CICD International Teaching Intern Program – ITIP

The following sections describe what you might expect as a “Trainee in Education” in the USA on CICD’s J-1 visa Teaching Internship Program, ITIP. Please note that we use the terms “intern in education”, “student teacher”, “teaching assistant”, “teaching trainee” and “teaching intern” interchangeably.

About ITIP

ITIP enables qualified International Interns in Education to embark on challenging teaching internship opportunities at American schools on CICD’s J-1 visa program. Every year these Internships in Education open doors to an exchange of ideas, methodologies, and culture, which should benefit everyone involved. Interns hone valuable skills in teaching environments abroad, improve their English, and experience American life and school culture. CICD sponsors great J-1 visa teaching interns at American host schools in many fields of instruction: Biology, Math, Sciences, History, Foreign Languages, Sports, Art, Drama, Music, Technology, etc. Teaching interns should inform and inspire students, helping them better understand the world. Host communities share perspectives on the intern’s country, culture and people.

Basic Eligibility Requirements and Qualifications for J-1 Visa Teaching/Education Interns and Trainees to participate in elementary to high school internship/training program placements:

INTERNS in Education are qualified foreign university students currently studying to become teachers in their home countries, and may apply to intern / student teach abroad in the USA in relevant subject fields to gain and hone valuable teaching skills while sharing their cultures in American schools. Foreign nationals currently enrolled in a degree or certificate-granting post-secondary academic institution outside the U.S. (e.g. university), or will have graduated from such an institution no more than 12 months prior to the first day of the proposed program may apply. Additional requirements include: sufficient fluency in English to communicate effectively in all aspects of the program; being at an appropriate stage in your studies to participate; pursuing a career in education; pursuing education-related course of studies.

TRAINEES in Education are qualified foreign nationals in Education who have either a degree or professional certificate related to education/instruction from a foreign post-secondary academic institution and at least one year of related prior work experience in an education-related occupational field acquired outside the United States, or at least five (5) years of education-related work experience outside the United States.

Selection of Teaching Interns

Participants are selected based on individual qualifications, recommendations, personality, enthusiasm, initiative, subject knowledge, application materials, interviews, and availability of matching schools and positions.

Application and Placement Process

Interns accepted to the program may be either:

1. Self-placed: where the intern is placed at the host school he or she had originally suggested to CICD
2. Full-placed: where CICD provides a teaching internship position at an American host school.

APPLY EARLY!

We rely heavily on candidates’ and host schools’ timely cooperation through every step of the process. A deciding factor on whether or not a particular internship application is successful is candidates taking the initiative to find and contact potential host schools on their own, and forwarding those contacts to CICD. This allows us to more effectively assist in securing the host school and finalizing the entire process.

Host Schools

The size, type and scope of potential American host schools is almost endless. Some host schools are relatively small, while others are huge! Great host schools can be found in rural, suburban or urban settings alike. They can be public or private schools, with students in any grade K-12. All schools hosting J-1 teaching interns must be accredited. Some may have hosted a teaching intern previously. For other schools, this will be a new and exciting “first time” experience.

Start Date and Length of Programs

Most schools begin in August or September, and end in May or June. Almost all schools will run on either a semester or trimester system. Before receiving final J-1 visa program sponsorship approval CICD will coordinate start and end dates for individual schools and their interns. The minimum program duration is approximately 2 months. The maximum program duration is 10 months (an academic year). J-1 Interns must participate in training activities for a minimum of 32 hours/week, as described in their official Training Plans (DS7002).

Compensation/Pay

Teaching Interns may be unpaid, or paid. This varies depending upon the circumstances of the individual host schools and interns. CICD strongly recommends that, if possible, host schools assist with housing if they cannot pay interns a stipend. If an internship is paid, the approximate stipend amount is usually around $500 – $1000 per month.

Health Insurance

All participants must have a J-1 program-compliant health insurance policy for the duration of their programs. CICD can arrange this for you, or you can privately purchase an insurance policy and provide CICD with documentation demonstrating that it meets or exceeds US Department of State J-1 program insurance requirements.

Housing

Interns should expect to find their own housing. The intern’s host school and CICD can be of assistance in finding affordable housing options. Each intern must inform CICD of his or her US residential address upon arrival in the US and inform CICD whenever residential information changes during the program.

Travel

Participants are required to pay for any travel costs to, from, and during the program, unless otherwise agreed in advance. Additionally, we encourage participants to travel locally during holidays and their grace periods in the US. If any international travel is requested the participant must contact CICD at least 2 or 3 weeks prior to departure so that a CICD officer can sign and return the travel validation on the DS2019 form, allowing you to re-enter the US on your J-1 visa.

Other Costs

Participants are responsible for all personal expenses while on the program. Expenses may include housing, travel, entertainment, income tax, etc.