The Future Innovators Global Internship Program offers Pell-eligible students new to UC San Diego the chance to embark on a fully-funded international internship for Summer 2025.
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Selected students will spend their summer in one of four dynamic global locations, gaining hands-on experience and testing innovative ideas in real-world environments. With support from CIEE, Study Abroad UC San Diego, and the Office of Innovation and Commercialization, participants will have the opportunity to turn their creativity into tangible solutions, paving the way for their future as innovators.
The Future Innovators Global Internship Program includes:
Participation in the Spring 2025 course: “Essentials of Entrepreneurship, Innovation, & Design”
Participation in a fully-funded Summer 2025 Global Internship, including:
Airfare
Cost of the 8-week internship + internship course
Housing + Stipend
Invitation to continue engaging in UC San Diego's Innovation & Design activities upon return
The Future Innovators Global Internship Program is looking for newly admitted (Fall 2024) Pell-eligible students who are interested in participating in a Summer Global Internship at one of 4 CIEE sites worldwide. The program consists of the following activities:
Spring 2025: Participation in the Spring 2025 course “Essentials of Entrepreneurship, Innovation, & Design.” This course will meet every Tuesday 4-6pm Spring Quarter, and is a 2-unit course offered through UC San Diego Division of Extended Studies. Participation is mandatory.
Summer 2025: Participate in an 8-week full-time global internship (-
UC San Diego's Office of Innovation and Commercialization (OIC): Future Innovators will work with the Office of Innovation and Commercialization, which will serve as a launch point to explore groundbreaking concepts, apply academic theories to practical scenarios, and cultivate ventures spanning entrepreneurial endeavors.
First Year or Transfer students who are new to UC San Diego Fall 2024
Pell-eligible
At least 18 years old by Summer 2025 (Time of Travel)
In good academic standing (earning and maintaining at least a 2.5 GPA at the end of Fall 2024)
Able to take the course "Essentials of Entrepreneurship, Innovation, & Design" in Spring Quarter 2025
Able to travel internationally for the 8-week internship during Summer 2025
Eligibility criteria and the selection process for the Future Innovators Global Internship Program is in accordance with applicable Federal and State law and University policy. The University of California does not discriminate, or grant preferences, on the basis of race, color, national origin, religion, sex, disability, and/or other protected categories.
Your application will consist of the following components:
Personal Profile.
Eligibility and Academic Information.
Internship Site Ranking.
Short-Answer Personal Statements.
Video Submission (you will be asked to submit a 90 second video introducing yourself and describing your vision and goals for this internship).
Resume Submission.
Academic History (You will upload a .pdf copy of your TritonLink Academic History (unofficial transcript). Please show grades and/or courses you are enrolled in for Fall 2024 and Winter 2025.
Future Innovators will participate in the Spring 2025 course “Essentials of Entrepreneurship, Innovation, & Design.” This course is a required component of the Future Innovators programs, and will meet every Tuesday 4-6pm Spring Quarter. It is a 2-unit course offered through UC San Diego Division of Extended Studies. There will be no cost of attending this course for the student, and participation is mandatory.
The course will help Future Innovators 'understand design thinking and ideation', learn more about 'connecting innovation ideas and initiatives to organization objectives and goals', and 'understand how to communicate, finance, or market a new idea, product, or initiative'.
Future Innovators will participate in an 8-week CIEE Global Internship during Summer 2025, at one of four (4) participating CIEE internship sites: London, Berlin, Singapore, and Cape Town.
Applicants will rank their top two preferred locations, and placements will be made by considering applicants' ranked preferred location, and their academic and other interests. Applicants will need to indicate a willingness to go where they are placed.
Read more about CIEE Internship Placement sites below.
Wondering if you would be a good fit for this program? There may be some typical reservations that students have when considering a professional summer internship in another country - but here's why YOU might be a perfect fit despite those reservations!
In considering this opportunity, some may feel imposter syndrome if you have never held an internship before (let alone a global internship!), or have never been abroad before. Don't let imposter syndrome dissuade you!
Consider this:
Think about all of the work and school experiences you have had. Did any of these experiences help you learn to work with a team? Deal with a variety of different personalities? Learn about customer service and being in a professional setting? You can use all of the skills you have learned thus far to help you prepare for a Future Innovators Global Internship!
It is no easy task to apply and get accepted to UC San Diego - so you potentially have what it takes to be a successful Future Innovator! Volunteering, community service, clubs, and other activities that you have been involved in are transferable skills that could apply to a Future Innovator experience.
