A J-1 Hospitality and Tourism Internship is one of the most popular and exciting occupational category options in the BridgeUSA Intern and Trainee Program. It offers participants the opportunity to develop practical, hands-on skills while experiencing American service culture firsthand. This category is ideal for individuals who enjoy working with people, creating positive guest experiences, and learning how businesses deliver high-quality service in the United States.
Who This Category Is For
You may qualify if your education or experience includes:
- Hotel Management
- Travel and Tourism
- Culinary Arts
- Restaurant Management
- Event Planning or Customer Service.
Interns are typically students or recent graduates, while Trainees often have experience in hospitality or tourism and are looking to build leadership or management skills.
Example J-1 Hospitality and Tourism Internship Placements
You may train in luxury hotels and resorts, fine-dining restaurants and kitchens, event venues, travel companies, tourism offices, and catering operations. These placements allow you to train alongside experienced professionals and learn how service standards are maintained across different types of hospitality environments.
Sample Training Focus Areas
Your J-1 Training Plan may include front desk operations, guest relations, reservation systems, food service management, event coordination, and marketing support. You will also learn about US customer expectations, workplace professionalism, teamwork, and communication. In some roles, you may assist with quality control, vendor coordination, or cost management.
Finding Your Own Host Company
You are welcome to arrange your own placement by contacting US companies directly. Good places to start include 4-5 star hotels, conference centers, catering companies, resorts, travel agencies, and hospitality management groups. When reaching out, introduce yourself, describe your education and experience, and explain the type of training you are seeking.
Spirit’s How to Find a J-1 Host Company and Start Your US Training blog series provides helpful guidance, email templates, and interview tips to support you every step of the way.
Pursuing a J-1 Hospitality and Tourism Internship is a powerful way to grow your confidence, communication, and leadership skills while building international experience.