Embargo Period

5-9-2018

Degree Name

MA in International Education

First Advisor

Lynee Connelly

Second Advisor

Udi

Abstract

The J-1 Trainee and Intern Exchange Visitor program came out of the legislation of the Mutual Educational and Cultural Exchange Act of 1961. This policy was brought forth at the end of World War II. The J-1 is a “non-immigrant visa category … for individuals approved to participate in work-and study-based exchange visitor programs” (U.S. Department of State, J-1 Visa Basics). The J-1 has many subcategories, including Au Pairs, Summer Work Travel, College and University Student, Intern, Trainee and many more. The J-1 visa subcategories that will be the focus of this capstone paper are the Intern and Trainee programs. The Intern and Trainee programs are used to bring individuals into the United States to do paid training and internship programs with a focus on education and cultural exchange. The J-1 Exchange Visitor program was enacted to help bridge cultures and communities from around the world. It was a way to connect Americans with international individuals and for them to share and learn technical skills in a variety of different fields. It was a way of educating and building connections. Since 2017, the J-1 Exchange Visitor program has been brought to the forefront and there has been serious conversation about cutting the program based on a variety of reasons. This capstone paper looks at the J-1 Trainee and Intern Exchange Visitor program and assesses whether or not it is fulfilling its original purpose as an educational and cultural exchange program. Based on the evidence collected from interviews and surveys, the J-1 Trainee and Intern Exchange Visitor program is fulfilling its original purpose as an educational and cultural exchange program.

Disciplines

International and Comparative Education | Labor Relations | Public Policy

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