In the fall of 2008, the United States Department of State and the Government of the Republic of Korea’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade announced the creation of an innovative public diplomacy program called WEST (Work, English Study, and Travel).

The WEST Program is designed to provide top Korean University students and recent graduates with the unique opportunity to enter the United States for up to 18 months in order to study English, understand American business practices and culture and participate in an internship with an American host company.

WEST is a strategically important program designed to create greater collaboration between The United States and the Republic of Korea by building future leaders who have experience with and exposure to both cultures.  The U.S. Department of State and the Republic of Korea’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade strongly encourage American host organizations and Korean companies with operations in America to participate in the WEST program by providing meaningful internship opportunities.

The WEST students have been carefully selected by their Universities and the Republic of Korea based on their academic records, personal attributes and motivation.  They have a variety of academic and professional experiences, including business administration, finance, engineering, law, political science and the arts.  The WEST students are excited to contribute their talents to host organizations and benefit from a formative professional experience.

Participants on the WEST Program enter the United States on a J1 Exchange Visitor Visa for a period up to 18 months.  The first five months of the WEST Program are devoted to structured English language training.  While pursuing language instruction, participants will also take coursework in American culture and business practices.  Upon completion of these educational requirements, participants will begin a work-based internship of up to twelve month’s duration with a corporate, non-profit, academic or other employer.  Upon conclusion of the internship, participants may have the opportunity to travel for one month.

Intrax Cultural Exchange is one of three Department of State sponsors chosen to participate in the launch of the WEST Program and facilitate placement of participants with U.S. host companies.

To view the Department of State’s announcement of the WEST program, please visit: http://exchanges.state.gov/jexchanges/jexchanges/docs/west_0209.pdf

For more information on the Intrax West Program, please visit:

http://www.intraxwestprogram.com

To participate in the WEST Program, please contact:
Magdalena Zadarnowska
415.434.5560
west@intraxinc.com