Internship Training USA

An internship with a US company is a superb career start and an efficient way to enhance the CV. The programme is designed for university students, recent graduates and young professionals who have already chosen their career path and now require additional training in their field for up to 18 months.

Internship training can begin any time during the year and is offered for a minimum of three months to a maximum of eighteen months. As a participant of this programme you will get J-1 exchange visitor visa.

Please note: The J-1 exchange visitor visa does not allow international trainees to change the designated host employer or gain employment outside of the original programme or extend their training past 18 months.

Summary of Conditions

Internship Training USA - Summary of Conditions
Type of job	Internship placements in various fields. View some of the current positions
Salary (other benefits)	US$8.00 - US$9.00 per hour, might vary depending on location and occupational sector.
Accommodation	Various accommodation schemes are available.
Location of job placement	USA, various locations.
Duration of the placement	Up to 18 months. Up to 12 months (hospitality).
When to apply?	All applications should be submitted 18-26 weeks prior to preferred entry date.
Eligibility. Who can apply?	Applicants must be post-secondary students currently studying or university graduates who have been out of school for no more than 12 months. Check Application process in more detail.
Visa Required	J-1 visa.

Internship placement details

The placement is based on your thoroughness in completing the application packet, your level of English and the business’ desire and need to host an intern. It is your responsibility to provide as much detail as possible about yourself in the application packet. Global Choices does its utmost to match the applicant’s professional objectives with the most appropriate host business.

Job positions

Trainee positions are available in the following disciplines:

Hospitality;
Arts and Culture;
Information;
Media and Communication;
Education;
Agriculture;
Social Sciences;
Library Science;
Counselling and Social Services;
Management;
Business Administration;
Commerce;
Finance (including hospitality and hotel management);
Engineering;
Architecture;
Mathematics;
Industrial Occupations;
Public Administration;
Law;
Computer Science;
Marketing and Sales;
Internships are available in other fields.

The programme offers three options:

Self-Arranged Training (Paid or Unpaid);
International Student Internship Programme;
International Practical Training Programme.

Placement regions/communities

You may request a specific region or community in which you would like to be placed. Global Choices cannot guarantee your requested region/community, however.

U.S. East Coast Region: New England, New York, Florida, Kentucky, Ohio;
U.S. Middle Region: Missouri, Oklahoma, Illinois, Nebraska, Kansas;
U.S. South Western/Rocky Mountain Region: Colorado, Nevada;
U.S. West Coast Region: Washington, Oregon; California, Hawaii, Alaska.

Placement requests and enrolment in the West Coast Region are extremely limited during certain peak periods of the year, so you should indicate alternative options.

Programme cost

Registration JMD $5000

Programme “A” – Self Arranged Training Fees

Booking fee – US$500 The booking fee is applied towards the programme fee balance
3-6 months – US$850
7-12 months – US$1,050
13-18 months – US$1,250

Programme “B” – Global Choices Arranged Paid Training Fees

Booking fee US$700 The booking fee is applied towards the programme fee balance
3-6 months – US$1,900
7-12 months – US$2,300
13-18 months – US$2,800

Part of you fees will be donated to your University Career Services and one of the charities in Jamaica.

What Is Included In The Fee?

Placement in a career related business;
Host family arrangements for the arranged placement and housing option;
J-1 visa documentation;
Participant handbook;
Programme orientation and administration.

What Is Not Included?

Round trip airfare to the States;
Round trip airfare to the USA should be purchased only through Global Choices to ensure timely arrival and avoid cancellation of the placement.
Any daily living expenses including rent (if applicable), and transportation to and from the host business;
In case housing is not provided by the employer a US$500 per month host family fee for the arranged placement and housing option;
Health and accident insurance for the duration of the programme. All candidates are required to apply for health insurance through Global Choices.
Any visa application fees;
SEVIS fee.

SEVIS fee has to be paid in addition to all programme fees. Currently this fee is US$180 but may be subject to change.

Cancellation

The Registration Fee is non refundable;
Cancellation received after DS-2019 form (if it was already issued) is US$300;
Visa denial fee US$200.

Eligibility. Who can participate

Be post-secondary students currently studying outside of the United States or university graduates who have been out of school for no more than 12 months. This programme can be repeated as long as you maintain student status or begin the internship within 12 months of graduation. Internships must be related to your field of study;
Thoroughly complete the application packet and send supporting documents;
Submit proof of university attendance or a diploma;
Submit proof of sufficient health and accident insurance for the length of stay in the US.

How To Apply To A Programme?

Step 1

Make an appointment at the office to come in for a pre-interview.

Step 2

Pay your registration fee of $5000J and collect your application form. Please be advised that the registration fee is non-refundable.

Step 3

Upon returning your application form you are required to pay your booking fee. The booking fee contributes to a part of the programme fee.

Stage 4

After we have received your placement you will be required to pay all the remaining fees.

Important: The placement process begins at the time of receiving the original application not at the time of Booking. During the placement process, Global Choices will notify the participant of the placement status as well as confirm the final airport destination.

Deadlines

Global Choices requires 18-26 weeks to arrange your placement following receipt of the original application at our office. The placement process begins at the time of receiving the original application, not at the time of booking. The application packet should be completed and mailed within 10 days of the booking in order to ensure proper handling. Trainees should arrive for the scheduled orientation and program dates. If there are visa delays or problems, trainees should arrive for the next make-up orientation. Faxed applications are not accepted.

Required Documents

Typed and signed application form – make sure it is completely filled out;
6 passport-sized pictures;
Letter of Introduction to the host business;
Letter to the host family, if applicable;
Curriculum Vitae/resume;
3 Letters of Recommendation written or translated into English from a previous employer or professor;
Proof of university attendance or diploma;
Learning and training plan agreement;
Proof of insurance and policy number.

Work Permits and Visa

Once a placement has been finalised, the participant will receive the DS-2019 form, which is called a “Certificate of Eligibility for Exchange Visitor (J-1) Status”. This document shows the name of your sponsor and the purpose of the programme, and specifies its duration. The DS-2019 is not a visa application form.

In order to apply for the J-1 visa, you must take the DS-2019 form, proof of payment of the US$180 SEVIS fee, and your passport to the U.S. embassy in Kingston. Once the form is processed, the visa is issued and attached to your passport. It is extremely important to retain a copy of the DS-2019 form throughout the remainder of the programme.

As a reminder, Global Choices is not responsible for final visa authorisation decisions and visa issuance. The U.S. embassy has its own guidelines relative to issuing U.S. visas; Global Choices has no control or say regarding an embassy’s final visa decision.

Please note: The DS-2019 Form will only be issued once the participant’s program fee is paid in full.

J1 Trainee Status

Must have a university degree or professional certificate from a foreign institution AND at least one year of additional related experience outside of the U.S after graduation OR five years of experience outside of the U.S, in the field of training. Trainees will be allowed to stay in the U.S for up to 18 months, with the exception of hospitality trainees who are limited to programs of 12 months or less. Exchange visitors who will be pursuing training in business management at a hotel will be allowed to train for up to 18 months. (For example, Human Resources or Marketing Training Programs at a hotel or restaurant would qualify as 18-month business training as long as the trainee has prior management experience).