ICEO USA Training Program uses educational and cultural exchanges to increase mutual understanding between the people of the United States and the people of foreign countries. In addition, this program is designed to achieve educational objectives of international exchange by involving trainees in bona fide training at American host companies. Program duration is up to 18 months (or 12 months in the tourism and hospitality fields).
Participants will be exposed to various professional American techniques and methodologies to develop advanced professional skills. Participants will interact with their American colleagues and customers during their training experience. This is a great opportunity to not only acquire important advanced professional experience but also to see and be a part of American lifestyle and culture in the workplace.
Make lasting connections with American colleagues. Share ideas, collaborate on projects, and ultimately develop lifelong friendships with those you meet and work with.
By visiting historic sites and participating in local events, not only will participants get to experience new activities, they will also see how American people interact and experience American culture.
Potential program participants must be over 18 years of age; have sufficient English language skills to function on a day-to-day basis in the training environment; complete the program application, administrative steps, and interview process; provide all additional required documents and proof of the ability to bring sufficient personal funds with them to the United States.
Potential program participants must, at the time of the application, either have a degree or professional certificate from a foreign post-secondary academic institution and at least one year of related prior work experience in their occupational field acquired outside the U.S. or five years of work experience outside the U.S. in their occupational field, and enter the U.S. to participate in a structured and guided work-based training program in their specific occupational field.
Participants in ICEO Program pay reasonable program fees that cover ICEO extensive services and applicable health and travel insurance for Participants. For information on specific fee amounts and what they cover, please contact ICEO International Representative in your home country.
The detailed information regarding costs associated with ICEO Program participation is included in the Program Participant Handbook. The costs include housing, transportation, food, entertainment, and cultural activities.
The Training Program may last up to 18 months (culinary arts, chef training and other hospitality or tourism training programs may last up to 12 months). The length of the program will be specified prior to the participant’s arrival in the U.S., and depends on the specific training program.
Participants encounter numerous forms and documents during their program. Here are some of the most important ones: Passport, J-1 Visa, DS-2019 Form, DS-7002 Form, I-94, Insurance ID Card, Social Security Card, and Program Participant Handbook.
All participants of ICEO program are required to have health insurance for the duration of their program. Most participants will receive health insurance as part of their ICEO program package.
Participants traveling to the United States are expected to have a round trip plane ticket. Participants can either purchase their tickets independently or use assistance of ICEO International Representatives who processed their program application. Program Participant’s Handbook has a lot of useful tips and information to help Participants get ready for their travel to Unites States.
The training placement is described on the “DS-7002 Form – Training / Internship Placement Plan”. The Training Placement Plan is completed and approved by the host company, and approved by participant and ICEO, prior to participant being accepted to the program. The DS-7002 Form contains all the details of the training program, including program phases, objectives, skills which participant will learn during the program and additional important information regarding the participation in the training program. Participants may not take a job in addition to their approved training placement.
Exploring American Culture is an important part of the program and should be embraced by all participants. Participants are expected to balance their time in the U.S. between cultural activities and training experiences.
Once participants confirm their travel plans to the United States, the next step is finding a place to live. If the host company does not arrange housing, participants are responsible for finding their own housing that is affordable, comfortable, safe, and close to their work site. Participants are also responsible for all the costs associated with renting their accommodation.
There is a variety of public transportation options available for daily commute in the United States. The actual options depend on participants’ program locations and may include Bus, Subway, Tram System, Taxis, ride-sharing services, or bicycling.
Participants spend their program in various local communities in the United States. ICEO encourages participants to get to know their local community and their members. Getting involved in the life of the local community is an extremely rewarding and often life changing experience, and important part of ICEO Programs.
