The following is a list of internships that have been approved for the IAFS 4930 internship class. Please note that all internships for IAFS 4930 must have clear international content. Internships at the organizations below will only be accepted for the class if they are internationally-focused.
African Community Center
The African Community Center (ACC) accepts refugees who have fled persecution in their home countries and have received third country resettlement through the UNHCR and the U.S. State Department. Refugees come to Colorado from all regions of the world. ACC welcomes people from all over the globe. Interns play a key role in helping further their mission to help refugees rebuild safe, sustainable lives in Denver through supportive networks of people, services, and community activities.
AIESEC
AIESEC is the world’s largest youth-led leadership movement which strives for peace and fulfillment of humankind's potential. We are the main youth partner of the United Nations towards achieving the 2030 agenda by fulfilling the 17 Sustainable Development Goals through our exchanges. We offer international internships for individuals aged 18 - 30, each internship is specifically designed towards one of the 17 SDGs. AIESEC is a global, independent, non-political, not-for-profit youth-run organization. AIESEC does not discriminate on the basis of gender, sexual orientation, disabilities, creed, or religion. Nor on the basis of ethnic, or social origin.
Boulder International Visitors Club
Working with the Boulder International Visitors Club will allow students to assist in organizing US State Department visitors who come to Boulder for professional exchange, learn about other countries’ economy, business, government, social structure and customs; meet high caliber, promising young professionals from around the world, and much more. (Please contact Zuzabohley@gmail.com)
Boulder-Jalapa Friendship City Projects
The Boulder-Jalapa FCP is a nonprofit that works to create cultural understanding and learning between members of the Boulder community and the city of Jalapa, in Nicaragua. Interns will have the opportunity to attend monthly board meetings, work with local and international partners, assist with event planning (for Conference of World Affairs: April 10-14), research and assist in grant application to Sister Cities International/ State Department to secure funding for cultural and professional exchange, and there is a possibility of traveling with December delegation to Jalapa for a construction project (December 28-Jan 13).
Boulder Sister City Alliance
Boulder's Sister Cities program is made up of volunteers who believe that through mutual respect and cooperation, people worlds apart can form relationships that foster peace and prosperity. The idea that it's possible to make big changes from small steps - one community at a time. Opportunities for interns include: to learn about Boulder Sister Cities throughout central and south America, Asia, and Africa; attend quarterly meetings: Nov, Feb, May; attend sister city dinner (end of March); help plan and coordinate a BSCA collaborative event; and work with Rotary and US State Department to for student and professional exchanges.
Climate Reality Project
The Climate Reality Project, a nonprofit organization founded by former Vice President Al Gore, is dedicated to leading a global cultural movement demanding immediate action on the climate crisis by using cutting-edge communications and grassroots strategies to educate the public about the urgency and solvability of the climate crisis. If you would like to inquire about an internship at the Boulder office, please email boulderinternships@climatereality.com, and they will let you know if there are any current positions available.
Comunidad Connect
Comunidad Connect works in Nicaragua to connect opportunities for social, economic, and environmental development with local and global resources. Programs include rural health, clean water access, organized sports, and service learning. Interns can work from the US on administration and fund development (Spanish not required) and in Nicaragua on program implementation (fluency in Spanish required). In either case, interns will learn the inner workings of an international nonprofit and have access to senior management.
Conference on World Affairs
Originally founded in 1948 as a forum on international affairs, the CWA expanded rapidly in its early years to encompass the arts, media, science, diplomacy, technology, environment, spirituality, politics, business, medicine, human rights, and so on. Roger Ebert, who participated in the CWA for four decades, always referred to the CWA as "the Conference on Everything Conceivable."
Consortium for Capacity Building (CCB)
The Consortium for Capacity Building (CCB) is an educational, outreach, and networking organization at CU-Boulder. CCB focuses on enhancing the value and use of climate, water, and weather information for the betterment of societies. CCB has internships that provide students with opportunities to research environmental topics, including disasters and disaster readiness, drought, floods, and the effects of El Niño. For more information, contact CCB Director Dr. Mickey Glantz at mickeyglantz@hotmail.com or CCB Project Manager-Robert Ross robertjayross@hotmail.com.
