International business summer programs for high school students are designed to give you a closer look at the economic, strategic, and cultural aspects of global commerce. If you’re interested in exploring entrepreneurship, finance, marketing, or leadership, these programs offer academic learning with real-world applications.
Many international business summer programs for high school students also include collaborative projects, simulations, and exposure to faculty and professionals from top universities and companies. By participating, you can strengthen your communication, problem-solving, and analytical thinking skills that are essential in any business setting.
To help you get started, we’ve compiled a list of the top 15 international business programs for high school students.
15 International Business Summer Programs for High School Students
1. Lumiere Research Scholar Program
Location: Virtual
Cost: varies by program type; Financial aid available
Dates: Multiple cohorts in spring, summer, fall, and winter
Application Deadline: Varying deadlines based on cohort
Eligibility: High-achieving high school students (minimum unweighted GPA of 3.3) with no prior knowledge of your field required
If you’re interested in conducting original academic research as a high school student, the Lumiere Research Scholar Program is a solid option. This 12-week remote program pairs you with a Ph.D. mentor for one-on-one research guidance in subjects such as economics, computer science, or psychology. You’ll be expected to complete a literature review, form a research question, analyze data, and produce a formal paper by the end of the program. Along the way, you’ll also receive feedback to strengthen your writing and presentation abilities.
2. Veritas AI
Location: Virtual
Cost: Varies by program; Need-based financial aid is available for AI Scholars.
Dates: Multiple 12-15-week cohorts throughout the year
Application Deadline: On a rolling basis; Varies based on cohort
Eligibility: Ambitious high school students worldwide; AI Fellowship applicants should have completed the AI Scholars program or demonstrate AI or Python experience
Veritas AI provides a virtual learning experience focused on artificial intelligence, catering specifically to high school students. The AI Scholars program introduces you to foundational concepts such as machine learning, neural networks, and data analysis through instructor-led sessions and related projects. For students who already have experience in AI, the AI Fellowship with Publication & Showcase allows for a deeper dive, with a chance to conduct research under a mentor and potentially publish in student journals. Both programs emphasize project-based learning and feature small-group instruction. You’ll also engage with real-world case studies that connect technical skills with practical applications.
3. UC Berkeley Business Academy for Youth: High School Entrepreneurship
Location: University of California, Berkeley, CA
Cost: California Resident: $6,292; Out-of-State Resident: $7,332; Limited needs-based scholarships available
Program Dates: July 5 – 19 (session I); July 19 – August 2 (session II)
Application Deadline: March 1 (rolling)
Eligibility: Rising 10th, 11th, and 12th grade students
The Business Academy for Youth at UC Berkeley is a two-week residential program designed to simulate the full cycle of developing a business. You’ll work in teams to brainstorm an idea, develop a business plan, and present it at the end of the program. Instruction includes lectures by Berkeley Haas faculty, corporate guest talks, and hands-on lab sessions. You’ll also engage in research assignments, visit the campus, and take part in interactive activities like scavenger hunts and networking panels with undergraduates. As part of the experience, you’ll also get to know more about the college application process and begin drafting your personal statement.
4. Babson Summer Study
Location: Virtual or in-person at NEIA
Cost: $6,295 (online & residential); $3,000 (commuter); $95 application fee; Scholarships available
Program Dates: July 7 – 28
Application Deadline: Early Bird: February 14; Standard: March 14
Eligibility: Rising high school juniors and seniors
During the Babson Summer Study program, you’ll earn college credit while working in small teams to develop solutions aligned with the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals. The curriculum blends traditional academic instruction with project-based work, including mentorship from Babson graduate and undergraduate students. You’ll attend lectures on marketing, finance, business communication, and leadership, all framed through the Entrepreneurial Thought & Action methodology. Faculty and industry speakers help you connect theory with real-world issues, while collaborative group projects give you practical skills for venture creation.
