International relations summer programs for high schoolers offer a solid opportunity to delve into global politics, diplomacy, and strategic studies with a level of depth that few other programs can match. These selective programs provide students with advanced skills in negotiation, policy analysis, and international law, equipping them with practical tools and insights that extend beyond the classroom.
Through interactive simulations, expert-led workshops, and immersive discussions on current global issues, you will gain experience in understanding and addressing complex international challenges.
Here are the top 15 international relations programs for high school students!
1. Horizon Academic Research Program — International Relations track
Horizon offers trimester-long research programs for high school students across subject areas such as data science, machine learning, political theory, biology, chemistry, neuroscience, psychology, and more! It is one of the very few research programs for high school students that offers a choice between quantitative and qualitative research!
The International Relations track of the Horizon program offers an in-depth exploration of the causes of war and peace, focusing on how the international system shapes state behavior and impacts individuals globally. It delves into key theories, patterns, and frameworks of international relations, while critically examining contemporary issues such as world governance, state failure, and great power competition. Under the guidance of Professor Rezvani, who has taught at prestigious institutions like Dartmouth, Harvard, and Oxford, you will engage with complex controversies and gain a sophisticated understanding of global dynamics.
You’ll work to create a 20-page, university-level research paper that you can send to prestigious journals for publication as a high school student. This program is a solid opportunity for you to pursue a research program in highly specialized fields, under the guidance of a top scholar. Apply here!
Location: Virtual
Application Date: May 21, 2024, for the summer cohort, and September 25, 2024, for the fall cohort
Program Dates:
- Summer seminar — June 24, 2024 — September 2, 2024
- Fall seminar — October 23, 2024 — February 19, 2025
- Lab dates are flexible, but you must apply 4 weeks in advance.
Eligibility: High school students with good academic standing (>3.67/4.0 GPA) can apply. Most accepted students are 10th/11th graders! Only a couple of tracks require formal prerequisites, more details of which can be found here.
If you are interested in clean energy and its intersection with international relations, this program provides insight into global climate and energy issues through the expertise of faculty from the Energy Policy Institute at the University of Chicago (EPIC), the Becker Friedman Institute, and the Climate Impact Lab. Participants will engage in collaborative hands-on projects and discussion-based classes to explore how environmental challenges are addressed within international relations and policy frameworks. The program aims to refine critical thinking skills and deepen understanding of the role of energy policy in global diplomacy.
Location: University of Chicago, IL
Cost: Free
Application deadline: March 5, 2024. TBD for 2025.
Program dates: July 28-Aug 2, 2024. TBD for 2025.
Eligibility: Applicants should be at least 15 years of age and be current high school sophomores or juniors enrolled in a high school in the United States.
3. UC Santa Barbara’s Research Mentorship Program, Global Studies Track
The Research Mentorship Program is designed for academically driven high school students seeking to engage in university-level research. This selective summer program allows participants to select a research project within their chosen discipline. It provides instruction on research methodologies, professional writing, and presentation skills, culminating in a formal conference presentation. For those interested in international relations, the program offers a Global Studies track, pairing students with a mentor to support their research activities. Additionally, participants have the opportunity to earn university credits that will be recorded on their UCSB transcript.
Location: University of California, Santa Barbara, CA.
Cost: ~$5,000 (commuter) and ~$12,000 (residential)
Application deadline: March 18, 2024. TBD for 2025.
Program dates: June 17 — August 2, 2024. TBD for 2025.
Eligibility: Students all over the world who are in 10th and 11th Grade with a minimum GPA of 3.8 can apply.
4. Lumiere Research Scholar Program — International Relations Track
Lumiere was established by researchers from Harvard and Oxford and offers the Lumiere Research Scholar Programs for high school students interested in international relations research. Participants are paired with a PhD mentor to develop a university-level research paper. The programs are conducted entirely online, with durations adjustable according to the student’s research goals.
The scope of research within international relations is broad, allowing for interdisciplinary exploration. Previous research topics have included cross-country analyses such as the relationship between the US and Turkey regarding inflation, comparative studies on the accountability of transnational corporations, and investigations into the political attitudes leading to democratic backsliding. You can find the application form here.
