Internships in United States

The US has a strong work reputation and internship opportunities in almost every sector. Interning in the United States will look incredible on a CV or resume after graduation, giving you a chance to perfect your English skills, and build a powerful professional network. People from other countries often find American’s friendly and personal demeanor off-setting, but after completing an internship in the United States, you’ll understand why Americans are so open.

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Frequently Asked Questions

If you’re an international student looking for an internship in the US, you’ll first want to figure out if you need the F-1 student visa or J-1 exchange visa. In some cases (like the J-1 visa) you’ll also need a sponsor. Once you know which visa you’ll be applying for, it’ll be easier to get an internship, either by searching online or through your university.

How to Get an Internship in the United States

After finding viable internship opportunities, you can either apply through a program provider or directly to the company you’re interested in interning at. You’ll need to present your resume/CV and (most likely) a cover letter, as well as proof of English language proficiency and visa eligibility.

There are internship opportunities all across the USA! Depending on your field, some locations might be more relevant than others. For example, if you’re interning in technology or computer programming, California is probably a good place to start looking.

How to Get an Internship in New York City

If you’re a US citizen, it’ll be easier to find paid internship opportunities in the US. In certain cases, international students are also eligible for paid internships. There are stipulations that allow you to be paid on both the F-1 and J-1 visas, so be sure to ask your internship provider about this.

To intern in the US, you’ll either need a F-1 student visa or J-1 exchange visa. The F-1 visa is for international students who intend to study full time in the US (but allows up to 20 hours of work per week in approved settings), while the J-1 exchange visa is intended for cultural exchange participants.

Latest Program Reviews

Memories that will last a lifetime!

April 29, 2025by: Po R. - United StatesProgram: Bard NYC: Study and Intern in New York City

I've had such an amazing experience with Bard NYC! The dormitory is great -- honestly, the best dorm I've ever lived in. The location in Williamsburg is perfect. Everyone is very friendly and always ready to talk/help, and there are lots of events happening in the dorm. My internship experience was incredibly insightful. It helped me narrow down my research interests for grad school, gave me valuable lessons in communication and how research labs are organized, and definitely helped me land a dream internship for the summer. I am so so thankful for this opportunity. I would definitely do Bard NYC again!

A Life-Changing Semester! How Bard NYC Shaped My Professional Path?

April 28, 2025by: Kate Parr - RussiaProgram: Bard NYC: Study and Intern in New York City

My name is Kate, and I am an international student studying at Bard NYC! I am currently finishing my Spring 2025 semester at Bard NYC, and it has been incredibly rewarding. The career opportunities I received during this semester were amazing. My major is Film and Electronic Arts, and I had the chance to intern at Greenpoint Pictures, a commercial production company based in Brooklyn. The film and media industry is very competitive, and even though I had projects in my portfolio before, this internship became the first real professional opportunity I got. I worked on set as a production assistant for major American and international brands. Bard NYC helped me a lot with improving my CV and cover letter to apply for this internship, and I’m so happy that this is how I got to spend my semester in NYC because this is exactly the type of company I want to work for in the future. The classes at Bard NYC are awesome too. I’m taking a film criticism class, a photography class, and a poetry class. The classes are usually early in the morning or in the evening to accommodate students' schedules. Another great thing is that if you’re doing a Bard NYC semester, you get to take advantage of the city's opportunities. Recently, I became a member of the Grammy U community, which allows me to attend conferences hosted by the Recording Academy! Additionally, I’ve attended some cool events for filmmakers and collaborated with students from other schools on short films. Overall, I loved Bard NYC, and I believe it’s an amazing opportunity to transition from university life to a professional career after college! I would totally recommend it to any college students studying at American universities or universities abroad:)

Memories that will last a lifetime!

April 29, 2025by: Po R. - United StatesProgram: Bard NYC: Study and Intern in New York City

A Life-Changing Semester! How Bard NYC Shaped My Professional Path?