5. Wharton Global Youth Program: Future of the Business World
Location: Virtual
Cost: $4,099; Scholarships available
Program Dates: June 16 – June 27 | July 7 – July 18 | July 21 – August 1
Application Deadline: April 2 (priority); May 1 (final)
Eligibility: High school students in grades 9-12; International students can apply
Wharton Global Youth Program’s Future of the Business World is a selective program that explores different business topics and introduces you to areas of research led by Wharton faculty. The program is designed to prepare you to become the next generation of global business leaders and will also give you a glimpse of the various issues facing the business world. You will attend live daily online sessions and engage in independent work. You will gain a deeper understanding of the design thinking framework, the business considerations involved in scenario planning, and effective team collaboration strategies. You’ll also get to practice what you’ve learned and participate in interactive business simulations.
6. Indiana University Kelley School of Business: Business Is Global
Location: Indiana University
Cost: $2,000; Full need-based scholarships available
Program Dates: June 22 – July 5
Application Deadline: April 14
Eligibility: Rising sophomores, juniors, or seniors in high school with an interest in business, international relations, or foreign languages
During Business Is Global, you will study how international business, language, and culture intersect. Hosted by the Kelley School of Business at Indiana University, the program combines instruction in business fundamentals with basic language lessons tied to global regions such as East Asia, the Middle East, and Eastern Europe. You’ll learn how economic decisions are influenced by cultural norms and communication styles, and how global businesses navigate different regulatory and market environments. Through lectures, group projects, and regional workshops, the program helps build skills in cross-cultural communication, global economics, and strategic thinking.
7. Wharton Global Youth Program – Leadership in the Business World (LBW)
Location: The Wharton School campus, Philadelphia
Cost: $11,399; Scholarships available
Program Dates: June 8 – 28 | June 29 – July 19 | July 20 – August 9
Application Deadline: January 29 (priority); April 2 (final)
Eligibility: High school juniors with leadership experience and a 3.5+ unweighted GPA
Wharton’s LBW program is a rigorous summer experience for students interested in exploring business education and leadership development. Hosted at the University of Pennsylvania, the program includes lectures by Wharton professors, guest speaker sessions, and interactive workshops that cover key topics like negotiation, strategy, and business model generation. You’ll engage in simulations and group projects, including a final business pitch, where you apply your learning in a real-world context. The program also features research opportunities and conversations with professionals across industries such as finance, entertainment, and retail. You will have access to the Wharton Global Youth Speaker Series, and earn a certificate upon successful completion.
8. Georgetown University: Entrepreneur Academy
Location: Georgetown University campus
Cost: $5,950 (Approx); Limited number of scholarships
Program Dates: June 15 – 27
Application Deadline: April 15; Rolling
Eligibility: Students in grades 8-12 during the academic year prior to the summer program with at least a 2.0 GPA
At Georgetown’s Entrepreneurship Academy, you’ll dive into the process of building a business from idea to launch over two immersive weeks. The program covers critical stages like prototype testing, market research, and startup operations, with a special emphasis on global and social innovation. You’ll work in teams, practice design thinking, and deliver a final pitch presentation to a panel of judges. Along the way, guest speakers from a variety of industries will share firsthand insights about entrepreneurship.
9. Georgetown University: Global Business Academy
Location: Georgetown University campus, Washington D.C.
Cost: $7,700 (residential); $5,800 (commuter); Limited scholarships available
Program Dates: July 20 – August 8
Application Deadline: April 15
Eligibility: Current 9th-12th graders with at least a 2.0 GPA
At Georgetown University’s Global Business Academy, you’ll examine how international markets, institutions, and technologies interact to shape today’s global business environment. The program blends lectures from McDonough School of Business faculty with experiential learning activities such as business simulations and case studies. You’ll analyze the roles of key organizations like the International Monetary Fund and World Bank, explore how emerging economies are impacting global trade, and gain insights into marketing strategies for international companies. The curriculum includes collaborative group work and site visits around Washington, D.C., where you’ll engage directly with business professionals and policy experts. Upon completion, you will receive a certificate recognizing your involvement in the program.
