Become a Host Business

Trainees:

• Have a minimum of 1 year practical work experience
• Have a post-secondary degree in their career field
• Speak conversational English
• Have a driver’s license
• Are 21 years or older

Interns:

• Are currently enrolled (or have recently graduated within 12 months) in a degree-seeking program related to their placement.
• Have a driver’s license
• Are usually 21 years or older

Trainees and interns are interviewed and carefully screened by Experience International and our program partner in their home country. They submit a full application that includes a resume, references, and a detailed placement request. Based on applications and interviews, it is determined if they qualify for the program.

There are two basic ways in which you can host through the program:

• EI Placements: You tell us what you’d like to offer and we find qualified applicants for you through our international network of program partners abroad.
• Self Placements: If you have a candidate in mind and would like to offer him/her a position, provide us with the contact information and we’ll help make it happen!

Hosts submit an application and training plan to EI outlining the business and types of opportunities that could be provided. Once we have a good idea of what you offer, we match applicants with available positions. As part of the placement process, trainees review the training plan provided by the host and hosts review applicant resumes and references. EI assists with the basics of writing a training plan and hosts have a chance to speak with prospective applicants over Skype or the phone before a commitment is made.

Once both host and trainee agree, we move forward with the necessary paperwork.

Hosts are farmers, businesses, public agencies, private organizations, researchers, or educators in fields related to agriculture, horticulture, food processing, forestry, fisheries, natural resource management, natural sciences, engineering, computer science, business, marketing, conservation, education, social services, library science, counseling and social services, information media and communications. Hosts have an interest in sharing their industry knowledge, learning about the world, and mentoring international trainees/interns. Requirements include:

• Provide on-the-job practical training, guided by a written training plan
• Provide at least 32 hours a week of training for 1-18 months
• Assign a supervisor to the participant
• Provide the trainee or intern with exposure to the diversity of functions involved in your workplace
• Provide safe work conditions and ensure safe work practices
• Provide either a living wage or combination of stipend, housing and food
• Provide Worker’s Compensation Insurance
• Provide cultural opportunities and ideas for sharing of cultures
• Cooperate with Experience International to comply with Department of State Regulations
• Comply with Fair Labor Standards and Migrant & Seasonal Agricultural Worker Protection Acts

1. Contact Experience International!
2. Complete a Host Application.
3. Sign a Host Agreement.
4. Create a Training Plan (we work with you to do this).
5. We will discuss the hosting options with you; share resumes; put you in contact with applicants; and do whatever follow-up is necessary to ensure you receive the best possible trainee/intern.
6. If you would like to be more proactive, we will help put together a position description tailored to your placement site, circulate it to our program partners abroad, and share with you the responses.
7. Finally, if you already have someone in mind, through personal or professional contacts, we can work with you so that they come through the program.

You can request an trainee/intern for 1-18 months, depending on the season that matches your industry’s needs.

The staff at Experience International are happy to answer inquiries from both experienced and prospective hosts. And, as a host to an international trainee/intern, you can expect ongoing support from EI program staff who will work closely with you to ensure a positive and productive experience, including:

• Matching hosts and trainees/interns
• The screening and selection process includes working with our overseas program partners to ensure quality applicants with verified English speaking skills and background checks
• Assistance with developing individual Training & Internship Plans
• All paperwork related to the J-1 visa
• An arrival orientation and logistical instructions to get to placement site
• Host Manual
• Newsletters and host updates
• 24/7 emergency contact in case of urgent questions, illnesses or accidents
• Resources addressing:
  • Cultural adjustment
  • J-1 exchange visitor program and regulations
  • Payroll taxes, W-4, and I-9 forms
  • Fair Labor and Standards & Migrant and Seasonal Agricultural Worker Protection Acts

Trainees and interns with a J-1 visa are exempt from Federal Payroll taxes (benefit to host), but are subject to Federal Withholding. In most cases they are subject to all State Payroll Taxes and Withholding. Complete information is provided in the Host Manual.

Additional information is available in IRS Pub 15; Circular E; Employer’s Tax Guide: http://www.irs.gov/pub/irs-pdf/p15.pdf

• Section 9. Withholding From Employee’s Wages: Amount to Add to Nonresident Alien Employee Wages for Calculating Income Tax Withholding Only
• Section 15. Special Rules for Various Types of Services and Payments; Go to Students, scholars, trainees, teachers; review item #5