If you are passionate about education and want to make a real difference for refugee and immigrant youth, this Fall 2026 internship with the International Rescue Committee (IRC) in Silver Spring, Maryland, is deeply rewarding. Across a tutoring track and a mentoring track, you will help young people build their confidence, English skills, and plans for college and careers.
About the Organisation
The International Rescue Committee (IRC) responds to the world's worst humanitarian crises, helping to restore health, safety, education, economic wellbeing, and power to people devastated by conflict and disaster. Founded in 1933 at the call of Albert Einstein, the IRC works in more than 40 countries and 29 US cities.
The IRC's Refugee School Impact Program (RSIG) and Refugee Youth Mentoring Program (RYMP) support the integration and holistic wellbeing of school-aged students who hold a humanitarian immigration status. The programs reinforce a sense of belonging and security within schools and communities, build students' confidence in their English and academic abilities, and help students develop graduation and career plans tailored to their interests and skills. Throughout the year, students take part in after-school programming, college and career discovery workshops, field trips, and a Summer Academy. An additional component of the internship is youth case management, including enrolling new clients and completing individual service plans.
General Responsibilities
🤝 Build supportive, culturally responsive relationships with refugee and immigrant youth in the after-school program
🧑🏫 Deliver engaging, differentiated small-group and one-on-one sessions reflecting the IRC's Social Emotional Asset Development (SEAD) framework
📚 Design and adapt culturally relevant instructional materials for multilingual learners, and contribute to a shared team library of resources
📊 Help administer and record attendance, pre- and post-assessments, and participant progress data
🎤 Co-facilitate volunteer and staff orientation and training, modelling effective facilitation techniques
🔍 Support continuous quality improvement by identifying gaps and opportunities and raising them to the Youth Supervisor and Coordinator
🌟 Maintain a safe, inclusive, and welcoming learning environment
Tutor Track: Academic and English Language Development
📖 Provide academic tutoring and homework support across content areas
🗣️ Deliver English Language Development (ELD) instruction aligned to Maryland WIDA standards
✏️ Design, adapt, and differentiate ELD lesson plans and materials for multilingual and English Language Learner (ELL) youth
📝 Administer IRC's pre- and post-ELD assessments and help review results to inform instruction
Mentor Track: College and Career Readiness
🎓 Mentor youth in college exploration, post-secondary planning, and career awareness
🗂️ Design and adapt college- and career-readiness curriculum and workshops, such as goal-setting, the college application process, financial aid and FAFSA awareness, resume building, and interview practice
💪 Support youth in identifying their interests, strengths, and goals, and building the confidence to pursue them
📈 Integrate English language support as needed, and help track mentee goals and progress
Requirements
🎓 Currently enrolled in, or holding, a bachelor's or master's degree (an equivalent combination of education and experience is considered); tutor track preferably in TESOL, Applied Linguistics, Education, or Linguistics; mentor track preferably in Education, Counseling, Social Work, Youth Development, or Career Counseling
💼 Experience teaching, tutoring, mentoring, or coaching children and youth is preferred; experience with English Language Learners, refugee youth, and/or US public school settings is desired
🧩 The ability to create and deliver engaging, differentiated lessons and workshops for multilingual and ELL youth
📚 Tutor track: knowledge of ESL/ELD instructional practices; familiarity with the WIDA English Language Development Standards Framework is preferred
The Details
📍 Location: Silver Spring, MD, USA (hybrid, with in-person work required)
🕒 Type: part-time, unpaid internship, minimum 24 hours per week (at least 15 hours in person)
💶 Fall 2026 interns may be eligible for per diem reimbursement at $15/day to offset food and travel costs
📆 Term: Fall semester (September to December); interns begin with an in-person orientation on 7 September 2026
📋 Candidates not enrolled in a degree program and more than 12 months from graduation are welcome to apply and will be processed as volunteers
How to Apply
Click Apply on the vacancy page and attach a resume, cover letter, and a list of at least three references. Note that the IRC requires selected applicants to complete background checks and asks for a $30 donation to help cover the associated costs (instructions provided after selection).
👉 Apply here: https://theirc.wd1.myworkdayjobs.com/External_Careers/job/Silver-Spring-MD-USA/Youth-Intern--Summer-2026-_JR00002406
Deadline
21 August 2026
Links
🔗 Vacancy and how to apply: https://theirc.wd1.myworkdayjobs.com/External_Careers/job/Silver-Spring-MD-USA/Youth-Intern--Summer-2026-_JR00002406
