The Role of Host Employers in the Career Training USA Program

2 minutes

InterExchange's Career Training USA program is a cultural exchange program between U.S. host employers and experienced international interns and trainees. Host employers not only receive a new international perspective from their intern or trainee, but they also share American culture and business techniques with Career Training USA participants.

Look over our list of Employer Requirements, which include certain conditions such as:

• Understand that this is not a work program but a cultural exchange opportunity for both the employees of host companies as well as the Interns/Trainees.
• Be able to provide full-time (minimum of 32 hours/week up to a maximum of 45 hours/week), professional-level positions for interns and trainees.
• Internships/training programs cannot involve more than 20% clerical or basic work or include unskilled labor.

See the full list on the Career Training USA website.

Cultural Exchange

In addition to providing a supportive learning environment for interns and trainees, our host employers enhance our exchange program by acting as "cultural ambassadors." Career Training USA is a cultural exchange program, and that applies in and out of the office.

Trainees and interns experience a full-time workweek during their program, which can last from 1 to 18 months. This immersion into an American workplace is an invaluable experience for the participants who are eager to get as much as they can out of their program. But it's also important to enjoy the fun things offered in your local community when the workday is over!

Local newspapers can be a great way to stay in touch with what's happening in the community. Look for local festivals, concerts or street fairs that can show off your local culture and may be of interest to interns and trainees.

Host employers can also organize staff events to allow interns and trainees to spend time together outside of their work roles. Celebrate an American holiday, throw a potluck lunch, or head to a baseball game to show off one of our favorite U.S. sports!

There are many ways to introduce the local culture to your international intern/trainee. Check out the Cultural Compass guide to the United States for ideas in your area, and don't hesitate to contact us for more information.