Set yourself apart with the ultimate internship or trainee experience! AHA’s programs are designed to provide university students and young professionals the unique opportunity to participate in a structured and guided work-based learning program with premier hotels and resorts in the United States.
You will gain valuable professional experience, receive on-the-job exposure to American techniques, methodologies, and technologies while enhancing your knowledge of American culture and society. AHA is designated as a program sponsor by the U.S. Department of State.
Downloads and Resources
The J1 visa is a nonimmigrant visa which allows foreign nationals to enter the U.S. to participate in exchange programs to promote the sharing of culture, knowledge and skills. The Internship and Trainee programs are designed to allow foreign college and university students, recent graduates and professionals to come to the United States to gain exposure to U.S. culture and to receive hands-on experience and training in U.S. business practices.
As an organization designated by the U.S. Department of State to administer the J-1 Intern and Trainee programs, AHA assumes a number of duties to include the issuance of the Certificate of Eligibility for the J-1 Visa (Form DS-2019) to successful applicants as well as monitoring and supporting participants throughout the entire program.
Through AHA' sponsorship, participants can enter the United States on a J-1 Visa and complete a structured and guided work based learning program lasting up to 12 months. This program consists of two categories, J-1 Intern or J-1 Trainee. Candidates must meet the following eligibility requirements for one of these programs:
J-1 Intern
Non-U.S. Citizen
18 years of age or older
Proficient in English
Must be currently enrolled as a full-time student in and actively pursuing studies at a foreign ministerially-recognized degree- or certificate-granting post-secondary academic institution outside the United States, or graduated from such an institution no more than 12 months prior to the internship begin date.
Please note: subject of study must be directly related to hotel/restaurant management, culinary arts, tourism or leisure management.
J-1 Trainee
Non-U.S. Citizen
18 years of age or older
Proficient in English
Who has either a degree or professional certificate from a foreign ministerially-recognized post-secondary academic institution and at least one year of hospitality work experience, acquired outside the United States; or five years of work experience in the hospitality industry acquired outside the United States.
As the leading provider of internships and training programs specifically designed for the hospitality industry, AHA offers food and beverage, culinary and front office/rooms division opportunities at premier hotels and resorts throughout the United States to include Marriott, Hilton, Hyatt, Waldorf Astoria and Sheraton.
The following descriptions are designed to give you a realistic view of the type of work-based training you will be performing during your J-1 program. The area of practical training reflects your expressed desire to focus on a selected division within the hospitality industry which include, but are not limited to:
- Food and Beverage Division - Participants are exposed to the daily operations and management while completing a structured and guided work-based learning program. Training focuses on service standards, complaint resolution, teamwork, traits of leadership, multi-cultural work environment and learning the position in order to understand its management and overall role in the operation. Practical training rotations include assignments in restaurant, room service, banquet/ catering service, hotel F&B operations.
- Front Office and Rooms Division - This position offers participants the opportunity to understand the procedures and daily operation of the hotel guest service operations. Training focuses on service standards, complaint resolution, teamwork, traits of leadership, multi-cultural work environment and learning the position in order to understand its management and overall role in the operation. Worked based training assignments/rotations may include front desk, reservations, concierge, PBX, retail, intro to housekeeping supervisor.
- Culinary Arts - This position provides participants the opportunity to gain hands on culinary experience while being exposed to the operation and management of a culinary department within the hospitality industry. Work based training may include food preparation, sauces, stock, line cooking, pastry, breads, dessert, inventory, and kitchen sanitation. Additionally, training will focus on service standards, food cost, health and safety, inventory and purchasing, teamwork, traits of leadership, multi-cultural work environment and learning the position in order to understand its management and overall role in the operation.
AHA’s premier hotels and resorts hire throughout the year – Apply today!
The maximum duration of the Hospitality J-1 Internship and Training program is 12 months. At the end of your program, you will have a grace period of 30 days to travel in the USA.
As an intern or trainee you will rotate through various positions providing you with the opportunity to gain knowledge and skill while being exposed to business practices and professional leadership traits. You will not be placed in a management role, this is not a manager in training program.
Upon acceptance in a property, a Training Plan will be developed outlining your program. You will be asked to carefully review and sign acknowledging your acceptance. It is important this plan is carefully reviewed to make certain expectations are achieved. To recap:
- An Internship Program is a structured and guided work-based learning program for an Intern as set forth in an individualized Training/Internship Placement Plan (Form DS-7002) that reinforces an intern's academic study; recognizes the need for work-based experience; provides on-the-job exposure to American techniques, methodologies, and technologies; and enhances the Intern's knowledge of American culture and society.
- A Training program is a structured and guided work-based learning program for a trainee as set forth in an individualized Training/Internship Placement Plan (Form DS-7002), that develops new and advanced skills in a trainee's occupational field through exposure to American techniques, methodologies, and technologies; and enhances a trainee's understanding of American culture and society.
With AHA it's simple, complete an online application and a professional resume will be created through our automatic resume builder.
