Internship Placement Details The Internship program in Hospitality in the United States is a dual program that also encourages cross-cultural exchange. The hospitality industry presents an ideal forum for international understanding as it breaks down social barriers by hosting cultural representatives and guests in an environment that promotes peace and friendship. The sharing of the rich cultural traditions and heritage from your homeland is an integral component of this program. The training/internship is designed for applicants' future careers in their home countries. This is a wonderful opportunity to learn hands-on about American hospitality operations.

Westside Global arranges cultural exchange and training programs in and around the United States. Below are a few of the many resorts/hotels where trainees share the opportunity to complete their practical training experience. Florida: Marco Island, Naples, Key West, Sandestin, Miami and Captiva Island. South Carolina: Myrtle Beach, Hilton Head, Philadelphia, Iowa

Internship Training in USA is an opportunity to gain valuable practical experience as an intern or trainee working for an American company. Several openings exist for paid internships/trainee programs for holders of valid J1 visas. We assist you with the entire process; the selection, host interview, and most importantly with the documents and groundwork for applying for US J1 visa.

Stipend and allowances

The rate of pay and the stipend varies, depending upon the location and position that the trainee will be assigned. For trainee positions in Florida the average rate of pay is $8.00 - $9.00 per hour. If you're assigned a tipped position then hourly wages will apply. For some positions there is monthly stipend of US$500 paid to the interns too. The stipend is paid only to meet their day expenses and it is not salary!!!

Accommodation Details:

All trainees participating in the hospitality internship program will be assisted with accommodation. Trainees are provided with Host Property Housing or a Housing Assistance Program. Housing options vary among the different host properties. The average cost of housing and utilities is $450 - $600 per month.

In some locations like Myrtle Beach, Hilton Head and Orlando, housing, all utilities and transportation is provided by the host property and no deductions are made.

Program Cost

You're required to send registration fees of US$50 along with the application form to assess the application for eligibility to apply for the training program.

The total Program cost for internship (12 months) includes

• Application fees
  
• No refund is given at any time after the confirmation and acceptance of the placement by the intern
  
• Sponsor placement fees
  
• Program fees
  
• Insurance and sevis fees
  
• Internship consultation fees

***Please make sure we receive the fee in full at the time of application.

What's included in the fee

• Development of a custom designed internship to meet your individual requirements
  
• A training plan for the entire duration of the internship
  
• Placement services including supply of essential visa nomination approval documents
  
• Supply of an internship contract to define the terms and conditions for the placement
  
• Assistance with the visa process
  
• Preparation and orientation package prior departure
  
• Certificate at successful completion of the internship

What's Not Included

• Flight and travel
  
• Insurance: Health and travel insurance needs to be purchased before you go for your visa interview. This has to be purchased through Internships at an extra cost. We do not encourage candidates to arrange for insurance themselves, as the policy must comply with the terms and conditions of the US State Department
  
• SEVIS fee for the visa
  
• Any relevant fees for visa processing

SEVIS fee has to be paid in addition to all Program fees. Currently this fee is $100 USD but may be subject to change.

SEVIS System (Student and Exchange Visitor Information System) SEVIS has been set up by the U.S. government in an effort to keep track of all exchange visitors (J visas) and international foreign students (F & M visas) during their stay in the United States. SEVIS replaced an old manual, paper-driven procedure with an automated one in which real-time; accurate information is updated and maintained through the use of a web-based application. The new procedure has enabled schools and exchange Program sponsors to transmit electronic information and event notifications via the internet to the Department of Homeland Security and the U.S. Department of State throughout exchange visitor's and the student's stay in the U.S. All the J Program sponsors must comply with SEVIS rules and regulations and keep the records of all exchange visitors up to date by U.S. law. Therefore, it is VERY IMPORTANT that our participants report to us their arrival confirmation and U.S. home address within 7 days of their arrival in order for us to validate their Program in SEVIS and to remain in contact with us for any changes in the Program within 7 days of change. If a participant forgets this important requirement, she/he is going to be in danger of losing the Program sponsorship and may have the Program terminated. At our Program orientation sessions and through Program applications, our participants are given precise details and instructions about SEVIS.

Cancellation

Refunds are issued in the following situations

• For withdrawal before an offer is accepted we will refund the amount after deducting initial expenses.
  
• For withdrawal after the DS-2019 form is issued, once you return the form we will refund the amount less expenses.
  
• If you're denied a visa, we will refund you the entire fees minus the application cost, consultation fees and the SEVIS
  
• If you withdraw from the Program after the visa is issued or after entry into the US, no refund is issued

Application Process

Eligibility

Applicants must be

• Age - 18 years to 30 years
  
• Willing to share their culture
  
• olders of valid passports
  
• Able to meet the application, program, Insurance, consultancy, sevis, visa fees and ticket. Able to show financial support while applying for DS 2019
  
• Fluent in English ? trainees will be dealing with guests on a daily basis, regardless of their assigned positions.Proof of TOFEL or IELTS score or test podium result
  
• Have at least 3 years of post-secondary education related to hospitality and/or?
  
• Have at least 2 years of experience in the hospitality field and/or

Required documents

Make sure you attach the following documents to the completed application form

• Curriculum Vitae
  
• Cover letter
  
• Copies of degree or diploma if they list any related education (Total 15 years education)
  
• Copies of minimum 2 years experience in related field
  
• Two good reference letters to support academic and experience in related field
  
• Copy of valid passport
  
• Copy of any visas previously held for the USA

J1 visa process

once a placement has been finalized; 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 Program 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$100 SEVIS fee, insurance, your passport and other documents to the nearest U.S. consulate or embassy in your home country. 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 program.

As a reminder, we are not responsible for final visa authorization decisions and visa issuance. The U.S. embassies and consulates abroad each have their own guidelines relative to issuing U.S. visas; we has no control or say regarding an embassy or consulate's final visa decision.

Please note : The DS-2019 Form will only be issued once the participant's program fees and all balance fees are paid in full.

How to apply for a Program

Pre-Application Process

To initiate the process, you'll need to download the pre-application form from our website, complete it and send it with a deposit of US$50, a copy of your CV with English test results (TOFEL score, IELTS score or English test level 2 result from www.testpodium.com).

We will send you confirmation of receipt of your pre-application, other documents and registration fees

Application Process

• Once we have reviewed your pre-application, we will send you another form by mail. This form will require more details and based on this information and the documents you will attach, we will find the most suitable placement.
  
• You must send the application fees, part of program fees and part of Internship Consultancy fees along with your application packet. The application process will not be activated unless all fees are paid and we have received the required documents
  
• We will confirm receipt of the payment and the application packet
  
• We will then review the submitted documents, and once you're successful, we will send you a letter of acceptance to the program.
  
• If necessary, we will also arrange for the host employer to interview you.
  
• We will arrange a suitable trainee placement that matches your personal profile and objectives, based on the information provided in the application packet.
  
• Once the trainee placement has been confirmed, we will send you details of the internship/training offer with a detailed Training Plan Agreement from the host company.
  
• You'll be required to write the host employer an acceptance letter to formally confirm the offer and placement details once you have received and accepted an internship/training offer. Please send a copy of this letter to us.
  
• Upon trainee placement confirmation, you must apply for a J-1 visa to the United States.
  
• Participant must provide us with bank statement for financial support, balance program fees, insurance and Sevis fees and balance Internship consultation fees with complete flight details on both arrival and departure 7 days prior to the arrival date.

Important : The trainee placement process begins at the time of receiving the completed application pack (including the fees) and not at the time of pre-application.