international teams to solve real-world problems while developing teamwork and problem-solving skills. Outside the classroom, you will stay in university accommodation, take part in social activities, and engage with students from across the world, gaining a first-hand sense of studying at a leading global university.
11. Shad Canada Program
Location: Multiple university campuses across Canada + virtual option
Cost: International residential program: CAD 11,950; International virtual program: CAD 6,715
Dates: Residential: July 5 – July 31;
Virtual: July 6 – July 31
Application deadline: January 5
Eligibility: Open to Grade 10 and 11 high school students, including international students, who demonstrate academic excellence, leadership, creativity, and community involvement.
The Shad Canada Program is a competitive summer program that introduces high school students to STEAM, entrepreneurship, and innovation through experiential learning in a university environment. Throughout the month-long experience, you will work on real-world design and problem-solving challenges, participate in interactive workshops and STEM activities, and collaborate with peers from across Canada and beyond. The program also offers mentorship from educators and professionals, leadership development opportunities, and exposure to university life through its residential campus experience, helping students strengthen their creativity, teamwork, and analytical thinking skills.
12. Projects Abroad Human Rights Internship
Location: Cordoba, Argentina
Cost: Starting from USD 3,495 for two weeks (cost varies depending on duration and inclusions such as accommodation, meals, airport transfers, and support services)
Dates: Flexible start dates throughout the year
Application Deadline: Rolling admissions
Eligibility: Open to students and young adults aged 15 and above who are interested in human rights, social justice, law, or community outreach. No prior experience or Spanish fluency is required, though basic Spanish can be helpful.
The Projects Abroad Human Rights Internship in Argentina offers students the opportunity to gain practical experience in human rights advocacy while working with local organizations and communities in Córdoba. In this program, you will support initiatives related to social justice, gender equality, homelessness, and community welfare through activities such as outreach programs, awareness campaigns, workshops, and research projects. You will work alongside professionals at the Projects Abroad Human Rights Office while learning about the legal, social, and cultural aspects of human rights work in Argentina. Alongside field experience, the program also provides mentorship, cultural immersion through homestays, and opportunities to develop communication, research, teamwork, and advocacy skills in an international setting.
13. UC Santa Barbara’s Research Mentorship program
Location: University of California, Santa Barbara (UCSB) and Virtual (Online)
Cost: $5,675 (Commuter), $13,274 (Residential)
Program Dates: June 15 – July 31
Application Deadline: March 9
Eligibility: Open to international high school students
The Research Mentorship Program at the University of California, Santa Barbara is a rigorous summer research experience for high school students interested in advanced academic research. In this program, you will explore topics such as machine learning, natural language processing, cybersecurity, computer vision, human-computer interaction, and distributed systems if you choose the computer science track. You will work closely with faculty members, postdoctoral researchers, or graduate mentors on research projects that may involve developing AI models, analyzing large datasets, or designing interactive systems.
14. AI4ALL @ University of Washington
Location: Virtual
Cost: None
Program dates: 20 weeks
Application Deadline: July 31
Eligibility: Open to rising high school juniors, seniors, and incoming college freshmen, including international students.
The AI4ALL at the University of Washington is an introductory data science and machine learning program designed for high school students, particularly those from underrepresented backgrounds interested in artificial intelligence. In this program, you will explore foundational concepts in coding, data science, and machine learning while also examining issues such as bias, ethics, and fairness in AI systems. Over 20 weeks, you will participate in hands-on exercises, interactive lessons, and small-group discussions led by University of Washington faculty and researchers.
Alongside building practical, technical, and analytical skills, the program encourages critical thinking about the social impact of technology and helps students explore future academic and career pathways in computer science and artificial intelligence.
15. Research in Science and Engineering (RISE)
Location: Boston University campus, Boston, Massachusetts
Cost: $5,930
Program dates: June 28–August 7 (Residential) and June 29-August 7 (Commuter)
Application Deadline: February 4
Eligibility: Open to high school students aged 15 and above
The Research in Science & Engineering (RISE) at Boston University is a six-week summer STEM program for high school students interested in advanced scientific research and engineering. In this program, you will take part in either a hands-on laboratory internship or a structured computational research track focused on areas such as computational neurobiology and data science. You will work closely with Boston University faculty members, graduate students, or postdoctoral researchers on active research projects, gaining experience in scientific inquiry, data analysis, and research methodologies.
Alongside research work, the program includes weekly workshops focused on academic and professional skill-building, and it concludes with a Poster Symposium where students present their research findings in a university-style setting.
Questions students often ask about these internships
1. Do I need to already know what career I want to pursue to apply to these internships?
No, these programs are designed for exploration, so genuine curiosity is enough to get started. Many students use experiences like these specifically to figure out what direction interests them most.
2. Most of these programs are based outside India. Are there options for students who want to stay local?
Yes, a few programs on this list are based directly in India and don't require international travel. Those are worth prioritizing if staying local matters most for your situation.
3. Some of these programs charge a significant fee. Are they worth that investment?
It depends on your goals and budget. The international residential programs tend to offer strong academic credentials, mentorship, and cultural exposure, but there are also free or low-cost options on this list that offer valuable experience without the same financial commitment.