The Washington Center
The Washington Center is a program for students who want to put classroom learning into real world action. The program is a semester-long experience that combines a professional internship with CU coursework in Washington D.C. Internships in Washington D.C. offer students an opportunity to build bridges between knowledge gained in the academic environment of CU, and practical experience gained in the exciting, fast-paced world of the nation’s capital.
CU Public Interest Internship Experience (PIIE) Program
Are you interested in a paid internship next summer? Consider CU Public Interest Internship Experience (PIIE). PIIE offers $4,320 stipends to select undergraduate students who participate in summer internships at our partner nonprofit and government agencies in Colorado. CU PIIE is looking for students interested in creating change in their communities. Follow your passion and make a positive impact!
CWCTP Freedom and Security Undergraduate Research Associate
The Center for Western Civilization, Thought & Policy seeks Undergraduate Research Associates for the 2017-8 academic year. The research proposal should demonstrate the sort of tangible results that will be achieved by the end of the internship, and how those results can contribute to the broader community. Undergraduate Research Associates will be expected to attend and/or contribute to Center seminars on Freedom and Security and participate in the life of the Center through service and events.
Digital Slavery Research Lab
The Digital Slavery Research Lab (DSRL) focuses on developing, linking, layering, and archiving open-source data and multimedia related to the global phenomenon of slavery and human trafficking. Students learn to become interdisciplinary collaborators by using historical research on the African Diaspora and digital humanities methods. The lab features support for scientific research and development of educational materials, promotion of living cultures and diverse contributions from the African diaspora, and much more.
Elephant Energy
Elephant Energy is a Denver-based non-profit organization whose mission is to improve the quality of life in un-electrified communities around the globe by fostering access to appropriate sustainable energy technologies. Elephant Energy engages local businesses and entrepreneurs to supply affordable, clean, and practical energy technologies to their local communities.
Global Greengrants
Global Greengrants works to mobilize on-the-ground resources to fight environmental degradation, promote sustainability, and support social justice around the world. Awarding upwards of 700 grants per year, Greengrants supports grassroots environmental activists on some of the most pressing issues of our time in the effort to achieve a sustainable future.
Hope Shines, Inc.
Hope Shines, a nonprofit organization whose mission is to enhance and improve the lives of orphans in Rwanda, Africa, is seeking an unpaid intern to assist in the ongoing development and implementation of its communications and outreach efforts. This position will require 10-20 hours per week. An internship with Hope Shines will provide significant experience in the day-to-day operations of an international non-profit organization.
iEmpathize
iE internships are a way for you to dive deep into the issue of child trafficking and exploitation. Get college credit, launch your non-profit career, or just dedicate a focused season of your life to impacting the lives of vulnerable and victimized children. You will work alongside leaders of the issue, learn iE's methods, and have opportunities to travel on advocacy tours and field expeditions.
International Research Center for Energy & Economic Development (ICEED)
The Center is an autonomous non-profit institution begun in 1974. Its activities include annual international energy conferences; a publications program with the biannual Journal of Energy and Development since 1975, an occasional paper series, and books; analysis, forecasting, and policy projects for such groups as the World Energy Council (London) and Toyota; and training and academic support through internships and fellowships.
Invictus Initiative
The Invictus Initiative is seeking passionate, qualified interns, interested in international development. They are a nonprofit organization focused on building unconquerable relationships that bring together the skills and resources needed to initiate sustainable solutions, improve communities, and transform lives. Solution categories include Engineering, Business, Education, Agriculture, Human Rights, and Medicine. Invictus currently works in Brazil, Nicaragua, Kenya, India, and Nepal.
Lutheran Family Refugee Services
An internship at LFS offers the opportunity to gain a deep understanding of refugee resettlement in the Denver area. Interns will work with individuals from diverse cultures who are forging new beginnings in the United States. Challenging, educational and professional work experience will be gained through professional training and real work assignments that will provide valuable insight to the worlds of refugee resettlement and non-profit organizations.
