Department of State Student Internship Program Act

Department of State Student Internship Program Act

This bill requires the Department of State to establish the Department of State Student Internship Program to offer paid internship opportunities at the State Department to raise awareness of the role of diplomacy in the conduct of U.S. foreign policy.

Participants must be enrolled at an institution of higher education (IHE) and able to receive and hold an appropriate security clearance. The State Department must pay participating interns a specified amount, as well as provide housing and travel assistance. The State Department may also enter agreements with IHEs to ensure these internships satisfy criteria for the academic programs in which participants are enrolled.

Additionally, the State Department must transition all of its unpaid internship programs to internship programs that offer compensation.

Bill 117 hr 1109, also known as the Department of State Student Internship Program Act, aims to establish a student internship program within the Department of State. The program would provide undergraduate and graduate students with the opportunity to gain valuable work experience in various areas of the Department, including diplomacy, foreign affairs, and international relations.

The bill outlines the eligibility requirements for students to participate in the internship program, including being enrolled in a degree-granting program at an accredited institution of higher education. It also specifies that interns must be U.S. citizens or legal permanent residents.

Additionally, the bill sets forth the responsibilities of the Department of State in administering the internship program, including selecting interns based on merit and ensuring that they receive appropriate training and supervision during their internship. The Department is also required to report to Congress annually on the effectiveness of the program and the impact it has had on the participants. Overall, the Department of State Student Internship Program Act aims to provide students with valuable hands-on experience in the field of international relations and diplomacy, while also helping to cultivate the next generation of foreign policy leaders.