Recently, the Spirit Cultural Exchange team welcomed two J-1 Interns to our office for an in-person visit and interview session. Jose and Mario, both from Mexico, are currently completing their J-1 Intern experience in the United States with the Illinois Hispanic Chamber of Commerce (IHCC). Having been in the United States for a little under three months, they shared thoughtful reflections on their professional training, cultural exchange experiences, and what the J-1 program has meant to them so far.
As a designated sponsor of the BridgeUSA Exchange Visitor Program, Spirit Cultural Exchange values opportunities like these to hear directly from participants. Office visits allow us to better understand what a J-1 Intern experience in the United States looks like from the Intern perspective and to highlight the real-world impact of the J-1 visa program.
Why Choose the J-1 Program in the United States?
For Jose and Mario, the decision to pursue a J-1 Intern experience in the United States was driven by professional growth and global exposure. Jose is studying Telecommunications, Systems, and Electrical Engineering, while Mario is pursuing a degree in Computer Engineering. Both saw the J-1 visa as an opportunity to apply their academic knowledge in a real-world, international training environment.
“I really wanted to boost my career in some way. I was working as a cyber security consultant, and I was looking for opportunities to grow. It was really great to have this opportunity.” – Jose
Training with the Illinois Hispanic Chamber of Commerce
A successful J-1 Intern experience in the United States depends heavily on the Host Company. During their visit, Jose and Mario spoke positively about their training with the Illinois Hispanic Chamber of Commerce and the supportive environment they have found there.
“I read about what I was going to be doing on the program. It seemed like a really good match for my capabilities and what I was able to do, so I was interested in it. When I had my interview with some people at the IHCC about what the program was really about and what their goals were, I was interested even more.” – Mario
Professional Skills and Career Development
When asked about the most valuable skills they have gained so far, both Interns highlighted hands-on experience, problem-solving, and professional communication. Being immersed in a business through the J-1 Intern experience in the United States has helped them develop both technical and soft skills that will be essential throughout their careers.
“In this project, we had the opportunity to learn a lot about government contracting here in the US. That’s a really big field that in my college we didn’t have the opportunity to go through. Apart from the technologies, I have also learned a lot about the back end of the project, like the administrative part and the logic.” – Jose
Looking ahead, Jose and Mario reflected on how their J-1 Intern experience in the United States will influence their professional paths once they return to Mexico.
“I hope that this program helps me to get my degree and that with the international experience I’m gaining, I will have a better job than I would have gotten if I didn’t come on this program.” – Mario
Cultural Exchange Beyond the Office
The J-1 Intern experience in the United States is about more than professional training. It is also about meaningful cultural exchange. Jose and Mario shared examples of how they have been able to exchange culture with colleagues and friends in the United States.
“The Illinois Hispanic Chamber of Commerce does a lot of events. I got the opportunity to explain where I come from, like which part of Mexico and what type of things we do in my culture. We had a lot of good moments talking about really Mexican things like the types of food.” – Jose
They also discussed what has surprised them most about living in the US, from business norms to everyday cultural differences.
“It surprised me how mixed the culture here is. I have met a lot of people from different countries. Even at the IHCC, they are Hispanic, but not all of them are from Mexico. Some of them are from Puerto Rico, Venezuela, and different countries like that, so I have been getting to know a lot of different cultures, not just the American one.” – Mario
Memorable Moments So Far
As their visit came to a close, Jose and Mario reflected on the most memorable moments of their J-1 Intern experience in the United States so far. Even within their first few months, both shared stories that highlighted personal growth, professional milestones, and meaningful connections.
“It’s really hard to choose just one moment. I really love the sports that I have attended, and I also really love the music events that happen here in Chicago. I will have to choose between the Bulls game and a concert that I went to at The Green Mill, which is like a jazz club. I really love jazz, and getting to see that place was amazing.” – Jose
Their reflections capture the core mission of the J-1 Intern experience in the United States: professional development, cultural understanding, and lasting global connections.