About the role#
The Refugee Barrier Reduction Intern supports the economic empowerment program for the International Rescue Committee in Silver Spring, Maryland. This role assists humanitarian migrants in reducing obstacles to self-sufficiency by providing casework services and facilitating access to essential resources. This internship is unpaid and requires a minimum commitment of 24 hours per week during the Fall 2026 semester. Interns are expected to attend an in-person orientation on September 7, 2026.
What you'll do#
- Provide direct support to clients in completing and submitting applications for services such as childcare vouchers and public benefits.
- Conduct training sessions on topics including public transportation, digital literacy, and job readiness.
- Assist clients during Job Application Hours to help them navigate the U.S. employment process.
- Coordinate with economic empowerment service teams to support ongoing client needs.
- Facilitate client outings to institutions like libraries and financial venues to improve resource engagement.
What you'll need#
- Strong interest in refugee and asylee issues.
- Ability to work independently as a self-motivated individual.
- Excellent communication and writing skills, including the ability to communicate across cultures.
- Ability to adapt quickly and work effectively in a busy environment.
- Proficiency in Spanish, Amharic, Dari, Pashto, Haitian-Creole, French, Kinyarwanda, or Swahili is considered an asset.
- Preferred majors include Psychology, Human Resources, Sociology, Political Science, or International Relations.
Location & details#
- Location: Silver Spring, Maryland (On-site).
- Term: Fall 2026 (September through December).
- Commitment: Minimum 24 hours per week.
- Compensation: This is an unpaid internship. Eligible interns may receive a per diem reimbursement of $15 per day for food and travel costs.
About International Rescue Committee
The International Rescue Committee is a nonprofit organization that provides humanitarian aid to people affected by war and disaster. Founded in 1933, it operates in more than 50 countries and 28 cities across the United States. The organization focuses on areas such as refugee resettlement, health care, and emergency relief. It employs over 13,000 people to support its mission of assisting displaced populations.
How to get in at International Rescue Committee
Applying early gives you a distinct advantage at the International Rescue Committee because recruiters review applications as they arrive. Intern Insider sends an instant alert the moment a role matching your target is published anywhere, so you apply among the first before the pile grows. This helps you avoid the frustration of submitting your materials to a massive, stagnant queue. You can reach out directly to the recruiters behind the company's roles to ask about the position or a referral, which materially improves your response rates. Intern Insider surfaces these specific contacts, allowing you to bypass the standard portal and connect with the people actually hiring for the team.
