FACT SHEET

 YMCA INTERNATIONAL TRAINING & INTERNSHIP PROGRAMS

 YMCA International Training & Internship Programs allow U.S. organizations to internationalize their staff and services while providing career development opportunities to students from around the world through the J-1 Training/Intern Exchange Visitor Visa. YMCA International Training & Internship Programs promote global citizenship through practical career development, cultural exchange and community service.

YMCA Training/Internship Categories:

Education, Social Sciences, Library Science, Counseling and Social Services:

§         Education: Elementary, Secondary, Special Education, ESL, Curriculum Development, Education Administration & Leadership, Physical Education

§         Social Services: Youth Work, Human Services, Community Development, Social Work (non-clinical),

§         Social Sciences: Anthropology, Psychology, Political Science, Environmental Studies

§         Counseling: Academic counseling, vocational counseling, other non-clinical counseling

§         Library Science

Management, Business, Commerce and Finance:

Marketing, Accounting, Administration, Management, Operations, Finance, Non-profit Management, Sports Management, Arts Administration, Restaurant Management, Hospitality Management

Health Enhancement:

Fitness, Health Awareness, Nutrition, Health promotion and education, allied health professions. (Excludes medical, clinical, and therapy occupations, and any positions that involve patient contact.)

Arts & Culture: Museums, Galleries, Performing arts, Fine arts, Design

Hospitality and Tourism: 12 months maximum: Culinary arts, hotel services, travel services

Information Media and Communications: IT, Journalism, Public Relations, Radio, TV

Public Administration and Law: Public Policy, Law, Government

The Sciences, Engineering, Architecture, Mathematics and Industrial Occupations

REQUIREMENTS FOR ALL TRAINEES & INTERNS:

• Be at least 18 years old by the start date of your program
• Apply for programs within the field of your recent educational/work experience
• Demonstrate English proficiency
• Participate in a documented, in-person interview
• Apply for the J-1 visa in their home country
• Enter the U.S. on the J-1 visa (change of status within the U.S. is not permitted)
• Have sufficient personal funds or financial support for round-trip airfare and living expenses for the duration of stay
• Leave the U.S. at the end of the program

Requirements for Interns

An Intern is: a foreign national who either (1) is currently enrolled in and pursuing studies at a degree- or certificate-granting post-secondary academic institution outside the United States or (2) graduated from such an institution no more than 12 months prior to his/her exchange visitor program begin date, and who enters the United States to participate in a structured and guided work-based Internship Program in his/her specific academic field. 

Maximum length of stay is 12 months.

REQUIREMENTS FOR TRAINEES

A Trainee is: a foreign national who has either (1) a degree or professional certificate from a foreign post-secondary academic institution and at least one year of prior related work experience in his/her occupational field acquired outside the United States, or (2) five years of work experience outside the United States in his/her occupational field, and who enters the United States to participate in a structured and guided work-based Training Program in his/her specific occupational field.  Maximum length of stay is 18 months.

Repeat participation
Trainees and Interns can now apply for additional training/intern programs. Interns can pursue additional internships as long as they maintain student status. Graduates who participated in internships can apply for Training Programs after residing outside of the U.S. for 2 years. Trainees can apply for additional or advanced Training Programs after residing outside of the U.S. for 2 years.

Host Site Requirements

• Host sites must be incorporated companies or organizations.
• Host sites must have a Federal Employer Identification Number (EIN).
• Host sites must have a Dunn and Bradstreet (DUNS) Number unless the organization is an academic institution or government entity. A DUNS number can be obtained for free, in as soon as one day, by all organizations required to have one for U.S. government contracts (such as the DS-7002 Training/Internship Plan). Contact D&B at www.dnb.com/us or call 866-705-5711 CST to apply.
• Host sites must have a current Workman’s Compensation Insurance Policy.
• Host Sites must have appropriate facilities and equipment to provide the internship program.
• The host institution must provide the training/internship program and continuous, on-site supervision to the participant.
• The host institution must assign the participant to a qualified direct supervisor who has the skills and experience necessary to provide training and monitor the participant's progress.
• Host sites cannot place interns in positions that displace American workers.
• Host sites cannot place interns in positions of ordinary work, or positions that would normally be filled by locally-hired employees.
• All host sites that have not previously participated in the YMCA International Training/Internship programs will be visited by a YMCA representative.

As with all YMCA programs, host sites and trainees are expected to demonstrate YMCA core values: caring, honesty, respect, responsibility.

Use of the Exchange Visitor Program for employment, work, unskilled labor, or for immigration purposes is strictly prohibited.

The regulations distinguish between receiving training, which is permitted, and gaining experience, which is not permitted.

Recruitment & Placement

• Most host companies have already identified, interviewed, and selected their own trainees/interns at the time of their application to YMCA.
• YMCA welcomes the opportunity to partner with others to identify, orient and place trainees with appropriate host organizations. A formal written agreement is required for all partnerships.
• All Training and Internship Programs are documented with a DS-7002-Training/Internship Program Plan (T/IPP) which outlines the training activities. Participants, host site supervisors, and YMCA representatives must sign this form before applying for the J-1 visa.

Role of YMCA:

• Interpret and maintain compliance with U.S. government J-1 visa regulations
• Verify the documentation of applicants
• Verify the legitimacy and stability of host sites
• Determine final selection of applicants
• Provide J-1 visa sponsorship
• Pay SEVIS fee and provide SEVIS receipt (I-797)
• Issue forms DS-2019 (Certificate) and DS-7002 (Training/Internship Plan)
• Provide acceptance package and orientation materials
• Provide government-mandated sickness and accident insurance
• Provide 24 hour assistance and support to recruiters, host sites, and participants, as needed
• Monitor and evaluate progress of training/internship programs (through written evaluations and in-person site visits)
• Provide information and assistance in locating housing upon arrival
• Provide information to partners, host sites and participants through quarterly e-newsletters and other information sources.
• Provide participants with opportunities for networking, community involvement, cultural exchange, and involvement with the local YMCA.

For more information or to become a partner with YMCA International Training/Internship Programs, please contact: 

INTERNATIONAL YMCA
Olga Lacayo
YMCA International Training/Internship Programs
5 West 63rd Street
New York, NY 10023
Tel: 212-727-8800 / Toll Free: 888-477-9622
Fax: 212-724-2344
Email: olacayo@ymcanyc.org
web: www.internationalymca.org