Hospitality Interns

The purpose of the J-1 Intern/Trainee Program is to provide international university students and young professionals with opportunities to obtain practical training in their chosen field in the U.S. The participants benefit by obtaining valuable professional experience and employers benefits from added diversity and new perspectives.

CIEE has developed expertise in the field of hospitality and today works with many leading hotels, resorts, country clubs, and hotel management companies to facilitate the recruitment of qualified interns from around the world. Employers realize that hosting international interns is an effective way to provide diversity and new perspective to the workplace.

Ways to Utilize International Interns

Participants can train in a variety of departments such as front office, rooms, food & beverage, and culinary. As an employer, this gives you flexibility for the participants to apply their skills and knowledge in different parts of your organization. Remember, every participant’s goal is to pursue a career in hospitality so it is important to provide them with opportunities which enhance learning. Participants train at leading brand name hotels, country clubs, resorts and spas, hotel management companies, and high end restaurants.

Training Length

Interns and Trainees have the opportunity to train in the U.S. for up to 12 months. Depending on the participant and training offered, Trainees can sometimes train for 18 months.

• You have the ability to rotate participants through different departments depending on the field of training. A front office participant rotates phases and these could include reservations, concierge, front desk, and so on. Food and beverage participants can rotate through different restaurant outlets and learn the roles and responsibility associated with these departments.
• Six-month single phased training is also an option. Participants do not rotate through departments, and for many resorts and hotels five to six months is long enough for participants to make a worthwhile contribution, especially if they can remain in one area. Six-month training programs include food and beverage, front office, and culinary.
• Most training programs include an element of supervisory exposure to ensure participants gain skills to assist in future career success.

What are the Program Guidelines?

• Each participant follows a training plan. This is called the DS-7002 Internship Placement Plan. With help from CIEE, a training program will be created which reflects the skills, tasks, and responsibilities participants will experience while in the U.S. This plan is not only helpful for employers and participants, but also a Department of State requirement.
• It is vital that the training corresponds to the participant’s field of study. For example, a recent hospitality management graduate would be a prime candidate for a front office or food & beverage position. On the contrary, an engineering student wouldn’t be the right fit for a culinary position.
• Unskilled labor is not allowed. It is understood that participants need to experience on-the-job training to comprehend how a department runs and therefore unskilled tasks are allowed but should be limited 20% of the training. The program is not a way for employers to fill positions in housekeeping, maintenance, dishwashing, and so on. Housekeeping can certainly be incorporated into a front office training plan, but the actual time spent cleaning rooms would be limited.

Benefits for Hotels, Country Clubs, Resorts, and Hotel Management Companies

• This is a terrific opportunity to hire talent from around the world and in an increasingly diverse economy participants can enhance your company with multilingual skills and an international perspective.
• The program has become an integral part of the business for many hotels. The participants come to the hotel prepared to gain better working knowledge of the hospitality industry. Through the education they have received in their home country, their passion for the industry, and hunger to advance, the participants push the companies to become better. Additionally, guest and employees alike enjoy getting to know the participants and their different cultures.
• Participants’ hospitality expertise positively affects the guest experience. Participants are professional, and already have solid understanding of hospitality service and the importance of the guest experience. At the end of the day, this is good for your hotel as it creates returning business.
• Participants have practical hospitality work experience which allows them to adapt to their work environment quickly.
• The training period is typically between six to 12 months and this helps participants become well-versed in their roles as well as your corporate culture.
• This is a dependable option for employers as CIEE experiences a high visa approval rate and has been administering the program for many years.
• Should you like assistance in sourcing participants, CIEE will recruit and screen all candidates, coordinate interviews, and help with the offer process. We provide all necessary support and insurance to participants throughout their stay in the U.S. This is a free service to you, the employer.
• From the beginning of the recruitment process through the completion of the internships, CIEE is always here as a partner and a resource.

How Does CIEE find Participants?

• CIEE has developed expertise in the field and we work with many leading hotels, resorts, country clubs and hotel management companies to facilitate the recruitment of qualified participants from around the world. CIEE has a network of over 70 agents in 50 countries. Participants’ academic calendars often dictate what countries work for employers based on start dates.
• CIEE collaborates with overseas agents to recruit candidates that meet your requirements. The agents have strong relationships with a variety of top hospitality universities.
• CIEE screens all candidates, coordinates virtual interviews, and helps facilitate the offer process.
• In-country recruitment events: Depending upon how many participants you would like to host, CIEE organizes recruitment trips that allow you to interview candidates face-to-face in their own country.