Intern or Train in the US
Learn how to gain career-making professional experience by training in the US on a BridgeUSA J-1 Internship or Trainee Program.
Explore J-1 Visa Internship Programs in the United States
Gain critical global experience and training through a BridgeUSA J-1 Internship or Trainee program in the United States! Whether you’re just starting out or advancing in your field, you’ll receive meaningful hands-on training at a respected US company while building lifelong connections and experiencing American culture.
Explore J-1 Internship or Trainee opportunities in hospitality at one of Spirit Cultural Exchange’s many luxury hotel and resort partners across the country. Or, take charge of your journey by arranging your own J-1 internship or training placement in a wide range of other professional fields—including general business, engineering, architecture, law and more. Your international career starts here—the choice is yours!
J-1 Internship and Trainee Professional Field Options
Choose the Training Field that is Best for You
Spirit Cultural Exchange is proud to be designated by the U.S. Department of State as a J-1 Visa Program Sponsor for the Intern and Trainee BridgeUSA Programs. We help participants from around the world create customized J-1 internship and training programs that align with their individual career goals.
Whether you’re just starting out or looking to grow in your field, we can tailor your program to match your interests and experience. We sponsor programs in a wide range of professional fields, including:
- Hospitality and Tourism
- Management, Business, Commerce, and Finance
- Information Media and Communications
- STEM: Science, Engineering, Architecture, Mathematics, and Industrial Fields
- Arts and Culture
- Education, Social Sciences, Library Science, Counseling, and Social Services
- Public Administration and Law
Whatever your path, we’re here to help you make the most of your J-1 internship or training experience in the United States.
How to Find A J-1 Internship in the US
Independent Placement Option
Do you already have an American company in mind for your J-1 internship in the US? Or, are you already in the process of looking for an internship in the United States on your own? Spirit Cultural Exchange’s Independent Placement option is right for you!
Spirit Cultural Exchange’s Independent Placement option is designed for international students and young professionals who want to identify their own J-1 internship in the US and simply require BridgeUSA J-1 visa program sponsorship. We sponsor self-arranged J-1 internships in a variety of fields, including:
- Hospitality and Tourism
- Management, Business, Commerce and Finance
- Information Media and Communications
- STEM: The Sciences, Engineering, Architecture, Mathematics and Industrial Occupations
- Arts and Culture
- Education, Social Sciences, Library Science, Counseling & Social Services
- Public Administration and Law
Learn more about how you can find your own J-1 internship in the USA. Or, request J-1 Internship or Trainee program sponsorship today!
Request a Host Company Match - Hospitality Only
Premium Placement Option
Are you looking for a premiere luxury resort or fine dining restaurant to host your hospitality internship or professional training in the US?
Spirit Cultural Exchange’s “Premium Placement” program option is designed for international hospitality students and professionals seeking a four or five star J-1 internship or training program in the USA. Spirit Cultural Exchange works with a network of prominent luxury hotels and resorts across the US to offer elite culinary training programs, as well as general hotel and food and beverage management career development programs. Spirit Cultural Exchange can assist with training placement and the development of the required Training and Internship Placement Plan (T/IPP).
Cultural Activities on the j-1 Program
Make the Most of Your J-1 Internship with Cultural Activities
American cultural activities include the activities you do outside of your J-1 internship or training program that introduce you to the life and culture of the United States. We recommend that you plan to participate in at least two cultural activities per month so you are sure to make time for some fun and have a chance to get a real taste of life in the US.
Examples of American cultural activities:
- Attend an “after-work” event with American colleagues
- Volunteer in the local community. Volunteerism is a core American value!
- Visit a local museum
- Gather with new American friends for a meal, game, or movie
- Tour a US city or visit a historical site in your host community
- Visit a national. state or local park for a picnic with friends
- Attend an American sporting event such as baseball or American football
The opportunities are endless!
Don’t forget that your J-1 Visa also provides up to 30 days of grace period travel time after the program end date on your DS-2019 form. This is a great time to plan for any extended trips to see some of the incredible sites that the US has to offer. Remember, you must return to your home country before the end of your 30-day grace period in order to comply with the terms of your J-1 visa.
J-1 Internship and Trainee Program Costs
Complete an inquiry form for more information on Spirit Cultural Exchange’s J-1 Internship and Trainee Program fees.
There is no initial fee to start an application. Fees are only due to Spirit Cultural Exchange after we review your full application and you accept a J-1 internship offer approved by Spirit Cultural Exchange.
Frequently Asked Questions
Spirit Cultural Exchange welcomes international J-1 Visa Intern and Trainee program applications in all of the following professional 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
International hospitality students and professionals can find current J-1 internship and trainee hospitality position listings here. International candidates in all other professional fields should reference our blog for tips on how to find an internship or professional training in the USA.
Yes. You must have professional or educational experience in the industry you are hoping to intern or train in.
Your eligibility will depend on which program you participated in previously and when. Please complete our Get Information Form to provide more information to Spirit so we can answer your specific case.
Spirit Cultural Exchange’s program fees typically cover the cost of BridgeUSA J-1 Visa regulatory required medical insurance throughout your time in the US. See the Program Costs tab for more information.
No, educational experience must have been completed in classroom settings.
The maximum length of a BridgeUSA J-1 Internship program is 12 months. The maximum length of a BridgeUSA Trainee program is 18 months. Hospitality Trainees are limited to 12-month programs. The minimum program length for all programs is 3 weeks. Once your program has ended, you are permitted to remain in the US for up to 30 days of travel (grace period) – not additional training time.
No. Spirit Cultural Exchange does not accept J-2 dependent applications on its J-1 Internship Program in the USA.
Spirit Cultural Exchange accepts applications directly from international applicants interested in our J-1 Internship and Trainee Programs. Spirit Cultural Exchange also works with a network of vetted international partner “third party” offices that assist applicants who would prefer local support with their applications and J-1 internship search process. Any third parties used to assist you with your Spirit Cultural Exchange program must be approved by Spirit Cultural Exchange before you submit an application. This is important to ensure that the third party you are working with is an approved Spirit Cultural Exchange partner office and meets program rules. Failure to disclose the use of a third party to Spirit Cultural Exchange will result in cancellation of your application or program termination. For a list of approved Spirit Cultural Exchange international partner offices where you are located, email intern@spiritexchange.com.
Spirit Cultural Exchange does not sponsor J-1 internships or training in the following areas: housekeeping, bartending, driving a vehicle (valet), receptionist, counter-service dining outlets, machinery operations, retail establishments, amusement parks, or water parks.
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 J-1 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’s online Support Center. Only once this has been completed and processed by Spirit 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 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 J-1 internship 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 J-1 Internship and Trainee participants and Host Companies to access important information about their program 24 hours a day/7 days a week.
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