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IAESTE is a worldwide organization which partners highly qualified international students with local universities and industries. This is a reciprocal exchange program, which means that for each job raised by the local chapter at Virginia Tech, one of the IAESTE VT members will be guaranteed a paid internship abroad. There are numerous benefits for employers to participate in IAESTE:

1. Employers are virtually guaranteed to get some of the brightest students from a pool of 30,000 applicants in over 80 member countries.
2. It does not cost more than hiring someone locally. (In fact it is sometimes cheaper, with an average salary of $300/week and a small program fee. Additionally employers save even more because they are not required to pay FUTA or FICA taxes on international interns.)
3. Employers are not taking an internship away from a VT student, since it is a one-on-one reciprocal exchange.
4. Our local chapter will take care of welcoming the intern (airport pickup, finding housing, social activities, etc.) and the national office handles all visa issues.

To learn the easy steps to host an intern, please visit the IAESTE national web site's page about the IAESTE US Companies: http://www.iaesteunitedstates.org/Companies/.

To download the Employer Offer of Training form and instructions, please see our Downloads page.

'03-'04:

- Dr. Michael von Spakovsky, Professor, Mechanical Engineering
- Ms. Beth Tranter, Research Associate, Center of Power Electronics Systems
- SynaptiCAD, local software company

'04-'05:

- Dr. Tim Larson, Professor, Biochemistry
- Dr. Finley Charney, Professor, Civil & Environmental Engineering
- Dr. Nancy Love, Professor, Civil & Environmental Engineering
- Ms. Elizabeth Tranter, Research Associate, Center of Power Electronics Systems
- Dr. Ishwar Puri, Department Head, Engineering Science & Mechanics
- Dr. Brian Love, Professor, Materials Science & Engineering
- Dr. Uri Vandsburger, Professor, Mechanical Engineering

Dr. John E. Dooley, Vice Provost for Outreach and International Affairs
"We are proud of the accomplishments of our chapter of IAESTE and appreciate its efforts to connect our outstanding student scholars with other student scholars around the globe. Active student engagement in the global marketplace is a critical component of our efforts in enhancing the international presence of Virginia Tech and IAESTE is a leading organization to that objective."
Biographical Information on Dr. Dooley: http://www.provost.vt.edu/bio/dooley.html

Dr. S.K. De Datta, Director, Office of International Research, Education, and Development, and Associate Provost for International Affairs
"IAESTE members realize that students face fierce competition for high paying jobs due to increased globalization. In order to better prepare the students IAESTE developed a strong network to enhance international awareness among engineering students here in the U.S. as well as abroad. These efforts enhance the profile of international collaboration and therefore alert and prepare the students for the job market they will enter. Virginia Tech supports these measures to succeed in the global arena, and I personally wish the IAESTE members continued success with their mission."
Biographical Information on Dr. De Datta: http://www.provost.vt.edu/bio/dedatta.html

CALS Hosts Irish Student in an IAESTE Summer Internship

S. Michelle Danaher, a graduate in Biochemistry from the University of Cork in Cork, Ireland, was sponsored by the International Association for the Exchange of Students for Technical Experience (IAESTE) for a summer internship in the laboratory of Dr. Tim Larson, Department of Biochemistry, Virginia Tech. From June through September, Michelle conducted successful research in sulfur metabolic pathways in the gram-negative bacterium Azotobacter vinelandii. As well, this outgoing and energetic student visited New York City, Virginia Beach, the New River Gorge National Park in Fayetteville, WV, went on several camping expeditions, went tubing on the New River, and joined in the fun at Virginia Tech's first two home football games. At the end of the internship, Michelle returned to the British Isles to study for a Master's Degree at the University of Hull, England. Delighted with Blacksburg and Virginia Tech, however, she determined to return here, to apply for a PhD in the Biochemistry Department and to continue her research. Those who interacted with her on a daily basis had enjoyed the experience of making friends with an unabashedly Irish extrovert and sharing cultures. Dr. Larson's lab looks forward to working with more IAESTE students in the future.

