The Global Intern Program (GIP) places international students in a GIST research laboratory for eight weeks over the summer. It is run by the Office of International and Public Affairs (IPA) at the Gwangju Institute of Science and Technology in Gwangju, South Korea. Undergraduate seniors and master’s students work on a research project under GIST faculty, choosing from more than 150 labs across five colleges — Information & Computing, Natural Sciences, Engineering, Life Sciences & Medical Engineering, and interdisciplinary AI. Applicants submit a research plan and name preferred laboratories; each school selects its own interns.
Benefits & funding
- Monthly stipend during the internship (the official pages confirm a stipend but do not publish the amount)
- Half of the round-trip airfare to Korea reimbursed
- Dormitory accommodation on campus
- About 52 hours of Korean-language instruction across the eight weeks
- Weekly special lectures from GIST and international organisations
- Cultural classes (e.g. calligraphy, Korean paper art) and culture-exploration activities
Eligibility
- International undergraduate seniors or master’s-degree students
- Minimum GPA of 3.0 on a 4.5 scale (or equivalent)
- English proficiency: TOEFL iBT 80 or equivalent, or proof that English is the medium of instruction at the home university
Application process
- 1Prepare official degree/enrolment certificates, English-language transcripts, a recommendation letter, and evidence of English proficiency.
- 2Choose two preferred GIST laboratories and write a research plan.
- 3Submit the online application through the IPA portal during the February application window.
- 4Each school or department reviews applications and selects its own interns.
Program timeline
Application period
February 2 – February 27, 2026 (KST)
Internship begins (eight weeks)
July 2026
Korean-language classes, weekdays
July 10 – August 17, 2026