Internship

Cultural Homestay International (CHI) would like to invite you, young professionals, university students and recent college graduates, to consider the many benefits of the CHI Internship Program (IP). The practical experience in an American Host Business gives you the opportunity to put your educational knowledge and your university major "to work" in your chosen professional field. In the process you will gain an in-depth understanding of the American business, society and culture. The Internship experience will contribute significantly to the realization of your future career goals.

CHI offers two program options:

1) Self-arranged Internship
2) CHI-arranged Internship

CHI works in partnerships with student exchange organizations in 42 countries. They will guide you in the application procedures, administer tests and will evaluate your credentials. Final decision is made by the CHI's Internship Admissions Department in San Anselmo, California. They are authorized to issue Form 2019 for the J-1 visa, which may be valid for up to 12 months.

Cultural Homestay International's field staff works tirelessly to make sure your Internship is successful, meaningful and beneficial to your professional growth.

Program Requirements

• Must be currently enrolled in a degree or certificate granting post secondary academic institution

OR

• Be graduated from an institution within 12 months of the internship start date in the US

AND

• Verifiable English Language skills by an English test or documentation by an academic institution's English instructor.
• Personal interview conducted by a CHI partner either in person or via webcam.
• This program is a maximum 12 months. There are no extensions.
• May have a repeat J-1 as long as the intern is in student status or begins a new training with 12 months of graduation.

To apply to the program, contact CHI's Partner agencies. Click on the map to find them.

The business world is rapidly globalizing. Have your company be one of the first to bring an international perspective into your office.

CHI invites your company to become one of the many businesses benefiting from hosting a well educated and motivated international Intern in their workplace. Your company offers the Intern the opportunity to gain practical knowledge in their specific professional field of interest while, at the same time, building an international and multi-cultural business climate.

Interns are expected to learn through different methods employed by your individual business and its practices. Because the American business spectrum is so diverse there is a great deal to offer an Intern who would otherwise not have the opportunity to experience the variety of business styles offered in the US. At the same time the Intern can bring to your company a perspective that may be new and fresh to your way of doing business.

Hosting an international Intern is a rewarding experience for both the business and for the Intern.

Your Company's Benefits

• Interns offer valuable professional experience while sharing business practices from their home countries.
• International Interns bring cultural diversity to your work environment creating a culture-sharing atmosphere and promoting global understanding.
• CHI operates with partners and coordinators who screen all participants. All are highly skilled, motivated, focused and committed to their internship experience.
• They are bilingual and professional, characteristics that will be very helpful too.

What CHI Provides

• Screening of candidates.
• Referring candidate profiles for your review.
• Arranging appropriate J1 visa documentation.
• Arranging and presenting an Intern Orientation upon arrival.
• Supervision and support by experienced CHI coordinators.

I want to become a Host Business

CHI has developed lasting relationships with families in communities throughout the United States.

CHI's host families have often hosted students and participants from many of our other programs. Host families generally have an interest in international travel and culture, and love to learn about the participants they host. Host families provide half board on the weekdays, and full board on the weekends for the participants.

I want to become a Host Family

What are my company's responsibilities during the Intern's program?

Your company completes a Training/Internship Placement Plan (TIPP) syllabus specifically outlining the goals and the objective of the internship program. The purpose of the TIPP is to ensure that your company and the Intern have a mutual understanding of the Intern's duties and expectations. Your company will need to provide a mid-term and final evaluation based on the Intern accomplishing the TIPP objectives.

Are we obligated to pay the Intern?

Students come from wide variety of countries and these countries face different socio-economic realities, because of this our students apply for paid position mostly.

The Intern is paid a stipend starting from $1200 a month to assist with cost of living in U.S.

Will my company be responsible for the Intern's housing and transportation?

Providing housing, meals, and/or transportation is completely at the discretion of your company. While the Intern and CHI welcome and appreciate any assistance you may offer, you are not obligated to provide room and board or transportation.

Does CHI provide background information on the Intern?

