The summer was incredible and I can just recommend this internship at Garland to everyone. Thanks for all the help and the great placement. I will never forget my time at Garland and in Michigan. Also I gained so many friendships of my work colleagues that I hope to see all these people again.

Pernilla (Germany)
Internship Participant Summer 2005

Internship America - Participants

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

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

What Kind of Internships Are Available?

May Participants Identify Their Own Internship?

Where Do Internship America Participants Live?

What Kind of Additional Expenses Should Be Expected?

What is Included in the Internship America Program?

What Qualifications Are Required to Participate?

When is the Application Deadline?

What is the Application Process?

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

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 a “stepping-stone” into a professional work environment in the USA. Our program is perfect for those students who cannot commit to a long-term program, but who still want to take part in a professional internship abroad.

Our full-program option provides 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 Kind of Internships Are Available?

Internship America participants can select a professional placement from one of the following categories:

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

In all categories, many of the day-to-day tasks will 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 the company will all play a part in determining what tasks are assigned.

Internship placements are made throughout the United States to ensure the best match possible between applicant and internship. Guaranteed placement in Chicago is available for an additional fee.

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. Participants will receive a discount off of normal program fees for identifying their own placements before arrival.

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 Spirit will provide information on an affordable housing option near the placement with the internship offer. In most cases, housing is located in a shared apartment or dormitory setting. A homestay option is available in the Chicago area. Contact Spirit’s cooperating agent in your home country for more information on homestay pricing and availability.

What Kind of Additional Expenses Should Be Expected?

Participants should expect some additional expenses before and upon arrival in the USA. Housing deposit and rental fees, meals, international airfare, domestic transportation in the USA and airport transfers to the orientation site are not included in the program provided by Spirit Cultural Exchange. Generally, we recommend that participants have at least $1000 available upon arrival in the USA in traveler's checks or other means to cover initial "settling in" costs until the first paycheck. Students should budget for an additional $500-$800 per month to cover housing, meals, and personal expenses. These amounts may vary depending on spending habits and work location.

What is Included in the Internship America Program?

Professional, unpaid internship lasting 1 - 4 months

Identification of affordable housing near the internship location or public transportation (homestay option available in Chicago)
DS2019 to support the application for a J-1 Work/Travel visa
Orientation upon arrival
Comprehensive medical and accident insurance
24-hour emergency support

What Qualifications Are Required to Participate?

To participate in the Internship America Program, applicants must meet the following qualifications:

Enrolled as a full-time student in a degree-granting, post-secondary study program in home country (If the applicant in the last year of study, they are not qualified to apply.)
18–29 years old
Able to demonstrate a high intermediate level of English through an in-person interview in home country
Proof of a score of 55 or greater on the SLEP test or equivalent TOEFL exam score
Able to participate during university’s "main" break between terms (Applicants may not participate during other secondary breaks from school)
Willing to work in an unpaid entry-level job
Interested in learning about the culture and people of the United States

When is the Application Deadline?

Applications are due at Spirit’s office in the USA approximately 12 weeks prior to the scheduled arrival date. Applicants should contact Spirit’s cooperating agent in their home country for information on current deadlines.

What is the Application Process?

If you are a qualified student and want to apply or receive more information about the Spirit Internship America Program, you will need to contact one of our cooperating agents in your home country. Please complete the Participant Application Request, and we will have one of our cooperating agents contact you.