1. What is IAESTE?
   The International Association for the Exchange of Students for Technical Experience is an international network of exchange organizations that facilitate international technical internship exchange.
2. What is IAESTE United States?
   IAESTE United States is a program of the Association for International Practical Training (AIPT), a non-profit exchange organization based in Columbia, Maryland. IAESTE United States represents the U.S. in IAESTE international.
3. Why should I hire an international student when I can benefit a US student?
   By providing placement for an international intern, you are helping a Virginia Tech student due to the reciprocity of this program.
4. What is your interest in this program?
   Each job raised at Virginia Tech for an international student provides the opportunity for a Virginia Tech student to go abroad for an internship.
5. How long does it take to fill out the program form?
   The 2009 Employer Offer of Training form will likely take a maximum of 30 minutes to complete. If you have already decided the general job requirements your international intern will have, it will likely take less than 30 minutes.
6. What is the step-by-step process for employers?
   1. During the fall, describe your research institute's need for an intern, including qualifications and timeframe, by completing an Offer of Training form.
   2. In January, we will exchange your offer with one of our 80+ IAESTE counterparts, who will then nominate a highly qualified student candidate.
   3. During the spring, you accept or reject the candidate. If you accept, IAESTE United States finalizes all of the paperwork, including the J-1 visa authorization.
7. What are the program fees?
   

   Length of program:	University Fee	Industry Fee
   0-3 months	$750	$1025
   4-6 months	$1200	$1525
   7-12 months	$1500	$2025

8. 8)What is the minimum salary, pay, and work hours for an international intern?
   $300-$400 per week or enough to cover the cost of living. Students work full time (32-40 hours per week) to comply with their visa regulations; most IAESTE interns are paid between $8 and $12 per hour. Keep in mind that $300 is a rough national average and that in some areas the cost of living may be higher. IAESTE interns are motivated by the experience to train in the U.S. but they must be able to cover their costs (room, board, etc.) during their training.*
9. 8)How to handle if the student travels while here, is the salary hour based and is there a limit to the time away from campus?
   Visiting students like to travel while in the states. They will primarily travel on weekends, but he/ she might ask for a Friday or Monday off from work. You can handle this at your own discretion. There is no limit to time away from campus as long as he/ she is still considered full time.*
10. What about insurance?
    All students arrive fully insured.
11. What about housing and transportation?
    The VT student chapter of IAESTE will coordinate receiving the intern at the airport, provide transportation for the intern, help the intern get settle and comfortable with Blacksburg, and locate appropriate housing for the intern.
12. What about taxes?
    Interns are responsible for all federal, state, and local taxes with the exception of Social Security and Federal Unemployment taxes.
13. If this person arrives and does not work out, am I obligated to keep him/her?
    No. We do request that you do everything possible to make the arrangement satisfactory, but if it just is not working, you may terminate employment.
14. How long has IAESTE been operating?
    IAESTE United States was established at MIT in 1950.
15. How many countries are in the IAESTE network?
    The number is constantly changing, but currently there are more than 85. Approximately 30,000 students apply to IAESTE worldwide.
16. What is my legal responsibility?
    As the legal sponsor, IAESTE United States/AIPT assumes responsibility for your interns while they are in the United States, with respect to the J-1 visa and immigration matters. AIPT/IAESTE United States is designated by the Department of State to issue J-1 visa documentation. As a host employer, you are responsible for keeping IAESTE informed of any changes in the program or important developments.
17. What activities do I have to plan with the interns?
    We always recommend a company to keep the interests of the student in mind, such as company picnics or sporting events, but it is not a requirement. The LC will be responsible for coordinating social activities.
18. Why should I hire an international student when I can benefit an American student?
    By providing placement for an international intern, you are helping an American student due to the reciprocity of this program.
19. I can't host an intern, so how else can I get involved?
    Companies can support IAESTE United States activities, and non-students can even join as professional members. See the Industry Relations Brochure for more info.

*If there is a question about the wage, we ask only that it cover all living expenses. The students are motivated by the experience of coming to train in the U.S., not by the salary.

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