Thank you for your interest in Cultural Vistas’ Placement USA Program (PLUS). PLUS allows qualified international students to participate in short-term internships in the United States. Cultural Vistas provides you with a high-quality internship placement with a host company that matches your studies and interests, as well as the necessary J-1 visa to complete training in the United States. This special service is available exclusively to students who attend a Cultural Vistas partner university or are affiliated with a Cultural Vistas partner institution.

Many students dream of gaining international experience but are unsure of how to secure an internship abroad. The Cultural Vistas Placement USA Team will work with you to understand your specific skills and interests and what you hope to achieve from an internship in the United States. The team will also work with you to strengthen your Curriculum Vitae, provide interview tips and additional information on American business standards and norms. Having placed over 1,000 students in the United States, the Cultural Vistas Placement USA Team is confident we can also provide you with an exciting opportunity. Placements and the necessary visa are facilitated by our U.S. offices (Cultural Vistas, Inc.).

About the J-1 Visa

PLUS participants will enter the United States on the J-1 visa. The J-1 visa is a non-immigrant cultural exchange visa issued by the U.S. Department of State. The objective of the J-1 Visa is to foster better understanding and acceptance between the people of the United States and other countries around the world through educational and cultural exchange programs. Cultural Vistas is a designated sponsor for three categories: intern, trainee, and teacher. As a PLUS participant, you will enter the United States on the intern category. Click here for more information on the intern category of the J-1 visa.

Application Procedure

Internship Start Dates and Application Deadlines:

There are multiple steps involved in the PLUS application process:

1. Apply via your university or organization (to find out if your university is a partner of Cultural Vistas, please email info@culturalvistas.eu
2. Cultural Vistas will evaluate your application and respond with information about your eligibility for the PLUS program and the J-1 Visa. If you meet the eligibility requirements, we will contact you to schedule a brief Skype interview to discuss specific details like career goals and previous professional experience.
3. If you are accepted to the PLUS program, you will receive a summary of the interview along with a participation agreement and an invoice for the internship placement fee.
4. Upon receipt of payment for the placement fee, the placement team will start the internship placement process. Once an interview has been secured, you will receive detailed information on the company and the internship. A phone or Skype interview between you and the potential host company will be arranged.
5. Once a host company extends the internship offer, your application will be transferred to the Train USA department at Cultural Vistas Inc., which is responsible for issuing the necessary paperwork for your J-1 visa. The Train USA team will inform both you and your host company of the necessary supporting documents and fees that must be submitted. Upon receipt of these documents and fees, Train USA will conduct a formal review of the applications to ensure the internship will be beneficial for both you and the host company and that the internship meets the Department of State J1 visa requirements.
6. Once your program is approved, Cultural Vistas Inc. will issue the necessary visa documents (including Form DS-2019). These documents will be shipped to you via FedEx and will be required to schedule and attend your visa interview at the U.S. Consulate.

Services and Fees

Internship placement fee through Placement USA currently costs US$ 1500.

Processing fee for J-1 visa sponsorship through Train USA depends on the length of your internship. Please see http://culturalvistas.org/programs-for-students-and-professionals/train-usa/services-and-fees for more information.

For example: a student completing a 3-month internship in the U.S. through Placement USA would pay $1500 for the placement, $775 for the J-1 sponsorship, $204 for insurance ($68 x 3 months), and the $180 SEVIS fee = total $2659 paid to Cultural Vistas. As of March 2015—fees subject to change.

While both the placement process and application for visa sponsorship will be conducted by our U.S. offices in New York City and/or Washington DC, Cultural Vistas’ European Office in Berlin is happy to guide you through the initial steps and to answer any questions. Please do not hesitate to call or email us!

– Your Cultural Vistas Team