Frequently Asked Questions

Application and Enrollment

Global Internship Programs are open to currently enrolled UCLA undergraduate students who meet the following eligibility criteria:

  • Undergraduate student
  • Minimum of 90 units completed by end of Spring quarter (prior to program start date)
    • Units can include AP and/or transfer credit
  • Cumulative GPA of 3.0 or above
  • Good academic standing
  • 18 years old by program start date
  • For certain programs, additional requirements may apply (i.e. course prerequisites, language skills, major/minor requirements, etc…)

There are two steps for the UCLA Global Internship Program Application.

Step 1: Submit Online Application

The online application consists of the following:

  • Biographical & Logistical Information
  • Financial Aid Agreement (if applicable)
  • CAE Accommodation Request (if applicable)
  • Statement of Purpose
  • Resume

Step 2: Application Interview 

Students who submit their online application and meet the eligibility criteria will be invited to schedule a 30-minute video interview with our partners in your program destination. During this interview, students will share more about their qualifications, experience, and career goals.

What to expect?

  • Conducted on a rolling basis for eligible students
  • Must be completed by the first Friday of January
  • Attire: Business Casual

The Application Interview will help UCLA determine whether the applicant is a good match for available internship opportunities in your selected destination.

Decisions

Applicants will be notified of their admissions status by mid-January.

Application Dates for Summer 2027 Programs:  October 12 – November 23, 2026, by 11:59 PM PST

No, students can only apply for one Global Internship Program at a time.

Prior to the November 23, 2026 application deadline, you may switch your application to a different Global Internship Program. Please contact your GIP advisor for assistance with switching your application.

*Please note that your application will only be considered for one Global Internship Program. You cannot apply for two at the same time.

Cancellation Deadline: February 11, 2026

Please do not enroll in a Global Internship Program unless you are sure you intend to participate. Remember that your deposit is non-refundable. See our Cancellation Policy. The cancellation deadline is February 11, 2026 at 11:59PM. Paid program fees (minus $300 nonrefundable deposit) are refundable until February 11, 2026 at 11:59PM.

All Global Internship Programs have a limited number of placements available for each location. The Summer 2027 application is open from October 12 – November 23, 2026. Students who apply within this time frame will be given equal consideration for acceptance into the program. We encourage students to apply early to complete all application steps as soon as possible.

Upon submitting your application you will need to submit a copy of your resume, a Statement of Purpose, and a passport style photo of yourself. Please see below for more information regarding your resume and Statement of Purpose.

Resume

As part of the application process, you will be asked to upload a current copy of your resume. Please take time to appropriately format and spell check your resume before submitting. For assistance with your resume, you can use the VMock tool provided by the UCLA Career Center.

Statement of Purpose

As part of your application process you will be asked to complete a Statement of Purpose. Responses should be well thought out and demonstrate why you are a strong candidate for the Global Internship Program. It’s highly encouraged to prepare your responses in advance. Please click here for the Statement of Purpose Template.

You may email the files to info@ieo.ucla.edu and the IEO staff will upload them on your behalf.

All participants must have a passport valid for at least 6 months after their program end date. If you do not have a passport upon submitting your application, you will need to apply IMMEDIATELY in order to assure that your passport arrives on time. Some programs may require that you obtain a visa to conduct the internship, which means you will need your passport well in advance of your program departure date in order to apply for the visa.

For instructions on how to apply for or renew your U.S. passport, you can go to the U.S. State Department website. Currently, the routine processing timeline for passports is approximately 2 months. 

Some Global Internship Program locations may require immunizations. We recommend you visit the Centers for Disease Control’s website for more information about health and safety abroad in your particular program location. We also recommend you visit the Ashe Center Travel Clinic to complete a health evaluation where they can provide advice customized to your health status and travel plans, immunizations, and prescriptions as needed.

Internship Placement

Placement Process*

After enrolling in the Global Internship Program, our program partners will work with each student one-on-one to find the best internship match. Internship placements are customized to a students’ personal and career goals, interests and experience.

Interview Process*

Starting in April and moving into early June, the internship placement process will occur. Our program partners will arrange interviews with local organizations and companies based on each student’s individual goals. Students will interview with one Host Company at a time. On-going interviews will continue with prospective internship site managers until there is a match between both the student and the Host Company. Please note that placement timelines for each student vary and may extend up to departure. We guarantee all students an international internship placement.

*Please Note: The Global Health programs in La Paz and Oaxaca, as well as the Business and Communication program in Madrid, feature a unique placement process due to their specific program structures. See the program pages for more information. 

Please review our Placement Process & Timeline video to learn more about how the placement process works.

