Chicagoland Chamber member Spirit Cultural Exchange has been designated by the US Department of State as a J-1 Program Sponsor for the Summer Work and Travel, Internship and Trainee Programs. The organization facilitates these cultural exchange programs with employers and thousands of participants each and every year. 

Chamber member organizations can get involved with these exchange programs that Spirit offers. Listed below are opportunities for companies with an interest in Mexico.

Spirit’s Mexico Internship Program

In addition to Spirit’s standard J-1 Intern/Trainee programs in the United States, Spirit offers a J-1 Mexico Internship Program focused on welcoming interns to the USA from Mexico in one of four occupational categories: Information Media and Communications, Management, Business, Commerce and Finance, Public Administration and Law, as well as The Sciences, Engineering, Architecture, Mathematics and Industrial Occupations. Spirit is actively seeking to partner with Chicago-based companies interested in hosting Mexican Interns.  The organization has many Mexican Intern applicants interested in placement in internships in the STEM fields. 

A few important points to note about the program for potential Host Companies:

  • There is no cost to the Host Company to utilize Spirit’s services. Intern participants pay a program fee to join the program and receive Spirit’s J-1 visa sponsorship.
  • Host Companies may identify their own interns or Spirit can recruit and screen intern candidates for companies.
  • Spirit provides the intern with all necessary visa support paperwork, medical insurance and 24/7 support throughout their time in the US.

2017 Mexico Scholarship Program 

Spirit is currently accepting applications from Mexico Intern Program applicants for its full scholarship program. Scholarship recipients will have their program fees and medical insurance fully covered by Spirit.To apply, applicants can send an email to skolasa@spiritexchange.com. Time is running out to apply for the 2017 scholarship year.  For some background on the program, visit Spirit’s website to read about the first-hand experience of Jose (Javier) Mena, our 2016 Mexico Internship Program scholarship recipient!