If you’re a high school student curious about global affairs, diplomacy, or international politics, international relations programs are a great way to explore those interests before college. These programs go beyond standard coursework and give you hands-on exposure to how global policy actually works through discussions, simulations, research projects, and mentorship from experts in the field.
Why Study International Relations in New York?
New York offers a unique advantage for students interested in international relations. With institutions like the United Nations, international NGOs, diplomatic organizations, and top universities all in one city, you get access to real-world perspectives without the added cost of travel or housing. Many local programs draw directly from this environment, giving you insight into global policy, diplomacy, and cross-cultural communication as it happens in practice.
To help you find the right fit, we’ve put together a list of 15 international relations programs for high school students in New York that offer meaningful exposure to global issues and early academic exploration. You can also explore other international relations summer programs across the country, here.
15 International Relations Programs for High School Students in New York
1. Columbia University Pre-College Programs: International Relations Courses
Location: Online or at Columbia University, New York, NY
Cost/Stipend: Varies
Cohort size: Typically, 20 – 25 students/class
Dates: Specific dates vary by course; courses run for 1–10 weeks, depending on the session.
Application deadline: Rolling admissions; priority deadlines vary by program and course length.
Eligibility: High school students
Columbia University allows high schoolers to take university-level courses across disciplines. You can choose online or in-person courses that dive into global politics, international affairs, international development cooperation, comparative foreign policy, the foundational principles of American foreign policy, and contemporary theoretical frameworks in international affairs. As a participant, you will examine academic literature, participate in discussion-based seminars led by faculty with specialized research expertise, and analyze case studies that focus on policy decisions. The courses use multiple analytical approaches, including realism, liberalism, and constructivism, to cover state behavior and complex international dynamics. Depending on the course you choose, you may also work on projects and group assignments to practice what you learn.
2. Institute for Global Affairs Summer Geopolitics Academy for High School Students
Location: Remote or at the Institute for Global Affairs, New York, NY
Cost/Stipend: Not specified
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Not specified
Dates: One-week summer bootcamp
Application deadline: TBA
Eligibility: High school juniors
The Summer Geopolitics Academy offers high schoolers exposure to foreign policy discourse, geopolitical analysis, and diplomatic problem-solving. This week-long bootcamp combines foundational crash courses in global affairs with interactive workshops, personalized small-group mentorship, and virtual site visits to UN bodies and other global institutions. You will actively collaborate within teams to craft policy proposals, execute diplomatic simulations, or devise impactful media campaigns addressing pressing real-world geopolitical challenges. The program offers support beyond the summer week through sustained mentorship and alumni network access, allowing you to build relationships with peers and professionals. Instructors from governmental agencies, academia, and the private sector will offer insights into contemporary security challenges, the mechanics of international institutions, and peacebuilding strategies.
3. National High School Model UN Conference (NHSMUN)
Location: New York Hilton Midtown and the United Nations Headquarters, New York, NY
Cost: Registration fees vary by school delegation; you can contact the organizer for specific pricing
Cohort size: Not specified; up to 50 students/school are typically accepted.
Dates: Session I: March 13 – 16; Session II: March 18 – 21
Application deadline: School-based delegation deadlines are typically in January
Eligibility: High school students; typically, those between 13 and 18 years old are accepted
NHSMUN offers high schoolers the opportunity to build diplomatic skills, advanced policy analysis, and cross-cultural communication. As a participant, you will represent an assigned nation across multiple committees, engaging in debates concerning actual Security Council resolutions, General Assembly proposals, and specialized agency issues. A key aspect of the program is its meetings with diplomatic representatives from various nations, offering you opportunities to engage in direct dialogue with active diplomats. Daily Q&A sessions with UN officials, NGO leaders, and international experts complement your committee work, providing insights into the different aspects of multilateral diplomacy.
4. Syracuse University’s Summer College: International Relations Course
Location: Syracuse University, Syracuse, NY
Cost: $5,595 (residential) | $4,624 (commuter); discounts and scholarships available
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Not specified
Dates: July 19 – 31
Application deadline: Not specified; applications open on December 15.
Eligibility: Rising high school juniors, rising seniors, and graduating seniors who are at least 15 years old
Syracuse University’s pre-college program offers high schoolers the chance to take college-level courses, with or without credits, across disciplines. The International Relations Course is designed to help you explore theories of international relations, including realism, liberalism, constructivism, world systems theories, and feminism, to understand how global actors interact, solve problems, and contribute to the international community. The course covers topics like international law and organizations, conflict and security, climate change, global health, migration, and human rights. Classes combine lectures, group discussions, and workshops. You will work on projects that connect international theories to real situations, focused on global power dynamics and politics. On completing the course, you will earn three Syracuse University credits.
