If you want to reach your highest potential while you study in the US, you should consider undertaking practical training related to your specific field of study. This is the best way to gain knowledge and skills that will promote your future career development and to build a network of people that can help you expand your horizons.

International students who are studying in the US on an F-1 visa are faced to some work limitations, but there are many internship opportunities for you that you should not miss.

Understanding visa regulations

If you wish to undertake an internship while you study in the US, you must first understand the opportunities you have based on your type of visa. Assuming you are already studying at a US university, that means that you have an F1-student visa, which typically allows you to take part in an unpaid internship or an internship on your campus.

This doesn’t mean that you cannot become an intern at an off-campus organization. But while working on campus is very accessible and doesn’t require additional paperwork, working outside the campus of your university can be a more complicated process.

Many international students want to kick-start their career while they are still studying, so universities developed two programs especially created for students who wish to gain experience in their field of study: Optional Practical Training (OPT) and Curricular Practical Training (CPT). To check if you are eligible, discuss these with your designated school official (DSO).

CPT internship opportunities

While participation in these programs is not free of limitations for international students, they still offer amazing opportunities for gaining experience in your chosen field and developing your career. In order to be eligible for a CPT internship, you must have completed your first year at university and the internship must be related to your field of study. Some CPT internship opportunities are paid and some not.

OPT internship opportunities

This type of internship can be undertaken while you are still studying or after graduation, and can be up to 12 months. Because this program allows international students to search for a job in the US after completing their studies, it is best to take advantage of this opportunity after you graduate. An OPT internship doesn’t need to be directly related to your degree, but the process is a little bit more complicated than in the case of the CPT program, so you will need to talk with your DSO about getting approval.

Career development programs at US universities

Now that you know the conditions and regulations, you can start searching for your dream internship. The smartest way of doing that is by finding out if your university offers career programs for students. Most US universities offer guidance for students who wish to undertake an internship and can walk you through the possibilities out there.

For instance, Oklahoma City University has a partnership with The Washington Center and is able to offer its students opportunities for full-time internships in the nation’s capital. The internship is tailored to the interest of the student and provides many benefits, including academic credit, lectures by national and international leaders, embassy visits, and workshops.

If you’re studying social sciences, you may benefit from an internship program such as those tailored by the University of Idaho for psychology or communication students. These programs are basically structured experiences that are offered each semester, to help students discover more about their field of employment.

Another example is provided by Southern New Hampshire University, which has developed partnerships with numerous employers, designed to help students find internships and full-time jobs in their field of study. Participants are paid between $8-15 per hour depending on the industry and job description, as well as their own skills and experience. You can choose to work on a semester basis or during summer break. You will benefit from career guidance before choosing your internship, and will then be put in touch with your desired employer for an interview. 

Now that you have all the information you need, you’re ready to start an extraordinary career!

You’ve completed all the application forms, taken all the tests, and now it’s finally time to impress your university’s admission officers with a great college application essay.

A college application essay is usually around 500 words, and those words can mean the difference between acceptance and rejection. You will spend many days researching and crafting your essay, but admissions officers will only have a few minutes to actually read it, so you need to get their attention. 

However, if you are the type of person who likes to start with the don’ts, check out our blog post on How Not to Write a University Application Essay.

1. Read the instructions carefully

They say starting the essay is the hardest part. You may think it’s redundant to mention that you need to read the instructions carefully, but with all the excitement and stress that characterizes this period of your life, it needs to be highlighted.

If you don’t follow the application essay guidelines, the admissions officer may assume that you won’t be able to follow the directions of the university’s program. Page and word limits are mentioned for a reason and you must be able to organize your submission by following the rules. 

After you’ve read through the instructions a few times and gathered your notes, you can start creating an outline to organize your essay and decide what message you want to send. Now you're ready to write your first draft.

2. Start with a compelling introduction

Great writing is hard to achieve, but it’s possible if you’re smart about it. Anyone who works in journalism will tell you that you can catch any reader’s attention as long as you deliver a great introduction.

The admissions officers will only spend a brief amount of time reviewing your essay, so you need to start with a vivid paragraph that will keep them engaged. The introduction has to reveal to the reader what your essay is about and catch their attention. You could open with an anecdote or an interesting story that will show some of the best parts of your personality and character, offering an insight that will help the admission officers get to know who you are.

3. Use your inner voice

Universities are looking for authenticity and quality of thinking, so don’t try to shape your essay around phrases or ideas that people have used many times before, but base it on your genuine beliefs.

The application essay is your opportunity to impress an admissions officer with your determination and existing knowledge of your chosen subject. Make sure it reflects all of your skills and ambitions, and show how your chosen program will help you achieve future goals.

4. Avoid clichés

While you research your application essay, you will be encouraged to check out some examples of great essays and get inspired. While this is a great exercise, many students allow themselves to be influenced too much by the examples, and use lots of clichés in their desire to impress the admission officers.

Remember that there are thousands of others students applying to your desired university, and you need to distinguish yourself. Re-read your essay, delete all the sentences that sound like a cliché, and try to find a more original angle. 

Admissions officers go through thousands of applications a year, so it’s only logical that they will notice those that bring a unique personality to life. Let them discover that!

5. Give good examples to support your ideas

A college application essay is basically a glimpse into how your mind works and how you view the world. If you want your essay to be credible, you need to make sure everything you write supports that viewpoint. Spend some time figuring out how the essay question relates to your personal qualities and then write from a specific angle.

That means that every time you want to express an idea, you don’t simply state a fact, but you also include specific details and examples to develop your ideas. You can do that by offering examples from your personal experiences and writing about what truly motivates you and how you developed a certain belief.

6. Stick to a clear essay plan

Creativity is an aspect very much appreciated in writing, but don’t assume that a creative essay is not also an organized one. Obviously, you don't want to write a bunch of words without meaning, so make sure you write about just one subject at a time.

You will have a maximum number of words, so the secret is not to try to cover everything in your essay. Create a plan before you actually start writing, organize your essay in three parts (introduction, body and conclusion), and decide on the main ideas you want to express.

7. Ask someone to proofread your work

You want to create a great college application, so you will probably read it over and over again in order to make sure there are no typos and spelling and grammar errors. But after a while, you might need a fresh perspective. It's best to ask someone who hasn't seen it yet to take a look, as they're likely to see mistakes you won't catch.

If you ask a teacher or parent to proofread your essay, they will be able not only to catch mistakes, but also to check if the writing sounds like you. After reading so many examples and following all those instructions, it’s hard to tell if what you just wrote is a statement of who you really are or not. Enlist the help of others to make sure that your essay is immaculate.

Now start writing and craft an extraordinary essay!