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The Student Intern Program is a structured and guided work-based learning program, set forth in an individualized Training Placement Plan (T/IPP), that:

• Reinforces a student ongoing academic course of study at a foreign institution (students who have already graduated are not eligible);
• Recognizes a need for work-based experience to supplement an ongoing academic program at a foreign institution;
• Provides on-the-job exposure to American techniques, methodologies, and expertise;
• Enhances the student intern's knowledge of American culture;
• Is a maximum duration of 12 months, with no extension permitted.

Special Notes, per U.S. Department of State regulations:

• No more than 20% of the tasks performed by a student intern can be clerical;
• The internship program is full-time (minimum of 32 hours a week);
• Students are not eligible for internships involving in patient care (including but not limited to veterinary care, physical or sports or speech therapy, medical or other clinical or medical care, social work, counseling, child care or early childhood education;
• Interns cannot be placed in positions involving unskilled or casual labor or aviation;
• Hospitality and Tourism student internship programs of six months or longer must contain at least three departmental or functional rotations.

UAF Special Notes: Students who have completed an academic program equivalent to a U.S. bachelor’s degree and are enrolled in the equivalent of a U.S. graduate program (masters, doctorate), may be hosted as J-1 Short-term or Research Scholars. See those sections on the UAF Office of International Student and Scholar Services website for additional information. A training plan must be provided with the scholar documentation.

• J-1 Exchange Visitor Checklist (PDF)
• Candidate Information Form (PDF)
• J-1 Department Sponsorship Form (PDF)
• DS-7002 must be completed

The form must be completed and approved by the ISSS, the sponsoring UAF department, and the student intern as a first step in the process and before the J-1 document (the DS-2019) can be issued. On receipt of the DS-2019 and approved DS-7002, the intern will be able to apply for the J-1 visa. This document must be presented at the U.S. consulate or embassy appointment, along with the DS2019 and other required documents, during the visa application process.

International Student and Scholar Services must receive confirmation from the student's academic advisor at their home institution confirming the value of this internship opportunity in relation to their ongoing academic program. This advisor must also confirm that the student is in good academic standing and will continue in the academic program upon completion of the internship (students who have already graduated are not eligible for a J-1 student internship program).

Sponsoring departments must ensure that student interns have verifiable English language skills sufficient to function on a day-to-day basis in their internship. English language proficiency must be verified through one of the following: (1) an interview conducted by the sponsoring department documenting that the student has verifiable English language skills sufficient to function on a day-to-day basis in the internship environment; (2) documentation of English proficiency test scores of at least 79 for TOEFL or 6.5 for IELTS or 105 for (Duolingo is only accepted if the TOEFL/IELTS exams are unavailable in the applicant’s home country); (3) documentation of citizenship and/or residency of sufficient length to demonstrate English proficiency in a country in which English is the primary spoken language; (4) documentation of satisfactory completion of the equivalent of at least one academic year of coursework at a college or university in which English is the primary language of instruction (official transcripts or the equivalent must be submitted).

Student interns must be currently enrolled in and pursuing studies at a degree-or certificate-granting institution of higher education outside the United States to qualify. Students who have already completed their academic programs are not eligible. Before issuing a J-1 document for a student internship program, International Student and Scholar Services must receive a form from the academic advisor at the student's home institution documenting that the student is enrolled in an ongoing academic program.

Student interns must have sufficient finances to support themselves for their entire stay in the United States, including housing and living expenses. This may be in the form of any of the following:

• A statement from a bank showing available funds;
• A contract or an award letter from a sponsoring organization or institution indicating the dates that the intern's expenses will be covered and the amount of funding provided;
• UAF funding (contract letter).

These documents must be in English, or accompanied by an English translation. The currency may be stated in the home country currency or converted into U.S. dollars. $1,500 per month is the minimum funding requirement.

Student internship programs must expose participants to America techniques, methodologies and expertise and expand upon the participants' prior work experience or training received elsewhere.

Maximum duration of a student internship program is 12 months for each degree level. This 12 months can be divided up in to smaller time periods during a student’s degree program. Students are not eligible for participation after completing the degree.

UAF sponsoring professors are required to complete an evaluation for each student intern. All evaluations must be completed prior to the conclusion of the internship program and submitted to International Student and Scholar Services.

• Programs exceeding 6 months in duration require midpoint and concluding evaluations;
• Programs of six months or less require concluding evaluations only.

Student Interns are not UAF students, meaning they may not have access to the on campus privileges enjoyed by UAF students, although they must be continuing students in their home countries. They do not need to register for classes although they may enroll as part-time, nondegree-seeking students at UAF. This will be infrequent since student interns must be engaged in the internship activities on a full time basis of 32 hours or more per week and will not normally have time to take classes.

The following steps must be completed by the hosting faculty (in cooperation with the student intern) to host a student intern at UAF. International Student and Scholar Services Associate Director, Immigration Compliance and the International Scholar Coordinator are the official points of contact.

The UAF Hosting department must submit the following before the DS-2019 can be issued:

• Completed J-1 Student Intern Authorization Request Form (PDF);
• Completed Beneficiary Information Form;
• Proposed Intern's CV;
• Copy of passport ID page;
• UAF invitation letter;
• Documentation of finances;
• Documentation of English proficiency (Note: If the interview option is used, it must be conducted with the student by phone or in person to determine that the student has adequate English skills to function in the proposed internship.);
• Completed, signed copy of the form DS-7002 (PDF);
• Completed home country school academic adviser form;
• ;
• Note: Special arrangements must be made if the prospective intern will be placed at a non-UAF-affiliated site. Contact the Associate Director, Immigration Compliance for specific requirements before beginning any paperwork.

Student Intern process cycle:

1. The hosting unit will send a scanned copy of the signed DS-7002 to the student intern as an attachment with a copy of the J-1 Student Intern Program Academic Advisor Form (PDF) with instructions.
2. These two completed, signed documents from the student and advisor must be submitted to ISSS with the other required documents for issuance of the DS-2019. ISSS will notify the faculty supervisor or departmental representative when they are ready to be sent to the student by courier service.
3. Student will apply for the J-1 visa at a U.S. consulate or embassy, based on instructions provided by International Student and Scholar Services (and embassy or consulate web site).
4. After the student obtains the J-1 visa they will enter the U.S.
5. Student or unit representative will notify ISSS as soon as is reasonably possible on student's arrival in Fairbanks. Proof of health insurance must be provided on arrival and before beginning the internship program. Failure to provide documentation of health insurance meeting minimum U.S. Department of State Exchange Visitor Program requirements is grounds for immediate termination of the internship and J-1 eligibility.
6. Supervising faculty will complete an evaluation for the student intern. All evaluations must be completed prior to the conclusion of the internship program and submitted to ISSS with a copy provided to the student intern. Programs exceeding 6 months in duration require midpoint and concluding evaluations. Failure of the supervising faculty to provide the evaluation will be the basis for denial of approval to host future student interns under this program.