Upon receipt of your approved application, you will be scheduled a time to speak with an AHA manager to review your qualifications, expectations and answer any questions you may have.
Yes! Please submit a copy of your resume, details of your host employer and training plan for prescreening to Info@AmericanHospitalityAcademy.com Once approved, you will be asked to complete the online program application and begin the enrollment process.
AHA fosters an environment where diversity is valued, essential skills are developed, and individual aspirations are fulfilled. We are committed to creating opportunities that bring people together and enriches lives.
Our 5 Star Advantage
- Full Service J1 Placement at leading hotels and resorts of the United States
- Cultural exchange with team members, guests and local community
- Earn USA Certificate through AHA’s Hospitality Professional Course (HPC)
- Achieve a competitive edge to succeed in today’s global marketplace by gaining valuable experience in the world’s biggest economy and creating international networks and friendships.
- Enrollment into World Campus, our comprehensive, online global community that connects students and young professionals from around the world with one another and the entire AHA team, it is your one stop location for:
- Orientation, Information, Policies, Procedures, Resources and Downloads
- Life in the USA Guide
- Professional Development Seminars, Discussion Forums
- Passport to Culture – A Cultural Exchange Activity
- And Much More!
As an AHA participant, you are automatically enrolled into AHA’s online global community, World Campus and have the option to earn the Hospitality Professional Certificate, “HPC”. The Hospitality Professional Course, which consists of online seminar and coursework, emphasizes the development of both professional and personal leadership traits needed to be successful in the hospitality industry and to live and work in a globally interdependent and cultural diverse world. AHA's certificate programs draw upon the knowledge, skills, resources and passion of the entire AHA community and are recognized by the South Carolina Commission on Higher Education.
International Participants
As a J-1 Participant, you are required to have insurance meeting or exceeding the following coverage:
- Medical benefits of at least $100,000 per accident or illness
- Repatriation of remains in the amount of $25,000
- Expenses associated with the medical evacuation of the exchange visitor to his or her home country in the amount of $50,000.
- A deductible not to exceed $500 per accident or illness
- $1.19 per day. Beginning 9/1/17 - $1.23 per day
- $100 copay/deducitble per accident or illness
- $25 cancellation fee
For more information or to enroll www.eSecutive.com/aha5
The U.S. Health Care System
The U.S. health care system is probably quite different from what you are used to in your home country. Because understanding the U.S. health care system can be complicated, AHA has dedicated insurance professionals to assist participants. It is best to carefully read the details of your insurance coverage before you enter the U.S. If you have any questions or concerns, you should contact the insurance professional.
Your Travel Health Insurance Policy
Your travel insurance policy is designed to cover your medical expenses during a temporary stay in the U.S. As a general rule, your insurance will cover medical emergencies and most sicknesses, but routine examinations, vaccinations, regular dental treatment, or vision services will not be covered. As is usual with these types of limited policies, there is no coverage for pre-existing conditions. If you suffer from a chronic disease (such as asthma or diabetes), you need to ensure that your health insurance at home covers you for any costs related to these sicknesses while in the U.S.
Always carry your Insurance ID card
In the U.S., you must show proof of insurance when you need medical treatment. If you do not have proof of insurance, you may be asked to pay more than your co-pay at the time of the visit. This can be very expensive.
Getting Medical Attention
The quickest and most convenient way for you to get medical treatment for non-emergency situations is to go to a walk-in clinic or urgent care center. Benefits of these facilities include:
- They are open on weekends and often in the evenings
- The wait is usually much shorter than an emergency room
- The cost is less than visiting an emergency room
- You do not have to make an appointment nor have a relationship with the doctor to be seen and treated
Emergency rooms and hospitals are for life-threatening situations. If you feel your life is in danger, go directly to the closest hospital for treatment and contact AHA as soon as possible. If you go to the emergency room for a non-emergency, you will most likely have to wait several hours to be seen and could incur higher costs than your co-pay. If you need to go to the hospital or clinic but it is not life-threatening, take transportation such as a cab, bus, or subway, or ask a friend to drive you. Ambulances are for medical emergencies only. If your plan has a PPO network, you should use these health care provides. When a PPO provider is used costs are discounted. When do you call 911?
This is the emergency line in the U.S. that links directly to the local police station in your area. If you have an emergency and need assistance from the police or ambulance, dial 911. Do not call this number if it is not an emergency (you are being or have been a victim of a crime, accident, or fire); in some cities, you could be fined.
Medicine
If you currently take medication and will continue this medication while on the program, you should bring enough to last the duration of the program, and you should have all these products properly packaged and labeled before leaving your home country. Please check with your local embassy about any specific documents you may need to enter the U.S. with this medication. If you lose or run out of your medication, you will have to visit a U.S. doctor. Your prescription from home is not valid in the US. AHA recommends you bring enough medication for the duration of your program. Note that the dispensing of birth control is not a free service in the United States, nor is it covered by your insurance.
Dentist
Your policy has limited dental coverage. AHA recommends seeing a dentist prior to coming on your program.