10. Yale Young Global Scholars (YYGS): Politics, Law, & Economics (PLE)
Location: Yale University’s campus, New Haven, CT
Cost: $6,500 + $75 – $90 application fee; Need-based financial aid available
Program Dates: Session I: June 22 – July 4 | Session II: July 6 – 18 | Session III: July 20 – August 1
Application Deadline: January 10 (rolling)
Eligibility: Must be between the ages of 16-18 by July 2; Current high school sophomores or juniors (or the international equivalent); See here for more details
Yale Young Global Scholars’ Politics, Law, & Economics session invites you to investigate global issues through the interconnected lenses of governance, economics, and legal systems. The structure includes lectures by Yale faculty, seminars on specialized topics, breakout sessions for collaborative analysis, and a capstone project developed with peers under staff mentorship. The curriculum introduces key ideas in policy, international relations, human rights, and economic theory, while encouraging you to question how these fields shape global cooperation and conflict. You’ll engage in discussions that challenge you to consider real-world applications of theoretical knowledge.
11. Economics for Leaders (EFL)
Location: Multiple locations across the U.S.
Cost: Varies based on location; Scholarships available
Program Dates: Varies by location; See here for information on the site and dates
Application Deadline: Rolling
Eligibility: Current high school sophomores and juniors
EFL is a selective summer program designed to help you understand the connection between economic reasoning and effective leadership. Throughout the week, you’ll explore key economic concepts such as opportunity cost, market dynamics, and international trade while also building your leadership competencies. Sessions are led by instructors with expertise in economics and leadership development, and include simulations, case studies, and discussions on current social and global issues. The curriculum is grounded in the Economic Reasoning Propositions and the Leadership Pyramid Matrix—tools used in college-level courses to frame complex decision-making.
12. Marist Summer Pre-College: Business
Location: Marist College campus, New York
Cost: $3,650; College credit awarded; Financial aid currently unavailable
Dates: June 29 – July 12
Application Deadline: Rolling; Open till full
Eligibility: Sophomores and juniors in high school
At Marist College, the Summer Pre-College Business Program gives you a hands-on introduction to the fundamentals of business and management. During this two-week session, you’ll analyze organizations as integrated systems and examine topics like decision-making, organizational design, business ethics, and global markets. The course encourages discussion and critical thinking as you reflect on how businesses operate in today’s rapidly changing environment. You’ll also gain insight into the practical challenges facing companies today, such as globalization, entrepreneurship, and technological change.
13. National Student Leadership Conference (NSLC): International Business & Finance
Location: Columbia University, NY, and University of California, Los Angeles
Cost: Columbia University: $4,395 | University of California: $4,295
Dates: Columbia University: June 13 – 21 and June 25 – July 3 | University of California: June 23 – July 1 and July 5 – July 13
Application Deadline: April (tentative)
Eligibility: 9th-12th grade students who demonstrate academic excellence and leadership ability
At the NSLC International Business & Finance program, you’ll learn the foundations of international commerce through workshops on market analysis, innovation, and financial strategy. Designed as a hands-on experience, the program includes business simulations and opportunities to interact with industry leaders, giving you a practical introduction to global business operations. You’ll participate in immersive field trips that take you behind the scenes of companies and institutions, helping you understand real-world applications of business theory. Guest speakers from a variety of business backgrounds provide insights into entrepreneurship, finance, and global markets.
14. Harvard Summer School: Secondary School Program (4-week): Global Business and Technology Trends
Location: Harvard University, Cambridge, MA
Cost: $8,650 (4-credits) + $75 application fee
Dates: July 13 – August 9
Application Deadline: December 2 – January 8 (early) or February 12 (regular) or April 9 (late); Rolling
Eligibility: Applicants must be 16-18 years old at the program’s start and not have begun college
The 4-week Global Business and Technology Trends course at Harvard Summer School is an in-person, for-credit program where you’ll analyze how emerging technologies are transforming global business landscapes. Held on Harvard’s campus, the course blends lectures and case studies to explore topics such as digital currencies, e-commerce in Asia, blockchain, artificial intelligence, and platform business models. You’ll examine how multinational corporations and governments adapt to these rapid technological changes, with case studies focusing on specific regions like China, India, and Europe.
If you’re looking for a competitive mentored research program in subjects like data science, machine learning, political theory, biology, and chemistry, consider applying to Horizon’s Research Seminars and Labs! This is a selective virtual research program that lets you engage in advanced research and develop a research paper on a subject of your choosing. Horizon has worked with 1000+ high school students so far and offers 600+ research specializations for you to choose from. You can find the application link here!
Image source – Georgetown University