Hi Spirit Team,

I would like to thank you for all your help during my stay in Chicago. I have had a great time and enjoyed it very much. I learned a lot during my internship and the city is awesome!

Janine (Germany)
Internship Participant
Summer 2005

Internship America - Employers

Spirit’s Internship America Program provides international university students with short-term internship opportunities in a variety of fields across the United States.

How Does the Internship America Program Work?

The Spirit Internship America Program is a full-service, short-term (1 - 4 month) program designed with the first time internship participant in mind. This short-term opportunity offers international students and employers a “stepping-stone” into an international internship program.

Our full-program option provides the participant and employer with a complete placement service including pre-arranged professional internship and housing placement, as well as an orientation upon arrival in the USA and 24-hour support services available from Spirit's experienced staff members. Upon request, participants can also guarantee placement in Chicago with a homestay. Because Spirit is focused on quality, you will receive the personal attention that you deserve!

What Are the Employer’s Responsibilities?

To participate in the Internship America Program, employers must provide the following:

An entry-level, unpaid professional internship lasting 1 – 4 months
35 hours of work per week (on average)
Assign a “supervisor and mentor” to the participant to make sure both participant and employer goals are met
Provide compensation consistent with that offered to American interns in the same position

What Kind of Internships Are Requested?

Internship America participants are looking for internship placements in a variety of areas, including:

General Business
Hospitality/Tourism
Culinary
Engineering
Information Technology
Other categories may be available upon request

In all categories, many of the day-to-day tasks are expected to be entry-level in nature. Much of the internship may involve general administrative tasks and on-going observation of how the company works. The participant’s skills and English level, the length of the internship and the needs of your company will all play a part in determining what tasks are assigned.

May Participants Identify Their Own Internship?

Participants may choose to find their own internship and housing in the United States through our "self-placed" program option. Employers who have candidates already in mind may also contact Spirit for visa assistance. Participants who identify their own internship will receive a discount off of Spirit's normal program fee.

Where Do Internship America Participants Live?

Housing arrangements and costs vary by placement. Some companies in the hospitality industry may have their own housing on-site. Other companies may have no housing available, in which case the employer would need to provide information on an affordable housing option near your office or close to public transportation. In most cases, housing is located in a shared apartment or dormitory setting. A homestay option is available to the participant through Spirit in the Chicago area upon request.

What if My Company Cannot Provide Housing?

If the employer cannot provide housing, it is required that the employer provides detailed contact information on affordable housing sources in the area (e.g. newspapers, rental agencies, etc). It is also recommended that information on a temporary housing facility (e.g. local motel, hostel, etc) be provided on the Employer Application to guide participants to temporary housing upon arrival.

What Kind of Additional Expenses Should Be Expected?

The employer is not required to compensate the intern, although it is often customary for the employer to offer an end of internship bonus to the participant based on their performance. In all cases, the participant should be compensated as you would any other American in the same internship.

What Distinguishes Spirit’s Internship America Program from other Internship Programs?

Spirit’s Internship America Program provides the highest level of service and support to its employers and participants. The following are just a few of the reasons to participate in Spirit’s Internship program:

Spirit is a reputable organization. Spirit Cultural Exchange is designated by the United States Department of State as an Exchange Visitor Program Sponsor for the J-1 Work/Travel Program. Spirit is also a member of the World Youth Student & Educational Travel Confederation (WYSE).
Spirit provides “one stop shopping” for employers. Spirit screens all participants to find those that meet with the employer’s defined needs.
Spirit screens all non-native English-speaking applicants via standardized tests and personal interviews to obtain an objective measure of their English skills.
Spirit participants receive pre-departure orientations in their home country about what to expect upon arrival in the United States.
Spirit provides all participants with comprehensive medical and accident insurance.
Spirit offers 24-hour emergency support throughout the program.

Who are Internship America Participants?

Internship America Program participants are college age international students (18-29 years) currently enrolled in post-secondary study in their home countries. Students come from all over the world, but the program is of most interest to students from Western Europe. All students are screened for appropriate English language fluency, ability to function in a work environment and motivation. Participants enter the USA on J-1 Work/Travel visas, which allow them to legally work in the United States for a period of one to four months.

What is the Application Process?

Spirit accepts Employer Applications on a rolling basis. If you are an employer that wants to apply or receive more information about the Spirit Internship America Program, please complete the Employer Application Request and we will send you a full application immediately.