All CHI Intern applicants are required to thoroughly complete an application form as well as submit a letter of intent, resume, three letters of recommendation, and verification of English language proficiency. All this information is available for your review. Also, if there are additional corporate requirements such as Intern's school transcripts, sample work and/or request for a phone interview, CHI is able to furnish and arrange these requests.

What is a J-1 visa?

The J-1 visa is issued to overseas visitors for educational and cultural exchange purposes only. While an intern may earn money, it is not a work visa. CHI is a designated sponsor to oversee exchange visitors including Interns in the Internship Program and to provide required paperwork for exchange visitors to apply for the J-1 visa. The J-1 visa category was established by the U.S. government through the Mutual Educational and Cultural Exchange Act of 1961 in order to promote the foreign policy objectives of the U.S. and to increase mutual understanding between the people of the U.S. and other countries through educational and cultural activities.

What career fields are accepted under CHI's J-1 Internship visa?

CHI is designated to sponsor interns in the following 6 general occupational categories:

• Arts and Culture
• Information Media and Communications
• Education, Social Sciences, Library Science, Counseling and Social Services
• Management, Business, Commerce and Finance (including Hospitality and Hotel Management)
• The Sciences, Engineering, Architecture, Mathematics, and Industrial Occupations
• Public Administration and Law

CHI is not authorized, under the Internship category, to sponsor interns to work in fast-food establishments, counter work, as au pairs or any domestic work, such as babysitting or house- keeping, camp counselor, medical interns or anything involving hands-on therapy, counseling, administering medical treatment or making diagnoses of medical, psychiatric or psychological patients. Also, CHI is not authorized to sponsor participants to intern as crew members on a ship or airplane or as pilots.

Can I work while on CHIs J-1 visa?

Extra-curricular employment outside the participant's CHI J-1 internship program is strictly prohibited.

What is SEVIS?

The Department of State has implemented a system called SEVIS, which keeps a record of international students who are participating on exchange programs. SEVIS enables sponsors to transmit participant information to the DHS (Department of Homeland Security) and DOS (the Department of State). Only sponsor agencies are allowed to enter the SEVIS system and validate participants' visas.

Are there any visa limitations regarding the length of stay in the U.S.?

You will be issued a J-1 visa for the exact dates listed on your DS-2019 form (e.g. your legal internship dates). Also, upon entry into the U.S., a Form I-94 will be attached to your passport. The I-94 indicates the last day you may be in the U.S. on this J-1 visa. Alternatively, "D/S" may be stamped on the I-94 card instead of an actual date. "D/S" is an abbreviation for "Duration of Status" which is equivalent to the specified time indicated on the DS-2019 form plus a 30- day "grace" period reserved for travel purposes only.

Can I continue my internship at the Host Business during the 30-day "grace" period?

NO. Once your DS dates have expired, you are no longer in a bona fide sponsored internship program and cannot continue at the Host Business. You have the option of either returning home or staying in the U.S. an additional 30 days beyond the expired DS dates for the exclusive purpose of travel. If you wish to remain in the U.S. to travel longer than the 30 days allowed following the program, you need to contact the Office of Homeland Security and request a change of status to a B-2 (tourist) visa. You will need to complete the OHS form I-539 and pay a fee of $75. The Office of Homeland Security recommends that the tourist visa application be submitted 45 days prior to the expiration of the participant's J-1 visa. As a reminder, you are responsible for purchasing appropriate insurance to cover the travel period following the internship program.

Can I return to the U.S. on a second J-1 Internship program?

Yes, as long as you are enrolled in a post-secondary institution or have graduated within 12 months.

Can I transfer from CHI's J-1 visa internship program to another organization's J program?

NO. CHI cannot release you in the U.S. from its J-1 program in order for you to transfer to another J program.

Can I transfer from an F visa to a J visa?

CHI is unable to transfer a participant who is currently on an F-1 student visa in the U.S. to CHI's J-1 visa. The participant MUST return home in order to apply for CHI's IP.