Skip to main content
Donate

The Sally Yudelman Internship Program

WOLA’s Internship Program is named in honor of Sally Yudelman for her commitment and contribution to WOLA and the cause of social justice. Interns at WOLA gain hands-on experience through staff mentorship and exciting opportunities that offer an in-depth look at the dynamic world of human rights advocacy. Join us in driving meaningful change in the Americas.

Fundraising and Communications Internships

The Fundraising and Communications Intern will support WOLA’s fundraising and communications teams, assisting with event planning, database management, email campaigns, social media and website content. Interns will gain hands-on experience in donor cultivation and learn to effectively communicate WOLA’s mission to diverse audiences.

This internship provides valuable exposure to fundraising and strategic communications while promoting human rights in Latin America. It is ideal for students interested in non-profit management, philanthropy, journalism, or marketing. Experience with translation, event planning, digital software, or multimedia is considered a plus.

Foreign Policy Internships

Policy interns are each assigned to one or more specific thematic areas. Interns take on a wide range of responsibilities; on any given day, an intern might attend a hearing on Capitol Hill while another translates a press release and another conducts research for a memo. The position includes immersion into WOLA’s expert teams, and offers students first-hand experience in the research, strategy, and development of human rights advocacy. Policy interns are ideally suited for students interested in international relations, foreign policy, or political science—in addition to human rights and Latin America. Experience with translation, technical writing, and research is a plus.

Application Instructions

Interested applicants must be currently enrolled in an undergraduate college or university program. They should have a demonstrated interest in human rights, democracy, and social justice in Latin America; initiative and flexibility; the ability to work in a fast-paced environment; good organizational skills; follow-through; and attention to detail. A minimum of intermediate-advanced Spanish proficiency is required for all internships. Intermediate Portuguese language skills and an interest/experience in development, operations, or communications are pluses. 

This is an unpaid, remote internship. Interns will receive a stipend of $780 per semester to cover costs associated with participating in the internship such as, but not limited to, internet access, meals, and office supplies. Interns located in the DC-Metro area are welcome, but not required, to come to WOLA offices, in coordination with their supervisors.

WOLA takes pride in prioritizing candidates that have not previously had a chance to intern with similar non-profits or human rights-related NGOs in the past.

Applications will be reviewed on a rolling, first-come, first-served basis.

To apply: 

Please submit the following in a single PDF document to internapp@wola.org. 

  1. Resume in English
  2. Cover Letter in which you state:
    1. Number of hours you will be available to work
    2. Your particular interest in specific programs, communications, or development
    3. Why you want to intern at WOLA and your level of Spanish
  3. Two writing samples; one in English and one in Spanish on a writing topic of your choice (no more than 2 pages each)

Please note that only undergraduate students will be considered for the Spring 2026 cohort.

 If you are a Higher Education Institution interested in partnering with WOLA and our internship program, please reach out to intern@wola.org. 

Summer Dates

Application deadline: April 6, 2026

Internship Dates: Mid-June – Mid-August 2026

(If you need alternate dates to coincide with your academic program, please include these dates in your cover letter)

Summer Dates

Application Deadline: April 6, 2026

Internship Dates: Mid-June – Mid-August 2026

In honor of Sally Yudelman for her commitment and contribution to WOLA and the cause of social justice

WOLA’s Internship Program is named in honor of Sally Yudelman for her commitment and contribution to WOLA and the cause of social justice. Following Sally’s example, we hope to provide unique mentoring opportunities through internships, encouraging the next generation of young people to get involved in advocating for human rights in Latin America. Our former interns can be found around the world working as human rights advocates, congressional aides, lawyers, journalists, professors, and even as members of WOLA’s staff.

Every semester, WOLA’s new interns are paired with staff mentors and absorbed into the work of the organization. They collaborate on a mix of research, analytical, and administrative work, and they are encouraged to get involved in the day-to-day activities of their teams.

Interns also participate in the behind-the-scenes work of running a non-profit organization, including helping with technology, media, finance, and event planning.

A group of eight individuals poses together in front of a WOLA-branded backdrop, smiling and holding drinks. This photo captures the camaraderie among interns from The Sally Yudelman Internship Program at WOLA.
A large group of approximately 30 individuals poses for a photo at a gathering in an indoor setting. The attendees, many of whom are likely participants in The Sally Yudelman Internship Program at WOLA, are smiling and engaging with one another.
A group of five individuals poses for a photo in front of a WOLA-branded backdrop, all smiling. This image represents interns from The Sally Yudelman Internship Program at WOLA, showcasing their vibrant personalities.