Computer Science Internships in United States

With an international population of citizens from every other country in the world—not to mention stunning landscapes, freedom to travel from state to state, and several distinct geographical (and social) climates—there are many reasons for taking advantage of all that this country has to offer when you consider computer science internships for foreigners in the United States. There are also some great, practical reasons that someone with the goal of securing a competitive internship in computer science would look to the U.S., as it’s currently home to some of the top tech towns in terms of research, production, and innovation.

Silicon Valley (AKA the southern Bay Area of San Francisco, California). You can’t consider your list of possible computer science internships for foreigners in the United States complete without exploring the options in Silicon Valley. Since the first wireless telegraph transmission in 1899, San Francisco has been known as a center for technology, communication, education, and innovation—leading the way in computer science and technology development since the 1970s. With easy access to the Pacific Ocean, and a truly international port, the Bay Area has a rich history of international trade, a global food community, and a progressive political climate.

Austin, Texas. The capital city of Texas, Austin is the fastest-growing large city in the United States. Referred to as the “Silicon Hills” since the 1990s, when a large influx of computer and technology companies set up shop, Austin also offers a rich and vibrant food and music scene, a strong sense of pride in local businesses, and an active community with public safety and public access as high priorities. The cost of living is affordable, as well—housing is about 17% higher than the national average, but most other expenses, like food, utilities, and transportation fall at or below the cost for comparable cities in the rest of the country.

Madison, Wisconsin. This mid-sized, midwestern city is currently in the midst of a transition from an almost exclusively government and university-based employment community to one of the most affordable tech-friendly cities in the United States. Consistently ranking high on all kinds of “best of” lists, Madison offers natural beauty (with its lakes, parks, and bike trails), great restaurants, and a cost of living that is 2.5% lower than the national average. While companies like Google and Microsoft have made outposts in Madison, there are also numerous makerspace and hackerspace communities that create plenty of opportunities for computer science interns to enjoy their work with other like-minded people outside of the workplace, as well.