Korea WEST
Welcome and Overview
Dear WEST Scholar,
Congratulations on having been selected as a WEST (Work, English Study and Travel) participant. What an honor to represent your university and country in this historic cooperative program between the Republic of Korea and the United States! The Association for International Practical Training (AIPT) is pleased to be a U.S. Exchange Visitor Program Sponsor selected by the U.S. Department of State to arrange the WEST Program.
We at AIPT have been working hard to develop a unique program to equip you with English training, American business skills, and a professional internship with a U.S. company in your field of study. It is our job to provide comprehensive preparation and support to help you succeed and fully benefit from the WEST Program. AIPT wants you to develop the skills and global competencies for leadership in the global market.
AIPT believes that the training you will receive, the skills you will learn, and the friendships you will make during the WEST Program will create opportunities throughout your career. With 60 years of expertise creating customized professional development programs in over 80 countries, AIPT’s premier program will challenge you with fresh ideas and new approaches that will contribute to your intercultural and professional growth. Please explore our website. We look forward to welcoming you to the AIPT WEST Program!
Work, English Study, Travel
The WEST program is an innovative exchange program created by a memorandum of understanding between then-Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice and Foreign Minister Yu Myung-hwan of the Republic of Korea. The program will allow qualifying university students and recent university graduates from the Republic of Korea to enter the United States for a period up to 18 months on J-1 Exchange Visitor Program. This visa will allow students the opportunity to study English and American business practices, participate in internships, and travel independently at the end of their program. In the future, it is planned that U.S. students will be given the same opportunities in the Republic of Korea. The U.S. Department of State and the Republic of Korea have selected AIPT as a designated Sponsor of the WEST program.
Why Choose AIPT?
- Leadership: AIPT is the leading J-1 Visa sponsor for intern and training programs. We are a not-for-profit organization, with all our revenue dedicated to strengthening the quality of AIPT participant programs.
- Quality Internships: With 60 years experience providing intern and training programs, AIPT has the best network of host companies to help find the right internship for you.
- Quality and Choice of English Programs: AIPT has partnered with some of the nation’s leading ESL providers to give you a choice of training location, teaching method, and program duration to meet your individual needs.
- Program Fees: While program fees may appear the same, the AIPT program fee has the best value and includes not only the English and Internship program, but also domestic transportation from your English training site to your internship location, potentially saving you hundreds of dollars.
- Care and Support: AIPT professional staff cares about each and every one of our participants and are here to help you throughout your program to have the best possible experience.
- 24-hour emergency assistance
- Comprehensive medical insurance during your Korea WEST program in the U.S.
