International House

Opportunities

Position: Citizen Diplomacy Program Intern

**Applications will be accepted until August 15th**

Location: Hybrid, Charlotte, NC

Position Description:  The Citizen Diplomacy Program (CDP) Intern aids in International House under the auspices of the U.S. Department of State’s Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs through supporting the CDP team in welcoming international visitors from all over the world for short-term professional global exchange programs. Participants are between the ages of 20-50 (depending on the type of program) and specialize in a variety of different topics such as entrepreneurship, corporate social responsibility, youth activism, human rights, etc. CDP facilitates projects throughout the year through the International Visitor Leadership Program (IVLP) and various fee-for-service programs on a contract-by-contract basis. The CDP team oversees the preparation of the professional and cultural program for participants who are visiting Charlotte by identifying professionals and volunteers in the community who would align with the visitors’ program objectives. 

Interns will engage in a service-learning experience through which they will gain insight into what is involved in the daily operations of International House’s Citizen Diplomacy Program. Interns will receive ongoing training in the areas of citizen diplomacy, cross-cultural competency, international relations, community outreach, partnership building, and administrative duties. Individuals interested in working in international affairs, diplomacy, public policies, human rights, grassroots advocacy, and the nonprofit or government sector will benefit from this experience. Interns will develop skills in program planning, proposal writing, project management, public relations, and information management experience. 

Roles & Responsibilities:

• • Identify local companies/organizations that align with international visitors’ program objectives by conducting research on local industry companies and cultural events/attractions

  • Assist the CDP team in the development of proposals for IVLP according to the assigned deadlines

  • Assist project leads in creating schedules and program books

  • Schedule permitting, attend meetings with international delegates

  • Support the team by generating content for International House social media 

Qualifications:

• Confident in communicating with program partners through email, in-person meetings, and outreach; maintains professionalism and builds strong working relationships.

• Highly organized with strong oral and written communication skills

• Independent, responsible, and self-motivated

• Strong computer proficiency skills (Microsoft Office and Canva)

• Cultural awareness and sensitivity 

• International experience is a plus

• Ability to interact with a variety of program partners on a regular basis 

Time Commitment: 

• Minimum of 10 hours a week for a full school year (August 2025- May 2026)

• IH Office is open Monday-Thursday from 9 AM – 5 PM for in-person, weekly hours.

• Exact schedule determined by intern class schedule and CDP program calendar.

• Hybrid schedule: many projects and assignments for CDP can be completed remotely

  • Reliable personal transportation to and from our office and meeting locations in Charlotte is a plus, but not required.

• Some evenings and weekends may be requested, especially when we have international visitors on site with us for programming; weekend or evening projects will contribute to the weekly hour requirement 

Interested?  Please send your resume and a cover letter to Alexandra Buckman, Citizen Diplomacy Program Director at abuckman@ihclt.org, as well as Olivia Norten, Citizen Diplomacy Program and Special Projects Coordinator at onorten@ihclt.org. 

If selected for additional consideration, you’ll be contacted via email by IH staff to schedule an interview. Applications will be accepted until August 15th .