5. Pace University High School Bridge Program
Location: Your own high school (off-site courses) or at Pace University campuses in NY (NYC, White Plains, or Pleasantville)
Cost: $150/credit hour
Cohort size: Not specified
Dates: Vary by course; you can choose one course per semester (fall, spring, or summer).
Application deadline: Varies
Eligibility: High school juniors and seniors; for the off-site program, students are selected and recommended by the school counselor based on academic records.
This program allows you to get a head start on college by taking for-credit 100-level Pace University courses. You can choose one course per semester (a maximum of four overall) from various options. Many program courses, including the American Government and Political Institutions (POL 111), Introduction to Global Studies (GLB 111), and History of Western Civilization I (HIS 104), can offer you a window into international relations. You can choose an on-site option to attend classes on the Pace campus or the off-site option to get an approved course taught at your high school by your teacher under Pace faculty supervision. In both formats, you will take the same final exams as Pace students, gaining college-level exposure and credit before you graduate high school.
6. NSLC’s High School Summer Program in International Diplomacy
Location: Columbia University, New York, NY (three days) + Georgetown University, Washington, D.C. (six days)
Cost: $4,495; financial aid available
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Not specified
Dates: June 12 – 20 | June 24 – July 2
Application deadline: Rolling admissions
Eligibility: Students, ages 14 – 18, who have completed at least one year of high school
NSLC, or National Student Leadership Conference, offers a nine-day program in International Diplomacy that allows you to assume the role of a United Nations diplomat and participate in simulations that mirror real-world foreign policy challenges. The program offers access to hands-on activities like a UN simulation, where you will create international agreements, a world simulation where you will come up with your own country, and exercises in cross-cultural communication and diplomatic negotiation. You will split your time between Georgetown University and Columbia University, engaging in field trips to international embassies, the United Nations, and cultural centers. Guest speakers include ambassadors, diplomats, and foreign policy experts who will share their own experiences in tackling international affairs. The program also offers a leadership curriculum that focuses on personal skill-building in communication, resilience, and empathy.
7. Pasquines Internship
Location: Remote
Cost/Stipend: None
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Not specified
Dates: Year-round opportunities
Application deadline: Rolling recruitment
Eligibility: High school students and college students
Pasquines internships offer students hands-on writing and reporting experiences in policy and politics with a focus on U.S. territories such as Puerto Rico, Guam, and American Samoa. Here, you will gain insights into the governance and political challenges of territories that occupy a unique position within the broader U.S. framework. You will develop research, writing, and analytical skills by reporting on key regional issues and working with peers to examine the systemic and political factors affecting these territories. The remote structure and availability of year-round opportunities allow you to apply for a role when you can commit enough time. This can be an opportunity to examine the link between policy, governance, and global affairs while gaining practical experience in media and advocacy.
8. Barnard College’s NextGen Leadership Institute: Global Humanities
Location: Barnard College, New York, NY
Cost: $10,771 residential | $8,160 commuter + $75 application fee if you register after February 10
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Not specified
Dates: Session 1: June 29 – July 17 | Session 2: July 20 – August 7
Application deadline: Rolling admissions
Eligibility: Rising high school sophomores, juniors, and seniors
Barnard College’s NextGen Leadership Institute is a three-week program designed to help high schoolers explore college-level academics and learn from Barnard faculty. Its Global Humanities track allows you to choose one course from offerings like American Constitutional Law, Fashion and Dress in World Cultures, and The Politics of Evil to explore international and national policies and cultures. You will attend lectures, engage in reading sessions, gain experience in comparative analysis, and work on short writing assignments and guided research projects during the program. Outside of class, you will have access to study hours, field trips, faculty office hours, college-readiness sessions on topics like time management and research skills, and activities like game nights and film screenings.
9. Temple of Understanding Summer Internship
Location: New York City (United Nations Headquarters and affiliated organizations)
Cost: $2,000
Cohort size: Not specified
Dates: June 26 – July 23
Application deadline: February 20
Eligibility: Students who will be 18 by June 20
This four-week internship provides students with exposure to the operations of the United Nations through direct attendance at open Security Council meetings, General Assembly sessions, and specialized committee proceedings. As an intern, you will engage in self-directed research on a topic of your interest and deliver oral presentations and written papers on contemporary international issues. You will connect with UN missions and NGOs to explore career paths in international relations. This can be an opportunity to gain firsthand exposure to multilateral diplomacy and international affairs.
11. The School of the New York Times NYC Summer Academy: International Reporting
Location: New York, NY
Cost: $7,695 (residential) | $6,195 (commuter); scholarships available
Cohort size: Not specified
Dates: Term 1: June 7 – 19 | Term 2: June 21 – July 3 | Term 3: July 5 – 17 | Term 4: July 19 – 31
Application deadline: Not specified
Eligibility: High school students in grades 10 – 12, ages 15 – 18
This program allows you to spend two weeks learning how to look for and cover international stories and what it means to be an international correspondent. In the process, you will gain insights into international affairs, culture, history, economy, and conflicts. You will participate in discussions and exercises covering journalism ethics and reporting fundamentals. Field trips to sites like the United Nations Headquarters and Council on Foreign Relations are also part of the experience. You will also connect with guest speakers who are reporters and editors.
