16 International Leadership Programs for High School Students
- Stephen Turban
- 4 days ago
- 11 min read
If you are looking for an opportunity to boost your leadership skills while interacting with a diverse group of people, then an international leadership program is worth considering. International leadership programs can help you learn about global issues and perspectives, engage in team-building activities, and improve your collaboration, problem-solving, and communication skills. As a participant, you also get to interact with experts around the world and get hands-on learning opportunities.
Additionally, with opportunities to meet and engage with students from different cultures and backgrounds, you will be able to grow and become more culturally aware.
To help you find the right option, we have carefully narrowed down 16 international leadership programs for high school students. We have focused on programs that offer rigorous academic challenges, networking opportunities, ease of access, competitive selection processes, and opportunities to work with reputable host organizations.
Location: Virtual
Cost: $750
Application deadline: Applications are open until slots are filled
Program dates: January 6 – February 1 | April 14 – May 9 | June 9 – July 4 | July 28 – August 22
Eligibility: High school students around the world
The United Nations Young Leaders Online Training Programme is a four-week session for high school students interested in learning about global issues and diplomacy. Delivered online by the UN Institute for Training and Research, the program covers topics like the UN system, conference diplomacy, the Sustainable Development Goals, and intercultural communication. Here, you will work at your own pace, learning from readings, videos, and discussions. The program includes live webinars with UN experts on topics such as careers at the United Nations and Model UN preparation. Each week, you will also have the chance to attend a 3.5-hour workshop focused on leadership and negotiation. This experience can be a structured yet flexible introduction to international cooperation and leadership.
Location: This program is 100% virtual, with live, interactive workshops
Cost: Varies depending on program type
Application Deadline: Varies according to cohort. You can access the application link here!
Program Dates: Multiple cohorts throughout the year, including summer, fall, winter, and spring
Eligibility: The program is currently open to all high school students
The Young Founder’s Lab is a real-world start-up boot camp founded and run by Harvard entrepreneurs. In this program, you will work towards building a revenue-generating start-up that addresses a real-world problem. You will also have the opportunity to be mentored by established entrepreneurs and professionals from Google, Microsoft, and X.
Apart from building the start-up itself, you will also participate in interactive classes on business fundamentals and business ideations, workshops and skill-building sessions, case studies, panel discussions, and more.The program is an excellent opportunity to delve into the world of business in high school and have a space to explore multiple theoretical as well as practical frameworks that lead to a successful business. You can check out the brochure for the program here.
Location: Loyola University, Chicago, IL (U.S.)
Cost: $1,995
Application deadline: July 4
Program dates: July 19 – 26
Eligibility: Participants must be a HOBY alumni from a 2024 or 2025 HOBY state seminar or a rising secondary or high school junior (11th grade) or senior (12th grade) between the ages of 15 and 17
The HOBY World Leadership Congress (WLC) is a week-long summer program for high school students interested in developing leadership skills in a global context. Held each year in a major American city, the program brings together students from across the U.S. and over 15 countries. At WLC, you will attend keynote sessions, interactive workshops, and group discussions on communication, critical thinking, and ethical leadership. The program also offers a chance to work on a service project, attend skill-building workshops, and engage in activities like a talent show. This structured, immersive experience encourages reflection, connection, and personal growth within an international peer group.
Location: Cornell University, Ithaca, NY, and the University of Maryland, College Park, MD
Cost: Free
Application deadline: December 3
Program dates: June 22 – July 26
Eligibility: High school sophomores and juniors in the U.S. and abroad who are 15 – 18 years old | Priority is given to students of color and applicants from economically disadvantaged backgrounds
TASS provides high school juniors with a six-week academic experience focused on the humanities and social sciences. During the program, you will engage in discussions about key humanities topics such as race, democracy, and culture. The program is designed to help you develop leadership skills through public speaking, debate, and critical thinking activities.
TASS offers two tracks: Critical Black Studies and Anti-Oppressive Studies. The Critical Black Studies track explores the literature, politics, and art of people of African descent, while the Anti-Oppressive Studies track examines societal structures such as patriarchy, white supremacy, and classism. This program allows you to understand these complex issues and develop the skills needed to discuss and address them. To learn more about this program, check out our full guide on TASS here.
Location: HEC Paris Business School, Jouy-en-Josas, France
Cost: €1,950 (2173 USD)
Application deadline: None. Applications are reviewed on a rolling basis.
Program dates: July 7 – 11
Eligibility: High-school students, 15 to 18 years old, from around the world who are proficient in English
The HEC Paris Youth Leadership Initiative is a short-term program designed to help high school students strengthen their leadership and communication skills in a collaborative environment. Through class discussions and team projects, you will explore topics related to self-awareness, social responsibility, and global issues. The program emphasizes practical learning and personal development, with opportunities to reflect on your own leadership style and engage with peers from around the world. Held on the HEC Paris campus, it also gives you a chance to experience university life while building skills relevant to school, community, and future projects.
