CIEE Announces Investment in 100 Paid Global Internships to Close 13th Annual CIEE Global Internship Conference

The 13th Annual CIEE Global Internship Conference (GIC) brought together senior leaders from industry, higher education, government, and think tanks to consider the theme “Leading Change in Global Internships.” Attendees spent three rewarding days in Singapore exchanging ideas for designing global internship programs that drive workforce development, encourage innovation, nurture personal growth, and create pathways to the global workforce.

Leading Change Action Item: CIEE to Fund 100 Paid Global Internships!
The theme that came up most often during the conference was the need for paid internships. It was echoed by plenary speakers in multiple sessions and during social networking events. 

In response to this call for action, CIEE pledged $1,000,000 to fund 100 full semester paid global internships beginning in Spring ’26. This will advance CIEE’s nonprofit mission to enable all students from all backgrounds to participate in transformative international programs while preparing 100 young people with invaluable skills to launch their professional careers.

CIEE hopes that this new program model of paid internships for both BridgeUSA international students and US college students will establish a paid internship model that our peers will replicate so more students can afford internships abroad.

Photos and highlights are on our website:

• Day 1 – Preconference Workshop on Global Internship Best Practices, Plenary: A Global Call for Unified Workforce Development, CIEE Opening Reception
• Second Annual CIEE Global Internship Industry Partner Awards
• Day 2 – Plenary: Internships as a Catalyst for Change, GIC Talks, Reception at Lau Pa Sat
• Day 3 – Plenary: Maximizing the ROI of Global Internships, CIEE UNHCR Student Challenge
• Student Challenge Winners – Teams from Uganda and Brazil Named Co-winners of the 2025 CIEE UNHCR Student Challenge 
   

14th Annual CIEE Global Internship Conference in Tallin, Estonia
We look forward to building on this momentum next year at the 14th Annual CIEE Global Internship Conference in Tallin, Estonia, June 10-12, 2026. The conference theme will be "Leading Change in Global Internships in Europe's Innovation Engine."  See you there!