The J-1 Visa provides countless opportunities for international candidates looking to travel and gain experience in the United States. But what does this US Exchange visitor program offer Host Organizations?
What are the benefits for the employer, your guests and team?
To understand the benefits of hiring a J-1 intern or trainee, it is important to understand the aims of the J-1 intern and trainee programs.
What is the J-1 Intern and Trainee Program?
The J-1 Intern/ Trainee program are Cultural Exchange programs. The programs have been introduced by the U.S. Department of State to allow foreign college and university students or recent graduates to come to the United States to gain exposure to U.S. culture and to receive hands-on experience in U.S. business practices in their chosen occupational field. The program has a maximum duration of 12 months for the Hospitality industry.
Celebrate Cultural Diversity!
It is 2020 and many of us are aware of cultural differences. We are curious about different cultures and want to learn more about them, especially in our global Hospitality industry. It makes us and our teams more effective in the services we provide. Cultural differences have been embraced by global business and cultural diversity programs have become the standard. The J-1 program is a fantastic way to expose your team to other cultures and is the perfect opportunity to celebrate both, the applicants and U.S. culture. Diversity has proved to bring fresh ideas and new energy into teams as well as increasing your company’s international credibility, stature, and brand. Being in a global industry, having a diverse and culturally aware team is essential.
J-1 Candidates are super motivated and eager to learn
J-1 candidates are fantastically motivated as they are doing their placement for their future career in the Hospitality Industry. They have clear objectives for their internship and want to learn transferable skills, embrace cultural knowledge and experience first hand the USA during the internship program. When hiring a J-1 applicant the property liaises with either the agency or visa sponsor to create a training plan. This is to ensure the program adds value to both the Hotel and to ensure the candidate develops through a structured, monitored and progressive training program.
Fresh minds generate fresh ideas
Set your Hotel apart from the competition with innovative ideas and perspectives!
Think about it... welcoming a foreign national, who is studying or studied in their field, with a different culture, a different mindset, but with an immense eagerness to please your guests and learn. This is bound to create new ideas when combined with your existing team. With cultural awareness comes an enhancement in guest knowledge. With ideas, which your business can pick up and implement. We have seen Host Organizations embrace these ideas for years. Properties have incorporated dishes, systems, reward systems, team outings and protocols from this knowledge. In addition, properties organize cultural spotlights where the J-1 applicant presents their culture to your team and vice versa.
I have worked with J-1 visa programs for 15 years now and I would say the main benefit of this program is the relationships it builds. It builds them in your team, with you guests and with other countries. I hope you do move forward with a J-1 program and join the many other host Organization, benefiting from this great program and enhancing the US brand around the world.
Thank you for reading.
Richard.
What can Training 4 Hospitality do for you?
Training 4 Hospitality can help you with your recruitment needs. We recruit candidates directly from universities for their internships, or recent graduates who want to experience the U.S. from all over the world.
Do you want to welcome a foreign national to your F&B, Front Office or Kitchen team for 6 or 12 months? Then don't hesitate to send me a message to find out more! Or email our team at Info@training4hospitality.com
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