SUMMER PROGRAMME 2026
5 days at Yale.
Learning from the best
minds in diplomacy.
Dear Future Global Leaders,
At the Yale International Relations Association, we believe the most powerful ideas come from young people. This summer, we invite you to step into a space where those ideas are heard, challenged, and amplified.
The Yale Global Diplomacy Summer Programme is more than a programme. It is a global platform for youth-driven dialogue, innovation, and leadership. Hosted on the iconic campus of Yale University, this experience is designed to spark your curiosity, sharpen your skills, and connect you with mentors and peers from around the world.
Each summer we are reminded of how young voices can shape meaningful change. We are excited to welcome you into our global community of thinkers, diplomats, and changemakers.
Yale Global Diplomacy Summer Programme 2026
Yale international relations association
Curated by the Yale International Relations Association, this immersive summer experience is crafted not as a course but as a catalyst. It invites students from around the world to enter one of the most storied academic institutions of our time and engage in a kind of learning that reaches far beyond textbooks and lecture halls.
This is not a traditional camp. It is a crucible for ideas, a sanctuary for global dialogue, and a starting point for a lifetime of impact.
Morning Sessions
Over seven purposeful days, students inhabit the very spaces where global leaders, Nobel laureates, and changemakers once stood. Mornings unfold in classrooms where the foundations of diplomacy and strategic communication are laid through immersive lectures.
Afternoon Activities
Afternoons bring simulations, policy challenges, and collaborative debate, offering students the chance to test ideas and sharpen their perspective.
Evening Programming
Beyond the classroom, students explore the city of New Haven and Yale’s vibrant campus through curated experiences that foster connection and reflection. Whether walking through historic courtyards or joining mentors for evening discussions, they discover that leadership is as much about observation and empathy as it is about action.
Not vague promises. Real, tangible outcomes that change your trajectory.
Official Certificate of Participation from Yale International Relations Association
60 ambitious peers from different countries. These connections become lifelong friendships and future collaborations
Negotiation, public speaking, policy writing, critical thinking - not just theory, but real practice
Understand complex world issues through diverse viewpoints. See beyond your bubble
Yale faculty, guest diplomats, UN ambassadors - access to minds shaping international policy
Walk into college interviews knowing you've already succeeded at Yale. That changes everything
At the heart of the programme lies a curriculum rooted in five core areas: Leadership, Diplomacy, Public Speaking, Global Affairs, and Problem Solving. Each pillar is explored through immersive modules led by Yale Student Mentors and guest speakers. These modules are not conventional lectures. They are lived experiences. Each component is part of a larger mission — to help students think with boldness, speak with clarity, and lead with integrity.
Students examine how nations interact, negotiate, and make decisions on the global stage. They explore real world case studies, from trade disputes to climate diplomacy, and engage in discussions about the evolving role of international institutions.
Through guided exercises and thoughtful feedback, students develop clarity of thought, confidence in delivery, and the ability to inspire. Whether addressing a large audience or leading a small group, they learn to speak with purpose and conviction.
How do you navigate disagreement? What does compromise look like in international negotiations? These sessions challenge students to engage with diverse viewpoints and to think like diplomats, seeking not only to be heard but to understand.
Ideas are just the beginning. What you do with them matters more.
Throughout the camp, students are immersed in experiences that bring learning to life.
Working in small groups, participants design real world solutions to some of the most urgent issues of our time. Whether addressing climate action, education access, or digital equity, students develop actionable ideas and present them before a panel of mentors and peers during the closing ceremony.
Each evening, students gather in small, consistent mentor groups for open reflection, meaningful dialogue, and thoughtful planning. These sessions provide a safe and supportive space for questions, vulnerability, and connection, and often lead to the most profound moments of the programme.
From a global talent showcase to storytelling dinners, the programme celebrates the diverse cultures, experiences, and perspectives that students bring with them. This is a space where difference is not only welcomed but considered essential to meaningful learning and leadership.
Students take part in candid, off the record conversations with Yale students and alumni who have worked in international diplomacy, education, technology, social impact, and public policy. These sessions provide insight into how ideas evolve into careers, and how global leadership can take many forms.
Founded in 1947, the Yale International Relations Association is a globally respected student-run organization at Yale University. YIRA’s mission is to promote dialogue, foster diplomacy, and create platforms for youth leadership in international affairs.
Each year, YIRA organizes several globally renowned conferences and programmes that bring together students from dozens of countries. These include the Yale Model United Nations, the Yale International Relations Leadership Institute, and the Yale Model Government Europe.
YIRA also publishes The Yale Review of International Studies, an undergraduate academic journal that explores global topics with nuance and depth.
With more than seventy-five years of impact, YIRA is known for intellectual excellence, mentorship, and shaping the next generation of global thinkers and leaders.
Everything you need to know for an exceptional experience at Yale.
May 25 - 29, 2026
Yale University New Haven, Connecticut
Grades 8-12Cohort Size:
60 students globally
Early application fee
Apply before 31st October 2025
Regular application fee
Apply before 20th April 2026
Seats are limited, and the deadline does not guarantee availability. We encourage you to apply early, as admissions are processed on a rolling basis.
