June 14, 2023 CAEP “I wanted to participate in the CAEP program because it has allowed me to chase my dream of breaking into the American thoroughbred industry, renowned for producing the world’s best racehorses through three centuries of materialist selection,” shared Ian. “Being granted a student visa, the internship has provided both theory and practical aspects that have been the stepping stone needed to develop a career in the thoroughbred industry. This has been beneficial as one gains hands-on experience raising thoroughbreds, learning about their make-up, and how to manage them. The opportunities in South Africa have been unavailable to…
By Sasha Gerhardson, J-1 Manager, The Washington Center On Tuesday, May 25, seven J-1 interns from Mexico and two staff members from the Washington Center participated in a meet and greet roundtable discussion with State Department staff followed by a one hour guided tour of the Department’s Diplomatic Reception Rooms. In this blog entry, J-1s share their reflections about their visit. Graciela Corral Hernandez I loved learning about the Diplomatic Reception Rooms, the fine and decorative arts of the 18th and 19th centuries found in the Reception Rooms are rich in history and each painting and piece of furniture has…
Summer is a time for road trips and discovering new people and places along the way. I’ve decided it’s time for me to hit the road to meet the people who participate in the Department’s Exchange Visitor Program and to share their experiences, so I want you to come along too! Please join me and my team for Route J-1, a special road trip we’re taking to highlight the faces, places and connections behind the J-1 Exchange Visitor Program. We’ll be posting regular updates, pictures and stories right here on the Route J-1 blog. You can also follow our adventures…
The Directorate of Private Sector Exchange (Private Sector) is pleased to announce an initiative for College and University Student-category exchange visitors participating in academic training in the fields of science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM). We introduce this opportunity in response to the recent Joint Statement of Principles in Support of International Education. Department-designated sponsors have also expressed an interest in incentivizing more STEM opportunities for international students. Eligible exchange visitors must be undergraduate and pre-doctoral degree-seeking J-1 College and University students who are pursuing or recently completed STEM-related studies. The maximum total length of their academic training is capped…
A version of this story was originally published on CIEE Alumni Blog Nathan Britton Wunsonti Musah participated in the J-1 Visa Exchange Visitor Program in 2008, traveling from Ghana to experience working and living in Oklahoma City as a ride attendant at Frontier City amusement park. Nathan received a Bachelor of Fine Arts degree from the Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology in Kumasi, Ghana. He currently works for the major political opposition party in Ghana. In addition to political work, Nathan exercises his drawing talent in his spare time. Nathan shares lessons learned from his Summer Work and…
By Tamires Marques, J-1 Intern from Brazil I love when dreams come true. And knowing the Yosemite National Park was one of them! Yosemite is one of the most paradisiacal places in the world! If you do a quick search on the most beautiful places to see in California, this park is sure to be at the top of the list. And for me, it was “desire at first sight!” Those who know me well know that I am passionate about mountains, animals, green areas, trails and adventures. And nature did very well in that region, making Yosemite definitely my…
There is a Nigerian proverb that says, “The day on which one starts out is not the time to start one’s preparations,” but in the case of BridgeUSA exchange visitors Daniel Enebe and Samuel Eze, the day they met they unknowingly set their international exchange plans in motion. Daniel and Samuel met on the first day of college in 2017 as engineering students in Nigeria. Daniel wasn’t sure he was in the right place for the medical clearance and admittance process on campus. He turned to a fellow student and asked for directions. “He had this natural charismatic aura about…
SEVIS Release Information 2019 SEVIS Release 6.47 System Changes – June 2019 (PDF) SEVIS Release 6.48 System Changes – September 2019 (PDF) 2018 SEVIS Release 6.37 System Changes – January 2018 (PDF) SEVIS Release 6.38 System Changes – March 2018 (PDF) SEVIS Release 6.39 System Changes – April 2018 (PDF) SEVIS Release 6.40 System Changes – June 2018 (PDF) SEVIS Release 6.41 System Changes – October 2018 (PDF) 2017 SEVIS Release 6.36 System Changes – November 2017 (PDF) SEVIS Release 6.35 System Changes – July 2017 (PDF) SEVIS Release 6.33 System Changes – April 2017 (PDF) SEVIS Release 6.32 System Changes…
Jody Mayo, Communications Manager, Alliance Abroad Group A version of this story was originally published on Alliance Abroad Wilmar Lee is a robotics fanatic and she’s passing her infectious passion to middle school students in Houston, Texas. She is a Filipino citizen participating in a J-1 visa teacher exchange program. Back home, on the other side of the world, Wilmar taught math, computer and MAPEH (Music, Art, PE, & Health) classes for 12 years. She was also an innovator and proponent of using robotics as a way to engage students and promote science, technology, engineering, and math studies. Wilmar started a robotics…
Written by J-1 Intern Chi Fai (Tony) Chau from Hong Kong During my internship with Assemblymember Ron Kim (District 40), I worked as a constituent liaison, helping to address and resolve the everyday issues that many New York residents, including immigrant communities, often face. It was an unforgettable time for me because I have not participated in this sort of experience, even in my hometown. Through this experience I found myself much more confident than I believed, and I realized I was good at communicating with people, even when they were of different races and backgrounds. It was a pleasure…