Check out the Lumiere Research Inclusion Foundation, a non-profit research program for talented, low-income students.
Location: Virtual
Application deadline: There are four cohorts throughout the year. Applications are due in February, May, September, and December, respectively. Apply here!
Program dates: There are four cohorts throughout the year in spring, summer, fall, and winter.
Eligibility: All high school students may apply.
Georgetown University, one of the oldest institutions of higher education and a significant center for international dialogue, hosts the one-week International Relations Academy. This program provides students with the opportunity to learn from distinguished faculty and engage with contemporary global issues. Participants will experience a structured schedule that includes lectures, site visits, activities, and group discussions.
The curriculum covers a range of topics, including the structure of the international system and instruments of foreign policy. It also addresses intelligence and foreign policy, as well as ethics in international affairs. Additional areas of focus include international law, competing philosophical frameworks, and terrorism. The program further explores nuclear weapons, the environment, global health, and international development, and the future of the international system.
Location: Georgetown University, Washington D.C
Cost: $3,389 including tuition, housing, and meals.
Application Deadline: Summer 2024 applications are closed. Summer 2025 applications will open in late Fall.
Program Dates: Multiple 1-week sessions in June and July. TBD for 2025.
The Yale International Relations Leadership Institute (YiRLI) is a one-week residential summer program for high school students focused on leadership, international relations, and Model United Nations. Organized by Yale students from the Yale International Relations Association (YIRA), the program offers participants the opportunity to deepen their understanding of global issues, self-awareness, and the resources available at Yale. YiRLI was previously known as the Yale Model United Nations Institute (YMUNI).
YIRLI offers high school students focused education in leadership, international relations, and Model United Nations. Participants will gain a deeper understanding of global affairs, improve public speaking, research, writing, and debate skills, and experience living in a Yale residential college. The program also provides opportunities to connect with peers from across the country, interact with Yale professors and guest speakers, and engage with Yale’s resources.
Location: Yale University, New Haven, CT
Cost: $2000 program fee + $20 application fee. Financial aid is available.
Application Deadline: March 1st, 2024. TBD for 2025.
Program Dates: July 30th — August 4th, 2024.
Eligibility: High school students, both U.S.-based and international, who will be entering the 11th — 12th grades (between the ages of 16–18) in the fall of the program year are eligible to apply.
The USC “International Relations” pre-college program explores the causes of war and strategies for conflict resolution. Participants will analyze various stages of conflict and apply these frameworks to regions affected by war and violence. The course includes an examination of the economic factors contributing to conflict, as well as the roles of individuals, popular culture, peace initiatives, governments, and international organizations. Students will develop a case study of an actual global conflict, investigating its origins and proposing a peace agreement and resolution strategies.
Location: University of Southern California, Los Angeles, CA.
Cost: $10,480 (residential domestic), $7,482 (commuter domestic), $11,085 (international student)
Application Deadline: Closed for 2024. TBD for 2025. Typically in March for international students and May for domestic students.
Program Dates: June 16 — July 13, 2024. TBD for 2025.
Eligibility: High school students both domestic and international can apply but must have completed at least the 9th grade by June of the program year.
The Tufts University international relations pre-college program offers rising high school juniors and seniors the opportunity to study international affairs through Tufts’ distinctive approach. Participants will earn college credit, analyze current events and theoretical frameworks in interactive seminars, and engage in collaborative discussions.
The program includes developing language and communication skills essential for international relations, working on simulated crisis scenarios, and conducting research using Tufts’ Tisch Library resources. Students will also work on writing a college-level research paper with guidance from advanced assistants and a research librarian. Over two weeks, students will build connections with peers and mentors while gaining insight into collegiate academics and Tufts’ resources.
Location: Tufts University, Medford, MA
Cost: $4,000 (commuter), $5,500 (residential).
Application Deadline: May 1, 2024. TBD for 2025.
Program Dates: Jul 21 — Aug 2, 2024. TBD for 2025.
