Internships & International Students
Printable International Students and CPT FAQs
Are international students eligible to do an internship?
YES. F-1 visa students can apply for curricular practical training work
authorization (CPT) through their sponsoring organization (Skidmore). Generally, F-1
students must complete two semesters before eligibility, and the experience must be
related to their major.
Why should I hire an international student?
International students bring a range of unique advantages that can enrich your organization, including a global perspective, diverse skill set, multilingual abilities, and creativity. Their experiences navigating different cultures and environments foster adaptability and innovation, which can drive fresh solutions to complex problems. Additionally, international students are eager to gain real-world experience. They can contribute to your team through programs like CPT and OPT without requiring employer sponsorship during their training period.
Do I have to sponsor an
international student for their internship?
NO. F-1 and J-1 students are sponsored by ·¬ÇÑÖ±²¥. The Office of Student Academic Services authorizes the CPT (curricular practical training).
I do not want to fill out paperwork to hire an international student,
what's required?
There is minimal paperwork that needs to be completed. For example, an introductory offer letter or form that includes key details (dates of internship, hours per week, duties & responsibilities) and I-9 Form, which an employer would customarily provide for non-international interns or employees. Skidmore will review this before granting the international student internship authorization. At the conclusion of the internship, we will need a letter from the employer that summarizes the student’s performance during the internship.
How quickly can an international student start their internship?
can expect to receive approval within one week from the Skidmore
Student Academic Services if they meet all eligibility requirements to start their internship.
How long can international
students do an internship for?
Generally, enrolled students using CPT can obtain work authorization one semester at a time or during the summer vacations. CPT students are limited to working part-time (up to 20 hours/week) during the fall or spring semester. They may work up to full-time during the summer vacation period.
Does it cost money to have an
international student to do an internship?
No, practical training has no costs for the employer or the student. The international student should be compensated accordingly if it is a paid internship.