Internship Placement Description

Placements consist of professional training related to each individual's field of study and career path under the supervision of a designated mentor for a maximum of 12 months. HAESF cannot guarantee placements of desired length, in desired geographical locations or at preferred companies. However, individual suggestions and preferences will be taken into consideration whenever possible.

Interns' decisions to accept or decline a training placement offer should be based solely on the professional relevance of the training. Declining a professionally relevant internship offer equals to declining the HAESF scholarship and support.

Placement Process

After receiving acceptance confirmation from accepted Internship candidates, the placement Manager in the US will begin to secure a placement at a US company or organization.   The process typically takes 1-2 months, and may culminate in a phone interview(s) between an Intern and a potential Host Organization. Once the placement is confirmed by both parties, the CIEE staff in conjunction with the Host Organization will complete an Internship/Training Placement Plan that includes specific objectives for the internship as well as set clear expectations for both Host Organization and Intern.

Placement Focus

In order for HAESF to secure an appropriate placement for you, HAESF must have a clear understanding of your areas of interest within an industry and make sure that they match your academic and professional background. While your professional focus is an essential part of the internship, your placement expectations should not be too specific to ensure that they do not considerably limit your internship possibilities. In other words, striking the right balance between focus and flexibility is of key importance.

TOO BROAD	TOO NARROW	MIDDLE GROUND
Finance	Drivatives Bonds	Institutional Sales and Trading Capital Market
International Relations	Emergency Assistance Peacekeeping	Human rights International Security

Having a few areas of interest (within the same industry) is the best way to go: e.g. venture capital and investment management; international trade and international development. Your HAESF traineeship is likely to be your first full-time “real work” experience. It is certainly a defining moment in your professional development, but it will not entirely determine the direction of your career. Skills are usually transferable within the same industry, and diverse experience is generally considered to be an advantage.

Placement Expectations

Training placements in the U.S. are very competitive. A number of American students from top American universities may be competing for a potential position alongside the HAESF Intern. HAESF takes pride in being able to secure high-quality placements at prominent American companies. Please be advised, however, that your internship will be an entry-level position, which, in addition to the tasks directly related to your career path, is very likely to include some administrative duties and inexpert chores. It is considered to be a typical internship component in the U.S. as long as it doesn't become a significant part of the training experience.

Length of Internship

The HAESF Professional Internship Program allows for a minimum of 6 and maximum of 12 months of participation, including a settling-down period of up to 10 days. The U.S. visa regulations allow J-1 visa holders to arrive up to 10 days before the beginning of the Internship (which will be sponsored by HAESF as a settling-down period) and spend up to 30 days for purposes of travel after the completion of the Internship (at the Intern's own expense). Students who are applying for a one-year internship should be aware that a plane ticket allows for the maximum stay of 12 months. Those who decide to come to the U.S. up to 10 days before the start of the 12-month program and stay in the country after the training for the additional 30 days, will have to purchase another return ticket at their own expense. If that is not an option, but you still want to travel in the U.S., a slightly shorter internship should be considered, so that the training, the settling-down period and travel time does not exceed 12 months. You also have an option of purchasing two one-way tickets (see below).

Airfare

The HAESF Budapest office will purchase the Intern's plane tickets after s/he secures his/her J-1 visas. The Intern's plane ticket allowance will be based on the best available round-trip economy price. There are two plane ticket options available to choose from: one round trip ticket for the maximum of 12 months fully paid for by HAESF in advance; or two one-way tickets - first ticket paid for by HAESF in advance and the return portion purchased by the Intern at a later date with the remainder of the allowance. The Intern will be responsible for any additional costs of the return flight.

General Award Info

The maximum amount an Intern is eligible to receive is $25,000 USD for 12 months. HAESF considers it to be a generous award, significantly above average when compared to similar Internship programs or stipends available to international students at leading American universities. Please be advised, however, that the award is meant to cover only basic living expenses for a comfortable standard of living on a student budget.

Awards cover the following:

• one round-trip plane ticket from Hungary to the U.S.
• room and board (in shared accommodations)
• local travel
• travel health insurance
• visa processing fees
• personal allowance
• 10-day “settling-down” expenses

Awards do NOT cover:

• any dependent related expenses
• vacation/ leisurely travel in the U.S.
• gift or pleasure shopping
• hardware or equipment purchases (computers, laptops, printers etc.)
• additional expenses that pertain to lifestyle preferences

Individual Awards

Monetary amounts vary from Intern to Intern depending on the length and location of the individual internship. The award amounts are determined in advance based on each Intern's individual circumstances and are not negotiable.

Housing

Selected Interns will be responsible for locating and securing adequate housing for themselves. The housing portion of the Award is budgeted to cover a separate room in shared accommodations. Housing should be within a reasonable commuting distance to and from work, accessible to public transportation and in a safe neighborhood. Living in a safe and affordable residential area usually involves a commute of anywhere between ten minutes to an hour. Longer commutes in large metropolitan areas of the U.S. are to be expected.

Visa Services

HAESF will assist Interns in securing J-1 visas administratively and monetarily. Ultimately, however, HAESF cannot guarantee the receipt of a U.S. visa. Interns will be responsible for completing all visa forms in a timely and accurate manner, meeting with U.S. consular officials for an interview and maintaining and submitting appropriate documentation.

Internship Restrictions

Selected Interns will be asked to abide by all US laws, US government's rules and regulations for the program as well as HAESF's internal policies, such as:

• HAESF Interns cannot work, take a second internship or volunteer while in the U.S. unless such an arrangement is approved by CIEE in advance.

• HAESF Interns are not allowed to receive any other compensation in addition to their total HAESF Internship Award.

• Upon completion of the HAESF program Interns are required to return to Hungary for a minimum of three years, and are not permitted to stay or attempt to stay in the U.S. or any other foreign country, including to work or pursue work. The three-year residency requirement may be waived in limited instances, such as for some Interns who are accepted to an educational institution abroad or Interns visiting foreign countries on a tourist visa or a short-term business visa related to Interns' work activities based out of Hungary. Prior to finalizing any such arrangements that may affect the three-year residency requirement, Interns are required to inform the HAESF Budapest office and receive approval from HAESF with respect to those arrangements. Interns who do not meet the three-year residency requirement without the permission of HAESF or CIEE may be required to refund their Internship amount.

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