Leadership Immersion Internships

Summer Immersion Internships

Each year, the Lauder Institute sponsors internships that promote leadership and intercultural development in organizations both in the U.S. and around the world. These internships empower students to discover new ways to apply their Lauder education to generate impact on the organizations and communities that they serve. By undertaking internships with a wide variety of organizations and areas of former professional experience, students develop leadership skills, strengthen their language skills, and contribute to organizations or start-ups that would not otherwise be able to afford these interns. To date, Lauder students have applied their educational and professional expertise to tackle poverty alleviation, economic development, healthcare, and sustainability in over 25 countries around the world.

Support from Alumni & Friends

The visionary generosity of Tom Bendheim G’90 WG’90 and Rene Kern G’90 WG’90, inaugurated this program in 2017. The program has since expanded thanks to a growing number of committed donors and additional support from the Lauder Annual Fund. In a typical year, 10-15 student internships are supported.

Every year, the number of awards are dependent on philanthropy, and we welcome your support through the Lauder Annual Fund. In addition, these internships have financial support from these funds:

• Global Leadership Immersion Fund: with an emphasis on immersive experiences outside one’s country of origin, serving in a leadership capacity managing human and/or financial resources, for a minimum of 8 weeks.
• The Bergman Fund for the Levant: with a focus on activities that promote interfaith dialogue and coexistence in the historic Levant region, an area in the eastern Mediterranean that includes modern day Cyprus, Egypt, Iraq, Israel, Jordan, Lebanon, Palestine, Syria and Turkey.
• The Geldzweig Family Fund: with a preference for activity in developing countries, focused on minorities and/or marginalized populations within those countries, and activities related to improving education and/or environmental sustainability.