Hospitality & Culinary Trainee

The Training/Internship Placement Plan (T/IPP) is an official document signed by you, your host company representative, and your sponsor. The plan outlines what you will learn and the hands-on experience you will gain while participating in the J1 Trainee Program. It includes phases of learning, skills and tasks, information on your supervisor, and examples of cultural exchange activities available to you.

Alliance Abroad works closely with our host companies to ensure that safe, affordable housing and transportation is available near the site of training. Some of our host companies provide housing, and payroll deduct the cost of it from your paycheck. Some host companies work with us to provide housing leads of apartments or houses that have worked well for participants in the past. When reviewing housing, we always look at the monthly cost, furnishings, cost of utilities, proximity to the site of training, safety, and available transportation options to ensure it is a suitable option.

No. In fact, if looking for a J1 Trainee placement in the field of hospitality, it can only be 12 months or less. Typically, participants request at least a minimum of 6 months. We will work with you to determine the length of program that meets your needs and program requirements.

If you were an Intern but now qualify as a Trainee, you may participate again after living outside of the U.S. for at least two years. If you completed a J1 Trainee Program and have been outside of the U.S. for two years, you may come on a new Trainee program. In any of these situations, your second program must demonstrate an enhancement of learning that builds upon the experience you received on your first program.

Alliance Abroad offers a Deferred Payment Plan to eligible participants. This allows you to pay a lower program fee in the beginning, and then continue to pay the remainder of your program fee after you start your program and start earning a stipend from your training. We also work with host employers who are willing to pay the sponsor fee in full and then payroll deduct once you are on your program. Please share any concerns regarding the fees with your Alliance Abroad contact to find out what options might be available for you.

Yes. Even though a stipend is not required by the J1 Trainee Program regulations, Alliance Abroad only works with host employers who agree to pay an hourly salary to their Interns and Trainees. We ensure this stipend is the higher of state or federal minimum wage and explain any other benefits provided by the host employer in a detailed offer letter provided to you during the interview process for your review. We want to ensure you have enough money to cover your expenses during the time you are here.

The J1 Intern and J1 Trainee programs require a mid-point and final evaluation. These should be completed with your supervisor. Our evaluation can be done online and asks basic questions regarding your training experience to ensure your program is progressing according to your Training/Internship Placement Plan and achieving the objectives of the program

You can learn more on the official U.S. Department of State website.