Paid J-1 Internship/Trainee Program in Duck, NC ($16-20/H) - Program Fees Covered by Host Company

Descripción del puesto:

Eligibility Notice:

We are only accepting candidates who are citizens or legal residents of a European Union country. Applications from non-EU candidates cannot be considered for this program.

About the Program
The J-1 Visa Internship & Trainee Program allows international hospitality and culinary talent to gain professional experience in the United States while improving English and experiencing American culture.

Program Options
J-1 Internship (3-month & 6-month contract):
* For current students or recent graduates (within 12 months) in hospitality, tourism, or culinary programs.

J-1 Trainee (6-month contract only):
* For young professionals with a degree + 1 year of experience, OR
* 5 years of experience in hospitality or culinary field

Programs are full-time, 3 or 6 months and follow a structured training plan approved by a U.S. Department of State-designated J1 Visa Sponsor.

Host Company Overview

Coastal Provisions Inc. is recruiting J-1 Interns and Trainees for our partner restaurants and hospitality venues located in the beautiful beach town of Duck, North Carolina.
Our group includes three well-established restaurants and two popular outdoor music venues, offering participants a unique opportunity to develop advanced hospitality skills in a vibrant, high-demand seasonal market.
Participants gain hands-on experience in:

* Culinary operations
* Food & Beverage service
* Guest interaction
* High-Volume restaurant management

The Outer Banks is one of the most popular coastal destinations in the U.S. making it an exceptional environment for those seeking to learn, grow, and build strong skills in the hospitality industry.

Position Overview

Available training areas include:

* Culinary Arts

* Food & Beverage Service

* Food Runner
* Host
This position offers hands-on experience in both kitchen operations and guest-facing interactions in a fast-paced, high-volume beach-town restaurant.

Culinary Intern or Trainee - Kitchen Operations Includes

* Learning kitchen workflow and station operations (prep-to-plate process, timing, communication, and prioritization) under direct supervision.
* Applying proper culinary techniques (knife skills, cooking methods, portion control, mise en place, and safe equipment use) with progressive skill development.
* Food safety and sanitation training in accordance with U.S. standards (handwashing, cross-contamination prevention, temperature control, labeling/storage, and allergen awareness).
* Daily prep and station organization training (par levels, recipe adherence, production planning, and efficient station setup).
* Quality and presentation standards training (plating guidelines, consistency checks, and corrective feedback to improve product execution).
* Maintaining a clean and efficient work area as part of operational training (clean-as-you-go methods, safe storage, and end-of-shift station breakdown).
* Ongoing performance feedback and evaluation through supervisor check-ins and skills assessments (speed, accuracy, safety, and quality).

FOH Restaurant Service Intern or Training Includes

* Guest reception and seating process training (greeting standards, waitlist management, seating rotation, and table-turn strategy) under supervision.
* Service flow and communication training between front-of-house and kitchen (ticket awareness, timing coordination, handling special requests, and basic expediting support).
* Food running and delivery standards training (tray handling, order accuracy, table positioning, guest interaction standards, and professionalism during peak periods).
* Menu knowledge and guest support training (describing key menu items, responding to basic questions, and escalating issues appropriately).
* Service organization and hospitality standards (maintaining an orderly dining room, supporting team coordination, and ensuring timely guest service).
* Ongoing feedback and evaluation via observation, coaching, and performance reviews (accuracy, pace, communication, and guest service quality).

This role requires strong teamwork, efficiency, and a positive attitude in both BOH and FOH settings. Shifts are typically 7-9 hours, and students support restaurant operations throughout the 3- or 6-month season.

Compensation and Benefits

Hourly Pay: $16-$20 depending on position and property

Participants receive structured training in:
* High-volume service during peak tourism season
* Fast-paced kitchen and dining environments
* Interaction with diverse guests from the U.S. and abroad
* Team-oriented work cultures
* Real-world culinary and hospitality skills

Program Costs & What's Covered

Covered by the Host Employer:

* J-1 program and sponsorship fees with mandatory health insurance.

* DS-2019 form and DS7002 training plan

The host company in the United States is covering the full cost of the J-1 Visa program with insurance, which typically ranges between USD 3,500 and USD 4,500, depending on the program duration. While in the United States, the Participant will receive a salary (stipend) paid weekly or bi-weekly. This is a cultural exchange program, not a standard employment program. The stipend is intended to allow the Participant to support themselves during the program, experience American culture, build their professional network, and explore the United States.

Participant is responsible for:

For Participants who hold a valid passport issued by a member state of the European Union, the following application fee structure applies:

A USD 500 application fee, payable in two installments:

* USD 50 (non-refundable) due upon submission of the completed application (application confirmation and identity verification via Stripe); and
* USD 450 due after the Participant has successfully completed the interview, been accepted by a host company, and confirmed their intention to accept the Job Offer ("placement confirmation").

Once the USD 450 installment has been paid and the Participant has accepted a Job Offer from a host company, the full USD 500 application fee becomes non-refundable.

If, for any reason, we are not able to successfully match the Participant with a host company within three (3) months of receiving the completed application and the initial USD 50 payment, the remaining USD 450 portion of the application fee will not be invoiced, and the Participant will have the option to change the placement location so that we may present their profile to another group of employers.

* SEVIS fee (220USD)

* U.S. visa fee (185USD)

* Round-trip airfare

* Housing costs during the program (pre-arranged options available)

These costs (Visa fee, SEVIS, airfare, housing) are paid later in the process, only after your application has been accepted and processed by the accredited J-1 Visa Sponsor and you receive clear payment instructions. Please do not book your flight or make any non-refundable travel arrangements before your J-1 visa has been approved during your interview at the U.S. Consulate.

No additional program fees are charged by Global Career Bridge or the host company.

Additional Support Provided

* Pre-arranged shared housing options (rent paid by participant)
* Airport pick-up or arrival assistance
* SEVIS registration and check-in guidance
* Social Security Number application assistance
* Local orientation (banking, transportation, SIM cards, shopping)
* Multicultural work environment
* Ongoing support throughout the program

Pay: $16-$20 per hour

About Global Career Bridge

Global Career Bridge (GCB) connects European hospitality and culinary students, graduates, and young professionals with paid internships, traineeships, and seasonal J-1 programs in top U.S. hotels, resorts, and restaurants. We work with accredited J-1 Visa Sponsors and trusted employers to provide structured training, visa support, and ongoing guidance