Humanitarian Internships

Humanitarian Internships

This field focuses on the development of and improvement in the lives of people. Interns can expect to work in helping to resolve foreign and domestic humanitarian issues such as protecting refugees, administering humanitarian aid, and defending human rights. Internships can be through non-governmental organizations as well as governmental agencies.

Amnesty International, USA (Grassroots, Humanitarian, NGO)

Amnesty International is a global movement of people fighting injustice and promoting human rights. Currently the world’s largest grassroots human rights organization, Amnesty International investigates and exposes abuses, educates and mobilizes the public and helps to transform societies, and protects people wherever justice, freedom, truth and dignity are denied. Although the organization is in more than 150 countries, Amnesty International USA is the largest country section with nearly 250,000 members.

Website: http://www.amnestyusa.org/

Internship information: https://careers.aiusa.org/

Internship last offered: Spring 2013, Fall 2015

Hebrew Immigrant Aid Society (Advocacy, Humanitarian)

HIAS protects refugees—including women and children, and ethnic, religious, and sexual minorities—whose lives are in danger for being who they are. Guided by their Jewish values and history, they help refugees rebuild their lives in safety and advocate to ensure that all displaced people are treated with dignity, regardless of ethnicity, religion, or place of birth. Their advocacy work in Washington, D.C. educates Washington policy makers on issues impacting refugees and asylum seekers and promotes fair and comprehensive immigration reform.

Website: http://www.hias.org/

Internship last offered: Spring 2009, Spring 2016

Millennium Challenge Corporation (Humanitarian)

The Millennium Challenge Corporation (MCC) is an innovative and independent U.S. foreign aid agency that is helping lead the fight against global poverty. Created by the U.S. Congress in January 2004 with strong bipartisan support, MCC is changing the conversation on how best to deliver smart U.S. foreign assistance by focusing on good policies, country ownership, and results. MCC forms partnerships with some of the world’s poorest countries, but only those committed to good governance, economic freedom, and investments in their citizens. MCC grants complement other U.S. and international development programs.

Website: https://www.mcc.gov/

Internship information: https://www.mcc.gov/careers/internships

Internship last offered: Spring 2016

The United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (Humanitarian)

The Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees is mandated to lead and co-ordinate international action to protect refugees and resolve refugee problems worldwide. Its primary purpose is to safeguard the rights and well-being of refugees.

Website: http://www.unhcr.org/cgi-bin/texis/vtx/home

Internship information: http://www.unhcr.org/pages/49c3646c49d.html

Internship last offered: Spring 2012

U.S. Agency for International Development (Diplomatic, Federal Gov., Humanitarian)

The United States Agency for International Development (USAID) is the United States federal government agency primarily responsible for administering civilian foreign aid. USAID seeks to "extend a helping hand to those people overseas struggling to make a better life, recover from a disaster or striving to live in a free and democratic country." It operates in Africa, Asia, Latin America and Europe.

Website: http://www.usaid.gov/

Internship information: http://www.usaid.gov/work-usaid/careers/student-internships

Internship last offered: Spring 2012, Fall 2013, Fall 2014, Spring 2015