Office of International Services

International Student Internship Program at NC State University

Student Intern Program Flyer

The International Student Internship program at NC State University facilitates temporary, full-time internship opportunities for select international students to do an academic internship on campus with an NC State faculty supervisor OR with a US company (for those students who are studying at one of our partner universities overseas). This is a terrific opportunity for overseas students to experience US culture and enhance their academic program at their home institution. The information below and on related pages describe the different opportunities, eligibility requirements and application procedures. Please read this page in its entirety then follow the appropriate link below for further information.

The internship information here is written for overseas students, their home school advisors, NC State faculty and staff who wish to host an international student intern, and host organizations (companies and agencies in the US) who wish to sponsor and hire an international student intern. Current international students in degree programs and in F-1 or J-1 status at NC State should refer to the Student Employment sections of the OIS website to learn about practical or academic training.
Quick facts regarding the international student internship program:

  • The duration of the internship can be between 2 and 12 months
  • The internship can start anytime during the year (begin and end dates do not have to coincide with our academic calendar semester dates)
  • The internship can be paid or unpaid
  • The student is responsible for finding an appropriate internship (OIS, GTI, Co-op, and other units at NC State University cannot offer placement services or assistance for students looking for internships in the US)
  • The student must be enrolled in either an undergraduate or graduate program outside the US
  • The student must have completed at least one academic year of post-secondary education abroad before beginning the internship in the US and must have at least one semester at the home institution remaining after the internship
  • Prospective international student interns use an online application process and upload their supporting application documents online

Other Important Eligibility Requirements:        

  • An overseas student who is offered an On-Campus Internship position with an NC State faculty member must be in good academic standing at an accredited institution of higher education overseas and must be eligible to continue in a degree program at home
  • An overseas student who is interested in engaging in an Off-campus Internship (with a company, government agency, or other organization in the US) must be a student in good standing at one of our overseas partner universities (a valid signed MOU between NC State and the home institution must be on file). NC State does not support international student interns for off-campus positions if they are not enrolled at one of our partner universities. For more information about MOUs, please visit the OIA website
  • The internship must be an integral part of the student’s academic program and must be recommended by the academic advisor at the home university
  • If the student intern’s native language is not English, proof of English language ability is required
  • Student interns must have sufficient funds to meet estimated living expenses for the entire duration of the program in the US. The source of this funding may be personal, family, or third party funds (e.g., scholarship or stipend from the faculty supervisor or the US company). Proof of finances in the amount of $1,250 per month (or more) must be submitted (student interns may actually need or spend more or less than this amount, but this is the minimum amount which must documented before we can issue a visa certificate)
  • Student interns must have and maintain health and medical insurance which meets the federal requirements for the J-1 Exchange Visitors for the entire duration of their program
  • Companies and other off-campus host organizations that wish to employ or sponsor an international student intern must have (or establish) a third-party agreement with NC State University. Only one third-party agreement with the University is necessary regardless of how many student interns the company may host
  • Companies and other off-campus host organizations must agree to and facilitate an evaluative site-visit by an NC State representative unless otherwise exempt (previous sponsor, academic institution, government agency, or US company with more than 25 employees or annual revenues in excess of $25 Million).

Check-in & Program Validation
All student interns are required to check-in with OIS and participate in a brief orientation upon arrival in the US. To schedule a check-in appointment, the student should email ois@ncsu.edu or call 919-515-2961. If the student intern reports directly to the company site outside of North Carolina without checking-in with OIS in Raleigh, a virtual check-in and orientation can be arranged through skype or video conferencing, but the student intern may not begin work until the check-in has taken place and OIS has validated the student intern’s record in the Department of Homeland Security’s database system (SEVIS).

Site Visit
Federal regulations require that the Program Sponsor (OIS) conduct a site visit for any company placement of a student intern if the company has fewer than 25 employees or less than 3 million dollars in annual revenues. Statutory exceptions to this requirement are academic institutions or government agencies - and companies that have successfully participated in our program before. To keep our overhead costs low (and costs to the student), we ask companies outside central North Carolina and that are required to have a site visit to provide for one round trip ticket (and local transportation) for one OIS staff member to conduct a personal site visit (usually about 2-3 hours midday – this can be arranged by phone or email). OIS also reserves the right to conduct a site interview if any significant concerns or complaints are raised by either the participant or supervisor.

Evaluation
Student interns must engage in a final evaluation with their company supervisor (this should incorporate both the learning outcomes and assessment tools as described in the Form DS-7002 as well as any company assessment processes at the end of their internship period. This evaluation must be uploaded to the International Application Center to complete the internship program. Student interns or companies that do not submit a copy of the final evaluation jeopardize their school or company involvement in future placements. Internships that are more than six months in length also require a mid-point evaluation. Interns may use our online Internship Evaluation or submit a copy of a formal company evaluation.

 

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