One of the main advantages of studying in the US for international students may be
the opportunity to complete an internship there. Your CV and future work experience
are built on the foundation of your first internship. It takes a lot of work to get ready
for, find, apply for, and — most importantly — land your dream internship, but the
rewards are worthwhile.

Numerous students choose to spend a semester studying abroad in the US each
year. The most ardent devotees of US universities often spend their whole degree in
the US on an F1 visa. Unknown to some F1 visa holders, international students may
participate in an OPT program, also known as an optional practical training program
in the US. For many students, getting the chance to complete an internship in the US
is a huge opportunity. You might wonder, though, how one would truly secure an
internship in the United States.

In addition to running the largest economy in the world, the United States also runs a
sizable sports business that has a global impact and owns one-third of the media in
the world. The names Hilton, Marriott, and Wyndham may come to mind when you
consider some of the largest hotel chains. Undoubtedly, there are cutting-edge
internships available in the USA for international students at numerous well-known
businesses and organisations, regardless of the field you choose to work in.

Can international students get internships in the USA?

For any international student who is fortunate enough to secure an internship, it is an
excellent way to stand out on their resume.

Unfortunately, the hiring (and internships) of foreign people are subject to strict
regulation by the American government. There are many chances, but they come
with a lot of paperwork and hoops to jump through. Plan beforehand, exercise

patience, and maintain your resolve if you want to intern in the US. Finding a cool
internship is totally doable, but it does require some work.

There are currently more than 500,000 foreign students studying in the US. 4% of
students enrolled in higher education in the US are international nationals, according
to InternationalStudent.com. According to CIEE, this figure is increasing by 10%
each year. These full-time students often secure internships; you can do the same.

How to prepare for an internship?

Regardless of where they are from, employers always want to hire the best students.
Keep in mind that internships are similar to a protracted job interview. You may be
hired if you do well.

Pay or no pay are options for internships. Paid internships involve more
documentation, but unpaid internships don’t. This implies that you must be qualified
to work in the US under US law. The kind of visa you have affects this.

Why should you choose to do an internship?

While internships can be a great method to make money to pay for your living and
education costs, an internship in the United States for overseas students is
especially beneficial, there are still other reasons to pursue internships:

● You have the chance to gauge your interest in a particular vocation through
internships.
● You acquire expertise in the area of interest.
● You can make connections and expand your professional network.
● Many internships result in full-time employment.
● The internship you had will be very helpful in your future job search.
● You could occasionally receive academic credit for your internships.

Where should you start looking for an internship overseas?

Start by getting in touch with the office that handles overseas students.

Most of the time, there are guidelines and restrictions for off-campus internships that
apply to overseas students. The greatest resource for information on these topics is
your international student assistance office.

Even while you might be tempted to simply ask your friends, who may have already
done something similar and may be able to give you advice on how to proceed, it is
in your best interest to grasp the rules before you begin looking for internships
because they may vary from year to year.

You will have a solid understanding of the chances to seek out those that are legal.
You would also be aware of all the documentation you would have to complete at the
same time.

What steps should you follow to get an internship?

Decide which type of internship is best suited for you

You can determine a few factors while deciding for the best internship:

● The internship’s field
● The type of internship you want to pursue
● The skill sets that you hope to acquire
● How long the internship program lasts
● How this experience will set you different from your peers in the future
● The city you wish to work in for future

Make your networks strong, search for employers

It’s time to consider which U.S. host companies you would like to intern with and do
some research on them now that you have selected what kind of internship you
would like to have. There are numerous techniques to look for employers:

Network
By asking your friends, family, classmates, or even professors if they know someone
who works at the company where you’d like to intern, you can establish a personal
connection with a possible employer.

Websites
LinkedIn: LinkedIn is a terrific resource for learning more about a certain business
and its workers. Employers adore interns that take the initiative, so don’t be hesitant
to reach out to them online to discover internships!
Glassdoor: You may also use Glassdoor to read company reviews left by former
and present workers. While doing so, you can look for internships.

Other websites that you can check on are:
● Indeed.com
● Careerbuilder.com
● Internzoo.com
● Monster.com

University Database
Use your university’s database, please! There’s a good chance that your university
has developed strong relationships with several businesses where former students
may have interned.
Remember that in order to host you, host employers must also adhere to the J-
1 Visa host employer standards.

Keep your documents updated

When submitting an internship application, the following two documents are crucial:

CV/Resume
Your CV or resume is crucial since it gives a host employer their first impression of
your credentials.

Cover Letter
Don’t forget to add your personal touch to each cover letter! Employers appreciate
learning that you did your homework on the business and the position. They are
curious as to why you specifically want to intern for them.

Apply to the universities

After doing your research, you are prepared to apply. Making a spreadsheet is one
of the greatest ways to keep track of the businesses you have applied to.

You should keep an eye on the following:
● Employer name, website address, hiring manager, and email (if available)
● the location of the business
● Paying internship description
● Internship start and end dates
● Any other pertinent bonuses or benefits

Follow up on your applications

If an employer hasn’t gotten back to you, don’t worry! It can take a while for them to
respond to you because reviewing applications takes time. Following up with a host
employer one to two weeks after submitting your application is recommended.

Prepare for your interview

You’ve caught the attention of a corporation, and they want to schedule an interview
with you. They want to know more about you, why you want to intern with them, and
most crucially, what you know about the business and its goals. This is their chance
to find out more about you.

Multiple rounds of interviews may be scheduled by the host employers, and you may
speak with several employees at once. Telephone or Skype interviews are both
options. Try to arrange a face-to-face interview if you are visiting the area!

Go for Mock Interviews

Usually, you will be required to attend an interview when you apply for an internship
or scholarship. This interview could be the determining factor.

Many international students find interviews intimidating and worry about their accents
or communication skills.Practice is the key to overcoming interview apprehension.
Ask your classmates who are skilled communicators to assist you in your practice.
Up until you feel ready for the actual interview, work on their feedback, improve
yourself, and repeat.

Top international internships for students in the USA

That was all there was to finding an internship in the USA. Although an applicant’s
educational history may be taken into account when recruiting, most companies are
looking for “real-world” skills and attributes that will help them operate their company
successfully. And what better way to hone these skills than to apply for internships
and see the corporate world firsthand? For any more questions, sign up for
Edubound strategy to receive the necessary advice from our team of qualified
experts!