CCI's Career Advancement Programs: J1 Intern and Trainee 

CCI's Career Advancement Program offers international university students, recent graduates and young professionals the opportunity to become an Intern or Trainee in a U.S. business. These structured and guided work-based learning programs must be in the intern or trainee's specific academic or occupational field. CCI is designated by the U.S. Department of State to offer these J1 Exchange Visitor Programs in the following categories:

• Hospitality and Tourism
• Business, Management, Finance and Commerce

Since 1985, CCI has been managing cultural and academic exchange programs and is considered a leader in the international education field. The Career Advancement Program for Interns and Trainees is a wonderful chance for participants and U.S. businesses to share ideas, gain new perspectives and increase their knowledge of each other's cultures.

Intern vs Trainee: What is the Difference?

The Department of State regulations defines Intern and Trainee as the following:

INTERN	TRAINEE
A foreign national who is currently enrolled in and pursuing studies at a degree- or certificate-granting post-secondary academic institution outside the United States - OR - graduated from such an institution no more than 12 months prior to his/her program start date.	A foreign national who has a degree or professional certificate from a foreign post-secondary academic institution and at least one year of prior related work experience in his/her occupational field acquired outside the United States - OR - five years of work experience outside the United States in his/her occupational field.
Maximum program duration: 12 months	Maximum program duration: 18 months, except Hospitality training programs are limited to a maximum duration of 12 months.

Program Requirements

In addition to meeting the general eligibility requirements, Interns must have a high level of proficiency in English and Trainees must be fluent in English in order to effectively participate in their program.

Every intern and trainee is required to complete the DS-7002, Training/Internship Placement Plan (T/IPP) in coordination with their host organization. All T/IPPs must state specific goals and objectives of the training or internship program as well as detail the knowledge, skills or techniques to be learned by the trainee or intern during the course of their program.

Program Placement Options

CCI requires all participants to secure a valid training or internship prior to arrival in the U.S.

Self-placed (SP): Participants arrange their own training or internship with a U.S. host organization and are responsible for securing their own accomodation.

Full Program (FP): Participants can apply to a specific training or internship through CCI's sending partner in their home country. The sending partner is responsible for screening participants and ensuring that they meet the host organization's requirements. Accomodation on this option is generally identified for the participant by the host organization.

Sample Industries: Hospitality/Tourism

• Hotels and resorts
• Ski lodges
• Restaurants
• Culinary arts

Sample Industries: Management/Business/Finance and Commerce

• Advertising firms
• Software companies
• Financial institutions
• Market research companies
  

Application Process

Host Organizations: If you are a U.S. business and wish to host an international intern or trainee, please complete the host organization registration form and a CCI CAP representative will contact you.

Participants: Find out more about our program by visiting the CAP Participants page.