Starting your International Internship in 2021

Start Your International Internship this year!
Sep 06 2021

J-1 Internships allow international students, recent graduates and professionals to travel to the United States and receive professional training at U.S. companies. While you could participate in an internship in your home city or country, the benefits of an international internship are immense! As a J-1 visa intern, you can gain skills more quickly, advance… Continue reading »

Top 5 Reasons an International Internship is Right for You!

CICD-blog-1---aug-2021
Sep 04 2021

No matter what subject you’re studying at University, an international internship can set you on a path toward success. The J-1 Intern and Trainee Visa programs are designed for university students (or recent graduates) like yourself searching for an opportunity to travel, make friends, and learn new skills along the way. Here are 5 top… Continue reading »

A Chef’s Dream: Immersive International Culinary Program

Marco during his Culinary Program In France
Oct 29 2020

Imagine sitting down at an outdoor cafe eating a new meal for the first time. The joy we feel when we try something new is just what Marco felt when he landed in France for his internship. Food is the center of our understanding of the world; it invites incredible conversations, builds relationships, and, of… Continue reading »

Three Things We Learned by Throwing a Celebration for Seattle’s Cultural Exchange Community

CICD Staff and J-1 participants from all over the world at the "Year of the DS-2019" Celebration!
Dec 05 2019

On October 16, 2019, the Center for International Career Development (CICD) and our sister organization NorthWest Student Exchange (NWSE), hosted a cultural exchange celebration in honor of “The Year of the DS-2019”.  Named after the iconic DS-2019 form (required to obtain the J-1 visa), this event was a perfect opportunity to celebrate the passion, hard… Continue reading »

How an Internship Abroad Impacts the Way We View the World Around Us

Mariana, CICD J1 Trainee
Oct 25 2019

To pursue career aspirations while also traveling the world is a unique opportunity! The J-1 visa allows just that and more. J-1 visa programs are a unique opportunity that allows participants from around the world to not only gain meaningful insights and understanding of American business practices, but to experience a whole new culture and… Continue reading »

Participant Feature: Culinary Internship at a Michelin star restaurant in Barcelona

culinary internship in barcelona
Jun 02 2019

CICD International Programs offers more than just an internship – we offer the experience of a lifetime! CICD specializes in providing opportunities for qualified candidates to travel the world and gain hands-on career experience. Barcelona is a top choice for culinary students looking to expand their hospitality knowledge while exploring Spain. Internships take place at the most… Continue reading »

CICD J-1 Teacher in the News

CICD J-1 Teacher, Irish from the Philippines
May 13 2019

CICD Teacher Irish from the Philippines is having the experience of a lifetime as a Special Education Teacher in Shelby, Montana. She arrived in March and has been welcomed with open arms by her new school and community. Irish brings many years of experience to her role and has found some interesting differences between American… Continue reading »

Work and Travel Questions Answered: Can I get a Second Job?

J-1 Work and Travel Participant, 2016
Mar 02 2019

In short, yes! Before you can start a new job, you must first let CICD complete its host company review process. CICD has created the easy guide below to help you complete this process quickly and efficiently! The J-1 Work & Travel program allows university students to come to the United States to share their culture and… Continue reading »

What Makes a Great Hospitality Training Program?

CICD J-1 Participant
Jan 29 2019

J-1 Internships are skills-based training programs and participants qualify based on academic or professional experience in their field of training outside of the USA. Hospitality internships are amazing opportunities for future Hotel Managers, Chefs, and Entrepreneurs! So, what makes a great hospitality internship? 1. Skilled Learning A hospitality program should include skilled learning at top restaurants… Continue reading »

What are Cultural Activities in the USA?

Cultural Activities in the USA
Jan 26 2019

Welcome to the United States! With 48 contiguous states, 2 states located in other parts of the continent, and 1 tropical territory, there are many diverse landscapes to explore in the USA. During your time in the States, you should take advantage of the fast-paced American lifestyle and numerous activities that you can’t do anywhere… Continue reading »

Teach in the USA – CICD’s Global Teaching Program

CICD participant, 2018
Jan 24 2019

CICD sponsors teachers from all over the world on the J-1 visa to the United States. This program allows American students to experience a new culture firsthand and for teachers to learn more about American schools and pedagogy. Through a variety of cultural lessons designed by the foreign teachers, students learn about their home country… Continue reading »

Map to Washington: Best Views in Seattle

Best Views in Seattle
Jan 13 2019

Welcome to Seattle! Home of the Space Needle, three major league sport franchises including the former Super Bowl Champion Seattle Seahawks, Starbucks Coffee, Amazon, and The Center for International Career Development (CICD). CICD sponsors nearly 3,000 participants on our programs each year. We pride ourselves on helping our participants take part in exciting cultural activities… Continue reading »

Transportation in the USA on your J-1 Program

Transportation Tips in the USA
Jan 04 2019

Congratulations on securing your J-1 internship! It’s time to start thinking about your everyday life in the U.S. While you are in the U.S. on your J-1 program, you will have many different options for navigating your new city! Arriving on-time to your training, especially on the first day, is expected and impressive! To help… Continue reading »

What is CICD’s Work and Travel Program?

J-1 Work and Travel Participants
Jan 01 2019

There are few things more valuable than an international experience! With CICD’s Work & Travel program, international students (like you!) can spend their university summer break traveling, improving their English, and developing professional skills, all while learning about the people and way of life in the United States. The Work & Travel program allows university… Continue reading »

How to Handle Reverse Culture Shock

J-1 Work & Travel Participant, 2016
Dec 21 2018

All travels eventually come to an end. You are probably catching your flight home after the end of your J-1 program feeling bittersweet. Like most independent travelers, you may be thinking about the homemade meal you have been craving, or about finally seeing your beloved pet again. But once you have survived your long 10-hour… Continue reading »

Choosing your J-1 Visa Sponsor

CICD as your Visa Sponsor
Dec 19 2018

Students and professionals increasingly rely on internship opportunities to strengthen their resumes and showcase hands-on, professional experience or international work and cultural experience. International candidates seeking experience in the U.S. face the challenging task of finding both an internship opportunity and a visa to support them. For those who qualify, the J-1 Intern/Trainee visa program… Continue reading »

Qualify for the J-1 Internship and Training Visa

J-1 Interns gathered in Seattle for CICD's annual teaching intern conference
Nov 08 2018

Congratulations! You found an Internship or Training program in the U.S. Now what? Take CICD’s Qualify Quiz to see if you may qualify or read the below eligibility requirements. How to Qualify as a J-1 Intern Apply for the J-1 Intern program if you are a foreign national who is currently enrolled in and pursuing studies… Continue reading »