See what your experience will look like
Arrival & Foundations
8:15 am - 9:00 am
Drop-off and registration
9:00 am - 9:30 am
Icebreakers
9:30 am - 11:00 am
Introduction to global governance
11:00 am - 12:00 pm
Yale Beinecke tour
12:00 pm - 1:30 pm
Lunch - pizza crawl
1:30 pm - 2:00 pm
Family time and bonding activity
2:00 pm - 2:30 pm
Break
2:30 pm - 4:00 pm
International rule of law and diplomacy
4:00 pm - 4:45 pm
Yale campus tour
4:45 pm - 5:00 pm
Feedback and pick-up by parent/guardian
Negotiation & Strategy
8:30 am - 9:00 am
Drop-off
9:00 am - 10:30 am
Scavenger hunt
10:30 am - 11:30 am
Yale Jackson School tour
12:00 pm - 1:30 pm
Lunch
1:30 pm - 2:00 pm
Icebreakers
2:00 pm - 2:30 pm
Skin outline
2:30 pm - 3:30 pm
Deep dive into the United Nations
3:30 pm - 4:00 pm
Break
4:00 pm - 4:45 pm
Movie screening
4:45 pm - 5:00 pm
Feedback and pick-up by parent/guardian
Policy & Practice
8:30 am - 9:00 am
Drop-off
9:00 am - 9:30 am
Icebreakers
9:30 am - 11:00 am
Speaker
11:00 am - 12:00 pm
Yale Law School tour
12:00 pm - 1:30 pm
Lunch
1:30 pm - 2:30 pm
Yale Q&A
2:30 pm - 3:30 pm
Public speaking workshop
3:30 pm - 4:00 pm
Break/Intro to final projects
4:00 pm - 4:45 pm
Intro to committee crash course
4:45 pm - 5:00 pm
Feedback and pick-up by parent/guardian
Leadership & Voice
8:30 am - 9:00 am
Drop-off
9:00 am - 9:30 am
Icebreakers
9:30 am - 11:00 am
Mock committee activity
11:00 am - 12:00 pm
Break/Work on final projects
12:00 pm - 1:00 pm
Lunch
1:30 pm - 2:30 pm
Hot seat - instructors
2:30 pm - 3:00 pm
Break/Work on final projects
3:00 pm - 4:45 pm
Community service/volunteering
4:45 pm - 5:00 pm
Feedback and pick-up by parent/guardian
Legacy & Next Steps
8:30 am - 9:00 am
Drop-off
9:00 am - 9:30 am
Icebreakers
9:30 am - 10:30 am
Summary of current International Relations
10:30 am - 11:30 am
Break/Work on final projects
11:30 am - 1:30 pm
Lunch
1:30 pm - 2:00 pm
Work on final projects/prep for final projects
2:00 pm - 4:00 pm
Final presentation
Each group will have 8 minutes to present followed by 3-4 judge/audience questions. This time limit is strictly enforced.
4:00 pm - 4:45 pm
Award ceremony + Final remarks
4:45 pm - 5:00 pm
Feedback and pick-up by parent/guardian
During the camp, students will have the opportunity to explore Yale's campus and its surrounding landmarks. These outings are designed not only to educate, but to offer moments of inspiration, wonder, and connection with the city's unique academic and cultural history.
Explore one of the oldest university art museums in America, featuring collections spanning centuries and cultures.
Discover world-renowned collections including dinosaur fossils, ancient civilizations, and natural wonders.
Experience the architectural grandeur of Yale's iconic Gothic library, home to millions of volumes and historic collections.
Stroll through the historic heart of New Haven, surrounded by beautiful churches and vibrant city life.
The programme is open to students currently in Grades 8 through 12 from any curriculum or school system across the world.
The fee covers academic programme, mentor sessions, campus activities, and lunch on all programme days.
Exclusions: Airfare, accommodation, visa application fees, and personal expenses are not included in the programme fee.
The fee must be paid in full within seven days of receiving the acceptance offer to secure your spot. Payment is non refundable unless otherwise specified in writing.
Participants must carry valid travel and medical insurance for the duration of the programme. Any medical costs incurred during the programme are the responsibility of the student’s family.
Participants are expected to maintain respectful and responsible behaviour at all times. Any violation of programme rules or Yale campus policies may lead to dismissal from the programme without refund.
Refunds will not be provided for withdrawals after 30 April 2026. Requests for withdrawal due to medical or personal emergencies will be reviewed on a case-by-case basis.
Daily lunch will be provided as part of the programme. Students are responsible for arranging and covering their own accommodation.
Mentorship at the heart of the experience
Noah is majoring in ethics, politics & economics at Yale College, with plans to attend law school after graduation. He is actively involved in the Model UN competitive team, Yale votes, and the Yale Undergraduate Law Journal. In addition to his extracurricular activities, he works as an undergraduate recruitment coordinator for the admissions office, where he connects with prospective and incoming students and organizes events. Originally from Goodyear, Arizona, he enjoys playing tennis, hiking, and driving with friends during his free time.
Shalina is a sophomore at Yale University from Houston, Texas majoring in global affairs. On campus, she serves as the secretary for the Yale International Relations Association, director-general of Yale Model UN Dubai, and competes on the Model UN team at Yale.
Madelynn is a neuroscience major and sophomore at Yale University. She is a training director of Yale’s competitive MUN team. Originally from New York and later Atlanta, she currently resides in Baltimore, MD. An aspiring lawyer and infrequent ballet dancer.
Poppy is a sophomore at Yale’s Morse College from South Wales, double majoring in history and politics. She serves as head delegate of MUNTY, Yale’s competitive MUN team, and has worked on conferences in India and Singapore. A passionate advocate for climate and social justice, she launched the UK’s first climate refugee petition. She also volunteers with outreach groups on campus and enjoys horse riding, Taylor Swift, and time with friends.