OEDIT Programs and Partnerships
Interns will be assigned specific projects. The nature of the projects will vary and be discussed in more detail during interviews. Typical projects include general market research on behalf of Colorado exporters and projects that assist the ITO staff prepare for various trade events (trade shows, trade missions, etc.). As part of the program, interns will be invited to local trade-related events put on by ITO or their partner organizations. Please specify in your cover letter the term for which you are applying.
Project C.U.R.E.
Project C.U.R.E. is the largest provider of donated medical supplies and equipment to developing countries around the world. Project C.U.R.E.'s Internship Program provides upper-level undergraduate and graduate-level college students the opportunity to learn about global healthcare and the non-profit sector while gaining hands-on experience at our International Headquarters Office in Centennial, Colorado.
Reading Village
Reading Village is a small Boulder-based nonprofit that transforms lives through literacy in Latin America, currently serving four indigenous communities in rural Guatemala. Employment opportunities will be posted here as they become available, but we’re always looking for interns.
Smithsonian Student Adventures / Walking Tree Travel
This organizations offers 8-week summer internships to IAFS students, as part of their Global Internship Program. Students intern 6 weeks in Denver and 2 weeks abroad (total of 8 weeks). As an intern, you will help create and manage programs that bring high school students to different countries. The focus of programs is on community service, language immersion and adventure travel, and all programs involve living in basic conditions, working on service projects and visiting some of the host country's best destinations. To apply, please visit the Internship Application on their website, select "Ambassadorship" in the field for "What position are you applying for", and type "CU Summer Internship" in the "Who referred you" field.
Study Abroad Internships
Check out this page to see what internships are offered through Study Abroad!
UNA Boulder County
The United Nations of Boulder County allows students to learn more about the workings of the US UNA and the UN. Duties include: social media postings of UN world news/ events and campaigns, updating website/ current events, creating CU campus awareness and outreach to campus groups as well as local NGOS and agencies, assisting with event planning, and participating in advocacy meetings with elected officials. The program also offers opportunities to travel to NYC for Members Day (February) or Leadership Summit (June in Washington DC).
United Nations Foundation
The United Nations Foundation is a DC-based internship that links the UN's work with others around the world. They emphasize mobilizing the energy and expertise of business and non-governmental organizations to help the UN tackle issues including climate change, global health, peace and security, women's empowerment, poverty eradication, energy access, and US-UN relations. Their internship guide can be found here.
Urgent Action Fund for Women's Human Rights
Urgent Action Fund for Women’s Human Rights is a global women’s fund that protects, strengthens and sustains women’s human rights activists at critical moments. Due to our relatively small staff, dedicated interns are an important part of our team.
Virtual Student Foreign Service (VSFS)
The Virtual Student Foreign Service (VSFS) is a virtual internship program for undergraduate and graduate students to work on projects of global importance. There are over 330 projects with 15 U.S. Government agencies. VSFS is an academic year-long virtual internship beginning in August or September each year. Projects are in diplomacy, development, space, journalism, trade, environment, health, agriculture, technology, and more.
Western Export Services
Western Export Services is a full service global exporter. They manage the sales, marketing, logistics and financing for distribution of food and beverage brands to markets worldwide. Their internship program is focused on the student’s educational goals, ensuring a great experience working on real projects. These projects may include market research, trend analysis, global values, product management, brand development and marketing. The intern program has positions available each semester, and over the summer. The company has been in operation for over 25 years, headquartered in downtown Denver, Colorado. Interested candidates should send their resume and cover letter to ericanh@wesdenver.com.
WorldDenver/World Affairs Challenge (various programs & opportunities)
WorldDenver offers unique opportunities to work in a variety of responsible positions to fulfill their mission of citizen diplomacy and global understanding including Fundraising & Development, Exchange Programs, and Education Programs. The World Affairs Challenge, our specific education program, has a vision for every student to develop global awareness and understanding, and to engage in global issues in a way that leads to positive action. All internships and volunteer positions are designed to provide the participants a professional and skill-enhancing experience, while maximizing the bandwidth of our small staff. Their internship opportunities can be found here.