UW Visiting International Student Internship & Training Program

Presenters: Anita Kain Sokmen, UWEO Lynne Chronister, Research & OSP

Parties involved in UW VISIT UWEO (administrator of VISIT on behalf of UW) Academic department or program hosting the Intern and faculty supervisor ISO (responsible for visa issuance and compliance)

New “Student Intern Category” A foreign student currently enrolled and pursuing a degree academic institution outside the US Internship will “fulfill the educational objectives for his or her current degree program at his or her home institution” All degree levels qualify!

Length of VISIT Internship Limited to 12 months Alternative: Visiting International Student Engaged in Research (VISER), months, available soon!

Intern must: Be in “good academic standing” Be primarily in the US to engage in an internship rather than provide labor or services

Intern must: Have sufficient funding for US stay Have verifiable and adequate English language skills Have health insurance

Intern must: Attend New Intern Orientation and Immigration Check-in Enroll in the VISIT Program through UWEO but may NOT enroll for UW coursework Return home to complete the degree

Internship must… Expand upon Intern’s existing knowledge and skills Expose intern to American techniques, methodologies, technology

Internship must… Be full-time (32 hours/wk) Be completed within 12 months per degree level or major

Internship must not… Displace US workers Exist to serve a labor need Involve unskilled or casual labor

Internship must not… Consist of more than 20% clerical work Involve patient care or contact

Host must… Determine whether resources are sufficient to host an Intern Appoint the “Supervisor” Secure approval from Chair & Dean Determine English language proficiency (interview, or request standardized English-language test scores)

Host must… Give Intern appropriate access to facilities/resources Inform UWEO of changes in Intern’s assignment, activities, or duration of stay Inform UWEO of any emergency involving the Intern

Host must… Assign only activities that assist the Intern achieve the internship objectives. Provide “continuous on-site supervision and mentoring…by experienced and knowledgeable staff” Provide a structured, guided, full-time work-based learning experience Evaluate intern quarterly

Host may… Pay the Intern a “stipend” (job class code 0858), if ISO approves in advance and the externally funded sponsor approves if awarded funds will be used

Bringing an Intern to UW Online information

Fee Waiver Complete form one month in advance Reviewed by UW leadership Notice within 5 days Approval based upon set of criteria – Existing relationship? – Mutual benefit? – Building new relationship?

For questions or assistance Annmarie McMahon VISIT Coordinator