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Internships are an excellent tool for advancing your skills in a field of interest. In the US, it is often necessary to complete your degree and highlight skills, as well as gaining valuable work experience. Internships are almost always unpaid as the intern is gaining skills and experience. It is important to find the right match so that the relationship is beneficial to both intern and company.

Search for Internship in NYC

New York is a city that draws people from across the globe. Internships here are extremely competitive, but the experiences offered can also be exceptional. Internships are commonly set-up through a university for its students. That said, you could also try to establish direct contact with companies of your interest. Online search engines may also be used to find internships. To secure an internship aboard, it may be necessary to find a company that sets-up the internship.

Internet Searches for NYC

Another helpful site is NYCintern.org. It is for undergraduates and graduates to find discounted housing in high-priced New York City. The system partners 3 to 4 interns in an affordable apartment.
Example of interesting Internships in NYC:

• The Actors Theatre Workshop: Offers 4-18 month programs entitled as "Non-Profit Business Management Internship for Arts and Community Center". Interns receive hands-on training in non-profit arts business management in the city of theatre. The interns' primary responsibility is to manage the daily administrative operations of the organization and to take a leadership role in programming initiatives. Along with personal development, interns will produce on-going classes and workshops for professional actors and in community programs that serve Youth-at-Risk and homeless children. For international applicants, English proficiency is required.
• NYC Summer Internship: If your interests are in government, the city of New York offers summer internships where interns can participate in a special seminar series with top city officials presenting overviews of municipal government, specific agencies, and the latest issues confronting the city. This is open for undergraduate and graduate students that are currently enrolled.

Other useful websites to find internships in NYC:

• Alliances Abroad: The trainee program is in the USA and is open to university students and recent graduates who want to train in their professional field to gain valuable international experience. Paid positions are available in many fields
• GoAbroad
• InternshipsAbroad
• Cultural Vistas
• World Endeavors
• InternJobs
• iAgora
• Aisec

Media

Several papers have a helpful classified's section. There are job and internship offers for professionals and university students, as well as sections dedicated to specific professions. These include:

• The Wall Street Journal
• The New York Times
• Daily News
• New York Post
• Metro New York

Networking

Networking can also be very useful. If you have a family doctor and are interested in medicine, ask about the possibility of interning at the office. If you are interested in art, ask at your favorite gallery. Tell your family, friends, and family friends that you are looking for an internship and see if they have any contacts in your field of interest. It never hurts to ask.
A popular American phrase says it all: "It is not what you know, but who you know!"

Expat events can also be a great way to find out how other expats found work and see if their company has any openings. Use social media and expats forums to find out about your nearest networking events.

Visas for Interning in the USA

If your company or university is taking care of the visa process, it is still up to you to provide the documents necessary for securing the visa. They will apply for you and walk you through the process. Once your application is accepted by the US Labour Minister, it will go through the INS process which takes at least 2 months. Then you can show this accepted application to the US consulate.

Full information on visas and right to work can be found in our visa section, although there are some options for students below.

Please refer to "Passport & Visa" section of the guide for full details.

Insurance Abroad

Wherever you go, it is recommended that you take out travel insurance as it covers any event that might occur when you are abroad. Many internship or university programs handle visa arrangements and include insurance coverage in their program fees or as part of their compensation.

If they do not, compare around for rates and coverage before contracting any Healthcare & Medical Insurance.

Consult the section on "International Healthcare & Medical Insurance" to find out more about your options or compare companies on our services site,Expat-Quotes, for example:

• Coverworks Worldwide Travel Insurance: Coverworks Travel Insurance was established to specialise in providing dependable and affordable cover both for the backpacker and for the independent traveller
• Insure & Go: Cheap cover online for gap years & backpacking, skiing, adventure travel, single trips & annual travel
• Go Travel Insurance: A leading provider of online travel insurance for UK & Irish residents
• APRIL International: Apply online for free quotes on repatriation assistance and expatriate and foreign health insurance.
• AXA PPP healthcare: With over 35 years' experience in the international health insurance market, AXA PPP healthcare are dedicated to looking after the healthcare insurance needs of people who are living, working or retired in the US. Their International Health Plan has been developed and tailored to meet your needs as an expatriate and they have produced three different levels of medical insurance cover.