12. Best Delegate Model United Nations Institute at Columbia University
Location: Columbia University, New York, NY
Cost: Day camps start at $1,750; financial aid available
Cohort size: Not specified
Dates: Multiple five-day sessions in July
Application Deadline: Rolling admissions; programs fill quickly
Eligibility: Students, ages 11 – 18; camps are split by age group.
The MUN Institute at Columbia University allows you to connect with experienced instructors offering insights into Model UN through five-day camps. Over the course of 40 hours, you will explore public speaking techniques, systematic research methodology, committee procedure, and crisis simulations. You will receive feedback from MUN mentors who will identify specific areas for improvement, helping you build and refine your diplomatic voice. The program ends in a guided tour of United Nations facilities. Other optional components include one-on-one tutoring sessions focusing on public speaking and nuanced solutions development.
13. Brown University’s Leadership Institute
Location: Online (through Canvas, Brown’s Learning Management System)
Cost: $5,778
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Not specified
Dates: June 23 – July 18
Application deadline: May 9
Eligibility: Students completing grades 9 – 12
Brown University’s Leadership Institute offers high school students an opportunity to explore collaborative leadership approaches while enhancing research, critical thinking, and problem-solving skills. You can choose courses like Intercultural Communication, Global Health, and Social Movements, which are focused on international relations and policy and can help you develop global advocacy skills. At the end of the program, you will design an Action Plan aimed at addressing a challenge in your own community. This program provides hands-on experience with solving community-oriented problems that can set the foundation for navigating larger global issues.
13. Fordham University Summer Leaders Academy
Location: Fordham University, New York, NY
Cost: $1,449 – $6,236, depending on program and format
Cohort size: Not specified
Dates: Various one- to four-week sessions in the summer
Application deadline: Residential: April 30 | Commuter: May 1 or May 15, depending on the session you choose
Eligibility: Rising high school sophomores, juniors, and seniors
Fordham’s Summer Leaders Academy program allows you to dive into college-level courses across disciplines. While not exclusively focused on international relations, the program offers courses in politics, leadership, and business that can help you understand global affairs and build critical thinking, problem-solving, and analytical skills. The residential and commuter formats allow you to explore Fordham’s campus and connect with a diverse peer group. You will also have access to career workshops led by professionals in diverse fields and New York City excursions to museums, theaters, and historically significant sites.
14. NYU Summer Programs in Humanities and Social Sciences for High School Students
Location: New York University, New York, NY
Cost: Varies by program track and duration
Cohort size: Not specified
Dates: Multiple sessions ranging from one to seven weeks; generally June – August
Application deadline: Spring deadlines (exact dates vary) or rolling admissions, depending on the program
Eligibility: High school students; specific GPA requirements vary by program (typically 3.0 or above)
NYU’s summer offerings span a broad range of disciplines, including politics and global affairs. For instance, you can choose the Democracy Scholars program, which focuses on political philosophy and social justice, or the various humanities and social sciences courses through the broader pre-college program to dive into international and policy-related issues. You will engage in university-level coursework, learn from NYU faculty, and earn college credits while studying alongside current NYU undergraduates. You will attend lectures, engage in discussions, participate in field trips, and work on projects. If you choose a residential program, you will also engage in on-campus social activities to connect with peers from diverse backgrounds.
15. University of London’s Global Diplomacy: Diplomacy in the Modern World Course
Location: Online via Coursera
Cost: Free
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Open enrollment
Dates: Self-paced course; typical commitment of 7 hours
Application deadline: None
Eligibility: Open to all
The Global Diplomacy: Diplomacy in the Modern World course offered by the University of London is designed for learners of all ages interested in diplomacy, foreign policy, and global affairs. This self-paced online course offers an in-depth introduction to diplomacy, covering key diplomatic principles, international negotiations, and the evolving role of diplomacy in modern geopolitics. The curriculum is based on research-led teaching and draws from the University of London’s Global Diplomacy MA program. It covers historical and contemporary diplomatic strategies and offers insights from scholars and foreign policy experts. You will learn through a mix of video lectures, case studies, and exercises.
One more option—Horizon Academic Research Program
If you are looking for a competitive mentored research program in an area of your choice, you can consider applying to Horizon’s Research Seminars and Labs! It is a selective virtual research program that allows you to engage in advanced research and come up with a research paper on a subject of your choosing. Horizon has worked with 1,000+ high school students so far, offering 600+ research specializations to choose from. You can find the application link here!
Image source – Syracuse University