So you don’t have summer plans. You just finished up your last final, you’re tired and completely okay with not cracking open another textbook for the next couple of months. We all need a break sometimes.
But summer isn’t a time to sit around and do nothing. In fact, it’s the opposite. It’s an opportunity. With no schoolwork to do, you now have the freedom to do the most important kind of work — helping others.
Read More: 13 Books Every Global Citizen Should Read This Spring
Now is the perfect time to start being an activist! There’s a ridiculous number of programs and organizations out there looking for awesome, talented, caring, and good-looking people like you. And it doesn’t look bad on a job application either.
Luckily for you, Global Citizen has put together a list of kickass internship programs and volunteer opportunities you can apply to this summer — pick your favorite and go for it!
Promote Peace At Home With the Peace Action Fund
Over the course of six weeks, Peace Fellows will create new and fun ways of peace organizing in their own communities. With the help of the organization, fellows will learn about key peace issues, build a team of activists, hold a community teach-in, and host a public event towards creating US foreign policy ideas that work. Academic credit will be applicable.
Help Deliver Emergency Medical Relief With Doctors Without Borders
This summer, this renown organization will be offering multiple internship opportunities to conduct research and gain real, practical learning experiences for young, emerging health leaders. Interns will continue the ongoing work of treating the world’s most disadvantaged people. Most positions will be paid.
Teach English Anywhere In the World Through Any of These Programs
Instruct buddhist monks in Laos, teach disadvantaged children in India, Costa Rica, Fiji, South Africa, or get a TEFL teacher qualification in Thailand with a GVI internship abroad this summer for academic credit. Work alongside educators throughout Guatemala, Peru, or Costa Rica with Máximo Nivel. No Spanish? No problem. All interns are placed in English-speaking classrooms. These are just a few of the hundreds of organizations out there that offer English-teaching internships abroad.
Pass Fair and Effective Climate Policy With Our Climate
Put A Price On It is national campaign created by the non-profit Our Climate that mobilizes young people to advocate for strong and fair carbon pricing policies at the state and national level. The 12-week fellowship will give students the opportunity to rally public support and engage directly with elected officials to pass fair and effective climate policy.
Help Sexual Assault Victims With Rape, Abuse, and Incest National Network (RAINN)
RAINN is the largest anti-sexual assault organization in the country. The difficulty of maintaining a 24-hour hotline people need to man it at all hours of the day. That’s where volunteers come in. If answering distress calls is too difficult, there are plenty of other ways to help. In addition to the hotline, RAINN is currently seeking volunteers in administration and community organizing.
Read More: Activism 101 in the 21st century
Help Build Relationships With Global Communities Through the Peace Corps
Throughout the year, Peace Corps brings on a select number of interns to help provide behind-the-scenes support for their thousands of volunteers around the world. The agency offers unpaid internships at its headquarters in Washington, D.C., providing direct experience working with program management, public relations, marketing, web development, human resources, and accounting.
Save Animals and the Environment With Osa Conservation
Travel to the Osa Peninsula in Costa Rica, called the most biologically intense place on Earth by National Geographic, and help save sea turtles, learn to build a sustainable food system on a small farm, or restore the region’s forests. The $300 program fee plus $49 per day for food and lodging is a bargain compared to most international volunteer opportunities.
Support the Health Equity Movement With the Global Health Corps
Since 2009, the nonprofit has selected hundreds of young emerging global health leaders for its prestigious fellowship program that aims to revolutionize how the world tackles health challenges. Apply to one of their many internship programs based in New York this summer to support the health equity movement. A monthly stipend will be provided.
Be the Mentor Every Kid Needs With Big Brothers Big Sisters of America
Sometimes, all a kid needs is a role model. That’s where Big Brothers Big Sisters of America comes in. Bigs don’t need to have special degrees or certifications, just the desire to have a positive impact on a young person. Programs range from community-based, in which you go out for activities with your Little, to school-based, in which you mentor them in the classroom. There are also programs for Littles whose parents are in the military, and Littles whose parents are incarcerated.
Travel the World While Giving Back with Westcoast Connection
Westcoast Connection offers a variety of service trips for teenagers to places like Costa Rica, Ecuador, Thailand, California, and Alaska and Hawaii -- and they need staff. The pay is modest but all expenses are covered (travel, food, lodging). It’s a chance to lead a group of awesome teens while giving back. Must be 21.
Ensure the Future is Female with Planned Parenthood
Women need and deserve access to health care services, and Planned Parenthood needs help to provide it. There are dozens of volunteer and internship opportunities available across the country in areas like administration, advocacy, community outreach, education, and fundraising, to name a few. Don’t worry if nothing in your region matches your skill-set. By registering, you can receive emails about more opportunities as they become available. Who knows? Maybe you and Lena Dunham will be BFFs by next fall.
Fight Extreme Poverty and Inequality at Global Citizen — do we really have to tell you?
Like this list? Want to help create more? Want to help end extreme poverty by 2030?Us too! Intern at Global Citizen, a community of people who want to learn about and take on the world’s biggest challenges. Take a look at which paid positions are open this summer and you may get a chance to work on the editorial, marketing, production, or policy teams.
Or Visit Any of These One-Stop-Shops For All Things Summer-Program Related:
If none of these really cut it, visit websites like Omprakash, YouthOp, or Idealist which can help connect you to the perfect volunteer or internship program for you.