The Iacocca International Internship Program (IIIP) offers roughly 100 internship opportunities every year with a variety of options to align well with most majors.
The IIIP application for 2020 internships is closed.
Students may travel individually or in a small group led by a Lehigh faculty or staff member. You may work in a multinational corporation, help a nonprofit or NGO, or perform research in a laboratory or in the field. Opportunities are available in approximately 30 countries.
The international internships are mostly-funded through the Iacocca Foundation, the Freeman Foundation and other donors. This means that major costs of the program, including airfare, housing, local transportation and most meals, are covered. The funding does not cover passport or visa fees, immunizations, optional excursions, personal expenses and some meals. Internships are full time and unpaid, and most do not carry academic credit.
Read about past internship experiences in the student reports.
Prepare sessions (iiPATH) will be facilitated throughout the spring semester. These are imperative for your success as an Iacocca Intern. Therefore, students who will not be on campus for the spring 2021 semester (for any reason) are not eligible for a summer 2021 Iacocca Internship.
2020 Portfolio
Students are encouraged to preview all opportunities. Some opportunities are applicable to any major while others require a specific skill set. Internship opportunities can be sorted by country and/or major.
ADDITIONAL INFORMATION
- Upon acceptance into the Iacocca International Internship Program, the student commits to the program during the specified dates. Dates will not be adjusted by or for the student once selected, although the employer and/or IIIP reserves the right to adjust dates if needed (changes are unlikely).
- Once a student accepts an internship, they cannot cancel it other than for a demonstratedhardship. Due to the highly-competitive nature of the program, if a student needs to cancel their internship for any reason other than demonstrated hardship, the student will be charged $1,000 through the Bursar.
- Graduating seniors must defer graduation until after completion of their internship.
- Interns may not take summer classes during their internship.
Lehigh University reserves the right to revoke the internship at any point if:
- there are safety and security concerns in the internship location
- a student violates any aspect of the Student Understanding and Agreement, the Internship Addendum, letter of acceptance, Lehigh University Code of Conduct, or laws in the country of travel
- students fail to follow through on the internship plan as originally proposed
Student International Services and Insurance Program
Please review the following information regarding insurance benefits for international travel:
iiPATH
Prepare sessions will be facilitated throughout the spring semester. These are imperative for success as an Iacocca Intern
IACOCCA INTERN ALUMNI
To date, nearly 600 students have interned in 50 countries in a variety of placements. Potential applicants are encouraged to read about the experiences of Iacocca Intern Alumni in the annual student reports.
Student Report 2019 (pdf)
Student Report 2018 (pdf)
Student Report 2017 (pdf)
Student Report 2016 (pdf)
Student Report 2015 (pdf)
Student Report 2014 (pdf)
Student Report 2013 (pdf)
Student Report 2012 (pdf)
(page updated 01/10/2020
My experience this summer was way more than just an internship. Living in a country completely foreign to me has taught me how to understand the world from multiple perspectives. India's culture is rich and diverse within its own capital city, making every day a unique learning experience. Lehigh's various connections have helped me meet all kinds of people from different professional backgrounds, both expanding my network and exposing me to the different industries within India.
Angelica Benares '20, Business Information Systems
Global Entrepreneurship Network, India 2018
My internship at the Bermuda Institute of Ocean Sciences exceeded all of my expectations, and I have grown professionally, socially, and personally because of it. I was able to conduct original research and work in a lab, while exploring new fields of study for my future career. It has afforded me many professional connections, relevant scientific work experience, and valuable new research skills that will benefit me both at Lehigh and in future jobs.
Julia Skrapits '19, Molecular Biology
Institute of Ocean Sciences, Bermuda
Living in Bordeaux for nine weeks was not only an unforgettable experience culturally, but also a really eye opening one personally.
Paola Lopez '20, Materials Science and Engineering
Solvay S.A., France
I was able to not only grow in my field, but learn so much about a culture very different from my own. The change in my confidence from when I first arrived to Japan to when I left was insane. I went into this experience with a positive mindset just happy to be going abroad, but I returned with so many amazing new friends, new outlooks, and memories that I will forever cherish.
Soniet Berrios '19, Computer Science Engineering
Nagoya Institute of Technology , Japan
Over the course of 2 months, I had the opportunity to work and live in Hong Kong, experiencing both the culture of the city and corporate life. While I learned new skills in the office and gained invaluable work experience for my career, my time outside of the office had the most impact. I met friendly and helpful people and learned that although Western and Eastern cultures are different, the sound of laughter can be understood in any language. Even though I have left Hong Kong, the lessons learned from my time spent there on an Iacocca Internship are here to stay.
Troy Egar '19, Industrial and Systems Engineering
Hutchison Ports, Hong Kong
