Internships in the US
STUDENT INTERNS: WORK-BASED LEARNING
• A “student intern” on a J-1 exchange visa must be a foreign national who is (a) enrolled in andpursuing a degree at an accredited postsecondary academic institution outside the United States,or (b) has graduated from such an institution no more than 12 months prior to his or her exchangevisitor program start date. Student interns are hosted by a U.S. accredited college/university that isdesignated by the Department of State to conduct an exchange visitor program.
“Trainees” have different eligibility requirements and visa sponsors. A trainee means a foreignnational who has either: (a) a degree or professional certificate from a foreign post-secondaryacademic institution and at least one year of prior related work experience in his/her occupationalfield acquired outside the United States, or (b) five years of work experience outside the UnitedStates in his/her occupational field, and who enters the United States to participate in a structuredand guided work-based training program in his/her specific occupational field.
• A primary objective of the new student internship program is to enhance the skills and expertise ofexchange visitors in their academic or occupational fields and to improve participants’ knowledgeof American techniques, methodologies, and expertise. The internship programs are also intendedto increase participants’ understanding of American culture and society and to enhance Americans’knowledge of foreign cultures and skills through an open interchange of ideas between participantsand their American associates.
• The internship does not have to be in the student’s field of study, but it must fulfill the educationalobjectives for his or her current degree program at his or her home institution.
• As with all Exchange Visitor Programs, interns must have verifiable English language skills sufficientto function on a day-to-day basis in their training environment.
• The maximum duration of a student internship in any occupational field is 12 months. Internshipsmust be full-time; i.e., consist of a minimum of 32 hours per week. With few exceptions, non-student J-1 programs for trainees may last up to 18 months. For training programs in the field of agricultureand in the “Hospitality and Tourism” occupational category, the maximum duration is 12 months.
• Payment and hands-on work IS permitted as defined in the DS-2019. The DS-2019 is the Certificateof Eligibility for Exchange Visitor Program (J-1) Status issued by a designated visa sponsor.
• Select a designated visa sponsor for assistance with your visa application.
• Student interns must prove their intent to depart the U.S. A key goal of the Fulbright-Hays Act,which authorizes the program, is that participants will return to their home countries and share thei rexperiences with their countrymen.
• Visit your EducationUSA advising center for reference materials and educational advising. The resources below are a sample to help ‘find the best fit’ for you.
Click here for further information on how to find an internship in the US.
RESOURCES
"Short-Term Study, English Language Programs, Distance Education and Accreditation" from the If You Want to Study in the United States Series.
AFS Intercultural Programs – The American Field Service (AFS)
Association for International Practical Training (AIPT)
Council on International Educational Exchange (CIEE) – Work, travel, study and exchange programs for students
FastWeb.com – Guide to Jobs, Internships and Careers
InternWeb.com – Internship Search Tools for Students
Peterson’s Internships – Find the right internship for you (Peterson’s, published annually, available at the Fulbright Commission libraries, click here for contact information).
Princeton Review: America’s Top Internships. Mark Oldman and Samer Hamadeh. Random House, New York (published annually).
Vault Guide to Top Internships
SAMPLE INTERNSHIPS THAT HAVE ACCEPTED INTERNATIONAL APPLICATIONS
Amelia Island Plantation (Hospitality; Tourism/Recreation)
American Geographical Society (Environmental; Science/Research)
Arab American Institute (Government; Law)
BalletMet Columbus (Theater/Performing Arts)
Brick Wall Management (Broadcast & Entertainment; Health Care; Nonprofit)
Capitol Music Group (Broadcast & Entertainment; Music/Records)
Department of Cultural Affairs, City of Los Angeles (Art/Museum)
Discovery Communications (Broadcast & Entertainment;
Education; New/Interactive Media; Publishing)
Dow Chemical Company (Chemicals; Science/Research)
Emerson (Energy)
Fairness and Accuracy in Reporting (Journalism; Nonprofit)
FAO Schwarz (Toys/Retail)
Farm Sanctuary (Nonprofit; Animal Welfare/Animal Rights)
Ford Models (Broadcast & Entertainment; Fashion; Public Relations)
Getty Foundation (Art/Museum; Education)
Global Volunteers (Education; Environmental; Health Care; Nonprofit)
Google Inc. (Technology)Hallmark (Consumer Products; Retail)
Hawk Mountain Sanctuary (Education; Environmental; Science/Research)
Marvel Comics (Broadcast & Entertainment; New/Interactive Media; Publishing)
National Association of College Broadcasters (Broadcast & Entertainment; Nonprofit)
Pro-Found Software, Inc. (Software; Technology)
Rodale Institute Experimental Farm (Environmental; Science/Research)
Roll Call (Government; Journalism)
San Francisco Bay Guardian (Journalism)
San Francisco Opera (Music/Records; Theater/Performing Arts)
Schlumberger Limited (Energy; Technology)
Sesame Workshop (Broadcast & Entertainment; Education; Nonprofit)
Sotheby’s (Art/Museum)
Source Theatre Company (Theater/Performing Arts)
Source, The (Broadcast & Entertainment; Journalism; Publishing)
Southern Center for International Studies (Education; International Relations; Public Relations)
Southwestern Company (Publishing/Retail)
Special Olympics International (Nonprofit; Sports)
Steppenwolf Theatre Company (Nonprofit; Theater/Performing Arts)
Student Works Painting (Management & Strategy Consulting)
Turner Broadcasting System (Broadcast & Entertainment; Journalism; New/Interactive Media; Sports)
Tyco Toys (Consumer Products; Manufacturing)
United Nations Association of the United States of America (Government; Law)
United Talent Agency (Broadcast & Entertainment; Music; Digital Media; Philanthropy)
Voice of America (Broadcast & Entertainment; Journalism)
Westwood One Radio Network (Broadcast & Entertainment)
Wired (Journalism; Publishing; Technology)
Women Express/Teen Voices (Journalism; Nonprofit; Publishing)
Women Make Movies (Broadcast & Entertainment; Film; Nonprofit)
Women’s Sports Foundation (Education; Sports)
Woodrow Wilson International Center for Scholars (Education; Government; International Relations; History)
TIPS FOR INTERNSHIPS
• Plan ahead! Be sure your goals, financial situation and timeline are clear before formally applying.
• Update and proofread your resume or CV.
• Contact a designated visa sponsor to apply for a visa. Ensure your passport is valid six months beyond the date you expect to depart the U.S.
• Finding an internship is a competitive process requiring thorough research and hard work. Good luck! (Source: Vault Guide to Top Internships, 2008)
Taken from the EducationUSA Handout Series : How to get into US schools. Download in PDF format here.
