The International Institute of New England is a 501(c)(3) non-profit serving refugees and immigrants in Boston, MA, Lowell, MA, and Manchester, NH. The Institute offers internships to students, graduate students, and recent graduates with demonstrated interest or experience in supporting refugee, asylee, and immigrant populations. Each internship includes an educational component, through which interns contextualize their experience and reflect on their service. Interns can also expect to spend some time each week supporting their office's front desk, assisting the Office Manager and learning to better navigate the services at the Institute.

All internships are unpaid and correspond roughly with the US semester system:

Summer Internship: June 1, 2026 - mid-August 2026

(Applications requested May 2, 2026^, considered thereafter until positions are filled)

First consideration is given to applicants that can commit at least 12 hours (IINE-Lowell or IINE-Manchester internships) or 16 hours (IINE-Boston internships) over the course of one of the semesters outlined above. Applicants are encouraged to apply regardless of whether their schedule fits the semester system; IINE makes exceptions on a case-by-case basis. Slots fill quickly and candidates are encouraged to apply earlier than the requested date above.

Community Services Internship Overview

The community services team provides case management and other services to newly arrived refugees, asylees and other clients for up to one year after arrival. During this time, staff coordinate the arrival, integration and social services of refugees, asylees, Haitian entrants, victims of human trafficking and other clients after their arrival in the United States. Interns assist the Case Specialists by checking in with clients by phone, helping clients access local transportation and other public services, and ensuring clients understand available resources through cultural orientation workshops.

Reports To: Senior Contracts & Program Manager
Location: Boston, MA

Key Responsibilities:

• Assist staff with case management responsibilities including:
  • applying for temporary financial assistance
  • advocating for health and social services
  • securing housing
  • accompanying clients to the Department of Transitional Assistance, health clinics, and Social Security office
  • helping to coordinate referrals to a wide variety of social services
• Conduct cultural and workforce orientation workshops for recently arrived refugees
• Review and update client records at Case Specialist’s direction
• Provide general administrative assistance to the Community Services team

Qualifications:

• Interest in international, refugee, asylee, and/or immigrant issues
• Ability to work respectfully in a multicultural environment
• Patience speaking with non-native English speakers/non-English speakers
• Experience interacting with social welfare agencies highly desirable
• Experience advocating on behalf of others
• Excellent oral and written communication skills
• Highly organized with great attention to detail
• Ability to handle multiple tasks and to switch gears quickly
• Professionalism, discretion, and maturity in dealing with confidential information
• Proficiency in Microsoft Word, Excel, Outlook, and PowerPoint
• Language skills in Arabic, French, Spanish, or Somali preferred
• Comfort navigating the Boston area on public transit
• Driver’s license and/or car highly desirable

Learning Objectives:

1. Recognize common challenges faced by immigrant and refugee populations
2. Develop strong advocacy and people skills
3. Identify best practices associated with case management and how to effectively conduct client meetings
4. Capture important information from meetings and check-ins in concise case notes
5. Identify and access community resources and services, particularly those responsive to the needs of refugees and immigrants.
6. Understand the immigrant integration work and the US Refugee Resettlement program, as well as what part VOLAGs and resettlement agencies like the International Institute of New England play in receiving and integrating refugees.
7. Respectfully express and engage ideas and values in a multicultural, multilingual environment.