International Relations Programs (Bachelor)

Geneva was chosen after WWI as the home for the League of Nations, which created the traditions for what is today’s United Nations. The UN Office in Geneva still remains the U.N.’s largest hub outside of New York City.

As home to 38 official International Organizations and representation of International Missions from over 179 States, Geneva is unequivocally the world’s primary hub for Multilateral Affairs. There are also hundreds of international NGOs, from Amnesty International to the WWF, that conduct international advocacy in Geneva, some of whom maintain their EU headquarters here.

Traditions of Humanitarian Action also began in Geneva, with the founding of the International Red Cross and Red Crescent movement. Geneva is also now home to the UN Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights, and hosts the Human Rights Council for its annual meetings (over 2-3 weeks) three times per year, which include many public side events.

While Geneva is a small by world standards (about 500,000 total residents), over 30,000 people employed directly in these various International Orgs, NGOs and permanent missions.

Collectively, the United Nations, International Organizations, NGOs and State Missions to the UN are known as “Genève Internationale.”

All U.N. languages are used in official meetings, yet English is the prevailing second language among the large majority of Geneva’s citizens.

What organizations advertise internships at Webster?

Each year, dozens of International Organizations, UN agencies and NGOs advertise internships that are open for students to apply. These include world-renowned foundations as well as small not-for-profits. Webster’s Career Services staff help to match students with available opportunities. In recent years, internship announcements came from UNICEF, the International AIDS Society, UNITAR, the UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs, the World Council of Churches, the Global Alliance of National Human Rights Institutions, OAK Foundation, and the UN Conference on Trade and Development, to name a few!

Can I be paid as an intern?

Each year, there are options both for paid and for unpaid internships. Some internships require work eligibility (either Swiss/EU citizenship or family resident permits that allow work); yet others are within International Organizations in Geneva from the United Nations and its agencies to specialized NGOs like The Global Fund or the International Committee of the Red Cross.

Can I do an internship during the academic year or only during summer?

Academic Internships are organized between the school and the employer; generally, these need to coincide with the academic calendar (Fall semester, Spring semester, or Summer term).

Other internship opportunities are sometimes dependent upon the employer’s need. They may have an annual internship program (advertised in advance) or have ‘just-in-time’ needs about which they advertise for immediate placement.

How many hours of work are typically required?

This depends on the needs of the organization. A typical Academic Internship (which earns 3 credits — equal to one course — toward your graduation) would be 14 hours of work per week during a 16-week semester.

What skills will I need for making an internship?

Interns are often hired for a combination of knowledge (from their major) and skills they bring, from language skills to media and website development skills. Many students in IR will pursue electives in media or even marketing, to support their CV as they develop the tool kit they need to earn an internship or a job after graduation.