9 International Business Internships for High School Students
If you’re a high school student interested in business, internships can be a helpful way to learn what the field actually involves and build early professional experience. You’ll have the chance to explore areas such as marketing, finance, entrepreneurship, or management while developing skills like communication, data analysis, and project planning.
International business internships add another dimension by exposing you to different cultural and economic contexts. These opportunities can help you understand how global markets operate, adapt to new environments, and see how business practices vary around the world. They can also demonstrate to colleges that you’re willing to step outside of your comfort zone and engage with new perspectives.
To help you explore your options, we’ve compiled a list of 12 competitive international business internships for high school students. These programs focus on mentorship, hands-on projects, and cross-cultural learning to help you better understand the global business landscape.
1. The Emma Bowen Foundation Summer Internship
Location: Nationwide (placements with corporate partners)
Cohort Size: Competitive, varies by region
Dates: June–August
Application Deadline: Early January
Eligibility: High school seniors and college freshmen of color
Cost/Stipend: Paid
This internship connects high school and college students of color with long-term paid positions in media, tech, and business organizations. Interns work on-site during the summer and may continue during school breaks, developing professional skills and building a strong network. It’s a valuable program for those interested in communications, corporate affairs, or business strategy. Students are also matched with mentors and attend leadership seminars.
2. Ladder Internship Program
Location: Remote! You can work from anywhere in the world.
Application deadline: Deadlines vary depending on the cohort. Spring (January), Summer (May), Fall (September), and Winter (November).
Program dates: Multiple cohorts throughout the year, including Spring, Summer, Fall, and Winter.
Eligibility: Students who can work for 10-20 hours/week, for 8-12 weeks. Open to high school students, undergraduates, and gap year students!
Cost: Varies depending on program type (financial aid available)
Ladder Internships offers a competitive internship program designed for driven high school students. Participants are matched with fast-growing start-ups across diverse industries such as tech, AI/ML, health tech, marketing, journalism, and consulting. These start-ups typically raise over $1 million in funding. During the 8-week virtual program, interns collaborate closely with company managers and receive guidance from a dedicated Ladder Coach while working on projects, which they later present to the company.
3. Bank of America Student Leaders
Location: Various U.S. locations
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Not specified
Dates: Eight-week summer program
Application Deadline: Mid-January
Eligibility: High school juniors and seniors
Cost/Stipend: Paid
Bank of America Student Leaders offers students a paid 8-week internship where interns work with nonprofits such as the Boys and Girls Clubs of America and Habitat for Humanity. The program provides paid summer internships and leadership training for high school juniors and seniors. You will gain practical business experience during these eight-week internships. You will also learn how nonprofits, government, and business come together to solve local problems by participating in the national Student Leaders Summit in Washington, D.C.
4. Meta Summer Academy
Location: Meta headquarters, Menlo Park, CA
Cohort Size: Small, highly selective (exact number varies)
Dates: Mid-June to late July
Application Deadline: Typically in March
Eligibility: High school juniors from East Palo Alto, Belle Haven, or Redwood City
Cost/Stipend: Paid internship with meals and transportation support provided
The Meta Summer Academy offers high school students a chance to gain exposure to Meta through internships. As an intern, you will be placed in various teams, ranging from business operations to engineering support, and work closely with Meta professionals. The program emphasizes skill-building, workplace readiness, and mentorship from experienced staff. You will also attend development workshops and gain a deeper understanding of what careers in business can look like. It's a great opportunity for you if you’re curious about corporate environments and the pathways that lead there.
5. Bella Abzug Leadership Institute (BALI)
Location: New York City, NY
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Not specified
Dates: Varies by program
Application Deadline: Varies by program
Eligibility: Middle school, high school, and college students
Cost/Stipend: Not specified
The Bella Abzug Leadership Institute (BALI) helps high school students to grow into leaders. Through workshops and mentorship, the program equips you with practical tools to develop strong leadership skills and make a meaningful impact in your community. You’ll engage in discussions, connect with accomplished women leaders, and build skills. BALI encourages you to take your place in civic and professional spaces.
6. Absolute Internship
Location: Remote
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Not specified
Dates: Four-week programs
Application Deadline: Varies by cohort
Eligibility: High school students aged 14–18
Cost: €799
Absolute Internship offers a remote, project-based business internship program tailored for high school students aged 14–18. This program provides experience in areas such as entrepreneurship, marketing, and business development, allowing you to engage with projects and build a professional portfolio. You will receive guidance from a personal internship coach and have access to career development workshops and an exclusive e-learning platform. The flexible schedule, requiring 15–25 hours per week, enables you to balance your internship with other commitments.
7. Intern Abroad HQ
Location: Remote
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Not specified
Dates: Varies by program
Application Deadline: Varies by program
Eligibility: High school students
Cost: Fee starts from $1099
Intern Abroad HQ offers online internships for high school students aged 16 to 18. They provide opportunities to explore new career paths while earning college credit. Remote business internships for high school students focus on foreign markets and international sales. As an intern, you will learn about digital marketing, content, SEO, business development, and more. This internship for high school students is available year-round and hosted in diverse countries worldwide.
8. The Intern Group Global Internship
Location: Remote (global placements)
Cohort Size: Not specified
Dates: Flexible start dates; durations range from 4 to 24 weeks
Application Deadline: Rolling admissions
Eligibility: High school students aged 16 and above
Cost/Stipend: Program fee applies; unpaid
The Intern Group offers high school students aged 16 and above the opportunity to gain business experience through remote internships. You will be matched with international companies in fields like marketing, entrepreneurship, and nonprofit management, allowing you to build professional skills and global networks from home. The program includes flexible scheduling, career coaching, and access to a global alumni network. It's a valuable option for students seeking meaningful experience before college.
9. Pathways International Business Internship
Location: Virtual (international partners)
Cohort Size: Not publicly listed
Dates: Varies by placement; typically summer
Application Deadline: Rolling
Eligibility: High school students, ages 15+
Cost: Free
Pathways offers international business internships where students gain experience with global startups and organizations. As an intern, you will be paired with mentors, take on business development tasks, and may work across sectors like consulting, marketing, or entrepreneurship. The virtual format makes it accessible and flexible for high school students from anywhere. It’s especially valuable for students seeking global exposure and remote collaboration skills.