By Lindsay Marsh-Coleman, Associate Director | Career Advancement Program
As you plan for the upcoming season, we encourage U.S. host organizations already participating in the Work and Travel program to consider whether they may also be strong candidates to host Participants for the Intern and Trainee program.
Many organizations already hosting seasonal participants have the infrastructure, supervision capacity, and interest needed to support more structured, career-focused training opportunities.
Expanding into the Intern and Trainee program can help you deepen engagement with international talent while building long-term value for your organization.
Why Host Organizations Should Consider the Intern & Trainee Program
Hotels, restaurants, and other seasonal employers often already have departments and workflows that align well with structured training opportunities. When properly designed, these environments can offer participants meaningful professional development beyond seasonal roles.
Relevant departments may include:
- Hospitality – Food and beverage, Culinary, Front Desk, Front-of-House
- Human Resources (HR) – recruitment, employee relations, payroll processing
- Information Technology (IT) – systems support, software operations, cybersecurity
- Finance & Payroll – accounting, budgeting, reporting
- Marketing & Sales – campaigns, promotions, digital media, guest engagement
- Business Administration – operations, logistics, project coordination
- Engineering / Maintenance – facilities management and technical projects
- Food & Beverage Management – kitchen leadership, service operations
By identifying these areas within your organization, you may uncover strong opportunities to host interns or trainees in roles that support professional growth and skill development.
Key Requirements for Intern and Trainee Placements
To ensure compliance and a high-quality training experience, host organizations must meet the following criteria:
- Provide structured, career-aligned training under qualified supervision
- Develop a formal DS7002 Training/Internship Plan (T/IPP)
- Maintain operations without seasonal closures exceeding 30 days
- Avoid placements involving casual, manual, or unskilled labor or roles designed solely to fill staffing shortages
- Ensure a stable, mentorship-driven environment that supports professional development
Summer Work Travel vs. Intern and Trainee Hosting
Both programs support cultural exchange, but they serve different purposes:
- Work and Travel hosts provide seasonal employment and cultural exchange opportunities
- Intern and Trainee hosts provide structured, career-focused training and professional development
It is also important to note the difference in program duration: Summer Work Travel participants typically work for up to four months, while Intern and Trainee participants typically train for 6–18 months, allowing for more in-depth skill development and longer-term project involvement.
For organizations ready to go a step further, the Intern and Trainee program offers an opportunity to contribute to global workforce development while bringing international perspectives into your workplace.
Next Steps for Host Organizations
As you review your current hosting structure, consider:
- Which departments already support structured learning or training
- Whether certain roles could be expanded into formal training opportunities
- How your organization could benefit from longer-term professional exchange participants
- What support you may need to transition into hosting interns or trainees
Interested in Expanding Your Hosting Opportunities?
If your organization is ready to explore hosting international interns or trainees, learn more at HostGreenheartProfessionals.org
You can also connect with our team to discuss your company’s suitability for the BridgeUSA Intern and Trainee program at [email protected].