April 28, 2025by: Kate Parr - RussiaProgram: Bard NYC: Study and Intern in New York City

A Guide to Interning Abroad in the United States

Prepare for an Internship

Set goals

Figuring out what you want to do is one thing, but doing so in the USA can be an even bigger task! After narrowing down your field, here are a few questions to consider when considering goals:

Are there any professional (or personal) achievements I’d like to make while interning?
Learn valuable personal and professional skills that build growth.
Connect with people both personally and professionally while learning more about the world and yourself. In what ways are they connected?

Goals look different for everyone! Use these, get inspired, or leave them here. Whatever works!

Understand the benefits

Regardless of what you know of the States, it’s undeniable that there’s much to experience there!

Accommodation assistance is typical. Employers will help or have accommodations that generally have all the Western standards.
Lots to do and see. The USA offers everything from historical and cultural sites to sports communities to a colorful social nightlife. Looking for outdoor activities after work—the US has you covered!
Vast food options. It’s no secret that the offerings are a bit mind-boggling with options ranging from staple regional specialties to incredible indigenous fairs to the wild fusion-inspired options that have become American.

Things to know

You might be wondering what you should look into as you plan to intern in the US. Here are the top things you have to work on:

Basics - Most internships need good English skills and are aimed at students or young professionals. You’ll likely need health insurance, so look into that early. Show initiative and commitment—it’s key to success in many work cultures.
Cost of living - Costs vary by location, so know what your program covers and plan a budget to manage your spending.
Visas - Check visa requirements early since most internships need one. Stay connected with your embassy for help and resources.

Choose a Location

Choosing a place to intern in the US can be a big task! If your field allows it, consider your budget, preferred climate, or activities you’re interested in.

Washington D.C.

The national capital is where all the political magic happens. You can also see the inner workings of the United States government by visiting Capitol Hill.

There are plenty of cultural opportunities on the National Mall alone.

New York City

NYC aka The Big Apple needs no introduction. Everything is at your fingertips here and public transit is just the start.

There are plenty of internships to choose from, from the arts to ecology to marketing, to name a few.

Chicago

Unlike NYC or LA, Chicago is found in the middle of the country in Illinois. Between its multiple sports legacies, arts scene, and downtown itself, it’s a city with plenty of opportunities.

It’s walkable and has reliable public transit.

Choose a Field

There are lots of internships available in the United States. Here are a few highlights, but there are hundreds of opportunities across dozens of fields.

Business, Marketing, and Finance

English is the language of global business so gaining experience in the field in the United States can set you apart from the crowd. Marketing and advertising firms across the US house some of the most classic campaigns that are still referenced today.

Hospitality and Tourism

Many internships in the US are available in the hospitality industry and positions will be in hotels and resorts. It’s a great way to work those customer service skills, travel, and meet lots of people.

Media and the Arts

Media, film, television production, and even theatre internships are popular in the United States. With the media powerhouse of New York on one coast and the most famous film production city in the world, Hollywood, it’s a no-brainer.

Getting Started

Getting started with your internship abroad may feel overwhelming, but with a few key steps, you'll be well on your way. Follow this guide to help you through the process:

1. Get matched

As you continue to research, our Online Advisor can match you with programs and send them straight to your email.

2. Choose a program

After you’ve matched with (or found a program you like), log in to or sign up for a MyGoAbroad account and start comparing programs side-by-side.

3. Choose how long to stay

When planning your internship abroad, it's important to decide how long you want to stay. Here are some options to consider based on your availability and goals:

Short term. Great for those who are interested in exploring a program abroad or have a brief break available from school or work.
3-6 months. Excellent for students, academics, or others who have a bit longer but don’t want an elongated stay abroad.
Long term. For those who are looking for a year or more abroad. Great for a gap year, academic, or individuals looking for work experience.

4. Funding & scholarships

Scholarships and financial aid support of various kinds are abundant in the USA.

GoAbroad can get you instant matched with financial offers. Just fill out our scholarship and deals application and check it out!

5. Apply

Once you've nailed down the details of what and where you want to pursue your internship in the US, it's time to apply! Simply visit the program page of your chosen internship and click "Apply Now" or "Inquire Here." After applying, a program coordinator will reach out to you.

6. Get your essentials

Now that everything’s lined up for your U.S. internship, it’s time to handle the last few details—apply for your passport and visa, book your flight, and be sure to grab travel insurance to stay covered while you’re abroad!