What can we offer?

We offer you a unique opportunity to acquire experience in different areas of expertise, in an international and multicultural environment enhancing your networking possibilities. In addition, you will have the chance to acquire significant knowledge of the Organization of American States (OAS), its mission, pillars, structure and projects in the hemisphere.

The Organization of American States (OAS) is the main political forum of the Region that promotes and supports Democracy, Human Rights, Multi-dimensional Security and Integral Development in the Americas. The OAS seeks to prevent conflicts and to bring political stability, social inclusion and prosperity to the region through dialogue and collective actions.

The GS/OAS embraces equality, diversity and inclusion. Thus, the GS/OAS, in accordance with its rules and regulations, is committed to providing equal opportunities in employment, achieving a diverse staff, and will take into account a wide geographic representation, as well as gender equity and equality, in the selection of candidates.

Requirements

Apply now!

Tips

Adapt your expectations

Work and college are very different realities. At work, your supervisors will not give you an opinion about your performance as often as you are used to, and do not regularly ask for your opinion. Most likely you will not be asked to solve vital issues during an internship. The internship is an opportunity to observe and learn.

Create a network of friends

Introduce yourself to your co-workers and share your aspirations with them. Socialize during lunch. Participate in activities outside the office. Create friendly relationships during the internship.

Be professional

Arrive on time. Dress appropriately for work. Give 100%, on whatever task you are required to do.

Ask

Be humble … you are not expected to know everything. Try to understand how your actions have an impact within the macro view of the Organization.

Reflect

Apply the theories you learned in college. Your input can help improve processes and create change. What makes a process efficient? In what way can you positively influence the work of the Organization? How has this experience changed your life?

Be proactive

Ask yourself how you can help and improve the work in your department. You can make a difference. Give and ask for feedback and contribute.

Important to know

  • The OAS Internship Program does not offer any payment or stipend. Interns are responsible for all costs associated with travel, housing, maintenance and health insurance.
  • All interns are required to participate in the Internship’s Weekly Orientation Program coordinated by the Department of Human Resources. A certificate of completion of the internship will be awarded to interns who have attended at least 80% of these activities.
  • As part of the OAS Internship Program, interns are required to fulfill a performance evaluation. This evaluation is done at the end of the internship session.
  • Candidates can apply to both sessions of the internship. However, please bear in mind that you can only take part in the internship once, through one of our sessions. This means that if you were interviewed and given internship offers by both Headquarters and Country Offices, you could only accept one of these offers.
  • Interns must have access to a reliant internet connection and personal computer throughout the entirety of the internship.
  • Internships are full-time (40h/week) from 9 am to 5:30 pm EST (Washington, DC). Other specific work arrangements may be discussed with your potential supervisor if you are invited for an interview.
  • All interns are required to submit valid proof of insurance before starting the internship.
  • If you have participated in the OAS Internship Program once, you cannot apply again or be accepted in any future internship sessions at the OAS.
  • The information handled by interns during the performance of their duties is confidential; it belongs to the General Secretariat of the OAS and cannot be used for personal or professional gain.

Calendar 2024

Our Application System is currently OPEN.

  • 2024 Summer Session (Washington, D.C.) & Session II (Country Offices)
    Applications: Jan 29 – Feb 16, 2024
    Internship sessions: Jun 06 – Aug 16, 2024
  • 2024 Winter/Spring Session (Washington, D.C.) & Session I (Country Offices)
    Applications: Aug 21 – Sep 22, 2023
    Internship sessions: Jan 11 – Apr 26, 2024
See Calendar 2024

 

Frequently Asked Questions

What is a cover letter?

The cover letter is a key document to your application, in which you introduce yourself and explain why you are a suitable candidate for the internship position. This letter allows you to compliment your CV by describing in further detail your academic and/or professional achievements, skills you have developed, areas of interest and what makes your profile stand out. It must be organized, clear and concise. The Internship Program encourages candidates not to exceed one page in length.

Why choose the OAS?

  • Because the Organization of American States (OAS) is a multilateral organization that will allow you to have a real experience within the international scenario. Additionally, it is the most important political forum in the Western Hemisphere.
  • Because the Internship Program is the adequate environment for learning and acquiring professional experience. Specific objectives are defined between the intern and the supervisor during the first week of the internship, which are monitored and evaluated at the end of the session.
  • Because the organization offers a weekly orientation program that will strengthen your professional and personal skills.
  • Because the OAS Internship Program has more than 40 years of experience, which has enabled us to improve the processes so that it fits the evolving needs of the interns.