*Please Note: The Global Health programs in La Paz and Oaxaca, as well as the Business and Communication program in Madrid, feature a unique placement process due to their specific program structures. See the program pages for more information. 

In-Person Placements*

  • Students will intern approximately 32 hours per week. Total weekly work hours and mode of work (in-person vs hybrid) will depend on the specific internship site needs. The internship will have the majority of the work time take place in-person at the company’s office workspace

Virtual Placements*

  • For virtual placements, students will intern between 20 – 30 hours per week.

*Please Note: The Global Internship Program requires a higher weekly hour minimum than standard 195/195CE academic coursework. All participants will sign an internship agreement with their host company outlining specific weekly hours and expectations.

Financial

No, internships are not paid. Internships are for academic credit only.

Yes, there is financial aid available for eligible students. Please note that students must be enrolled in a total of 8 units to be eligible for financial aid. For more information, please see our Financial Aid section of the website.

Final payments can be made via MyUCLA or by check at the Cashier’s Office in 1125 Murphy Hall. Students will be given instructions at time of payment.

Students can begin to make final payments for their Global Internship Program fee after course enrollments are passed at the beginning of February. Students will be given instructions at time of payment.

Travel

For instructions on how to get a U.S. passport, you can go to the U.S. State Department website. Currently, the routine processing timeline for passports is approximately 2 months.

Please note, all participants must have a passport valid for at least 6 months after their program end date. If you do not have a passport upon submitting your application, you will need to apply IMMEDIATELY in order to assure that your passport arrives on time. Some programs may require that you obtain a visa to conduct the internship, which means you will need your passport well in advance of your program departure date in order to apply for the visa.

Some programs may require that you have a visa in order to intern in the host country. Please reference the “Travel & On Site Experience” section of your Global Internship Program webpage for more specific visa information.

Some Global Internship Program locations may require immunizations. We recommend you visit the Centers for Disease Control’s website for more information about health and safety abroad in your particular program location. We also recommend you visit the Ashe Center Travel Clinic to complete a health evaluation where they can provide advice customized to your health status and travel plans, immunizations, and prescriptions as needed.

The Global Internship Program is an intensive study abroad experience. Internship host sites expect full commitment to your weekly schedule, and vacation days are not provided during the program.

  • Weekend Travel: Short, local weekend trips may be possible if they do not conflict with your work or academic schedule. Any extended travel must be planned before or after the official program dates.

  • Travel Reporting & Approval: If you plan to travel outside your host city on weekends, you must notify program staff in advance and ensure your travel details are updated for safety and emergency monitoring

  • Safety is a Partnership: While the Global Internship Program provides emergency support and local resources, students are responsible for making safe, informed choices during independent travel. Always stay aware of your surroundings, research local conditions before departing, and ensure you keep an active, charged mobile phone so program staff can reach you in an emergency.

Academics

Yes, the courses taken on the Global Internship Program will automatically transfer to your UCLA transcript.

Past participants can view and request transcripts on MyUCLA.

Each Global Internship Program consists of a required 195/195CE internship course. Students are automatically enrolled in this mandatory course and it cannot be dropped while participating in the program.

More information about the coursework offered for a particular program can be found on each specific program page under the “Academics & Eligibility” tab.

You can enroll in the optional CESC 130 course during the Global Internship Program application process by applying for an 8-unit program. If you have already submitted your application and forgot to add the optional CESC 130 course, please contact your GIP advisor for assistance. You can add the optional course anytime before the final program application deadline.

The optional CESC 130 course may be dropped by contacting your GIP Advisor and requesting to drop (it cannot be dropped via MyUCLA). If the optional CESC 130 course is dropped by Friday of Week 2 (by 5 PM PST) you will receive a full course refund. After such time, the optional course may be dropped for NO REFUND until the Friday of Week 8.

If you receive financial aid, dropping the optional CESC 130 course could adjust your total summer award package. We strongly encourage you to speak with the UCLA Financial Aid Office prior to dropping the course.

On Location

Housing varies from program-to-program. Visit the “Housing & Meals” tab on your program page to read a brief description of the housing offered. Complete details for housing, including address information, will be sent to all program participants in the spring prior to departure.

All students participating in the Global Internship Program are required to stay in program designated housing. For students with dependents, please contact your GIP Advisor at info@ieo.ucla.edu to discuss your particular needs.

Guests (including spouses, children, other family members and friends) are NOT allowed in Global Internship Program housing or on any Global Internship Program related activities, this includes overnight stays (i.e. friends or family visiting your host city).

The Global Internship Program does not assist with housing arrangements for family, friends, or other guests of program participants.