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History and Mission

Since 2004, the Global Studies Internship Program has partnered with Stanford alumni, donors, and host organizations to enable Stanford students to extend classroom knowledge while engaging in life-changing experiences around the world.

Stanford Global Studies (SGS) believes that engaging with the world through co-curricular activities is an integral part of a Stanford education, in order to equip Stanford students to lead in a global context. SGS internships are transformative for Stanford students, leading to job offers after graduation, guiding academic and research interests, and helping students acquire the skills and on-the-ground experience that are necessary to be effective in today's global job market. Spending time working in a different country has given them a chance to acquire confidence, empathy, and an appreciation of cultural diversity that will serve them both personally and professionally.

Who can participate?

Currently enrolled freshmen, sophomores, juniors, seniors, and coterms at Stanford in ALL majors are eligible to apply, including undeclared students. Some positions in Asia are open to graduate students.

What types of internships are available?

Positions change annually and cover a wide range of fields, including business, non-profit, media, education, medicine, art, technology, engineering, science, public service, law, and government. The program also supports students for self-arranged internships at locations without travel warnings issued by the U.S. Department of State. Over 25 percent of the positions have a public service focus and are part of Stanford's Cardinal Quarter Program, a campus-wide effort to engage students in a quarter of full-time service with partners around the world. Positions are posted in December for the subsequent summer. View the list of internships.

Where are the internships located?

Each summer, students intern in more than 20 different countries on 6 continents.  More geographic locations might be added based on student demand and available funding. In an effort to provide internship opportunities to students studying a country/region to which travel is restricted or unadvised, the program works hard to identify domestic U.S. locations or arrange internships to take place remotely.

How much does it cost?

The overall stipend base is $6,500 per student. 

How can I apply?

Applications take place online and open in January and close in February. View more application details.

Questions?

View frequently asked questions or contact Globalinternships [at] stanford.edu (Globalinternships[at]stanford[dot]edu)