Where are the internships held?

The OAS Internship Program has been taking place at the headquarters of the OAS General Secretariat in Washington, DC for more than 40 years. In addition, in 2011 the Program was expanded to the offices in the OAS Member States.

Which dates/sessions may I participate in?

The Internship Program is offered three times a year:

  • Winter/Spring – Session I (January-May)
  • Summer – Session II (June-August)
  • Fall – Session III (September-December)

Specific start and end dates vary on an annual basis. Candidates can find the updated timeline for the ongoing year in the “Calendar” section of this webpage.

Who can apply?

Students at the undergraduate and graduate level as well as young professionals, regardless of their nationality (it is not required to be a national of an OAS member state). However, undergraduate students must have at least finished their second year of studies at the moment of application. Additionally, in order to be eligible to apply, candidates must meet all requirements listed under the “Requirements” section of this website.

Is there an age limit to participate?

The Internship Program has no age limit; however, it is aimed at undergraduate, graduate students and young professionals. The average age of participants is 24 and the work assigned aims to provide interns with an entry-level professional experience.

Is the internship paid?

The OAS Internship Program is unpaid. Its purpose is to provide interns with a professional experience and to meet academic provisions when required. Interns are responsible for all costs associated with housing, health insurance, and any other costs for the duration of the internship.

As a foreigner, if I travel to the United States exclusively to do the internship, may I have a complementary job elsewhere?

Any intern who has a visa sponsored by the OAS must be a full time intern and cannot accept any other job outside the OAS.

If my country is not a member of the OAS, may I participate in the Program?

Yes. The program has no restrictions in terms of nationality.

In what areas or departments can I do the internship in Washington, DC?

Approximately 30 different areas of the General Secretariat, dedicated to diverse functions related to human rights, sustainable development, multidimensional security and democracy, as well as organization’s financial and administrative backbone, recruit interns each session. This means that the tasks to be assigned to each intern will vary greatly and will depend on the area to which they are assigned. The areas for which you can apply are visible in the electronic form you must complete for applying.

The OAS organizational chart is available in its website.

What is the work of interns at the Country Offices about?

Interns at Country Offices work on different projects according to the priorities and needs of each Office, supporting the execution of the Organization’s mandates in its Member States. Among the major functions of the Offices are:
  • Support for technical cooperation programs and activities related to democracy, human rights, integral development and multidimensional security;
  • Promoting the OAS scholarship program and OAS educational loan programs; among others.
More information about our Country Offices can be found here.

Can I apply for both sessions at the Headquarters and in the Country Offices?

Candidates can apply to both sessions of the internship. However, please bear in mind that you can only take part in the internship once, through one of our sessions. This means that if you were interviewed and given internship offers by both Headquarters and Country Offices, you could only accept one of these offers.

What does the Internship’s Weekly Orientation Program encompass?

The Orientation Program includes weekly mandatory meetings about different topics of interest within the OAS. Each meeting has a different speaker who offers an overview of a particular project or subject that is relevant to the Organization.

As part of the Internship’s Weekly Orientation Program, interns also have the opportunity to visit other international organizations such as the World Bank and the Inter-American Development Bank, as well as engage in networking activities and participate in mentoring group sessions about career development.

Do I need a valid visa to enter the United States at the time of application?

No. In order to participate in the in-person sessions of the OAS Internship Program in Washington DC, a special visa is required that may be requested upon official acceptance into the program.

What is the equivalent of 3.0 out of 4.0 in other grading scales?

It is determined by the candidate’s grading scale in his/her country. It means being in the top 25% of the corresponding scale. For example, if the grading scale is 100, the candidate should have an average of at least 75.

Is it necessary to translate all supporting documents into English?

No. The documents are accepted in any of the four official languages of the Organization (English, Spanish, French, and Portuguese).

What is the primary language used in the Washington DC Internship Program?

Part of the requirements to apply for the Internship Program is to have knowledge of at least two of the four official languages of the Organization (English, Spanish, French and Portuguese). However, most of the activities/ meetings are conducted in English or Spanish.

What is the primary language for the internships in the Country Offices?

The online activities for the Country Offices are available in both English and Spanish, so it is necessary to be proficient in at least one of these two languages.

It is also necessary to have command of the language of the country where the internship will take place.

Is it necessary to certify my second language? (E.g. TOEFL)?

Certifying a second language is not a prerequisite for applying to the internship. However, the area that is interested in having you as an intern can seek certification if they wish, or conduct an interview in that language to evaluate the individual’s proficiency level.

