Considering & Accepting an Internship Offer
Applying for an internship program takes time and effort, so receiving an offer is exciting! You may want to accept immediately. However, it’s important to understand the details of your offer before you accept. This helps you avoid surprises when you arrive in the U.S.
U.S. companies that host international interns are very different from each other. They offer different pay, benefits, and working environments. Your host company may be different from companies where your friends or family have interned. Learn about your employer’s rules before you accept the offer and travel to the U.S.
Tasks and Responsibilities
You must know what you will do during your internship. Make sure your actual training is the same as what you discussed with your employer and will help you meet your learning goals.
Your DS-7002 Training/Internship Placement Plan describes exactly what you will do during your program. Your host employer must follow this training plan—it is required by U.S. regulations. Read your DS-7002 carefully and understand what tasks you will perform.
If you accept the offer and your employer does not follow the training plan, contact InterExchange immediately. Also contact us if you have other concerns about your internship tasks and responsibilities.
Compensation
Understand clearly if you will be paid for your internship and how much money you will receive. You and your host employer will arrange payment directly.
Pay varies widely depending on your industry, your location in the U.S., the length of your program, and the type of employer you have. Your DS-7002 shows how much you will be paid, and you must receive at least this amount for your entire program.
Paid internships and training programs: Programs longer than six months must pay you at least the local minimum wage (the lowest hourly amount you can be paid according to the law).
Before you accept, make sure you understand when you will be paid, how often you will be paid, how much you will be paid, and how the pay is calculated. Money will be taken out of your paycheck for taxes, so your actual paycheck will be less than the amount shown on your DS-7002. Contact InterExchange if you ever receive less than what is promised on your DS-7002.
Unpaid internships: InterExchange only accepts unpaid internships that are six months or shorter. These programs must meet U.S. Department of Labor rules for unpaid internships.
Before you accept an unpaid internship, estimate your living costs and understand how much money you will receive during your stay. Do not accept an unpaid internship if you cannot support yourself financially for your entire program.
Benefits
Companies offer different benefits beyond pay. Do not assume you will have the same benefits as other interns at different companies. Companies are not required to offer benefits.
Before accepting your offer, ask for a written agreement that lists all benefits you will receive. Benefits might include:
- PTO (Paid Time Off): Vacation days and sick days. Know how many days you have and plan accordingly. If you are paid hourly, you may not receive paid time off—you may only be paid for the hours you intern.
- Overtime Pay: Extra pay if you train more than 40 hours per week.
- Housing: Free or discounted housing (some employers offer this).
- Transportation or Meal Vouchers: Some employers provide help with transportation costs or meals.
Other Benefits: Ask your employer what else they offer.
Weekly Hours
Different companies have different schedules. Ask your employer about standard work hours. Are the hours flexible? Do they change based on company needs?
Our program requires that you train at least 32 hours per week but no more than 45 hours per week. Important: If your employer asks you to train more than 45 hours per week, contact InterExchange immediately.
Company Culture
Understanding company culture is key to preparing for your new role. Before you start, ask your supervisor about the office environment, as some workplaces are casual while others are more formal. Knowing the culture helps you understand expectations for behavior, dress code, and workplace dynamics. For further preparation, check out resources on U.S. workplace culture to get familiar with the American business environment.
It’s also a good idea to check out company reviews on Glassdoor. It allows current and former employees to anonymously post reviews about companies, including information on company culture, salaries, benefits, and interview experiences.
Before You Accept
Consider all aspects of your offer before accepting. Request an offer letter from your employer that includes your internship start and end dates, your compensation (pay amount and schedule), your schedule, and your job title and department.
Having these details in writing before you arrive prevents miscommunication and helps make your experience successful.