Eligibility: High school students entering grades 11–12 can apply. Students graduating high school in the spring of the program year can apply.
The NSLC’s International Diplomacy Program offers students an in-depth exploration of the role of a diplomat within the United Nations Security Council. This interactive program allows participants to assume the role of a diplomat and address global issues such as nuclear proliferation and regional conflicts. The curriculum includes visits to key diplomatic institutions in Washington, D.C., and New York City.
Additionally, the program features a college-level lecture series on international relations to provide a foundational understanding of the field. Students also have the option to enroll in an online course for additional college credit through a partnership between American University and NSLC.
Location: Residential, Georgetown University + a trip to Columbia University
Cost: $4095 (residential)
Application deadline: Admissions are considered on a rolling basis (though with limited seats, most of their sessions are full by late March)
Program dates: Multiple 9-day programs from June to August. TBD for 2025.
Eligibility: High school students enrolled in grades 9–12 can apply.
As an international relations student, the Yale Young Global Scholars (YYGS) Politics, Law, & Economics (PLE) session presents a valuable opportunity to deepen my understanding of the intersections between economics, government, and law. This program is tailored for those with an interest in economic theories, governmental practices, and legal frameworks, and covers critical topics such as public policy, human rights, market regulation, and international relations.
The interdisciplinary approach of YYGS PLE will enhance my critical thinking and analytical skills, allowing me to apply economic, legal, and political theories to analyze contemporary global challenges. The insights gained from this program are crucial for advancing my studies and future career in international relations.
Location: Yale Campus, CT
Cost: $6500
Application Deadline: January 10, 2024. TBD for 2025.
Program Dates: Multiple cohorts throughout June to August.
Eligibility: Must be at least 16 years old, a current sophomore or junior (or any international equivalent), and a first-time participant.
The UCLA Immersive International Studies Summer Institute offers two consecutive week-long intensive programs for high school students interested in international issues, history, and government. Utilizing the Reacting to the Past (RTTP) pedagogy, which is known for its immersive role-playing approach, the program engages students in active learning through historical simulations.
Participants assume roles of historical figures to explore key moments in history while developing skills in research, writing, and oral argumentation. The Summer Institute focuses on building competencies in persuasive speaking, critical thinking, problem-solving, teamwork, expository writing, and leadership. Reacting to the Past involves recreating historical contexts to better understand significant ideas and events.
Location: University of California, Los Angeles, CA.
Cost: $1399 (commuter)
Application Deadline: June 1, 2024. TBD for 2025.
Program Dates: Jul 8 — Jul 12, 2024 | Jul 15 — Jul 19, 2024. TBD for 2025.
Eligibility: Must be at least 15 years of age by the first day of Summer Sessions and able to commute to the program.
The Introduction to International Relations course, offered by the University of Pennsylvania as part of its summer pre-college program, provides a comprehensive overview of global politics. The course is divided into two parts: the first focuses on foundational concepts and theoretical approaches in International Relations, while the second applies these concepts to contemporary issues and debates. You will engage with lectures, discussion groups, and role-playing exercises to analyze how traditional theories influence modern interstate relations, particularly in the context of US foreign policy, US-China, and US-Russia relations.
The course aims to provide you with a solid grasp of key International Relations concepts, including power, states, war, and globalization. You will compare various theoretical approaches, such as realism, liberalism, and constructivism, to understand their advantages and limitations. The program will also help you analyze contemporary global events using these theories, master state locations on a world map, and gain a basic understanding of great power politics and US grand strategies.
Location: University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PN
Cost: $13,648 (residential), and $8248 (online) for 1 course unit. If you attend a School District of Philadelphia public or charter high school you may be eligible to attend a Penn Summer Academy free of charge with a Penn Summer Scholarship. Learn more about tuition here.
Application Deadline: Applications for summer 2024 are currently closed. The applications for summer 2025 will open in late fall 2024.
Program Dates: July 2 — August 10, 2024. TBD for 2025.
Eligibility: Current 10th-11th grade students, both domestic and international, can apply.
David Wilkinson is a freelance writer for Horizon and currently resides in the United States.