Location: Georgetown University, Washington, D.C., or University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI
Cost: $3,195 (Georgetown University) | $3095 (University of Michigan) | Scholarships are available.
Application deadline: Application window is open until the program is full
Program dates: Multiple six-day sessions in the summer. You can find the details here.
Eligibility: High school students around the world
The NSLC Leadership & Service program offers high school students a mix of leadership development and community engagement opportunities. As a participant, you will engage in workshops on communication, goal setting, team building, and public speaking to be able to better understand and apply your strengths. A key part of the program is hands-on service work with local organizations like the Capital Area Food Bank and Salvation Army, giving you a chance to contribute while learning about community leadership. Outside of workshops and service projects, you will get to explore museums and historic landmarks with other students.
Location: Virtual
Cost: No cost
Application deadline: June 15
Program dates: June 26 – July 23
Eligibility: High-school students between the ages of 14 and 18
The Student Self Leadership is a free, four-week online course for students interested in picking up practical leadership and self-management skills. Hosted on the Intrepid® platform and facilitated by Blanchard leadership experts, the course includes weekly one-hour live sessions and interactive tasks. Here, you will learn how to navigate challenges, build confidence, and develop a clearer sense of direction in school and daily life. Your progress will be tracked through a points and badge system, helping you feel consistently engaged and be an active part of a structured, supportive environment. The experience can be a straightforward introduction to the concepts of personal leadership and growth.
Location: FBI Academy, Quantico, VA (U.S.)
Cost: Free
Application deadline: February 3
Program dates: June 19 – 27
Eligibility: Rising high school sophomores and juniors who are 14 – 16 years old
The FBI National Academy Associates Youth Leadership Program is designed for high school students interested in law enforcement and public service careers. Held at the FBI Academy, the program offers a rigorous curriculum that focuses on leadership principles, ethical decision-making, and physical fitness. During the program, you will have the chance to work alongside law enforcement professionals, gaining insights into situational leadership and learning about leadership mistakes to avoid. This experience can be a hands-on approach to understanding leadership in the context of public service and exploring the field of law enforcement.
Location: Virtual or in-person at Kelley School of Business, Indiana University, Bloomington, IN
Cost: Free
Application deadline: Various deadlines depending on session; applications typically close 1 month before the start date.
Program dates: Multiple one-day sessions in June and July for the in-person program
Eligibility: Rising high school juniors and seniors with a 3.5/4.0 minimum GPA
The Kelley Women’s Leadership Institute provides high-achieving young women with the opportunity to explore business careers and develop key leadership skills. This pre-college program offers an introduction to various business disciplines through activities, case studies, and workshops led by Kelley faculty. Throughout the program, you will engage with other young women interested in business and have the chance to connect with current Kelley students. This experience can help you develop a better understanding of the business world and help you build leadership abilities in a supportive, collaborative environment.
Location: Tufts University Medford/Somerville Campus, Medford, MA (U.S.)
Cost: $5,750
Application deadline: May 1
Program dates: Session 1: July 6 – 18 | Session 2: July 20 – August 1
Eligibility: Students who are entering grades 10 to 12 and are at least 15 years old
The Leadership for Social Change is a two-week summer program for students interested in developing leadership skills while engaging with their communities. During the program, you will get insights into challenges, like community health, neighborhood segregation, environmental justice, public policy, and educational inequity. You will explore civic issues, social inequities, and related topics through a combination of academics, fieldwork, skill-building sessions, and opportunities for reflection. Then, based on what you learned, you will analyze a social issue within your community by studying policies, identifying stakeholders, and connecting local issues to larger systems of inequity. At the end of the program, you will present your research project. This experience can help you pick up leadership capabilities required for making a social change.
Location: Online or in-person at Brown University, Rhode Island, RI (U.S.)
Cost: 2 weeks : $5,788 (residential) and $4,540 (commuter) | 4 weeks : $5,528 (online)
Application deadline: May 9
Program dates: Residential : June 29 – July 11 (session 1) and July 13 – 25 (session 2) | Online : June 23 – July 18
Eligibility: High school students between the ages of 14 and 18
The Leadership Institute is an opportunity for students to explore social issues and develop skills for advancing social justice. During the program, you get to connect with peers from around the world who share an interest in topics such as civic engagement, gender equity, educational access, and intercultural communication. Throughout the program, you will engage in discussions and activities related to the course of your choice, working closely with your peers and instructor. The experience can help you work on your collaborative leadership, active listening, public speaking, problem-solving, and teamwork skills. You will also get to develop an Action Plan, which you can implement in your own school or community to address the issues you have explored during the program. This program offers a structured approach to tackling complex social problems and applying what you have learned to real-world contexts.
