Hospitality and Tourism Career Training (HTC) Program
J-1 Intern & Trainee Opportunities in U.S. Hotels, Resorts, and Tourism Organizations
The Hospitality and Tourism Career Training (HTC) Program is a structured J-1 Intern and Trainee program designed for international students, recent graduates, and early-career professionals who want to build professional experience in the U.S. hospitality and tourism industry.
Through this program, you will gain hands-on experience in hotels, resorts, restaurants, event venues, and tourism service organizations while participating in an exciting cultural exchange experience in the United States.
Who Is the Hospitality and Tourism Career Training (HTC) Program For?
This program is ideal for applicants who:
- Want to gain practical experience in hospitality, tourism, customer service, or hotel operations.
- Are exploring careers in hotels, resorts, restaurants, theme parks, tourism agencies, or event management.
- Are studying hospitality management, tourism, business, culinary arts, event planning, marketing, or related fields.
- Recently graduated and are seeking international exposure to enhance their resume.
- Are early-career professionals wanting to learn U.S. hospitality standards and global service practices.
- Want to build cross-cultural communication skills by working in diverse, customer-facing environments.
- Are looking for a structured, professional training experience in a fast-paced industry.
Eligibility for the HTC J-1 Intern & Trainee Program
All standard J-1 Intern and Trainee program rules apply. In addition, HTC candidates should meet the criteria below.
1. Academic or Professional Background
To qualify for the Hospitality and Tourism Career Training (HTC) Program, applicants must meet one of the academic or professional pathways required under the J-1 Intern and J-1 Trainee categories:
Intern Category Eligibility
You may qualify as a J-1 Intern if you meet one of the following:
- You are currently enrolledin a foreign degree- or certificate-granting post-secondary academic institution in hospitality, tourism, hotel management, business, culinary arts, customer service, marketing, or a related field; or
- You graduated within the past 12 monthsfrom a foreign post-secondary academic institution in one of these fields.
Trainee Category Eligibility
You may qualify as a J-1 Trainee if you meet one of the following:
- You have a degree or professional certificatefrom a foreign post-secondary academic institution and at least 1 year of related full-time work experience outside the United States; or
- You have five (5) years of full-time work experienceoutside the United States in hospitality, tourism, restaurants, hotels, customer service, or another closely related field.
2. English Proficiency
You must have enough English to:
- Communicate with guests, coworkers, and supervisors.
- Follow service standards, safety procedures, and customer service instructions.
3. Genuine Interest in Hospitality and Cultural Exchange
HTC participants are expected to:
- Be motivated to provide excellent customer service.
- Support guest-focused operations and contribute to positive guest experiences.
- Engage in cultural exchange and represent their home country professionally.
4. Ability to Commit to a 12-Month Training Program
- All HTC programs follow a 12-month training duration, per U.S. program regulations.
- Participants must be available to complete the full training period.
5. Financial Preparedness
Participants must:
- Show the ability to cover travel and initial living expenses.
- Understand that host companies mayoffer stipends, wages, or housing benefits depending on the training site.
- Have access to personal funds to support living costs throughout the program.
Training Tracks
The Hospitality and Tourism Career Training Program includes a variety of structured training areas designed to match your skills and career goals.
A) Front Office & Guest Services
Participants may train in:
- Front desk operations
- Guest relations
- Concierge services
- Reservations and customer service
You will learn how to deliver positive guest experiences using U.S. hospitality standards.
B) Food & Beverage Operations
Participants may rotate through:
- Restaurant service
- Banquet and events support
- Bar or lounge service (depending on company policy and age requirements)
- Dining room operations
This track focuses on service excellence, teamwork, and customer interaction.
C) Housekeeping & Rooms Division
Training may include:
- Rooms inspection
- Quality assurance
- Housekeeping coordination
- Guest service requests
You will learn how U.S. hotels maintain safety, cleanliness, and efficiency.
D) Hospitality Management & Administration
For qualified candidates, this advanced track may include:
- Supervisory training
- Departmental rotations
- Administrative support
- Operations planning and scheduling
This path prepares participants for future leadership roles in the global hospitality industry.
Program Flexibility
Training plans may combine multiple hospitality roles depending on:
- Your background
- Host company needs
- Seasonal operations
Participants should be flexible and ready to support different departments as part of their professional development.
Application Timeline
Applications Accepted Year-Round
HTC applicants can apply any time of the year.
Placements are available throughout all seasons depending on:
- Hotel and resort hiring cycles
- Tourism demand
- Seasonal operations (summer, winter, holidays)
To be considered ready for host company interviews, participants must:
- Create a MyGECaccount and complete the online application.
- Pay the application fee.
- Upload the required documents.
- Complete an interview with GEC.