What are my responsibilities as an intern?

  • Comply with the tasks and schedule assigned by your supervisor: tasks assigned to interns vary greatly according to the area to which they are assigned. Terms of Reference are usually discussed with those invited for the interview stage. Overall, interns are assigned specific projects to be performed during the internship.
  • Attend at least 80% of the meetings/weekly activities of the Program: weekly meetings are organized by the Internship Program with senior officers of the Organization and aim to provide participants with cross-cutting knowledge of the OAS.
  • Respect and comply with the Internship Agreement.

In what language should I complete the application form?

The form is designed in English but may be answered in any of the four official languages of the Organization (English, French, Spanish, and Portuguese). However, it is recommended to complete the application in English or Spanish.

What should I answer under “Visa Type” on the application form?

You should indicate if you currently have a valid visa for the United States (tourist, student F-1, or J-1). If you have no visa you can respond N/A (Not Applicable).

How do I know if I was selected?

Both selected and unselected candidates will hear back on the final status of their application. Selected candidates will receive an official letter of acceptance issued by the OAS Internship Program. Those who are not selected to take part in the program will receive updates about the end of the selection cycle also via e-mail.

Is it possible to know how long will it take to be informed if I was selected?

All selected interns should have received their letter of acceptance issued by the OAS Internship Program approximately one month before the official start date of the session.

What does the selection process look like?

Once the applications periods close, the Internship Program team conducts a prescreening of all applications received to verify that they comply with the minimum requirements. Incomplete or deficient applications are disqualified. Before applying, candidates should carefully review the requirements section and Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ).

All recruiting areas are then granted access to the pool of preselected candidates and proceed to select the profiles more suited to the internship position that they are offering. Suitable candidates are invited for an interview.

The selection process ends when the candidate accepts the internship offer. The Internship Program team conducts one last verification of requirements and approves the selection.

How many interns are selected?

The number of interns allowed per session is limited based on the headcount of the Organization. The number may vary but on average there are 60 to 80 interns per session.

If I apply for the internships and I am not selected, may I re-apply?

Yes. You may apply as many times as you want.

If I do an internship, may I reapply to do an internship in a different area/department or in a Country Office?

No. You can only participate in the OAS Internship Program once. The regulations of the Internship Program prohibit repeating or extending internships.

Does the Internship Program offer financial support for living expenses during my internship?

No. Interns are responsible for their own living and transportation expenses and for their medical insurance during the period of their internship.

Where can I find information about housing, weather, airports, and medical insurance in Washington D.C.?

Housing

We strongly recommend joining our Facebook Group where you can find other future interns that are also looking for a place to stay or share, and former interns that could offer recommendations about where to live in Washington DC.

Here you can find some housing options that have been used by interns in the past:

Weather

  • WINTER in D.C. lasts from December to the beginning of March. Average temperatures range from 20º to 50º Fahrenheit (between -6º and 10º Celsius).
  • SPRING in D.C. lasts from late March through late May. Temperatures during the spring are often between 40º and 70º Fahrenheit (between 4º and 21º Celsius).
  • SUMMER in D.C. lasts from June through August. Temperatures are generally between 60º and 90º Fahrenheit (between 16º and 32º Celsius).
  • FALL in D.C. lasts from September through November. Temperatures are generally between 40º and 70º Fahrenheit (between 4º and 15º Celsius).

Airports

  • RONALD REAGAN WASHINGTON NATIONAL AIRPORT (DCA) This airport is located in Arlington County, Virginia, and it is the closest airport to the Washington D.C. area. The airport is connected to the metro system and offers taxi and shuttle services. For this airport's location click here.
  • DULLES INTERNATIONAL AIRPORT (IAD) This airport is located in Dulles, Virginia, 26 miles (42 kilometers) from Washington, DC. It offers shuttle and taxi services and there is a close metro station (silver line). For the location of this airport, click here.
  • BALTIMORE WASHINGTON INTERNATIONAL THURGOOD MARSHAL AIRPORT (BWI) This airport is located just outside of the city of Baltimore in Maryland, 32 miles (52 kilometers) from Washington, DC. It offers shuttle and taxi services and there is a train station close to the facilities of the airport. For the location of this airport, click here.

Health Insurance

All interns working at the General Secretariat of the OAS must acquire medical insurance with coverage in the country where they will do their internship and for the entire session. Valid proof of insurance should be sent to the Department of Human Resources before the beginning of the internship.