How can you participate?

The process is easy. As a host employer, you specify the qualifications you are seeking in a student and submit an offer of training to IAESTE by January 1.

Every January the IAESTE United States delegation meets with its IAESTE international counterparts to trade position offers made by our host employers. The international IAESTE committee that receives your Offer of Training will nominate a qualified student applicant - one who meets your requirements - from our pool of approximately 30,000 students worldwide. You may opt to interview the candidates via the telephone or simply review their resumes and credentials. If you accept the applicant, IAESTE United States finalizes all the paperwork, including visa arrangements.

Frequently Asked Questions

1. What does IAESTE stand for? - International Association for the Exchange of Students for Technical Experience.

2. What are the program fees?

   Program Length	University Program Fee	Industry Program Fee
   Up to 6 full months	$600	$800
   Between 7 and 12 months	$1200	$1400

   
   

3. What is the minimum salary for trainees? - $300/week. If there is a question about wage, IAESTE asks only that it cover all living expenses. The students are motivated by the experience of coming to train in the U.S., not by the salary.

4. What about insurance? - All students arrive fully insured.

5. What about housing? - The Northwestern Local Committee will assist you and the intern in locating housing for him or her.

6. What is the duration of training? - A typical training period is 8-12 weeks during the "summer" months, although longer training programs are becoming increasingly more common (maximum training period is 12 months).

7. What about taxes? - Trainees are responsible for all federal, state, local taxes with the exception of Social Security and Federal Unemployment taxes.

8. How long has IAESTE been operating? - IAESTE United States was established at MIT in 1950.

9. How many countries are in the IAESTE network? - The number is constantly changing, but currently we are up to 86. In 2001, 25,000 internships were exchanged worldwide through IAESTE.

10. What is our interest in this program? - IAESTE is a program run by AIPT, a private, non-profit organization dedicated to international exchange. Each job raised in the US for an international student provides the opportunity for an American student to go abroad for training.

11. If the person arrives and does not work out, am I obligated to keep him or her? - No. We do request that you do everything possible to make the arrangement satisfactory, but if it just isn't working, you may terminate employment.

12. What is my legal responsibility? - As the legal sponsor, IAESTE assumes responsibility for your interns while they are in the United States, with respect to the J-1 Visa and immigration matters. As a host employer, you are responsible for keeping IAESTE informed of any changes in the program or important developments.

13. Do I have to entertain them? - We always recommend a company to keep the interests of the student in mind, i.e. company picnics, sporting events, but it is not a requirement. The LC will be responsible for coordinating social activities.

14. Why should I hire an international student when I can benefit an American Student? - By providing placement for an international trainee, you are helping an American student gain international experience working abroad.

Other questions? Contact us!