Host an International Intern or Trainee in the US
Host a BridgeUSA intern or trainee on a J-1 visa and learn how you can bring the world to your workplace.
Host a BridgeUSA Intern or Trainee
Add an international perspective to your workplace by hosting a BridgeUSA Intern or professional Trainee on a J-1 visa. Join other top-rated US companies hosting international university students, recent graduates and professionals on professional internships and training programs in the United States.
Spirit Cultural Exchange’s Internship Program participants are eager to share their global insight and culture with your staff, while at the same time learn about American culture and society while gaining new skills in their field of study or expertise.
Intern and Trainee Professional Areas of Concentration
Choose from a Variety of Professional Training Categories
As a US based business, you are invited to bring the world to your workplace by hosting a BridgeUSA Intern or Trainee on J-1 Visa in one of a variety of professional fields. Spirit Cultural Exchange staff will work with you and each individual participant to develop a training plan that makes sense for their level of expertise. Current professional training categories sponsored by Spirit Cultural Exchange are:
- Hospitality and Tourism
- Management, Business, Commerce and Finance
- Information Media and Communications
- The Sciences, Engineering, Architecture, Mathematics and Industrial Occupations
- Arts and Culture
- Education, Social Sciences, Library Science, Counseling & Social Services
- Public Administration and Law
Identify Your own International candidates
Independent Placement
Spirit Cultural Exchange’s Independent Placement option is a cost effective option available to Host Companies that have already identified candidates abroad that qualify as J-1 Visa Interns or Trainees.
In this case, Spirit Cultural Exchange confirms applicant qualifications, advises on training plan (T/IPP) development to ensure J-1 visa requirements are followed, provides visa support documentation, medical insurance and 24/7 support to participants and cooperating Host Companies during the program.
let spirit cultural exchange match you with candidates
Premium Placement
Spirit Cultural Exchange’s Premium Placement option offers a full-service choice to Host Companies interested in hosting international Interns or Trainees but aren’t sure where to start. In addition to services offered with the Independent Placement option, Spirit Cultural Exchange will tap into its extensive international network to identify candidates that match well with your company’s requirements and complement your workplace culture with international expertise and perspective.
Cultural Activities on the program
Cultural activities that introduce American life to international participants are the cornerstone of Spirit Cultural Exchange’s programs. It is important that your organization embraces this core principal and identifies regular cross cultural activities for your international participants to take advantage of locally. Activities need not be expensive, in fact some of the best typically American cultural opportunities are free!
Examples of cultural activities include:
- Attending an “after-work” event with American colleagues
- Volunteering in the local community
- Visiting a museum or historic site
- Gathering with American friends for meals, games, or movies etc.
- Touring a US city or visiting a tourist site in your host community
- Visiting a national park
- Attending an American sporting event
The opportunities are endless!
Program Costs
Please complete an inquiry form for more information on program fees. While Spirit Cultural Exchange’s program fees are typically billed to the participant, it is common for Host Companies to cover a portion of the program fees as part of the participant’s compensation package.
Host Company Requirements
All Host Companies must meet the following requirements:
- Sign a completed federal government Form DS–7002 – Training/Internship Placement Plan (T/IPP) to verify that the outlined training plan will be followed. Placements must be tailored to the skills and experience level of the individual intern or trainee.
- Have sufficient resources, equipment and trained personnel available to provide continuous on-site supervision and mentoring by experienced and knowledgeable staff
- Agree to abide by all federal, state and local occupational health and safety laws, as well as all program rules and regulations, including the completion of all mandatory program evaluations
- Agree to embrace the cultural exchange purpose of the program and offer at least one monthly American cultural activity for the participant. Examples of such activities include a shared meal, visit to a concert, or movie night with American co-workers. The possibilities are endless and it’s a great way to enhance team building efforts with your whole staff!
Helpful Terms
DS-2019: Official US government form, provided by Spirit Cultural Exchange and required at visa interview. This official document must be kept with participant passport throughout the program, as it confirms authorized program dates.
Training/Internship Placement Plan: Also called a T/IPP or DS-7002. This document describes the content of the Internship or Training program. This form must be signed by Spirit Cultural Exchange, the Host Company and participant, and must state specific goals and objectives of the training, as well as detail the knowledge, skills or techniques to be learned by the participant during the course of the program.
Student and Exchange Visitor Information System (SEVIS): US Department of Homeland Security database used to manage the status of Exchange Visitors to the United States. Spirit Cultural Exchange uses this database to provide the US government with important information on each participant’s status.
Validation: Within seven days of arrival in the US, all Spirit Cultural Exchange J-1 participants must submit their SEVIS “Validation” through Spirit Cultural Exchange’s online Support Center. Only once this has been completed and processed by Spirit Cultural Exchange is a program considered “Active” – allowing the participant to begin the program and apply for a Social Security number.
J-1 visa: The Exchange Visitor (J) non-immigrant visa category is for individuals approved to participate in work-and study-based exchange visitor programs, such as Spirit Cultural Exchange’s Work & Travel, Intern, Trainee and Teacher Programs.
J-1 Intern: Current student at or recent graduate (within in the last 12-months) from a primarily academic (must issue degrees, such as Bachelors or Masters) institution outside the USA, which is recognized by that country’s Department of Education (or equivalent). Students or recent graduates from technical or vocational institutions do not qualify for the program. Degree must be in the same industry as requested Intern program.
J-1 Trainee: Graduate from primarily academic (must issue degrees, such as Bachelors or Masters) institution outside the USA, which is recognized by that country’s Department of Education (or equivalent) with at least one year of professional experience OR Professional with 5+ years of professional experience. Degree and experience must be in the same industry as requested Trainee program.
Support Center: Spirit Cultural Exchange’s online resource for participants and Host Companies to access important information about their program 24 hours a day/7 days a week.
Frequently Asked Questions
Apply now to submit your initial application to Spirit Cultural Exchange.
A Spirit Cultural Exchange representative will follow-up with you shortly about next steps.
The number of candidates you hire should be based on your ability to offer a bona-fide training including regular supervision and support.
If you require placement assistance, Spirit Cultural Exchange will reach out to you to discuss your organization and position requirements. Our team will then begin identifying qualified candidates and providing CVs and interview videos for your review.
If you already identified a candidate, Spirit Cultural Exchange will walk you through program and paper requirements after you complete our initial application.
Program dates listed on the DS-2019 form outline when a participant is legally able to train in the US. Dates listed on the visa in the participant’s passport apply only to when a participant is legally able to enter the country. These two sets of dates may vary, and that’s ok! Follow the DS 2019 for legal dates of training.
American businesses are invited to host Spirit Cultural Exchanges’s Interns or Trainees in any of the following occupational categories:
- Hospitality and Tourism
- Management, Business, Commerce and Finance
- Information Media and Communications
- The Sciences, Engineering, Architecture, Mathematics and Industrial Occupations
- Arts and Culture
- Education, Social Sciences, Library Science, Counseling & Social Services
- Public Administration and Law
As international participants will be new to your community, it is important that they have a resource to help them identify safe, affordable housing options. Although you are not required to provide long-term housing to participants, we encourage you to identify at least one short-term (1-2 week) housing option for participants to utilize upon their arrival in the US.
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