Location: University of Mississippi, University, MS
Cost: $350 non-refundable registration fee + $1,350 program + $350 mandatory TB test and medical insurance for international students + $250 for meals/spending money
Application deadline: Applications typically close in January
Program dates: Session 1: May 26 – June 28 | Session 2: June 23 – July 26
Eligibility: Rising high school seniors
The Lott Leadership Summer Institute, part of the University of Mississippi’s Summer College, offers a unique opportunity for student leaders from across the country to address real-world public policy challenges. During the program, you will work on developing and pitching policy proposals to a panel of experts and participate in discussions with national leaders about current issues. Additionally, you can earn up to seven hours of college credit during the program. The experience also offers you a trip to Washington, D.C., where you will get to explore the political and policy landscape even further. This experience can help you strengthen your public speaking, networking, and leadership skills in a practical, real-world setting.
Location: University of Notre Dame, Notre Dame, IN (U.S.)
Cost: $210 ($60 application fee + $150 enrollment fee)
Application deadline: January 22
Program dates: July 19 – 30
Eligibility: High school juniors who are at least 16 and entering their senior year in the fall
The Summer Leadership Seminar is a competitive program that accepts about 100 students every year. The program is a chance to experience college-level academics while developing leadership skills. You will also take courses on topics like global issues, inequity in America, and the power of investing. During the program, you will also get to engage in community service and experience life on a college campus, making you better equipped for higher education. This experience can help you strengthen your leadership abilities in a college environment while gaining valuable insights into academics and campus life.
Location: University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA
Cost: $10,999. Information regarding scholarships can be found here.
Application deadline: April 2
Program Dates: Session 1: June 8 – 28 | Session 2: June 29 – July 19 | Session 3: July 20 – August 9
Eligibility: High school students in grade 11 who have demonstrated leadership experience, academic excellence, and a 3.5 unweighted GPA or higher
The Leadership in the Business World (LBW) program offers high school students an introduction to business leadership. During the program, you will attend lectures by Wharton professors, hear from industry leaders, and participate in interactive simulations. The program covers core business topics such as leadership, teamwork, organizational strategy, and negotiation, with learning methods that include discussions, small-group activities, and digital simulations. In addition to academic work, you will research real-world businesses and have opportunities to connect with successful leaders in fields like finance, entrepreneurship, and real estate. The program also offers access to Wharton Global Youth Speaker Series events, where you will learn about topics like crisis management, AI, and neuroeconomics.
Location: Wake Forest University, Reynolda Campus, Winston-Salem, NC (U.S.)
Cost: $3,200
Application deadline: Not specified
Program dates: June 15 – 20 | June 22 – 27
Eligibility: High school students
The Wake Forest Summer Immersion Leadership Institute offers high schoolers an opportunity to develop leadership skills before entering college. Through personal growth, exploration, and reflection, the program can help you build the ability to inspire and lead others toward a common goal. You will work with faculty and staff to strengthen your leadership abilities and learn from professionals in various fields about leadership in practice. The program also covers topics like relationship development, self-awareness, team dynamics, and resilience. You will also have the chance to serve with local nonprofit organizations, which adds a practical, service-oriented component to the experience. Additionally, the institute can help you improve your resume, develop your personal brand, and understand the importance of cultural awareness, diversity, and equity.
Location: University of British Columbia, Vancouver, Canada
Cost: Residential: $5,045 CAD (3604 USD) | Commuter: $2,545 CAD (1818 USD)
Application deadline: Open until slots are full
Program dates: Session 1: July 7–18 | Session 2: July 21-August 1 | Session 3: August 4–15
Eligibility: High school students who are 15 – 18 years old and have completed grade 10 or equivalent
UBC Future Global Leaders is a two-week summer program for high school students aged 15–18, held on the UBC Vancouver campus. It offers a chance to explore academic interests through first-year university-level courses taught by UBC professors and instructors. There are no exams here, which allows you to focus on learning and discussion. You will be placed in small classes along with students from across Canada and around the world, giving you the opportunity to connect with peers while experiencing university life. Outside of class, the program includes social and recreational activities. The experience can help you become better equipped for future academics.
One other option for you — the Lumiere Research Scholar Program
If you are interested in pursuing independent research, you could consider applying to any of the Lumiere Research Scholar Programs, which are selective online high school programs for students founded with researchers at Harvard and Oxford. Last year, we had over 4000 students apply for 500 spots in the program! You can find the application form here.
You can also check out the Lumiere Research Inclusion Foundation—a non-profit research program for talented, low-income students. Last year, we offered 150 students full need-based financial aid!
Stephen is one of the founders of Lumiere and a Harvard College graduate. He founded Lumiere as a PhD student at Harvard Business School. Lumiere is a selective research program where students work 1-1 with a research mentor to develop an independent research paper.
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